Role of factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism in retinal artery occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
Factor XIII (FXIII) Val34Leu, a common polymorphism in the gene for factor XIII, has been associated with a lower risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and deep vein thrombosis. Ineffective fibrin cross-linking has been suggested to be causative. The aim of the present case-control study was to investigate the role of FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism in patients with retinal artery occlusion.


METHODS
A total of 108 patients with retinal artery occlusion and 313 age- and sex-matched controls were genotyped for the FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism. Factor XIII Val34Leu genotypes were determined by use of allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Homozygous Leu genotype was found significantly more often in control subjects than in patients with retinal artery occlusion (P=0.018), with an odds ratio of 0.22 (95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.74). Distribution of the Val/Val and Val/Leu genotypes did not differ significantly between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Because prevalence of homozygous Leu genotype was significantly higher in controls, we conclude that the Leu/Leu genotype is associated with a protective effect against retinal artery occlusion.
Weger
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Auenbruggerplatz 4, A-80365 Graz, Austria. martin.weger@kfunigraz.ac.at
Renner
W
W
Stanger
O
O
Schmut
O
O
Deutschmann
H
H
Wascher
T C
TC
Haas
A
A
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000483:Alleles; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005176:Factor XIII / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015995:Prevalence; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution
D005176:Factor XIII