Association of IL-23/IL-17 Pathway-Related Gene Polymorphisms with Idiopathic Scleritis in Chinese Han Population

PurposeTo examine the relationship between IL-23/IL-17 pathway gene polymorphisms and scleritis susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.MethodsWe assessed IL-23/IL-17 pathway-related SNPs in 898 scleritis cases and 1,573 controls, employing stratified analysis to evaluate subtype-specific impacts and a discovery-validation cohort strategy to ensure genetic association reliability.ResultsIL-23 R/rs10789229 TC genotype and C allele, and the IL-21/rs2221903 TT genotype and T allele were more frequent in scleritis patients (Pc = 2.07 x 10-3-2.77 x 10-6, OR = 1.497-2.327, 95% CI = 1.216-3.219), particularly anterior scleritis (Pc = 3.88 x 10-3-2.95 x 10-6, OR = 1.507-2.378, 95% CI = 1.209-3.321). The IL-23 R/rs10789229 TT genotype and T allele, and the IL-21/rs2221903 TC genotype and C allele were found less common among scleritis patients overall (Pc = 2.07 x 10-3-4.18 x 10-6, OR = 0.436-0.668, 95% CI = 0.316-0.822) and in the anterior scleritis subgroups (Pc = 3.88 x 10-3-4.43 x 10-6, OR = 0.427-0.664, 95% CI = 0.306-0.827). The analysis of haplotypes showed a noteworthy surge of IL-23 R CCCG haplotype in both scleritis patients in general (Pc = 1.91 x 10-4) and those with anterior scleritis (Pc = 1.15 x 10-4). Conversely, the frequency of the IL-17A GAA haplotype was significantly lower among scleritis patients overall (Pc = 4.17 x 10-12) and in the anterior or posterior scleritis subgroups (Pc = 7.41 x 10-11; Pc = 0.021). Only the IL-23 R/rs10789229 variant demonstrated consistent replication in the validation cohort.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that specific polymorphisms of IL-23/IL-17 pathway-related genes could confer risk to the development of scleritis in the Chinese Han population. Patients with varying subtypes of scleritis exhibit somewhat similar genetic profiles.