Association study between the TP53 Rs1042522G/C polymorphism and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in a Chinese Han population

Tumour suppressor protein 53 (p53) plays a central role in apoptosis, cell proliferation and death. Previously studies found contribution of functional p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism (TP53 rs1042522G/C polymorphism) in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains controversial. In this study, for the first time, we evaluated its association with SLE in a Chinese Han population. This case–control study enrolled 1470 SLE patients and 2283 healthy controls. The genotyping of TP53 rs1042522 polymorphism was determined by Sequenom Mass ARRAY technology. Statistical analysis was conducted by Chi-square test (χ² test). Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using unconditional logistic regression with adjusting age and sex. Allele and genotype frequencies of TP53 rs1042522G/C polymorphism showed statistically significant difference between the SLE patients and the normal controls (C vs. G: OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.89–0.97, p = 0.01; (GC + CC) vs. GG using recessive model: OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.73–0.96, p = 0.01; GC vs. GG using co-dominant model: OR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.74–0.99, p = 0.04; CC vs. GG using co-dominant model: OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.96, p = 0.02; GC vs. GG using co-dominant model: OR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.74–0.99, p = 0.02). In addition, there was weak association between discoid rash and distribution of TP53 rs1042522G/C polymorphism in SLE patients (C vs. G: OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.00–1.55, p = 0.04; CC vs. GG using co-dominant model: OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.10–2.36, p = 0.04). Our finding suggests a significant relationship between the TP53 rs1042522G/C polymorphism and SLE. TP53 rs1042522G/C polymorphism would be promising as an indicator of SLE as well as the therapeutic target if its functions and mechanisms could be further investigated.