AIM

We attempted to test the influences of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B-AS1) gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility to Diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODS

Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CDKN2B-AS1 gene, rs564398, rs1333048, rs1537373, rs2151280, and rs8181047 were examined in 280 DR cases and 455 DR-free diabetic controls.

RESULTS

Among these loci tested, we demonstrated that diabetic carriers of at least one polymorphic allele (G) of rs2151280 (AG and GG; AOR, 1.613; 95% CI, 1.040-2.501; = 0.033) are more susceptible to proliferative DR but not non-proliferative DR. This genetic association with the risk of developing proliferative DR was further strengthened in homozygotes for the polymorphic allele (G) of rs2151280 (GG; AOR, 2.194; 95% CI, 1.117-4.308; = 0.023). We detected a significant association of the polymorphic allele (G) of rs2151280 with proliferative DR patients (OR, 1.503; 95% CI, 1.112-2.033; = 0.008) but not with the entire DR or non-proliferative DR group. Moreover, as compared to those who do not possess the polymorphic allele of rs2151280 (AA), DR patients carrying at least one polymorphic allele of rs2151280 (AG + GG) exhibited a lower glomerular filtration rate and HDL cholesterol level, revealing a promotive role of rs2151280 in renal and cardiovascular complications of diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our findings implicate an impact of CDKN2B-AS1 gene polymorphisms on the progression of DR.