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Irene M. van der Meer, Jacqueline C. M. Witteman, Albert Hofman, Cornelis Kluft, Moniek P. M. de Maat
Genetic variation in Fc receptor IIa protects against advanced peripheral atherosclerosis. The Rotterdam Study
Immune processes play a substantial role in atherosclerotic disease. The role in atherosclerosis of Fc receptor IIa (FcRIIa), a receptor for immunoglobulin G and for the inflammatory mediator C-reactive protein, is not yet clear. Since the R/H131 polymorphism in the FcRIIa gene strongly influences binding to FcRIIa, we investigated the association of the R/H131 polymorphism with advanced peripheral atherosclerosis. Within the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort study, we determined FcRIIa genotype in 430 subjects with advanced peripheral atherosclerosis as indicated by the ankle-arm index, and 411 controls. Heterozygous and homozygous carriers of the H131 allele were protected against advanced peripheral atherosclerosis (age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.77 (0.541.12) and 0.65 (0.440.98), respectively, P trend=0.04). This effect was most pronounced in subjects with modestly elevated levels of inflammation as indicated by the leukocyte count (OR 0.52 (0.290.93) and 0.45 (0.230.86), for heterozygotes and H131 homozygotes, respectively; P trend=0.02). This is the first study showing that the H131 allele of FcRIIa protects against advanced peripheral atherosclerosis.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Schattauer
Print ISSN: 0340-6245
Volume: 92, 12/2004
Pages: 1273 - 1276