Association between single nucleotide polymorphism of IL15RA gene with susceptibility to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported the association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL15 receptor alpha (IL15RA) gene with susceptibility to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine (OPLL). However, the results were still in controversy. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between SNPs of IL15RA gene with susceptibility to OPLL in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: A total of 235 OPLL patients and 250 age-matched healthy controls were recruited. All the subjects were genotyped using the PCR (polymerase chain reaction)-based invader assay. A case–control study was performed to define the contribution of rs2228059 and rs2296139 to predisposition of OPLL. We also performed subgroup analysis according to the different gender. RESULTS: A significant association of rs2228059 with OPLL was observed in the Chinese Han population (p <0.001, OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.26–2.11). The subgroup analysis showed that there was a significant association between the allele frequency of rs2228059 and the susceptibility of OPLL in males (p = 0.002, OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.23–2.42). However, there was no significant association between SNP of rs2296139 and susceptibility to OPLL. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that the SNP of rs2228059 in IL15RA gene is associated with susceptibility to OPLL in a Chinese Han population, especially in males.