Contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms within FCRL3 and MAP3K7IP2 to the pathogenesis of Graves' disease

Context: Recently six DNA variants, two of which (M55V and 001Msp) are present in nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitors SUMO-4 and MAP3K7IP2 and four of which (fcrl3_3, fcrl3_4, fcrl3_5, and fcrl3_6) modulate nuclear factor-kappa B binding and production of the B cell surface molecule FCRL3, have been reported to be associated with a number of autoimmune diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of these polymorphisms with disease in a large UK Caucasian Graves' disease (GD) data set. Design: The study was a case-control association study of six polymorphisms. Setting: The study was conducted at a UK academic department of medicine. Patients or Participants: Study population included 1056 GD patients and 864 controls. Interventions: There were no interventions. Main Outcome Measures: Tests for association with disease were measured. Results: No association with disease was found for the M55V single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Association was, however, found between GD and the 001Msp SNP [odds ratio (OR) 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]) 1.03-1.37], fcrl3_3 SNP [OR 1.17 (95% CI 1.02-1.34)], fcrl3_5SNP [OR 1.18 (95% CI 1.04-1.35)], and fcrl3_6SNP [OR 1.20 (95% CI 1.05-1.36)]. The 001Msp SNP was found to be associated with the presence of TSH receptor autoantibodies [OR 1.75 (95% CI 1.09-2.79)]. Conclusion: Functional evidence suggests that the 001Msp, fcrl3_3, fcrl3_5, and fcrl3_6 SNPs could cause changes in B cell signaling and activation pathways that could account for their association with GD. Further replication in independent data sets and fine mapping of the surrounding gene regions are needed to confirm the magnitude of the effect and location of the etiological variant(s) present within these gene regions.