RFLP) in 302 cases and 316 controls. Results showed that individuals with the rs6421571CT and TT genotypes had a strong correlation with the incidence of CRC (odds ratio (OR)--.46; 95?% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-.09; p--.041 and OR--.62; 95?% CI, 1.50-.95; p--.001, respectively). Also, rs80202369AA genotype revealed significantly higher distribution in CRC patients than in controls (p--.002). We further investigated the possible effects of the polymorphisms by assessing messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of CXCR5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and B cells. Data presented that healthy controls with rs6421571CT and TT genotypes had higher mRNA and protein levels of CXCR5 than those with wild-type CC genotype specifically in CD4+ T cells. These findings suggest novel risk factors of CRC and indicate a potential mechanism of CXCR5 gene polymorphism." />