MiR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism increases risk of gastric cancer: A meta-analysis

AIM: To systematically evaluate the association between the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer.METHODS: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted for articles published up until January 27, 2014 in Medline (PubMed), Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. Only case-control studies published in English that evaluated the association between the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and susceptibility to gastric cancer were included. Furthermore, only studies with sufficient data allowing for calculation of odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were included. These values were used in the quantitative synthesis to assess the strength of the association between the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and risk of gastric cancer.RESULTS: The database search identified 1002 eligible studies, of which seven (comprising 4112 cases and 5811 controls) were included for the meta-analysis. The results indicate that miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism is more likely to be associated with gastric cancer risk. In the overall analysis, a significantly increased cancer risk was found in the heterozygote (GG vs GC) comparison (OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.03-1.27; P = 0.01 for pooled OR). In the ethnicity subgroup analysis, a similar result was found among Caucasians (OR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.01-1.85; P = 0.04 for pooled OR). In the stratified analysis by quality of studies, a significantly increased cancer risk was found in the heterozygote comparison among high quality studies (OR = 1.12, 95%CI: 1.01-1.26; P = 0.04 for pooled OR). When stratified on the basis of sample size, a significantly increased cancer risk was found among small sample size subgroups for the allelic (G vs C: OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.03-1.30; P = 0.01), homozygote (GG vs CC: OR = 1.33, 95%CI: 1.03-1.73; P = 0.03) and recessive model (GG vs GC + CC: OR = 0.05, 95%CI: 0.00-0.10; P = 0.03) comparisons.CONCLUSION: The miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism is associated with increased gastric cancer risk, particularly evident in high quality studies with small sample sized Caucasian populations.     

Common SNP in pre-miR-146a decreases mature miR expression and predisposes to papillary thyroid carcinoma

Although papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) displays strong heritability, no predisposing germ-line mutations have been found. We show that a common G/C polymorphism (rs2910164) within the pre-miR-146a sequence reduced the amount of pre- and mature miR-146a from the C allele 1.9- and 1.8-fold, respectively, compared with the G allele. This is matched by a similar decrease in the amount of each pre-miR generated from the corresponding pri-miR-146a in an in vitro processing reaction. The C allele also interfered with the binding of a nuclear factor to pre-miR-146a. The reduction in miR-146a led to less efficient inhibition of target genes involved in the Toll-like receptor and cytokine signaling pathway (TRAF6, IRAK1), and PTC1 (also known as CCDC6 or H4), a gene frequently rearranged with RET proto-oncogene in PTC. In an association study of 608 PTC patients and 901 controls, we found marked differences in genotype distribution of rs2910164 (P = 0.000002), the GC heterozygous state being associated with an increased risk of acquiring PTC (odds ratio = 1.62, P = 0.000007), and both homozygous states protective with odds ratio = 0.42 for the CC genotype (P = 0.003) and odds ratio = 0.69 for the GG genotype (P = 0.0006). Moreover, 4.7% of tumors had undergone somatic mutations of the SNP sequence. Thus, our data suggest that a common polymorphism in pre-miR-146a affects the miR expression, contributes to the genetic predisposition to PTC, and plays a role in the tumorigenesis through somatic mutation. Preliminary evidence suggests that these effects are mediated through target genes whose expression is affected by the SNP status.     

Association between microRNA polymorphisms and chronic pancreatitis

BackgroudMicroRNAs play important roles in the development and progression of many human diseases. mir-146a could significantly suppress the induction of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB and chemokine MCP-1, which might play important roles in chronic pancreatitis. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between mir-146a rs2910164, a functional polymorphism in the pre-mir-146a, and chronic pancreatitis risk.MethodsThe rs2910164 genotypes were determined in 165 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 200 healthy controls who were frequency matched for age and gender. One single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2910164) was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RLFP).ResultsThe frequency of individuals who carried [G] allele was significantly higher in cases (62.7%) than in controls (53.7%, p = 0.015), which resulted in a statistically significant pathogenic effect associated with this variant allele (OR: 1.448, CI: 1.076–1.950; p = 0.015). The GC and GG genotypes showed strong and significant increased risk for complication of chronic pancreatitis (OR = 3.668, 95%CI = 1.233–10.916, p = 0.019; OR = 5.667, 95%CI = 1.852–17.336, p = 0.002). The individuals carrying G allele confer a lower expression level of mature mir-146a.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the mir-146a rs2910164 may contribute to genetic susceptibility to chronic pancreatitis, and that mir-146a might be involved in chronic pancreatitis development.     

