Aim: To demonstrate whether sCD14 and CD14 (rs2569190 A/G and rs2569191 C/T) genetic variants are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk, for the first time, in Egyptian pediatrics and adolescents. Materials & methods: sCD14 concentrations were determined in plasma of 95 SLE cases and 98 healthy controls using ELISA assay. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan technology. Results: sCD14 levels were elevated in SLE. Individuals with T, CT and TT genotypes in rs2569191 were of significant risk (odds ratio = 1.471-2.035, 95% CI = 1.138-3.471) and those with combined CT+TT and haplotype GT were of higher risk of SLE (odds ratio = 1.660-1.758, 95% CI = 1.003-3.106, p < 0.05). sCD14 levels and CD14 polymorphism were not correlated with SLE clinical and laboratory features. Conclusion: In SLE, sCD14 levels are associated with rs2569190 A/G. Genotype CT+TT in rs2569191 C/T and haplotype GT are associated with SLE risk in Egyptian pediatric and adolescents.
Keywords: autoantibodies; genotype; haplotype; inflammatory; innate immunity; polymorphism.