Correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms inCXCR4microRNA binding site and the susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis in Han Chinese population

Background This study aimed to investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the microRNA target sequence inCXCR4and the susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods A total of 305 patients with KOA and 305 healthy controls were recruited into this study. The genotypes ofCXCR4rs1804029 and rs17848060 loci were analyzed. Results The susceptibility to KOA ofCXCR4rs1804029 G allele carriers was 1.33 times (95% CI: 1.09-1.54,P = .006) that of T allele carriers. The KOA susceptibility in individuals carrying T allele atCXCR4rs17848060 locus was 1.38 times that of individuals carrying A allele (95% CI: 1.17-1.57,P < .001). The G allele atCXCR4rs1804029 locus was the target of hsa-miR-146a-3p, while the A allele atCXCR4rs17848060 locus could be targeted by hsa-miR-20a-3p. The plasma level of hsa-miR-146a-3p was lower in rs1804029 G allele carriers than T allele carriers (P < .001), whereas plasma level of hsa-miR-20a-3p was higher in rs17848060 T allele carriers than A allele carriers (P < .001). Conclusion The SNPs at rs1804029 and rs17848060 loci inCXCR4were significantly associated with the susceptibility to KOA in Han Chinese population.