MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) C677T polymorphism and psoriasis

Clin Exp Med. 2009 Dec;9(4):327-31. doi: 10.1007/s10238-009-0054-0. Epub 2009 May 30.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate possible association of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism (NM_005957) with psoriasis. Genotypes of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism were determined in a sample of 654 Caucasian (Czech) subjects. Case group (n = 410) included patients with psoriasis (plaque psoriasis diagnosed in 285 patients, other subtypes of psoriasis were observed in 125 patients). Control group (n = 244) consisted of healthy subjects without individual history of psoriasis, with similar age and gender characteristics. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism genotypes were determined by a polymerase chain reaction and a subsequent restriction analysis with HinfI. The genotypes of C(677)T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism were determined in a sample of 654 Caucasian (Czech) subjects. We proved a significant difference in genotype distribution (P(g) = 0.03) and allelic frequency (P(a) = 0.02) between psoriatic and control subjects (Table 3). The CC (the thermostabile) genotype was significantly more frequent in psoriatic patients compared to controls [OR = 1.55, 95% confidential interval (CI) = 1.12-2.15, P = 0.004814, P(corr) = 0.01]. But, a significant increase of T allele in MTHFR gene was observed in patients with positive family history of diabetes (P(a) = 0.02) and in those with a frequent tonsillitis/tonsillectomy (P(a) = 0.04). No difference was observed between patients with and without positive family history of psoriasis (P(a) = 0.251). But, when psoriatic patients were described for FHDM, FH-Ps, and PH-T simultaneously, The highest incidence of CT + TT genotypes was calculated for psoriasis patients with positive history of psoriasis and diabetes mellitus together with personal history of repeated tonsillitis/tonsillectomy compared to patients without all these three phenotypes (odds ratio = 3.17, 95% CI 1.33-7.56, P(corr) = 0.04). In conclusion, MTHFR C677T polymorphism is marginally associated with psoriasis. The T allele (thermolabile) appears to be more frequent in psoriasis patients with positive history of psoriasis and diabetes mellitus together with personal history of repeated tonsillitis/tonsillectomy. This could reflect an inborn predisposition in complex regulation in one-carbon moieties transport in psoriatic patients and therefore, MTHFR genotype can be a part of genetic background of psoriasis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Haplotypes / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Phenotype
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics*
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Psoriasis / complications
  • Psoriasis / genetics*
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)