Association of polymorphism rs7903146 gene TCF7L2 with low concentrations of autoantibodies in latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA)

Aim. To determine the frequencies of alleles and genotypes of polymorphic marker rs7903146 of the TCF7L2 gene in latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and healthy individuals. The aims of the study were also to compare the distribution of alleles and genotypes and to explore the association with the development of LADA.

Materials and methods. A total of 96 patients (46 females and 50 males) with LADA and 201 healthy individuals were examined. A quantitative determination of autoantibodies GADA, ICA, IA-2A and ZnT8 in the serum of LADA patients was performed. All patients underwent genotyping of rs7903146 of the TCF7L2 genes.

Results. There was an increased frequency of the T allele and genotype T+ of marker rs7903146 of the TCF7L2 gene in patients with LADA with low concentrations of autoantibodies compared to a group of patients with high concentrations and with controls. We observed significant associations of the T allele and genotype T+ with LADA in patients with low concentrations of autoantibodies [p = 0.02; odds ratio (OR) = 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10–3.13 and p = 0.04; OR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.01–4.53 for the T allele and genotype T+, respectively).

Conclusion. The results of the study suggest that LADA patients with low concentrations of autoantibodies have a genetically pre-determined similarity with patients with type 2 diabetes.

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