Associations between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Acute Mountain Sickness

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated associations between polymorphisms in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and susceptibility to acute mountain sickness. METHODS: Two hundred Han Chinese soldiers who developed acute mountain sickness after rapidly ascending to an altitude of < 3600 m and 200 control soldiers (who did not develop the condition) were enrolled in the study. Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the VEGF gene were genotyped in all the study participants. Plasma VEGF concentrations were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay in 40 subjects with acute mountain sickness and 40 controls before and after exposure to high altitude. RESULTS: The frequencies of the rs3025039 genotype and allele were significantly different between the groups. Two SNPs, rs3025039 (which involves a C→T allele variation at position 936 in the 3′ untranslated region) and rs3025030 (which involves a G→C allele variation in the intronic sequence), were associated with a decreased risk of acute mountain sickness. CONCLUSION: The SNPs rs3025039 and rs3025030 of the VEGF gene may be associated with a decreased risk of acute mountain sickness development.

In search for better pharmacological prophylaxis for acute mountain sickness: looking in other directions

“…Two SNPs (rs3025039 with a C→T allele variation at position 936 in the 3′ untranslated region and rs3025030 with a G→C allele variation in the intronic sequence) were found associated with a lower risk of AMS (Ding et al . ). SNP rs3025039, but not SNP rs3025030, was also significantly associated with plasma VEGF levels.…”

Downregulation of lung miR-203a-3p expression by high-altitude hypoxia enhances VEGF/Notch signaling

“…Final remodeling of newly formed vessels is mediated by a feedback loop involving activation of Notch signaling [7]; insufficient or defective activation of this AGING pathway allows sustained VEGF production, which leads to increased vascular permeability and may precipitate interstitial edema [8]. Our previous human studies revealed several SNPs in the VEGF and other hypoxia-related genes in association with increased AMS susceptibility in Han Chinese individuals, as well as increased basal plasma VEGF levels in subjects affected by AMS [9,10]. However, the regulation of the VEGF/Notch pathway and its impact on angiogenic events related to hypoxic lung injury at high-altitude are not fully understood.…”

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Is Associated with Chronic Mountain Sickness in the Andean Population

“…However, VEGF expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of CMS patients appears different compared to high altitude natives living at high altitude or sea level (Appenzeller et al, 2003). Interestingly, the risk of developing acute mountain sickness has also been associated with a polymorphism of VEGFA (Ding et al, 2012).…”