BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. The gene for the counterinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is polymorphic, and high frequencies of allele 2 have been found to be associated with other inflammatory diseases. This study examined the association of allele and carrier frequencies of the IL-1ra gene with the presence of carotid atherosclerosis and plaque symptomaticity. METHODS: A total of 328 subjects identified as having carotid atherosclerosis or no atherosclerosis (controls) participated. Blood was obtained for DNA determination. RESULTS: Frequency of allele 2 was significantly greater in patients with atherosclerosis compared with nonatherosclerotic subjects. No difference was seen between symptomatic and asymptomatic atherosclerosis patients. Noncarriage of allele 2 was associated with reduced likelihood of atherosclerosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.71). The homozygous carrier state for allele 2 was associated with greater likelihood of atherosclerosis (unadjusted OR, 7.30; 95% CI, 2.31 to 22.94; adjusted OR, 13.78; 95% CI, 1.94 to 97.9). A gene-dose effect was detected. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that allele 2 of the IL-1ra gene represents a susceptibility factor in the development of carotid atherosclerosis. Further investigation appears warranted.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. The gene for the counterinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) is polymorphic, and high frequencies of allele 2 have been found to be associated with other inflammatory diseases. This study examined the association of allele and carrier frequencies of the IL-1ra gene with the presence of carotid atherosclerosis and plaque symptomaticity. METHODS: A total of 328 subjects identified as having carotid atherosclerosis or no atherosclerosis (controls) participated. Blood was obtained for DNA determination. RESULTS: Frequency of allele 2 was significantly greater in patients with atherosclerosis compared with nonatherosclerotic subjects. No difference was seen between symptomatic and asymptomatic atherosclerosispatients. Noncarriage of allele 2 was associated with reduced likelihood of atherosclerosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.71). The homozygous carrier state for allele 2 was associated with greater likelihood of atherosclerosis (unadjusted OR, 7.30; 95% CI, 2.31 to 22.94; adjusted OR, 13.78; 95% CI, 1.94 to 97.9). A gene-dose effect was detected. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that allele 2 of the IL-1ra gene represents a susceptibility factor in the development of carotid atherosclerosis. Further investigation appears warranted.
Authors: Inna Belfer; Tianxia Wu; Heather Hipp; Joan Walter; Michele Scully; Paul A Nyquist; Antonella Bollettino; David Goldman; Mitchell B Max; Thomas J DeGraba Journal: Int J Stroke Date: 2010-06 Impact factor: 5.266
Authors: Paul A Nyquist; Cherie A Winkler; Louise M McKenzie; Lisa R Yanek; Lewis C Becker; Diane M Becker Journal: Cerebrovasc Dis Date: 2009-06-05 Impact factor: 2.762
Authors: Bradford B Worrall; Thomas G Brott; Robert D Brown; W Mark Brown; Stephen S Rich; Sampath Arepalli; Fabienne Wavrant-De Vrièze; Jaime Duckworth; Andrew B Singleton; John Hardy; James F Meschia Journal: Stroke Date: 2007-03-01 Impact factor: 7.914