MANNOSE-BINDING PROTEIN GENE POLYMORPHISM IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Objective. To determine whether an allelic form of mannose-binding pro tein (MBP) incapable of activating complement is associated with susce ptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. MBP allele f requencies were determined by amplification refractory mutation system -polymerase chain reaction in 102 white SLE patients and 136 controls. Results. The MBP allele that is unable to activate complement was pre sent in 42 SLE patients (41%) and in 41 controls (30%) (P = 0.08, odds ratio [OR] = 1.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.0-2.8). The gene frequency of this allele was 0.25 in SLE patients and 0.19 in control s (P = 0.08, OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.3). Conclusion. Our results sugges t that this allele of the MBP gene represents a minor risk factor for SLE.