Neuroendocrine gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the involvement of neuroendocrine candidate genes in the aetiopathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms and intragenic microsatellite markers within five neuroendocrine candidate genes (CRH, CBG, CYP19, ESR1, PRL) were investigated in 463 clinically characterized UK Caucasian JIA patients and a panel of 276 unrelated, healthy UK Caucasian controls. Results. None of the polymorphisms investigated showed any statistically significant associations with JIA. Conclusions. The lack of association with polymorphisms of these neuroendocrine genes suggests that they are not involved in susceptibility to JIA.