Association of interleukin 13 gene polymorphisms and plasma IL 13 level with risk of systemic lupus erythematosus

Interleukin (IL) 13 plays a critical role in inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aims to explore the potential association of IL-13 polymorphisms with the risk of SLE. We genotyped IL-13 rs20541, rs848 and rs1295686 using Snapshot SNP genotyping assays. Plasma IL-13 level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that rs20541 was associated with increased risk of SLE (CT vs. CC: adjusted OR = 1.43, 95%CI, 1.04-1.99, P = .030; TT vs. CC: adjusted OR = 1.73, 95%CI, 1.10-2.73, P = .018; CT/TT vs. CC: adjusted OR = 1.50, 95%CI, 1.10-2.04, P = .010; T vs. C adjusted OR = 1.34, 95%CI, 1.08-1.93, P = .031). CT and TT genotypes in rs20541 were associated with increased risk of renal disorder in SLE (CT vs. CC: adjusted OR = 1.97, 95%CI, 1.18-3.28, P = .009; TT vs. CC: adjusted OR=2.42, 95%CI, 1.22-4.77, P = .011). Moreover, The concentration of IL-13 was significantly elevated in rs20541 CT/TT genotypes compared with CC genotype (P < .001). These results suggest that rs20541 CT/TT genotypes may be a risk factor for SLE, probably by increasing the level of IL-13.