Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms are the candidate genetic variants for susceptibility to different disease including autoimmune disorders. In the present study, we aimed to assess the association between VDR polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility in Southeast Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients with SLE and 139 controls were genotyped for VDR rs2228570, rs731236, and rs7975232 polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: The VDR rs2228570 polymorphism was associated with higher risk of SLE in codominant, dominant, and overdominant models. Moreover, higher risk of SLE was observed in individuals with VDR rs731236 polymorphism in codominant, dominant, overdominant, and allelic models. The tAf haplotype of rs731236/rs7975232/rs2228570 polymorphisms was associated with higher risk of SLE. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, VDR rs2228570 and rs731236 polymorphisms and tAf haplotype were associated with SLE risk.