Polymorphism in the human C-reactive protein (CRP) gene, serum concentrations of CRP, and the difference between intracranial and extracranial atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND
C-reactive protein, a proinflammatory factor, is involved in the development of atherosclerosis. The CRP 1059G>C polymorphism appeared to be a susceptive marker for atherosclerosis. We investigated the relationship of the distribution of cerebral atherosclerosis with triggered serum CRP concentrations following acute ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (IS/TIA) and CRP 1059G>C polymorphism.


METHODS
We recruited 222 IS/TIA patients (122 with only intracranial atherosclerotic lesions and 100 with isolated extracranial atherosclerotic lesions) and 227 controls. Intra- and extracranial atherosclerotic lesions were determined by digital subtraction angiography. Serum CRP concentrations were measured by particle-enhanced immunonephelometry assay. CRP 1059G>C genotypes were obtained through PCR amplification and restriction enzyme digestion.


RESULTS
CRP concentrations were significantly higher in intra- and extracranial groups than in controls. No significant difference was found in CRP concentrations between intra- and extracranial groups. The CRP 1059G>C single-nucleotide polymorphism did not influence CRP serum concentrations. CRP genotype and allele frequencies did not differ significantly between patients and controls. However, the frequencies of GC genotype and C allele were significantly higher in extracranial group than that in intracranial group. The GC individuals showed a higher risk of extracranial atherosclerosis compared with GG individuals (OR 3.41; 95%CI, 1.124-10.347; P=0.030).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum CRP is associated with cerebral atherosclerotic disease. CRP 1059G>C polymorphism is one possible genetic determinant for the difference between intra- and extracranial atherosclerosis.
Liu
Zhi-Zhong
ZZ
The Center for Laboratory Diagnosis, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Lv
Hong
H
Gao
Feng
F
Liu
Gang
G
Zheng
Hua-Guang
HG
Zhou
Ya-Li
YL
Wang
Ya-Jie
YJ
Kang
Xi-Xiong
XX
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
D002097:C-Reactive Protein