Single-nucleotide Polymorphisms in Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Associated with Stroke Subtype in LAA and SVO

Background VEGF single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs699947, rs1570360 and rs3025039 have been associated with VEGF expression and production; however, their effects on the independent development of stroke subtype have not been studied yet. This study was designed to investigate the association of VEGF polymorphisms with stoke in large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) and small vessel occlusion (SVO) in Korean population. Method Real-time PCR combined with melting curve analysis in LightCyler was used for the genotyping of VEGF SNPs. Results Significant differences between controls and stroke subtypes patients (LAA and SVO) were observed in the allele and genotypes frequencies of rs699947 and rs3025039 (p < 0.05). The CA and CA + AA (A allele) frequencies of the rs699947 were significantly higher in LAA (p < 0.05). Similarly, the CT and CT + TT (T allele) frequencies of the rs3025039 were significantly higher in SVO than controls (p < 0.05). The level of HDL cholesterol and plasma glucose was significantly different between controls and LAA and SVO with different genotypes of VEGF SNPs. Conclusion Our data demonstrated that the rs699947 and rs3025039 SNPS are associated with increased risk of LAA and SVO, respectively.