CT60 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 gene region is associated with Graves' disease in an Italian population

Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune and polygenic disorder. Several studies have shown that human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II and the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene are involved in the genetic susceptibility. We performed a case control study on 150 patients with GD and 301 controls, matched for age and gender, to verify the association of three polymorphisms located in CTLA-4 region (A49G, [AT](n)-3'UTR, and CT60) and of HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 loci with the disease in an Italian population. The prevalence of patients with GD carrying the G allele of CT60 was significantly higher compared to control subjects (p = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 1.82). The allelic frequency of the G allele of CT60 was also significantly higher in patients with GD (p = 0.02). The G allele frequency of A49G in patients was significantly higher compared to control subjects (p = 0.04). The 280 allele phenotype frequency of (AT)(n)-3'UTR was also significantly higher in patients (p = 0.04). The G allele of A49G, the G allele of CT60, and the 280 allele of (AT)(n)-3'UTR microsatellite were significantly increased in patients with GD with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) compared to controls (p = 0.04, p = 0.03, and p = 0.02, respectively), however, we did not find any significant difference between TAO and non-TAO patients. We also found the HLA-DRB1*03 allele to be associated with GD; interestingly, the association of the CTLA-4 markers was independent from the HLA DRB1*03 status. These results highlight the role of the CTLA-4 locus, in addition to HLA, in the susceptibility to GD. Inside the CTLA-4 region, CT60 appears to be the most associated polymorphism to GD, however, further studies are needed to identify the etiologic variant.