Association between polymorphism of the transforming growth factor-beta1 gene with the radiologic characteristic and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
METHODS
A study was conducted to examine the relation between the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) polymorphism (T-->C transition in the signal sequence) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between the polymorphism of TGF-beta1 and the radiologic characteristics of OPLL.


BACKGROUND
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament has a strong genetic background. Several genes contribute to the expression of OPLL. Transforming growth factor-beta1 is present in the ossified matrix and chondrocytes of cartilage adjacent to areas of OPLL.


METHODS
The difference in the TGF-Tbeta1 allele distribution ("TT," "TC," and "CC") between 369 patients with OPLL and 258 control subjects was assessed. The relations between the allele frequency and radiologic features of OPLL involving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine and the width of the ossification area were evaluated.


RESULTS
There was no statistical difference with respect to the type of OPLL and the width of the ossification area for the TGF-Tbeta1 allele between the OPLL and the control groups. However, in the patients with "TC" or "CC" alleles, OPLL frequently was found in the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbar spine.


CONCLUSIONS
Transforming growth factor-beta1 polymorphism is not a factor associated with the occurrence of OPLL, but rather a factor related to the area of the ossified lesion. The "C" allele might be a risk factor for patients with OPLL in other areas in addition to the cervical lesion.
Kawaguchi
Yoshiharu
Y
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan. zenji@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp
Furushima
Kozo
K
Sugimori
Kazuhito
K
Inoue
Ituro
I
Kimura
Tomoatsu
T
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012307:Risk Factors; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1