Mannose-binding lectin 2 (Mbl2) gene polymorphisms are related to protein plasma levels, but not to heart disease and infection by Chlamydia

Abstract

The presence of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in exon 1 of the mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene was evaluated in a sample of 159 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (71 patients undergoing valve replacement surgery and 300 control subjects) to investigate a possible association between polymorphisms and heart disease with Chlamydia infection. The identification of the alleles B and D was performed using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and of the allele C was accomplished through PCR assays followed by digestion with the restriction enzyme. The comparative analysis of allelic and genotypic frequencies between the three groups did not reveal any significant difference, even when related to previous Chlamydia infection. Variations in the MBL plasma levels were influenced by the presence of polymorphisms, being significantly higher in the group of cardiac patients, but without representing a risk for the disease. The results showed that despite MBL2 gene polymorphisms being associated with the protein plasma levels, the polymorphisms were not enough to predict the development of heart disease, regardless of infection with both species of Chlamydia.

The Epidemiological Impact of STIs among General and Vulnerable Populations of the Amazon Region of Brazil: 30 years of Surveillance

“…C. trachomatis was detected in situ in 7.4% of the samples tested for the cryptic plasmid with four samples from the aorta and two from the mitral valve [ 14 ], and the in situ presence of C. trachomatis antigen by means of immunohistochemistry, in samples of aorta, valves and atheromatous plaque was demonstrated [ 12 ]. It should be stressed that genetic polymorphisms of proinflammatory cytokines and their participation in the microenvironment of the vascular and cardiac system have also been investigated and showed an intense local and systemic inflammatory reaction among the investigated patients [ 12 , 14 , 192 ]…”