白细胞介素-6与胃癌易感性的相关研究

目的评价IL-6 174G/C和IL-6 572G/C基因多态性与胃癌风险的相关关系,以及IL-6基因多态性与幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)感染和吸烟的交互作用。方法采用病例对照研究方法,纳入咸宁市中心医院消化内科2008年1月-2011年5月新发胃癌246例,非肿瘤患者274例作为对照组。采用PCR-RFLP方法测定IL-6 174G/C和IL-6 572G/C的基因分型。结果研究发现携带IL-6 174CC基因型和C等位基因型胃癌发病风险显著增高,调整后的OR(95%CI)分别为1.88(1.07~3.48)和1.56(1.14~2.52)。携带IL-6 174GC和CC基因型在H.pylori阳性感染者中和吸烟者中均能增加患胃癌的风险,IL-6 174G/C基因多态性与H.pylori感染有交互作用(P0.05)。研究未发现IL-6 572G/C基因多态性与胃癌发病风险有相关关系。结论本研究结果表明IL-6基因多态性具有促进胃癌发生和发展的作用,IL-6可以作为胃癌遗传学的检测指标,用于检验胃癌易感个体的生物学指标。     

Inducible nitric oxide synthase polymorphism is associated with the increased risk of differentiated gastric cancer in a Japanese population

INTRODUCTION Gastric cancer is the second most frequent cancer in the world, accounting for a large proportion of cancer cases in Asia, Latin America, and some countries in Europe[1]. H pylori strains carrying the cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) are st…     

KLF6 IVS1 -27G/A polymorphism with susceptibility to gastric cancers in Korean

KLF6 is a key cell cycle regulator that is downregulated in several kinds of human cancers, including gastric cancer. The IVS1 -27G/A polymorphism of KLF6 has been investigated, which can influence susceptibility to gastric cancer and disease outcome. In order to investigate whether the IVS1 -27G/A polymorphism of KLF6 is associated with individual susceptibility to gastric cancer in Korea, the frequency of the polymorphism was examined in 264 gastric cancer patients and 299 healthy controls. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed by amplifying intron 1 of KLF6 and sequencing the products. The frequencies of genotypes: G/G, G/A and A/A were 91.7% (242/264), 5.7% (15/264) and 2.6%, respectively, in gastric cancer cases and 91.9%, 7.0% and 1.1%, respectively, in healthy controls. Genotype frequencies in Korean population were very similar to those of Caucasian population. Interestingly, the male gastric cancer patients showed a significantly higher proportion of the G allele (Chi-Square test, P=0.005) compared to female gastric cancer patients. However, the polymorphism was statistically not associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in Korea. When stratified by histological subtype of gastric cancer, the risk was also not statistically significant. Thus, our results suggested that the IVS1 -27G/A polymorphism of KLF6 is not associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer in Korean population.     

