CD14 and TNFα promoter polymorphisms in patients with acute arthritis

Objective. To examine CD14 and TNF &#102 gene polymorphisms in early arthritis in relation to clinical outcome. Methods. We studied 141 Caucasians who had had early arthritis 10 to 38 years earlier. We analysed CD14 (-159) and TNF &#102 (- 238, - 308, - 376) polymorphisms using a novel cycle minisequencing method. DNA pools from 370 Caucasian blood donors served as controls. Results. CD14 (-159)C &#77 T allele frequencies were comparable among patients and controls (39% vs 40%). Fifty men and 42 women had recovered while 24 men and six women had chronic spondyloarthropathy (SpA). Mutant T allele frequency was higher in the chronic SpA group than in the recovered group in women (75% vs 32%, relative risk 1.3, 95% confidence limit 1.1 to 1.6, P= 0.011), but not in men (38% vs 44%). All female patients with chronic SpA had CD14 (- 159)T allele and none had a possibly protective TNF &#102 (- 308)G &#77 A allele. Conclusion. Possession of CD14 (- 159)T allele does not increase risk of ReA but may increase susceptibility of female patients to development of chronic SpA.