Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphisms in Saudi Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a glycosylated protein with multiple biological properties. APOE gene polymorphism plays a central role in lipid metabolism and has recently been suggested to regulate inflammation. Our objective is to evaluate whether APOE polymorphism affects susceptibility to SLE. APOE genotyping was performed using ApoE StripAssay™ kit. Results indicated significantly higher frequencies of allele ∊4 and genotype ∊3/∊4 and lower frequencies of allele ∊3 and genotype ∊3/∊3 in SLE patients than controls. APOE ∊2 allele was found in three patients, whereas it was absent in controls. The frequencies of allele ∊4 and genotype ∊3/∊4 were significantly higher in SLE patients with renal involvement and those of alleles ∊2, ∊4 and genotypes ∊2/∊3, ∊3/∊4 were higher in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is concluded that APOE allele ∊4 is associated with susceptibility risk/clinical manifestations of SLE and ∊2 may increase its severity while ∊3 is protective for SLE in Saudis.