A functional polymorphism in the lymphotoxin-alpha gene is associated with carotid artery wall thickness: the Diabetes Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: The lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We tested for an association between a functional polymorphism, LTA 252A/G, and common carotid artery intima-media thickness in 1088 siblings from 435 Diabetes Heart Study families. METHODS: Intima-media thickness was measured by high-resolution B-mode carotid ultrasonography. A MassARRAY system (Sequenom Inc., San Diego, California, USA) was used for genotyping. RESULTS: The LTA 252G allele was positively associated with increased intima-media thickness (the odds ratio for the G allele carriers being in the top tertile of the intima-media thickness distribution was 1.41, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The LTA 252A/G polymorphism is moderately associated with sub-clinical atherosclerosis.

Duke Scholars

Author Yongmei Liu Medicine, Cardiology