OBJECTIVETo observe whether deoxyribonuclease I (DNASE1) gene expression and its DNASE1 mRNA expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and its alternatively spliced transcripts were performed by capillary electrophoresis. An analysis was also made to disclose whether specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) haplotype had effects onDNASE1 gene expression and its alternatively spliced transcripts.

RESULTSDNASE1 gene expression was higher in SLE patients than in normal controls (P<0.001), and in patients it was found to be of no relationship with SLE disease activity index score. However, it was increased in female patients. Capillary electrophoresis revealed that the pattern of alternatively spliced transcripts in patients was not the same as that in normal controls. Moreover, it seemed that different SNPs haplotype combination might show different transcript pattern in SLE patients.

CONCLUSIONIn SLE patients, DNASE1 gene expression is abnormal and there are alternatively spliced transcripts different from those in normal controls. DNASE1 gene is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of SLE.