Role of FOXP3 gene polymorphisms (SNPs rs3761547, rs3761549, and rs2232365) in the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial disease induced by an intricated interaction of several genetic variants and multiples environmental factors. A total of 281 patients diagnosed with T2DM and 281 non-diabetic control were enrolled in this study. Three SNPs (rs3761547, rs3761549, and rs2232365) in the FOXP3 gene were selected to study their role in the development of T2DM and T2DM-associated hypertension in an Iraqi population. The DNA extraction and genotyping were performed using allele-specific PCR. Our results showed that 212 patients were positive for a family history of T2DM, and 69 patients were negative (P < 0.001). The distribution of the rs3761547 genotypes among the diabetic patients with a positive family history was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Moreover, 205 patients were positive for hypertension, and 76 patients were negative (P < 0.001). The distribution of the rs3761547 genotypes among the diabetic patients with hypertension was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a statistical association for the rs3761549 genotype distribution among the diabetic patients without hypertension (P = 0.038). The correlation of the rs3761547 genotypes between the patients and controls was strongly significant for AA, GG, and AG (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, there was no statistical significance for the rs3761549 genotypes (CC, TT, and CT; P = 0.362, P = 0.584, and P = 0.140, respectively). The rs2232365 (GG) genotype revealed a significant relationship (P < 0.001), while no statistical significance was displayed for the AA genotype (P = 0.130) and the AG genotype (P = 0.081). We concluded the FOXP3 gene polymorphisms rs3761547 and rs2232365 are linked with T2DM, while rs3761549 is not.