Abstract: Objective To clarify the association between Fas gene polymorphisms and the level of soluble Fas(sFas) in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in southwest China. Methods Fas rs2234767 and rs1800682 single mucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) were genotyped in a case-control study with 183 RA patients and 195 controls, using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP). sFas level in peripheral blood of RA patients and healthy people with different genotypes were detected by ELISA. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the patients with RA and the healthy subjects with respect to Fas rs2234767 and rs1800682 genotype distribution. However, patients carrying the rs1800682G/G genotype had a significantly decreased sFas level in serum compared with those carrying the AA genotype (P＜0.05). Conclusions Fas polymorphisms do not represent a major genetic risk factor for RA susceptibility. However, Fas rs1800682 polymorphism may influence sFas level in serum and response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of Chinese population in southwest.

Key words: Fas, sFas, polymorphism, rheumatoid arthritis, gene