Potential impact of TNFAIP3 rs6920220 and DEFB1 rs1800972 gene polymorphisms on vitiligo in Egyptian patients

Background: Vitiligo is a complicated disorder identified by advanced degeneration and loss of melanocytes. Some of the main factors that cause vitiligo are cytotoxicity, autoimmunity, along with several genetic factors.& nbsp;Aim: The current study aims at evaluating the association of TNFAIP3 rs6920220 and DEFB1 rs1800972 gene polymorphisms as risk factors of non-segmental vitiligo in Egyptian patients.& nbsp;Patients and methods: This study was conducted on 125 patients with non-segmental vitiligo and 110 age and gender-matched healthy controls. Genotyping of TNFAIP3 rs6920220 and DEFB1 rs1800972 polymorphisms were analyzed by TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR.& nbsp;Results: Significant differences in the genotypes and alleles distributions of both polymorphisms were detected between patients and controls. The AA and GA genotypes of TNFAIP3 rs6920220 increase the risk of vitiligo with OR 4.422 and 1.863 respectively. The (GA + AA) model reported risk with OR 2.016 compared to the GG genotype. The CG, GG genotypes compared to the CC genotype of DEFB1 rs1800972 were found to have an increased risk of vitiligo with OR1.7 and 2.865 respectively. The (GG+ CG) model had OR 1.856. The AA genotype, the A allele of TNFAIP3 rs6920220, the GG genotype, and the G allele of DEFB1 rs1800972 were more frequent in patients with the progressive course and those with a positive family history of other autoimmune diseases as compared to controls.& nbsp;Conclusion: TNFAIP3 rs6920220 and DEFB1 rs1800972 polymorphisms could participate in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and might be considered as potential risk factors for vitiligo.