髓过氧化物酶基因多态性与胃癌易感性的关系

流行病学研究表明髓过氧化物酶（MPO）-463G→A多态性与多种疾病相关.目的：探讨MPO基因多态性与胃癌易感性之间的关系.方法：应用PCR-RFLP检测117例胃癌患者和105例对照者的MPO-463G→A多态性,比较两组MPO基因型频率和等位基因频率,分析MPO基因多态性与胃癌危险性的关系,并行分层分析探讨性别、年龄、吸烟状况、幽门螺杆菌（H.pylori）感染和胃癌家族史对胃癌的影响.结果：胃癌组GA和 AA基因型频率显著低于对照组（GA：25.6%对37.1%,AA：3.4%对11.4%,P〈0.05）,A等位基因频率亦明显降低（16.2%对30.0%,P〈0.05）.与GG基因型患者相比,携带MPO-463GA/AA基因型者罹患胃癌的危险性明显降低（OR=0.43,95% CI：0.25-0.75）.分层分析示男性、年龄≤60岁、不吸烟、H.pylori感染阴性和无胃癌家族史人群携带GA/AA基因型较携带GG基因型者罹患胃癌的危险性降低.结论：MPO基因多态性与胃癌易感性相关,A等位基因对胃癌易感性具有保护作用.     

Association of cyclin D1 G870A polymorphism with susceptibility to gastric cancers in Korean male patients

Cyclin D1 is a key cell cycle regulator that is upregulated in gastric cancer. The common G870A polymorphism of cyclin D1 which can influence cancer susceptibility and disease outcome has been the most frequently investigated. The specific aim of this study is to investigate whether the G870A polymorphism of cyclin D1 was associated with individual susceptibility to gastric cancer in Korea. The frequency of the polymorphism was examined in 253 gastric cancer patients and 442 healthy controls. Polymorphism analysis was performed by amplifying exon 4 of cyclin D1 and sequencing the products. The frequencies of genotypes: G/G, G/A and A/A were 28.1% (71/253), 49.4% (125/253) and 22.5% (57/253), respectively, in gastric cancer cases, and 23.1%, 51.1% and 25.8%, respectively, in healthy controls. Statistically, the polymorphism was not associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. When stratified by histological subtype of gastric cancer, the risk was also not statistically significant. However, the male gastric cancer patients showed a significantly higher proportion of the homozygous G/G genotype and the G allele (Chi-Square test, P = 0.0242 & P = 0.0307) compared to males in the control group. Thus, our findings suggested that the G870A polymorphism of cyclin D1 was not associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer in this population, however, it may contribute to susceptibility to gastric cancer in men.     

Attenuation of gastric mucosal inflammation induced by aspirin through activation of A2A adenosine receptor in rats

AIM:To determine whether a specific adenosine A_(2A) re-ceptor agonist(ATL-146e)can ameliorate aspirin-inducedgastric mucosal lesions in rats,and reduce neutrophil ac-cumulation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.METHODS:Gastric lesions were produced by oralgarage of aspirin(200 mg/kg)and HCl(0.15 mol/L,8.0 mL/kg).4-{3-[6-Amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl}-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester(ATL-146e,2.5-5 μg/kg,IP)was injected 30 min before the admin-istration of aspirin.Tissue myeloperoxidase(MPO)con-centration in gastric mucosa was measured as an indexof neutrophil infiltration.Gastric mucosal concentrationsof tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)were determined by ELISA.Also,we examinedthe effect of ATL-146e on tissue prostaglandin E2(PGE2)production and gastric secretion.RESULTS:Intragastric administration of aspirin inducedmultiple hemorrhagic erosions in rat gastric mucosa.Thetotal length of gastric erosions(ulcer index)in controlrats was 29.8±7.75 mm and was reduced to 3.8±1.42mm after pretreatment with 5.0 g/kg ATL-146e(P<0.01).The gastric contents of MPO and pro-inflammatory cy-tokines were all increased after the administration ofaspirin and reduced to nearly normal levels by ATL-146e.Gastric mucosal PGE2 concentration was not affected byintraperitoneal injection of ATL-146e.CONCLUSION:The specific adenosine A_(2A) receptor ago-nist,ATL-146e,has potent anti-ulcer effects presumablymediated by its anti-inflammatory properties.     

