NOS2and NOS3Gene Polymorphisms In Behcet’s Diseaseand Vogt-koyanagi-harada Syndrome Ina Chinese Han Population

Purpose: NOS gene has three subtypes including NOS1, NOS2,NOS3and is associated with immune-mediated diseases. This study aimedto examine whether NOS2and NOS3gene polymorphisms are associatedwith Behcet’s disease and VKH syndrome in a Chinese Han population.Methods: We genotyped733Behcet’s disease patients,800VKHpatients and1359controls for NOS2/rs4795067, NOS3/rs1799983andNOS3/rs1800779by using PCR-RFLP. Statistical analysis was performedwith the χ2-test with Bonferroni correction.Results: We found a lower frequency of the SNP rs1799983GGgenotype and an increased frequency of the GT genotype in Behcet’sdisease patients (Pc=2.0×10-2; Pc=2.0×10-3respectively). The frequenciesof the SNP rs1799983GG genotype and G allele were significantlyreduced, whereas the GT genotype and T allele were increased in Behcet’sdisease patients with recurrent genital ulceration compared with controls(Pc=3.90×10-3; Pc=2.3×10-2; Pc=6.12×10-4; Pc=2.3×10-2; respectively). Thefrequency of the SNP rs1799983GG genotype was lower and the GT genotype was higher in Behcet’s disease patients with skin lesions.(Pc=1.9×10-2; Pc=1.0×10-2; respectively). No association was foundbetween rs1799983and VKH syndrome. SNPs rs4795067and rs1800779were not associated with either Behcet’s disease or VKH syndrome.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the GT genotype of rs1799983may be involved in the pathogenesis of Chinese Han Behcet’s disease andmay predict extra-ocular features such as recurrent genital ulcers and skinlesions.