Serum levels and genetic variation of TGF-beta1 are not associated with Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
As transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) determines important neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions, we postulated serum TGF-beta1 levels could be low in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and TGF-beta1 genetic variation could be associated with AD risk through modulating serum TGF-beta1 levels.


METHODS
TGF-beta1 (-800) (rs 1800468), (-509) (rs 1800469) and (+869) (rs 1982073) polymorphisms were genotyped in 412 AD patients and 406 controls. We measured serum TGF-beta1 levels (by ELISA) in 63 AD patients and compared them with 77 age- and gender-matched non-demented controls.


RESULTS
Serum TGF-beta1 levels were not different in AD patients than in controls. Distribution of the allele and genotype frequencies of TGF-beta1 polymorphisms did not differ between AD patients and controls. There was no significant correlation between serum TGF-beta1 levels and TGF-beta1 polymorphisms.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum TGF-beta1 concentration is not a potential biomarker for AD, and TGF-beta1 genetic variants (-800, -509, and +869) are not risk factors for AD.
Rodríguez-Rodríguez
E
E
Neurology Service, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
Sánchez-Juan
P
P
Mateo
I
I
Llorca
J
J
Infante
J
J
García-Gorostiaga
I
I
Berciano
J
J
Combarros
O
O
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*
D005819:Genetic Markers; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1