白细胞介素-17F A7488G多态性与广东地区胃癌的关系

目的 分析白细胞介素(IL)-17F A7488G(p.His161Arg)多态性与广东地区胃癌遗传易感性及其与胃癌患者临床病理学特征和预后的关系.方法 采用聚合酶链反应-跟制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)法分析927例胃癌患者及777名健康对照者的IL-17F A7488G多态性,采用Logistic回归法和Cox比例风险法研究其对不同临床病理学特征的胃癌发病风险的影响并进行生存分析.结果 IL-17F A7488G基因型频率在胃癌患者与健康对照人群间差异有统计学意义(X2=16.55,P<0.01).与AA纯合子相比,IL-17F A7488G杂合变异基因型(GA)及纯合变异基因型(GG)显著增加胃癌的发病风险,OR值分别为1.51和1.61(95%CI分别为1.22～1.87和1.03～2.51,P值均<0.01).与AA携带者相比,携带G(GA或GG)等位基因者发生胃癌的风险显著增加(OR=1.53,95%CI:1.25～1.87,P<0.01).按临床病理特征行分层分析显示,IL-17F A7488GGA基因型与肠型、低中分化、非贲门癌、淋巴结转移等的发病风险增加有关.IL-17F A7488G不同基因型患者间生存率差异无统计学意义(P=0.534).结论 广东地区IL-17F A7488G多态性与胃癌易感性有关,IL-17F A7488G变异基因型增加胃癌的发病风险,但不是影响胃癌患者预后的危险因素.     

No association of MDM2 T309G polymorphism with susceptibility to Korean gastric cancer patients

Mouse double minute 2 (Mdm2) acts as a negative regulator of p53 by binding to the amino-terminus of p53. The common T309G polymorphism of Mdm2 has been the most frequently investigated, which can influence in cancer susceptibility and disease outcome. The specific aim of this study is to investigate whether the T309G polymorphism of Mdm2 was associated with individual susceptibility to gastric cancer in Korea. The frequency of the polymorphism was examined in 239 gastric cancer patients and 299 healthy controls. Polymorphism analysis was performed by amplifying the first intron of the Mdm2 and digesting with restriction enzyme and sequencing the products. The frequencies of genotypes: T/T, T/G and G/G were 26.8% (64/239), 46.0% (110/239) and 27.2% (65/239), respectively, in gastric cancer cases and 20.4% (61/299), 50.8% (152/ 299) and 28.8% (86/299), respectively, in healthy controls. Statistically, there was no significant difference in the frequency of genotype and allele between healthy control and gastric cancer patients. Finally, the polymorphism was not associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in this population. When stratified by histological subtype of gastric cancer, the risk was also not statistically significant. Our findings suggested that the T309G polymorphism of Mdm2 was not associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer in Korean population.     

MTHFR基因多态性与胃癌的相关性

目的:探讨MTHFR基因多态性与胃癌发病风险的相关性.方法:收集进展期胃癌患者97例,应用PCR对C677T、G1793A多态位点进行检测;采用病例对照研究设计,比较病例组和对照组多态位点基因频率和基因型频率.结果:677T等位基因频率在病例组和对照组中差异无显著性意义,病例组CC基因型频率、CT基因型频率、TT基因型频率与对照组相应基因型频率差异无显著性意义;1793A等位基因频率在病例组和对照组中差异无显著性意义,病例组GG基因型频率、GA基因型频率与对照组相应基因型频率差异无显著性意义.结论:MTHFR多态性可能参与了胃癌的发生、发展,但他仅是导致胃癌发生的因素之一.因此研究MTHFR多态性与胃癌发生之间的关系,有必要对胃癌病因进行分类,MTHFR多态性可能参与了某一类胃癌的发生.     

Effects of interleukin-10 gene polymorphism on the development of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer in Japanese subjects

