Linkage analysis of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus

Previous studies have suggested an association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and an insertion/deletion polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE). This polymorphism consists of a 250-bp insertion/deletion of an alu repeat in the 16th intron of the ACE gene. Individuals homozygous for the deletion have a higher level of circulating enzyme. Due to the important role of this enzyme in regulating the renin--angiotensin and kallikrein--kininogen systems, it is possible that the ACE insertion/deletion may play a role in SLE, which can include vasculitis and vascular changes. Using primers flanking the insertion/deletion site, we have examined the ACE gene in lupus patients and family members using genomic DNA obtained from the Lupus Multiplex Registry and Repository (LMRR). We were unable to detect significant linkage or genetic association between the ACE gene and SLE.