Up Regulation of ZNF76 rs10947540 and SCUBE3 rs1888822 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms as a Genetic Risk Factor in Egyptian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction: The protein SCUBE3 has been observed to exhibit an association with various autoimmune conditions, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Genetic experiments have revealed that changes in Zinc finger protein-coding sequences correlate with an increased vulnerability to developing autoimmune diseases, so we aimed to study investigates the involvement of ZNF76 rs10947540 and SCUBE3 rs1888822 gene expression in individuals diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Methods: In a case-control study conducted from January 2022 to March 2023, 80 adults with RA from Menoufia University Hospital were compared with 80 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ZNF76 rs10947540 and SCUBE3 rs1888822 were analysed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: ZNF76 rs10947540 demonstrated a 7.125-fold increased risk for RA in CC genotype individuals and a 2.958-fold risk associated with the C allele. Those with the TC genotype had a 2.523-fold increased risk. Similarly, SCUBE3 rs1888822 showed a 6.364-fold risk for RA in TT genotype individuals and a 3.065-fold risk for T allele carriers. GT genotype individuals had a 2.765-fold risk.

Discussion: Our study suggests that ZNF76 rs10947540 and SCUBE3 rs1888822 polymorphisms may be risk factors for RA in Egyptian patients. Understanding the genetic variations associated with higher risk underscores the role of genetics in RA progression.