Abstract: Objective To study the frequencies of FcγRIIIA polymorphisms in Chinese people and the potential role of these polymorphisms(SNPs) in systemic lupus erythermatosus（SLE） and lupus nephritis(LN). Methods We studied 324 unrelated Chinese SLE patients and 319 controls. FcγRIIIA F158V polymorphism was genotyped by specific primer-polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Results The observed frequency of F allele of FcγRIIIA polymorphism is 60.8% in Chinese people. FcγRIIIA polymorphism revealed a significant difference of both genotype and allele distribution in SLE patients and controls. LN patients have a significant increase in carrier frequency of the FF genotype, while the VV genotype reveals a significant decreased risk of early onset of LN. Conclusion FcγRIIIA polymorphisms might be related with SLE in Chinese people. The homozygous FF genotype of FcγRIIIA might be the risk factor for LN, while the homozygous VV genotype might be the protective factor for late onset lupus nephritis.

Key words: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Lupus nephritis, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism