No Association betweenFCγR3BCopy Number Variation and Susceptibility to Biopsy-Proven Giant Cell Arteritis

摘要

Objective. To determine the relationship between FCGR3B gene copy number variation (CNV) and biopsy proven giant cell arteritis (GCA).Methods.FCGR3BCNV was determined in 139 Australian biopsy proven GCA patients and 162 population matched controls, using a duplex qPCR assay and RNase P as the reference gene. Copy number was determined using Copy Caller software (v.1.0, Applied Biosystems, USA). CNV genotypes were classified into 3 groups (<2, 2, 3+) for analysis purposes, and analysis was performed using logistic regression.Results. All GCA patients had a positive temporal artery biopsy, and the most common presenting symptoms were visual disturbance and temporal headache. The mean age of patients at biopsy was 74 years (range 51–94) and 88/139 (63%) were female. The frequency of low (<2)FCGR3Bcopy number was comparable between GCA patients (9/139=6.5%) and controls (10/162=6.2%), as was the frequency of high (3+)FCGR3Bcopy number (15/130 (10.8%) in GCA patients versus 13/162 (8.0%) in controls). Overall there was no evidence thatFCGR3BCNV frequencies differed between GCA patients and controls (χ2=0.75,df=2,P=0.69).Conclusion.FCGR3BCNV is not associated with GCA; however, replicate studies are required.