ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To clarify the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), we investigated whether the gene encoding transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-beta 1) is a risk factor for cerebral SVD as a whole, and for two different SVD subtypes. METHODS: TGF-beta 1 codon10 (T+29C) genotype was determined in 441 Chinese patients (313 male and 128 female) with cerebral SVD and 450 control subjects (326 male and 124 female). Cerebral SVD patients were retrospectively classified into two groups based on neuroimaging findings: lacunar infarction group with 112 patients and ischaemic leukoaraiosis group with 329 patients. RESULTS: Subjects carrying TT homozygote were susceptible to cerebral SVD [adjusted odds ratio (OR) =1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.98; P=0.026]. Further analysis of SVD subtypes revealed a moderate association with the ischaemic leukoaraiosis group [OR= 1.60, 95% CI, 1.14-2.25; P=0.007]. CONCLUSIONS: Codon 10 of TGF-beta 1 might be a risk factor for SVD, specifically in ischaemic leukoaraiosis phenotype.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics , Aged , Confidence Intervals , Female , Gene Frequency , Genetic Association Studies , Genotype , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Odds RatioABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and of cerebrovascular complications. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a central role in inflammation. To investigate whether polymorphisms of the TGF-ß1 gene can modify the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) in Chinese population, we conduct this hospital-based, case-control study. METHODS: Transforming growth factor-ß1 genotype was determined in 450 Chinese patients (306 male and 144 female) with IS and 450 control subjects (326 male and 124 female). RESULTS: Subjects carrying 869TT were susceptible to IS (odds ratio [OR] =1.58; P=0.003). Further analysis of IS data partitioned by gender revealed the female-specific association with 869T/C (OR=2.64; P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the TT genotype of 869T/C might be a risk factor of IS in Chinese, especially in females.