BACKGROUND: Anti-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in downregulation of inflammation and the prevention of neoplastic disorders. Genetic variations of anti-inflammatory cytokines are assumed to influence such responses. The aim of the present study was to clarify the association between the IL-10 polymorphism, one of the representative anti-inflammatory cytokines, and susceptibility to gastric cancer and peptic ulcer in Japan. METHODS: The IL-10-1082 (A/G)/-819 (T/C)/-592 (A/C) polymorphisms were assessed in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with gastritis only (n = 162), gastric ulcers (n = 110), duodenal ulcers (n = 94), or gastric cancers (n = 105), and H. pylori-negative controls (n = 168) by allele specific primer-polymerase chain reaction methods. RESULTS: The carriage of IL-10-592 C (age and sex-adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.851, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.018-3.380) and IL-10-819 C (adjusted OR: 1.868, 95%CI: 1.023-3.411) allele were associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer development, not gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. The IL-10-1082 polymorphism had no association with development of gastric cancer and peptic ulcers. The presence of the ATA/GCC haplotype of IL-10-1082/-819/-592 polymorphism significantly increased the risk of gastric cancer development (adjusted OR: 2.805, 95%CI: 1.258-6.254) compared with presence of the ATA/ATA haplotype. CONCLUSIONS: The IL-10-1082/-819/-592 genotype status and haplotype were associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer development, not peptic ulcer, in Japan. The genotyping test of this anti-inflammatory cytokine would be useful for the detection of individuals with higher risk of gastric cancer development.     

The PSCA polymorphisms derived from genome-wide association study are associated with risk of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis

Purpose

Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored 123-aa protein related to the cell-proliferation inhibition and/or cell-death induction activity. Many studies had reported the role of PSCA rs2294008 C?>?T and rs2976392 G?>?A polymorphisms on gastric cancer risk.

Methods

To investigate a more precise estimation of the relationships, we performed a meta-analysis on 9 case–control studies included 10,746 cases and 9,158 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95?% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the association.

Results

For PSCA rs2294008 C?>?T polymorphism, there was a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer in all genetic models (TT/TC vs. CC: OR?=?1.61, 95?% CI?=?1.35–1.91; TT vs. TC/CC: OR?=?1.33, 95?% CI?=?1.24–1.42). Similar results were also observed for PSCA rs2976392 G?>?A polymorphism (AA/AG vs. GG: OR?=?1.69, 95?% CI?=?1.24–2.31; AA vs. AG/GG: OR?=?1.36, 95?% CI?=?1.24–1.50). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity of rs2294008, an increased gastric cancer risk was found in both Asians (TT vs. TC/CC: OR?=?1.31, 95?% CI?=?1.22–1.42) and Europeans (TT/TC vs. CC: OR?=?1.42, 95?% CI?=?1.18–1.71). Furthermore, when stratified by clinicopathologic characteristics of tumor location and histology, a higher risk on non-cardia compared with cardia gastric cancer (TT vs. TC/CC: OR?=?1.43, 95?% CI?=?1.12–1.83) as same as diffused compared with intestinal gastric cancer (TT vs. TC/CC: OR?=?1.29, 95?% CI?=?1.13–1.49) was observed.

Conclusion

These findings supported that PSCA rs2294008 C?>?T and rs2976392 G?>?A polymorphisms may contribute to the susceptibility to gastric cancer, particular in non-cardia or diffused gastric cancer.     

A Polymorphism of microRNA 27a Genome Region Is Associated With the Development of Gastric Mucosal Atrophy in Japanese Male Subjects

Noncoding microRNAs regulate the expression of various mRNAs. We attempted to clarify the relationship between miR-27a genome polymorphism and chronic gastritis. The study was performed in 179 patients with no evidence of gastric malignancy. The severity of histologic chronic gastritis was classified according to the updated Sydney system. The frequency of miR-27a G allele was 34.6%. Although the frequencies of miR-27a G allele were increased in subjects with peptic ulcer or severe mucosal atrophy, no significant differences were seen. The miR-27a polymorphism showed an interaction with gender in relation to gastric mucosal atrophy (P=.090). In only male subjects, the miR-27a polymorphism was associated with the gastric mucosal atrophy (P=.039) and both atrophy and metaplasia scores in G/G group were significantly higher than those in the other groups. The miR-27a genome region polymorphism may be an important definitive factor to develop the gastric mucosal atrophy in Japanese male subjects.     

