The –2549 –2567 del18 Polymorphism in VEGF and Irreversible Bronchoconstriction in Asthmatics

Abstract

Background: While the importance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of several diseases (eg, neoplasms) has been proven, its role in asthma, especially in terms of the potential associations between genetic variants of VEGF and airway remodeling, has received relatively little attention. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the possible connection between a genetic factor, ie, the polymorphism del/ins in the VEGF promoter region, and airway remodeling potential in asthmatics with and without irreversible bronchoconstriction. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised 82 patients with asthma (of whom 42 had irreversible bronchoconstriction) and a group of 40 controls. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes. Polymerase chain reaction was used to type the VEGF (18-bp deletion/insertion) gene polymorphism at loci -2549 -2567. Other factors (ie, smoking, disease duration) were also taken into consideration. Results: The del/del genotype was found in 74.39% of patients with asthma (P=.031; OR=2.38), 80.95% of patients with irreversible bronchoconstriction (P=.012; OR=3.48), and 67.5% patients with reversible bronchoconstriction (P=.251; OR=1.70). The proportion of smokers to nonsmokers was higher (P=.032) and disease duration was longer (P=.041) in patients with irreversible bronchoconstriction than in those with reversible bronchoconstriction. Conclusions: Our results showed that the risk of irreversible bronchoconstriction in asthmatics was associated with the presence of the del18 genotype at the -2549 -2567 position in the promoter region of the VEGF gene, as were disease duration and other factors such as smoking. ResumenAntecedentes: Aunque se ha demostrado la importancia del factor de crecimiento endotelial vascular (VEGF) en la patogénesis de varias enfermedades (p. ej. neoplasias), los datos relativos al asma son escasos, especialmente los relacionados con las posibles asociaciones entre las variantes genéticas de VEGF y la remodelación de las vías respiratorias. Objetivos: En este estudio se propuso evaluar la posible relación entre un factor genético como el polimorfismo del/ins en la región promotora de VEGF y el potencial de remodelación de las vías aéreas en los asmáticos con y sin broncoconstricción irreversible. Materiales y métodos: en el estudio participaron 82 pacientes con asma (42 pacientes con broncoconstricción irreversible) y un grupo de 40 controles. El ADN fue extraído de leucocitos de sangre periférica. Para la tipificación del polimorfismo del gen VEGF (delección / inserción de 18 pb) en loci -2549 -2567 se utilizó el método de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). Se consideraron también otros factores (fumar, duración de la enfermedad). Resultados: El genotipo del/del se encontró en el 74,39% de pacientes con asma (p = 0,031; OR = 2,38), el 80,95% de los pacientes con broncoconstricción irreversible (p = 0,012; OR = 3,48) y el 67,5% de los pacientes con broncoconstricción reversible (p = 0,251; OR = 1,70). La proporción de fumado...

Association of VEGFA polymorphisms with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Chinese Han and Mongolian populations

“…Genetic factors play pertinent roles in the morbidity and mortality of diseases. It was reported that SNPs in the VEGFA gene were associated with lung diseases such as COPD, asthma, lung cancer and acute respiratory distress syndrome (Gomulka et al, 2019;Hernandez-Pacheco et al, 2018;Yu et al, 2017;Zhao et al, 2020). Our study analysed five SNPs (rs833068, rs833070, rs3024994, rs3024997 and rs3025000) of VEGFA and found that some of them may play a vital role in the occurrence and development of COPD.…”

A Non-Invasive Neonatal Signature Predicts Later Development of Atopic Diseases

“…A third line of contribution to protection or increased risk of developing atopic conditions is the genetic background. As an example, a del/del genotype (−2549 −2567 del18) of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) has been associated with asthma occurrence and irreversible bronchoconstriction [ 59 ].…”

Influence of vascular endothelial growth factor on neutrophil activation in asthmatics

“…In other papers [ 24 , 25 ], matters of basophils VEGF-activation and the potential contribution of VEGF gene polymorphism to the spontaneous increase of eosinophils activity (priming) in patients with asthma were suggested. Also, the genetic variant such as the del18 genotype in the promoter region of the VEGF gene was demonstrated as a possible factor connected with presence of and the risk of irreversible bronchoconstriction in asthmatics [ 26 ]. Interestingly, the above might indicate the influence of VEGF and its genetic region on different cell activation state in asthmatics.…”