FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa genes polymorphism in Egyptian children with primary immune thrombocytopenia

Abstract

Introduction: Phagocytosis of autoantibody-sensitized coated platelets through Fc gamma receptors on phagocytic cells is an important mechanism of thrombocytopenia in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Objective: We aimed to investigate the contribution of the FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa genes polymorphism to the risk of ITP and their association with disease characteristics in Egyptian children. Methods: A case control study was conducted on eighty children with primary ITP and eighty age and sex healthy matched subjects as a control group. The FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa genes polymorphism was detected using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: We found that the FcγRIIa‐131H and ‐131R allele frequencies were 51.3 % and 48.7%, respectively, in children with ITP, versus 75% and 25%, respectively, in controls (p = 0.002). The compound heterozygous HR genotype was significantly higher in ITP patients (p 0.05). Conclusion: There is a possible association of the FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIa genes polymorphism with the risk for, and genetic susceptibility to ITP in Egyptian children, but large-scale studies are still needed to support our findings.

Keywords

• Fcγ receptors
• Polymorphism
• Immune thrombocytopenia
• Pediatric ITP