title: Early atherosclerosis and IgG2 to bacteria are associated with FcgammaRIIa genotype in non-smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Involvement of low density lipoprotein (LDL) immune complexes (ICs) in atherogenesis has been proposed. Human FcgammaRIIa receptor (CD32) plays a crucial role in the phagocytosis of IgG(2) ICs and a functional point mutation 131His/Arg diminishes IgG(2) binding to the receptor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined FcgammaRIIa-131His/Arg polymorphism, IgG(2) antibody titres to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) and Streptococcus pneumoniae cell wall polysaccharide (CWPS) and subclinical atherosclerosis in a large cohort of Finnish subjects (n = 1041).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Non-smoking subjects with homozygous 131His/His genotype had more premature atherosclerosis (P = 0.004) and higher IgG(2) to bacterial CWPS (P = 0.002) compared with other genotypes. Smoking subjects had significantly higher intima-media thickness (IMT) than that of non-smokers (P < 0.001) and genotype-dependent associations were indistinct. There was no association between FcgammaRIIa genotype and antibody titres to OxLDL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data demonstrate that FcgammaRIIa 131His/Arg polymorphism is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in non-smoking subjects. Furthermore, FcgammaRIIa genotype is associated with IgG(2) titres to bacterial CWPS, but not to OxLDL. These data propose possible involvement of FcgammaRIIa receptor in atherogenesis.
authors.affiliation: University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sämpi
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ukkola
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Päivänsalo
authors.forename: Y A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Kesäniemi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hörkkö
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C080568:Fc gamma receptor IIA; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D017452:Receptors, IgG