CRP gene haplotypes, serum CRP, and cerebral small-vessel disease: the Rotterdam Scan Study and the MEMO Study.
OBJECTIVE
It remains unclear whether C-reactive protein (CRP) is a serum marker for atherothrombotic disease or a causal factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We explored the association between CRP gene variations and cerebral small-vessel disease (SVD) in the Rotterdam Scan Study (N=1035) and the MEMO Study (N=268).


METHODS
Common haplotypes within the CRP gene were determined by genotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Then their relation with periventricular and subcortical white matter lesions and the prevalence of lacunar brain infarcts was explored by regression analyses.


RESULTS
There was no association between CRP haplotypes and measures of cerebral SVD in either study. There was no effect modification of the association between serum CRP levels and measures of SVD by CRP haplotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
Our observations suggest that CRP is not causally involved in the pathogenesis of SVD.
Reitz
Christiane
C
Berger
Klaus
K
de Maat
Moniek P M
MP
Stoll
Monika
M
Friedrichs
Frauke
F
Kardys
Isabella
I
Witteman
Jacqueline C M
JC
Breteler
Monique M B
MM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D005819:Genetic Markers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein