Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 : Plasma concentrations and A(-2518)G promoter polymorphism of its gene in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To determine (1) whether the A(-2518)G polymorphism of CCL-2, the gene encoding monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), is associated with disease, MCP-1 concentration, nephritis, or coronary artery calcification (CAC) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); and (2) whether MCP-1 and homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations are correlated. METHODS: Statistical tests were applied to determine the relationships between CCL-2 A(-2518)G genotypes, plasma MCP-1 concentrations, and clinical variables in Caucasian and African American patients with SLE and controls. RESULTS: The CCL-2 (-2518)G allele was not significantly associated with SLE in the whole study sample (p = 0.07). Among Caucasians, but not African Americans, G allele carriers had significantly increased risk of SLE (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.8-9.6, p