The Ser128Arg polymorphism for E-selectin gene and brucellosis

BackgroundE-selectin is expressed on activated endothelial cells and plays an important role in regulating the early steps of tethering and rolling of leukocytes into and within sites of infection and inflammation. An A/C polymorphism (Ser128Arg) has been descried to alter ligand binding function. Therefore, the purpose of this case-control association study was to determine whether E-selectin polymorphism influences the risk of brucellosis and to analyze the possible correlation to disease progression.Materials and methodsGenomic DNA was isolated from 258 patients with brucellosis and 193 controls. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to distinguish the E-selectin genotypes.ResultsThe frequency of the Arg/Arg genotype of the Ser128Arg polymorphism was significantly increased in brucellosis patients compared with controls (13.6% versus 6.2%, P = 0.03). Stratification of the patients according to disease duration showed an association between Arg allele and brucellosis, only in a subgroup of the patients with disease onset less than 38 weeks (OR 1.9, 95% CI, 1.1–3.2, P = 0.01).ConclusionThese results suggest that the Arg/Arg genotype of the E-selectin gene polymorphism in codon 128 is a genetic factor that may determine an individual's susceptibility for brucella infection.