1059G/C polymorphism within the exon 2 of the C-reactive protein gene: relationship to C-reactive protein levels and prognosis in unstable angina.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with unstable angina (UA) and high C-reactive protein (CRP) have increased cardiovascular risk. Whether genetic factors such as the synonymous 1059G/C polymorphism within the exon 2 of the human CRP gene determine CRP levels and outcome is unclear.


METHODS
In 105 consecutive patients with UA, we assessed the CRP 1059G/C polymorphism, CRP plasma levels and interleukin-6 production after in-vitro stimulation of whole blood with lipopolysaccharide (1 ng/ml). Coronary events during a 24-month follow-up were recorded.


RESULTS
CRP levels (median, range) were significantly lower among C-allele carriers (2.3 mg/l, 0.5-26.9) than among GG homozygotes (5.9 mg/l, 0.8-72.12, P=0.009). Interleukin-6 production was lower in C-allele carriers (1645 pg/ml, 832.0-9522) than in GG homozygotes (3929 pg/ml, 670.8-10 582), (P=0.085). At follow-up, 1059C-allele carriers experienced fewer coronary events than 1059GG homozygotes (13 vs. 47%, P=0.021). At multivariable analysis, a CRP level >3 mg/l, but not the 1059G/C polymorphism, was an independent predictor of coronary events (odds ratio 10.04, 95% confidence interval 2.84-35.44, P=0.0002).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the CRP synonymous 1059G/C polymorphism affects CRP levels. No independent association was, however, observed between this polymorphism and clinical outcome in UA.
Rizzello
Vittoria
V
The Institute of Cardiology, University Hospital, The Catholic University, Rome, Italy. vittoria.rizzello@gmail.com
Liuzzo
Giovanna
G
Giannuario
Giovanna Di
GD
Trabetti
Elisabetta
E
Brugaletta
Salvatore
S
Santamaria
Matteo
M
Piro
Maddalena
M
Pignatti
Pier Franco
PF
Maseri
Attilio
A
Biasucci
Luigi M
LM
Crea
Filippo
F
D000368:Aged; D000483:Alleles; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000235:genetics*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015850:Interleukin-6; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein