The Role of Genetic Variants (rs869109213 and rs2070744) Of the Gene and II in the α Subunit of the αβ Integrin Gene in Diabetic Retinopathy in a Tunisian Population.

: In this study, we investigated the association of two polymorphisms (rs869109213 and rs2070744) in the gene and one polymorphism II in the αβ integrin gene () with the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a Tunisian population. : The study investigated of 110 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 127 DR patients. The genotypes of the 4b/4a (rs869109213) and -786T/C (rs2070744) polymorphisms and of the II polymorphism of were studied using the PCR or PCR-RFLP method. : The genotype distributions of the two polymorphisms in 4b4a and (-786T/C) were significantly different between T2DM and DR patients ( < .004 and = .033, respectively). These polymorphisms were associated with the risk of DR (OR = 2.65, 95%CI [1.45-4.84], = .002) for the 4b4a genotype and (OR = 2.43, 95%CI [1.06 - 5.56], = .036) for the CC genotype of the gene (-786T/C). Similarly, the genotype distribution of the II polymorphism was significantly different between the two groups studied ( = .037). This polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of DR (OR = 4.03, 95% CI [1.17 - 7.85], = .022) for II(+/+). : The present study suggests that the polymorphisms 4b4a and -786T/C in the gene might be associated with DR. In addition, the II polymorphism in the gene was a risk factor for DR.