微小RNA-146a C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中风险:汇总分析

目的 探讨微小RNA-146a(microRNA-146a,miR-146a)C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中的关联性.方法 全面检索2016年2月以前发表的miR-146a C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中关系的病例对照研究,应用Stata 12.0软件包进行汇总分析,利用优势比(odds ratio,OR)和95％可信区间(confidence interval,CI)评价miR-146a C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中风险的关联强度.结果 共纳入8篇文献,病例组2 891例,对照组4 019例,入选文献无明显发表偏倚.在总体人群中,显性模型(GG+ CG对CC:OR 1.011,95％ CI0.863～1.185;P=0.889)、隐性模型(GG对CG+ CC:OR 0.999,95％ CI0.761 ～1.311;P=0.994)、杂合子模型(CG对CC:OR1.052,95％CI0.943～ 1.173;P=0.368)、纯合子模型(GG对CC:OR1.114,95％ CI0.819 ～ 1.515;P=0.491)和等位基因模型(G/C:OR1.062,95％ CI0.919～1.227;P=0.413)均未显示miR-146a C＞G多态性与缺血性卒中风险存在显著相关性.亚组分析显示,miR-146a C＞G多态性与大动脉粥样硬化性和小动脉闭塞性卒中的发病风险亦无显著相关性.结论 根据目前的文献,miR-146a C＞G多态性可能与缺血性卒中风险无显著关联性.     

CTLA-4 gene promoter and exon 1 polymorphisms in Iranian patients with gastric and colorectal cancers

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is a potent immunoregulatory molecule that suppresses antitumor response by down-regulating T-cell activation. Effects of several polymorphisms in CTLA-4 on CTLA-4 expression and function have been previously documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative effect of CTLA-4 polymorphisms on susceptibility to gastric and colorectal cancers in an Iranian population. METHODS: A total of 155 patients (109 with colorectal cancer and 46 with gastric cancer) and 190 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Genotyping of -1722T/C, -1661A/G, and +49A/G were performed by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism methods and of -318C/T by a PCR amplification refractory mutation system technique. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in the genotype distribution and allele frequencies among patients and controls. Haplotype analysis demonstrated that the TACG haplotype (-1722T, -1661A, -318C, +49G) frequency was significant increased in patients with colorectal cancer (P = 0.009) and gastric cancer (P = 0.006) in comparison to the control group. In contrast, the TACA haplotype frequency was significantly decreased in patients with colorectal cancer (P = 0.02) and not significantly decreased in patients with gastric cancer (P = 0.13) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: A positive association between CTLA-4 TACG haplotype and gastric and colorectal cancers was found in an Iranian population. A protective role for TACA haplotype is postulated.     

MicroRNA146a gene polymorphism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the relevant value with disease activity and extra-articular manifestations

Aim of the workTo analyze the relationship between miRNA-146a rs2910164 and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) susceptibility and clarifying its association with disease activity and extra-articular involvement.Patients and methodsThe study enrolled 50 RA patients and 40 controls. DNA extraction from whole blood was done. Genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The selected single nucleotide polymorphism was rs2910164 in the miRNA-146a gene. Genotyping was performed on genomic DNA samples by allelic discrimination assay. Disease activity score (DAS28) and health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI) were assessed.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 44.8 ± 9.9 years while age at onset was 37.2 ± 9.8 years. Female:male was 5.3 vs 1. Females had significantly higher DAS28, visual analogue scale and rheumatoid factor (RF) than males (p = 0.04, p = 0.009, p = 0.03). The frequency of GC genotype was more in both males and females (62.5 vs 47.6%). GC genotype and G allele were the most frequent in patients. No significant difference in the frequency distribution of genotypes and alleles was observed between patients and controls. There was a significant difference in the number of swollen joints (p = 0.04) and sicca symptoms (p = 0.01) being higher in those with CC genotype with a tendency of increased DAS28, HAQ-DI, deformities and rheumatoid nodules with CC genotype and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and RF with GG genotype.ConclusionsCC genotype was associated with sicca symptoms and swollen joints, deformities, disease activity and functional disability. miRNA-146a may be a potential biomarker for extra-articular manifestations of RA that need more attention and warrant aggressive therapy.