Folate/homocysteine phenotypes and MTHFR 677C>T genotypes are associated with serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1

Clin Immunol. 2009 Oct;133(1):132-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2009.06.008. Epub 2009 Jul 21.

Abstract

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine that recruits monocytes into the subendothelial cell layer in atherosclerotic lesions. Elevated homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia), which is usually associated with low-folate status, is a known risk factor for many pathologies with inflammatory etiologies. The present study was undertaken to examine whether there are associations between MCP-1 concentrations and folate/Hcy phenotype or methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C>T genotype in healthy young adults. In females, MCP-1 concentrations were positively correlated with Hcy and negatively correlated with both serum and red blood cell folate; female smokers and MTHFR 677T carriers had particularly elevated MCP-1 concentrations. Similar relationships were not seen in males. These findings may have implications for understanding the female predominance observed for a range of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chemokine CCL2 / blood*
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / blood*
  • Genotype
  • Heterozygote
  • Homocysteine / blood*
  • Humans
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / blood
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / genetics*
  • Male
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) / genetics*
  • Sex Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Homocysteine
  • Folic Acid
  • Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)