Association of transforming growth factor-β1 gene polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility to acute myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) gene plays an important role in acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, little is known about the relation of variations within the gene and risk of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the authors evaluated the influence of TGF-β1 polymorphisms on the onset and progression of AMI in Iranian patients comparing with healthy individuals.

METHODS

Genomic DNA and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 900 enrolled patients with AMI and 900 control subjects were extracted. The -509 C/T, 868T/C, 913G/C and 11929C/T TGF-β1 polymorphisms were detected. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and serum levels of TGF-β1 were analyzed by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively.

RESULTS

The frequency of "T" allele in -509 C/T, "C" allele in 868T/C, "C" allele in 913G/C and "T" allele in 11929C/T polymorphisms were significantly higher in the patients than control subjects (P < 0.001). There were significant differences in circulating levels of TGF-β1 in the patients than in control subjects (P < 0.001). These concentrations are associated with its gene polymorphism. The mRNA expression levels of TGF-β1 were significantly higher in the patient serums compared with controls (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results confirmed the association between the TGF-β1 polymorphisms and risk of AMI, which suggest that genetic polymorphisms in TGF-β1 might be helpful for determining susceptibility to AMI in Iranian patients. There are also significant relationship between serum TGF-β1 and occurrence of AMI. In addition, susceptibility to AMI might be related to TGF-β1 gene expression, which affects its serum levels.