Genetic polymorphisms in chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) are associated with circulating YKL-40 levels, but not with angiographic coronary artery disease in a Chinese population.
BACKGROUND
We sought to examine if polymorphisms in the promoter region of YKL-40 gene (CHI3L1) are associated with serum YKL-40 levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese patients.


METHODS
Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (-329G>A, rs10399931; -247C>T, rs10399805; -131G>C, rs4950928) in the CHI3L1 promoter were determined in 213 consecutive patients with angiographically documented CAD (luminal diameter stenosis ≥50%) and 248 normal controls. Coronary cumulative obstruction score and number of diseased vessels represent the severity of CAD. Serum YKL-40 levels were assessed using an ELISA kit.


RESULTS
Patients with CAD had remarkably higher serum YKL-40 levels compared to controls (p<0.001). There was no difference in the allele, genotype and haplotype distribution of these three SNPs between controls and CAD patients. The minor alleles of CHI3L1-329G>A and -131G>C were significantly associated with decreased serum YKL-40 levels in both controls (p = 0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) and CAD patients (p = 0.007 and p<0.001, respectively), whereas CHI3L1-247C>T had no appreciable effect. None of these genetic variants and haplotypes was associated with severity of angiographic CAD.


CONCLUSIONS
CHI3L1-329G>A and -131G>C polymorphisms are associated with serum YKL-40 levels, but not with the prevalence or severity of CAD.
Department of Cardiology, Rui Jin Hospital, Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, PR China.
Jian Lei
JL
Zheng
Lin
L
Lu
Jian
J
Hu
Rui Yan
RY
Zhang
Qi
Q
Zhang
Qiu Jin
QJ
Chen
Wei Feng
WF
Shen
D054392:Adipokines; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D002681:China; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D015995:Prevalence; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D054392:Adipokines; C084533:CHI3L1 protein, human; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D006023:Glycoproteins; D037102:Lectins