Prolactin (PRL) production by lymphocytes has been suggested to play a distinct role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated -1149 G/T SNP of PRL extrapituitary promoter in 156 patients with SLE and 173 patients with RA.
There was no difference in both genotype and allele frequencies between SLE affected group and control subjects. Nevertheless, the frequency of alleles differed with respect to the specific organ manifestation: There was an association between G allele and articular involvement (Pc=0.0086, OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.51 to 4.33).
Moreover, the frequency of GG genotype was increased in group diagnosed between 21-40 years of age compared to other subgroups ( 40 years subgroup, respectively (Pc=0.023, OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.43 to 5.96)). In RA, significantly higher heterozygote GT genotype was detected in the disease group compared to the controls (Pc=0.039, OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.94).