Genetic predisposition of E-selectin gene (S128R) polymorphism in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background & Objectives: A surface glycoprotein molecule, E-selectin is involved in adhesion of circulating leukocyte to the activated endothelium and plays a fundamental role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to document the status of S128R polymorphism of E-selectin gene in angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) patients from Uttar Pradesh.

Methods: Genotype of the S128R polymorphism was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 329 angiographically proven CAD patients [n=83 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and n= 246 AMI-free] and 331 age and sex matched control individuals (angiographically proven not to have CAD).

Results: This pilot study revealed a significant association of R allele in coronary artery disease patients in univariate analysis [allele frequency 9.6% in patients vs. 5.6% in control (P = 0.031, OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.05 - 2.47)]. However, after binomial logistic regression the significant determinants of CAD were: presence of diabetes (OR: 2.26, P=0.001) hypertension (OR = 2.61, P=0.001), smoking habit (OR=2.038, P=0.001), elevated serum triglycerides (OR=1.967, P=0.001) and low HDL-C (high density lipoprotein cholesterol) (OR=1.107, P=0.001).

Interpretation & Conclusion: The interaction of classical risk factors for CAD with S128R polymorphism in our study population showed that the significant determinants of coronary artery disease were presence of diabetes, hypertension, smoking habit, elevated serum triglycerides and low HDL. S128R polymorphism in E-selectin gene was not an independent predictor of CAD in our population.