CCR5-Δ32 gene polymorphism is related to celiac disease and autoimmune thyroiditis coincidence in patients with type 1 diabetes.

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between CCR5-Δ32 polymorphism and the coincidence of celiac and autoimmune thyroid diseases with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) in children.

METHODS: 420 children with T1D aged 15.5±3.0years and 350 healthy controls were studied. Characterization of CCR5-Δ32 genotypes (rs333) was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS: The allele frequency was significantly different in diabetic children as compared to the healthy controls (p<0.0001). We found negative association between T1D and Δ32 allele (OR=0.383; 95% CI=0.268-0.549). Besides, we observed alterations in the frequencies of CCR5-Δ32 genotypes due to celiac and autoimmune thyroid diseases. The risk of celiac disease for patient carriers of the 32-bp deletion was more than threefold higher than for noncarriers (OR=3.490; 95% CI=1.357-8.859; p=0.009). Similar results were obtained in the case of autoimmune thyroiditis. The risk of autoimmune thyroiditis for patient carriers of the 32-bp deletion was also more than threefold higher than for noncarriers (OR=3.466; 95% CI=1.754-6.849; p=0.0004).

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our studies suggest that the CCR5-Δ32 polymorphism is associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus and the Δ32 allele increases the risk of celiac disease and autoimmune thyroid disorders in patients with T1D.