Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the adherent junction component cadherin gene are associated with leukoaraiosis

Background: Leukoaraiosis (LA) is one of the manifestations of cerebral small vessel disease. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption plays a key role in LA. Cadherin is a component of adherent junctions (AJ), which play a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion, cell-cell recognition and homeostasis in BBB development. We hypothesized that alterations in cadherin genes might be a potential cause of BBB abnormalities that result in LA. Methods: A total of 339 LA individuals (LA-PVWM, 183; LA-DWM 156) were enrolled, who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging with obtainable vascular risk factors. Genotyping of cadherin single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs5030625, rs1801026, and rs16260) was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction with LightSNiP reagents (coupled primer and probe) and FastStart DNAMaster HybProbe (Roche Diagnostic, GmBH, Mannheim, Germany) on a LightCycler 2.0 instrument. Results: Two SNPs, rs1801026 and rs16260, were significantly different between the control and LA groups. The combinatorial effects of the three SNPs were also significant. The haplotypes G-T-C and GA-T-A increased the development of LA-PVWM (OR = 1.76 and OR = 40.7, respectively). The haplotypes G-T-A and GA-T-A increased the development of LA-DWM (OR = 2.56 and OR = 10.48, respectively), but G-C-C decreased the development of LA-DWM (OR = 17.57). Conclusion: This study provides evidence for genetic polymorphisms of the AJ component cadherin gene and the association of its haplotypes with LA.