[Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in TARC/CCL17 gene with Kawasaki disease and its clinical characteristics].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs223895 and rs223899) in TARC/CCL17 gene with Kawasaki disease (KD) and its clinical characteristics in Han children from Central China.

METHODS: A case-control study was performed on 218 children with KD and 248 normal control children. The genotypes of SNPs (rs223895 and rs223899) in TARC/CCL17 gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The association between the SNPs in TARC/CCL17 gene and the clinical characteristics of KD was assessed.

RESULTS: There were significant differences in the genotype (CC, CT, TT) and allele frequencies of SNP rs223895 between children with KD and controls (P<0.05), and C allele was a risk factor (OR=1.397). However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in the genotype and allele frequencies of SNP rs223899. Compared with those with other genotypes (CT+TT) of SNP rs223895, patients with CC genotype had significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb) and albumin (Alb) levels (P<0.05) and a significantly higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The SNP rs223895 in TARC/CCL17 gene is associated with the susceptibility to KD, and C allele is a risk factor. Moreover, SNP rs223895 may influence the levels of Hb, Alb, and ESR.