title: A polymorphism in transforming growth factor-β1 is associated with carotid plaques and increased carotid intima-media thickness in older Chinese men: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study-Cardiovascular Disease Subcohort.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Polymorphisms of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFB1) gene have not been associated with asymptomatic atherosclerosis previously. We investigated the relationship between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4803455 in TGFB1 and atherosclerosis identified by the presence of carotid plaque and increased intima-media thickness (IMT) in an older Chinese population.
  
  
  METHODS
  1996 subjects (992 (49.7%) men aged 50-85 years) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study-Cardiovascular Subcohort (GBCS-CVD) were genotyped. Carotid plaque and IMT were assessed by B-mode ultrasonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In male subjects, the C allele of TGFB1 rs4803455 was significantly associated with prevalence of carotid plaque (adjusted OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.16-5.36, P = 0.03). The C allele was related to increased number of common carotid artery (CCA) plaques (P=0.03) and larger carotid plaque area (P = 0.02) in men. The homozygous carriers of allele C in male subjects also had a higher risk of having carotid IMT ≥ 1 mm (adjusted OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.05-2.93, P = 0.03). These associations were independent of age, smoking, physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting glucose and high sensitivity C-reactive protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to show that the C allele in TGFB1 was associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis in older Chinese men. Further investigations on the linkage between the TGFB1 gene and progression of atherosclerosis in asymptomatic populations are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Han-Bing
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Chao Qiang
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jie Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ka Sing
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Bernard M Y
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Tai Hing
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: G Neil
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D016014:Linear Models; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics*; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1