title: -374T/A polymorphism of the RAGE gene promoter in relation to severity of coronary atherosclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have recently reported that homozygosity for the minor A-allele of RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) -374T/A polymorphism may exert a protective effect toward the development of angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD). Here we focused on the putative involvement of this functional RAGE polymorphism on the severity of coronary atherosclerosis as assessed by angiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a total of 234 consecutive Caucasian patients with angiographically proven CAD, the severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by the number of diseased vessels (greater than 50% stenosis). Genotyping for the -374T/A variant was performed by means of PCR-RFLPs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of diseased vessels was significantly lower in patients with the AA genotype (1.47+/-0.68) than in those with the AT or TT genotype (1.88+/-0.82, p=0.029). After confounding variables were controlled for, the number of diseased vessels remained significantly different in the AA genotype carriers from that in the AT or TT carriers (p=0.041, ANCOVA).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that the RAGE -374T/A polymorphism is one of the likely candidate determinants for the genetic variance of disease phenotype in coronary atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematological, Pneumological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiology, University Hospital IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, University of Pavia, Piazzale Golgi 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy. c.falcone@smatteo.pv.it
authors.forename: Colomba
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emanuele
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Buzzi
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Geroldi
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belvito
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zorzetto
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sbarsi
authors.forename: Mariaclara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cuccia
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000235:genetics*; D000483:Alleles; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017354:Point Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013936:Thymidine / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D000241:Adenosine; D013936:Thymidine