Association between P-selectin gene polymorphisms and soluble P-selectin levels and their relation to coronary artery disease.

P-selectin is a cellular adhesion molecule that mediates the interaction of activated endothelial cells or platelets with leukocytes. Increased levels of soluble P-selectin have been reported in various cardiovascular disorders. We measured serum soluble P-selectin levels as well as 3 polymorphisms of the P-selectin gene (C-2123G, A-1969G, and Thr715Pro) in a large cohort of patients with documented coronary artery disease (n=869) and a healthy control group (n=334). The 3 P-selectin polymorphisms were strongly associated with P-selectin levels and altogether explained 7.3% and 18.6% of the P-selectin variability in patients and controls, respectively. Genotype distributions did not significantly differ between patients and controls. P-selectin levels were increased in patients younger than 55 years of age compared with controls (135.2 vs 114.3 ng/mL, P<0.01). On the contrary, patients older than 65 years of age had significantly lower P-selectin levels than did controls (121.5 vs 134.7 ng/mL, P<0.02). In intermediate age groups, P-selectin levels did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. In conclusion, this study revealed a strong association between P-selectin gene polymorphisms and serum P-selectin levels and a complex age-dependent relation between soluble P-selectin levels and coronary artery disease, which suggests that this molecule might have different roles in the atherothrombotic process.