FCRL3 gene polymorphisms confer risk for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in a Chinese Han Population

Fc receptor-like 3 (FCRL3) has recently been associated with susceptibility to several immune-related diseases. In this study, we evaluated the potential association of FCRL3 polymorphisms with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in a Chinese Han population. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FCRL3-rs945635, rs3761959, rs7522061, rs10489678, and rs7528684-were genotyped in 630 patients with SSNHL and 600 healthy controls by using a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies in the patients and the controls were compared using a χ2 test. Moreover, we performed haplotype analysis by using the online software platform SHEsis. The results revealed a significant association between three SNPs-rs7528684, rs3761959, and rs7522061-and SSNHL in the studied Chinese Han population. Furthermore, the AGT and GAC haplotypes were associated with a significantly higher prevalence of SSNHL than were the GAT, GGC and GGT haplotypes. However, no significant differences were detected in either the genotype or allele frequencies of the other two SNPs, rs945635 and rs10489678, between the SSNHL and control groups. Overall, this study has identified an association between FCRL3 polymorphisms and increased risk of SSNHL in a Chinese Han population.