Association of IL-23R gene single nucleotide polymorphism; rs 11209026 with incidence and severity of ankylosing spondylitis in a cohort of Egyptian patients

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between incidence and severity of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a cohort of Egyptians and Interleukin-23Receptor ( IL23R) genesingle nucleotide polymorphism(rs11209026). Methods: The study included thirty-two AS patients and forty volunteers who serves as a control group. The studied polymorphismwas genotyped using 5′ Nuclease assay. Results: A statistically significant difference was detected between both studied groups as regards different IL23R genesingle nucleotide polymorphism(rs11209026) genotypes. Heterozygous genotype was the most prevailing among both cases and controls. At a cutoff level of 110 pg/mL, a statically significant difference was observed between cases and controls as regards serum IL23 level. Conclusions: In Egyptians, IL-23R single nucleotide polymorphism (rs11209026) appears to be associated with ankylosing spondylitis occurrence not severity, while higher levels of IL-23 might be associated with disease severity.