Tissue plasminogen activator -7351C/T enhancer polymorphism is a risk factor for lacunar stroke.
OBJECTIVE
Occlusive thrombosis is an important component of small- and large-vessel ischemic stroke. Endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is the primary mediator of intravascular fibrinolysis and is predominantly expressed by the endothelium of small vessels. The acute release of TPA is influenced by the TPA -7351C/T polymorphism and therefore may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lacunar stroke. In this study, we investigated the risk of lacunar and nonlacunar ischemic stroke associated with the TPA -7351C/T polymorphism.


METHODS
We conducted a case-control study of 182 cases of ischemic stroke and 301 community controls. Participants were evaluated for known cerebrovascular risk factors, and the TPA -7351C/T genotype was established by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Logistic regression was used to determine the risk of lacunar and nonlacunar ischemic stroke associated with the TPA -7351C/T polymorphism.


RESULTS
The prevalence of the TPA -7351 CC, CT, and TT genotypes were 46%, 45%, and 9% for controls and 41%, 46%, and 13% for stroke patients, respectively. After adjustment for known cerebrovascular risk factors, the TT genotype was significantly associated with ischemic stroke (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.01 to 3.6). Stratification for stroke subtype showed a significant association between the TT genotype and lacunar stroke but not nonlacunar stroke (OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.1 to 6.7).


CONCLUSIONS
The TPA -7351C/T polymorphism is an independent risk factor for lacunar stroke. The findings suggest that impaired fibrinolysis may play a role in the pathogenesis of lacunar stroke.
Jannes
Jim
J
Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville South, South Australia.
Hamilton-Bruce
Monica A
MA
Pilotto
Louis
L
Smith
Brian J
BJ
Mullighan
Charles G
CG
Bardy
Peter G
PG
Koblar
Simon A
SA
D000368:Aged; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator