BACKGROUND: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine implicated in early and advanced atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphism of MIF gene is associated with myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in MIF gene (-173G/C, rs755622) was investigated in Czech (n=219) and Russian (n=240) MI patients and population control from the same geographical areas (Czech, n=137; Russian, n=174). Further, another SNP (rs1007888) located within the 3' flanking region of the MIF gene was investigated in Czech MI patients and control subjects. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the distribution of MIF -173G/C genotypes, alleles or carriage rates between case and control groups in either populations. However, the GG genotype of the MIF SNP rs1007888 was associated with MI in Czech female patients (p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together with previous reports, our study suggests that particular MIF gene polymorphisms may contribute to MI susceptibility in females.
BACKGROUND:Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine implicated in early and advanced atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphism of MIF gene is associated with myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in MIF gene (-173G/C, rs755622) was investigated in Czech (n=219) and Russian (n=240) MI patients and population control from the same geographical areas (Czech, n=137; Russian, n=174). Further, another SNP (rs1007888) located within the 3' flanking region of the MIF gene was investigated in Czech MI patients and control subjects. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the distribution of MIF-173G/C genotypes, alleles or carriage rates between case and control groups in either populations. However, the GG genotype of the MIF SNP rs1007888 was associated with MI in Czech female patients (p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together with previous reports, our study suggests that particular MIF gene polymorphisms may contribute to MI susceptibility in females.