A deletion of two genes from the late cornified
envelope (LCE), LCE3B and LCE3C within epidermal
differentiation complex on chromosome 1 was shown to be
associated with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
in several populations. To assess whether this deletion may
contribute to the genetic predisposition to PsA in Tunisia, a
total of 73 patients with PsA and 120 healthy matched
controls were screened for the deletion, LCE3C_LCE3Bdel,
and its tag SNP, rs4112788. We also evaluated a
possible relationship between PSORS1 and LCE3C_LCE3B-
del through genotyping two proxy markers to HLAC
(rs12191877 and rs2073048). Our results did not provide
evidence for association between the LCE3C_LCE3B-del
nor the rs4112788 and the PsA. Similarly, no significant
epistatic effect was observed. Our data suggest that The
LCE deletion, previously identified in patients with psoriasis,
is not of a major importance in the development of
PsA in Tunisian patients supporting the current perception
that different genetic risk factors contribute to skin and
joint disease. However, these results need to be confirmed
by additional large-scale studies of Tunisian PsA patients
and controls.
in several populations. To assess whether this deletion may
and its tag SNP, rs4112788. We also evaluated a
