Association of mtDNA M/N Haplogroups with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case-Control Study of Han Chinese Women
June 2015
in “
Scientific Reports
”
TLDR The mtDNA N haplogroup is linked to a higher risk of late-onset lupus and specific symptoms in Han Chinese women.
The study investigated the relationship between mitochondrial DNA haplogroups M and N and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 868 Han Chinese women with SLE and 870 healthy controls. The N haplogroup was significantly more frequent in patients older than 50 years at onset compared to controls (59.6% vs 41.7%, P = 0.042). The N haplogroup was associated with higher risks for hematological system damage (OR 2.128), skin impairment (OR 1.873), neurological disturbance (OR 3.956), and alopecia (OR 1.322). The findings suggested that the mtDNA N haplogroup was linked to a higher risk of late-onset SLE and specific SLE characteristics in Han Chinese women.