Objective: To investigate whether miRNA-499 (rs3746444) and miRNA-146a (rs2910164) genes polymorphisms
are independent factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Egyptians, and whether they influence
disease severity and activity.
Methods: Two hundred and seventeen RA patients and 245 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.
Polymorphisms of miRNA-146a and miRNA-499 genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction
restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Results: The miRNA-499 CT genotype was an independent factor of RA. The miRNA-499 CT, CC genotypes
and C allele frequencies were significantly increased in erosive RA group. Moreover, the heterozygote CT
had more severe and more active form of the disease compared with homozygote CC or TT. However, we
did not find any significant association of miRNA-146a polymorphism with RA risk, severity, and activity.
Conclusion: The miRNA-499 polymorphism is an independent factor of RA, and influences disease severity
and activity