Rs2280714

The rs2004640(A) allele had a higher frequency in SLE cases (0.385) than controls (0.321; odds ratio (OR) = 1.32, P = 0.0003). In combined analysis, including all seven independent cohorts from the three studies so far, robust and consistent associations of the rs2004640(A) allele with SLE were observed. The estimate of risk was OR = 1.44 (CI: 1.34-1.55), with an overall P = 1.85 x 10(-23) for the rs2004640(A) allele. The haplotype (rs2004640T-rs2280714A) involved in both the alternative splice donor site and the elevated expression of IRF5 also had a highly significant association with SLE (pooled, P = 2.11 x 10(-16)). Our results indicate that the genetic effect on the risk of SLE mediated by IRF5 variants can be generally accepted in both white and Asian populations.

A meta-analysis comprising 5 case-control studies, totaling 6,582 rheumatoid arthritis cases and 5,375 controls, concluded that several IRF5 gene SNPs were indeed (still) significantly associated with the disease. The rs2280714(A) allele was associated with a slight protective effect (odds ratio 0.9, CI: 0.87-0.99, p = 0.029).

Of 3 IRF5 SNPs studied, the rs2280714(A) allele had the strongest association (odds ratio 1.42, CI: 1.15-1.75) in Japanese SLE patients.