Synergistic Effect of −174 G/C Polymorphism of the Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter and 469 E/K Polymorphism of the Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Gene in Italian Patients With History of Ischemic Stroke

• Published in: Stroke (1970) Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 881 - 885
• Main Authors: Pola, Roberto, Flex, Andrea, Gaetani, Eleonora, Flore, Roberto, Serricchio, Michele, Pola, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01.04.2003; American Heart Association, Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Amino Acid Substitution; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Ischemia - diagnosis; Brain Ischemia - genetics; Female; Gene Frequency; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Humans; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - genetics; Interleukin-6 - genetics; Italy; Male; Medical sciences; Neurology; Polymorphism, Genetic; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Stroke - diagnosis; Stroke - genetics; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Italy; Human; Nervous system diseases; Stroke; Italian; Intercellular adhesion molecule 1; Cytokine; Cardiovascular disease; Cerebral disorder; interleukins; Vascular disease; Interleukin 6; Promoter; Allele; genetics; Gene; Ischemia; inflammation; Central nervous system disease; Risk factor; Cerebrovascular disease; Antecedent; Polymorphism; intercellular adhesion molecule-1
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/01.STR.0000062346.70983.DF

Background and Purpose— Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for several ischemic cardiovascular disorders, including cerebral ischemia. IL-6 and ICAM-1 plasma levels and/or function may be genetically influenced. We sought to evaluate distribution and reciprocal interaction of IL-6 G/C gene promoter polymorphism and ICAM-1 E/K gene polymorphism in Italian patients with history of ischemic stroke. Methods— One hundred nineteen patients with history of ischemic stroke and 133 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. IL-6 and ICAM-1 genotypes were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis. Results— The GG genotype of −174 IL-6 G/C gene polymorphism was significantly associated with history of ischemic stroke at both univariate ( P <0.0001) and multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR], 8.6; P <0.0001). Additionally, the EE genotype of ICAM-1 E/K gene polymorphism was significantly more common in the group of patients with history of ischemic stroke ( P =0.003) and was an independent variable associated with stroke history (OR, 4.0; P =0.002). Interestingly, a further increased risk of stroke was found in subjects who concomitantly carry the IL-6 GG and ICAM-1 EE genotypes (IL-6 GG /ICAM-1 EE double-homozygous subjects) (OR, 10.1; P =0.004). Conclusions— There is a synergistic effect of IL-6 G/C and ICAM-1 E/K gene polymorphisms in patients with stroke history. Reciprocal interactions between genotypes may contribute in determining the risk profile for cardiovascular diseases and may merit further investigation as potential therapeutic targets.