Objectives: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding inflammatory molecules may determine genetic profiles associated with increased risk of development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated distribution and reciprocal interaction of a set of functionally important polymorphisms of genes encoding prototypical inflammatory molecules in subjects with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI). We also investigated whether synergistic interactions between these pro-inflammatory gene polymorphisms influence the risk of PAOD and CLI.
Design, subjects and methods: In a genetic association study that included 157 PAOD patients and 206 controls, the following gene polymorphisms were analysed: C-reactive protein (CRP) 1059 G/C, interleukin-6 (IL-6)-174 G/C, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-173 G/C, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) - 2518 A/G, E-selectin (E-Sel) Ser128Arg, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) 469 E/K, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 -1607 1G/2G, MMP-3-1171 5A/6A and MMP-9-1563 C/T.
Results: We found that IL-6, E-sel, ICAM-1, MCP-1, MMP-1 and MMP-3 gene polymorphisms were significantly and independently associated with PAOD. We also found that these pro-inflammatory polymorphisms determine genetic profiles that are associated with different levels of risk for PAOD and CLI, depending on the number of high-risk genotypes concomitantly carried by a given individual.
Conclusions: Pro-inflammatory genetic profiles are significantly more common in subjects with PAOD. Synergistic effects between pro-inflammatory genotypes might be potential markers for the presence and severity of atherosclerotic disorders.