Association of TNFSF4 Gene Polymorphisms and Plasma TNFSF4 Level with Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Chinese Population

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 4 (TNFSF4) is an inflammatory factor that has been discussed in different inflammatory diseases and cancers. However, relationship between TNFSF4 and SLE is limited.Material and methods The present case-control study recruited 400 SLE patients and 600 healthy controls from Southern Chinese Han origin. Plasma levels of TNFSF4 were tested by enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay, and association of rs2205960, rs704840, rs844648, rs3850641 and rs17568 polymorphisms in TNFSF4 gene with SLE risk was evaluated by TaqMan assay according to genotyping.Results Plasma levels of TNFSF4 were significantly higher in SLE patients than that in healthy controls (390.87 (189.10-906.01) versus 132. 70 (81.27-195.58) pg/ml, P < 0.001). Increased levels of TNFSF4 were positively related to SLE disease activity score, optic nerve injury, leukopenia, and hypocompleminemia. Genotype TT+TG, allele T of rs2205960, genotype GG+GT of rs704840, genotype AA of rs844648 and rs17568 were significantly related to SLE risk (all P < 0.05). Moreover, polymorphism rs844648 was related to SLE patients with clinical feature rash either for genotype AA or allele A.Conclusion TNFSF4 was elevated in SLE patients and may associate with SLE susceptibility in Southern Chinese Han population.