DNA Methylation and mRNA Expression of B7-H3 Gene in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case-Control Study

ABSTRACT

Background

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common inflammatory arthritis, with a high prevalence in patients in their mid-20s. Its pathogenesis is not well understood; however, genetic factors likely play a critical role. Epigenetic DNA changes may be involved in the pathogenesis of AS. In this study, we explored the methylation and transcription levels of the B7-H3 gene and its association with AS in an eastern Chinese Han population.

Methods

Peripheral blood of AS patients and healthy controls was used to extract genomic DNA and B7-H3 methylation levels were analyzed using sodium bisulfite followed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. SPSS software was used to determine the statistical significance of the results.

Results

Hypomethylation of the promoter of the B7-H3 gene was observed in AS patients, whereas the B7-H3 gene expression was significantly enhanced in AS patients.

Conclusion

Epigenetic modifications of B7-H3 were associated with susceptibility to AS. Hypomethylation of the B7-H3 promoter, which leads to B7-H3 overexpression, may be involved in the pathogenesis of AS.

KEYWORDS:

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• B7-H3
• DNA methylation
• epigenetics
• mRNA

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08820139.2022.2095285

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81773514, 82073655] and the funds for academic and technical leaders in Anhui province [2017D140] and Clinical Medicine Discipline construction project of Anhui Medical University [2021lcxk043].