Abdominal aortic aneurysm: a review of the genetic basis.
BACKGROUND
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disease with a largely unknown pathophysiological background and a strong genetic component. Various studies have tried to link specific genetic variants with AAA.


METHODS
Systematic review of the literature (1947-2009).


RESULTS
A total of 249 studies were identified, 89 of which were eventually deemed relevant to this review. Genetic variants (polymorphisms) in a wide variety of genes, most of which encode proteolytic enzymes and inflammatory molecules, have been associated with AAA development and progression.


CONCLUSIONS
The genetic basis of AAA remains unknown, and most results from ''candidate-gene'' association studies are contradictory. Further analyses in appropriately powered studies in large, phenotypically well-characterized populations, including genome-wide association studies, are necessary to elucidate the exact genetic contribution to the pathophysiology of AAA.
Saratzis
Athanasios
A
Russell's Hall Hospital, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, West Midlands, UK. a_saratzis@yahoo.gr
Abbas
Ahmed A
AA
Kiskinis
Dimitrios
D
Melas
Nikolaos
N
Saratzis
Nikolaos
N
Kitas
George D
GD
D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000235:genetics*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000235:genetics
D006680:HLA Antigens; D007378:Interleukins; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases