title: Role of VEGF gene variability in longevity: a lesson from the Italian population.
abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms have been associated with an increased risk of developing a wide variety of disorders from diabetes to neurodegenerative diseases suggesting functions not confined to its vascular effects originally described. Based on the VEGF protective roles undisclosed in pathological conditions, we evaluate whether VEGF variability might be a determinant also for longevity. Four polymorphisms (-2578C/A, -1190G/A, -1154G/A and -634G/C) within the VEGF gene promoter region in 490 unrelated Italian healthy subjects have been analysed. Significant changes of allele, genotype (-2578/AA versus -2578/CC: OR=2.08, p=0.007; -1190/AA versus -1190/GG: OR=2.01, p=0.011) and haplotype (AAGG: 10.4% versus 14.9%, p=0.03) frequency distributions were observed between young/elderly (25-84 years old) and long-lived (85-99 years old) subjects. These results suggest that VEGF gene variability can be inserted among the genetic factors influencing the lifespan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Dino Ferrari Centre, University of Milan, IRCCS Foundation Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena, Padiglione Ponti, Milano, Italy. roberto.delbo@unimi.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Del Bo
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scarlato
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Albani
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galimberti
authors.forename: Ugo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lucca
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tettamanti
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scarpini
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forloni
authors.forename: Nereo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bresolin
authors.forename: Giacomo Pietro
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Comi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A