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.

Increased serum YKL-40 and C-reactive protein levels are associated with angiographic lesion progression in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: YKL-40 is a pro-inflammatory protein highly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques, and is related to prognosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to assess the possible association between YKL-40 and coronary lesion progression in CAD patients. METHODS: A total of 313 patients with CAD, who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and follow-up angiography (mean 13.2+/-3.2 months) were recruited. Serum YKL-40 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured using ELISA kits. RESULTS: Baseline serum YKL-40 and hsCRP levels were higher in those with lesion progression (all p<0.001 vs. patients without lesion progression), and correlated significantly with change of lumen diameter stenosis and cumulative coronary obstruction score (all p<0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for conventional risk factors, number of total coronary artery lesions, YKL-40 and hsCRP levels were independent determinants of lesion progression. An area under the curve of YKL-40 and hsCRP was 0.744 (CI 95% 0.685-0.804, p<0.001) and 0.716 (CI 95% 0.657-0.776, p<0.001), respectively. The optimal values of cut-off point were 74.98 ng/ml (sensitivity 70%, specificity 71%) for YKL-40 and 3.21 mg/l (sensitivity 66%, specificity 68%) for hsCRP to predict lesion progression. CONCLUSION: Increased serum YKL-40 and hsCRP levels are independently associated with lesion progression in patients with CAD.