The Association of Polymorphisms of the Vitamin D Receptor Gene with Psoriasis in the Han Population of Northeastern China

Background: The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a master regulator of epidermal barrier function, inflammation, stem-cell proliferation, and microbial defense.

Objective: To evaluate the association between the VDR and psoriasis in the northeastern Chinese Han population.

Methods: In this case-control study, 342 patients with psoriasis and 341 controls were genotyped for five common VDR gene polymorphisms (ApaI, TaqI, BsmI, FokI, and Cdx2) by the Multiplex SNapSHOT method.

Results: The frequency of ApaI (rs7975232) allele A was significantly increased in psoriasis relative to the control group (27.8% vs. 22.1%, p=0.018); the allele A of the ApaI polymorphism showed a 1.35-fold increased risk of developing psoriasis. Haplotype analyses showed the BsmI/ApaI/TaqI/Cdx2/FokI GATGC to be significantly over-represented in psoriasis patients compared with controls (p=0.012). The BsmI/ApaI/TaqI haplotype GCT was presented to a lesser extent in psoriasis patients in comparison with control patients (72.2% vs. 77.9%, p=0.012).

Conclusions: These data suggest that VDR polymorphisms are associated with psoriasis in Northeastern Han Chinese population.