Summary
Platelet glycoprotein Iba (GPIba) gene polymorphisms have been reported to affect
the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Here, within the GPIba gene, we determine
the association between the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR), the -5C/T Kozak
sequence dimorphism, and the human platelet antigen (HPA)-2 polymorphisms with occurrence
of myocardial infarction (MI). Patients (n=180) presenting survivors of MI were compared
to 180 controls matched by age, gender, and race. Carriers of VNTR-CD genotype had
a 2-fold higher risk for MI compared to controls. The prevalence of VNTR-BC was lower
among patients than among controls (P=.007). These data are in agreement with recent
reports of increased plug formation by human platelets containing VNTRCD but no other
VNTR genotypes. Among patients, the number of vessels severely occluded was greater
among carriers of the D-allele (P=.019) or VNTR-CD (P=.026) and lower among carriers
of the C-allele (P=.003) or VNTR-CC (P=.0009) compared to non-carriers of these alleles.
No influence was seen with the Kozak or HPA-2 polymorphisms. Determination of VNTR
of the GPIba gene may prove useful for identifying high-risk individuals for MI.
Keywords
Arterial disease - coronary heart disease - myocardial infarction - platelet glycoprotein
Ibα - polymorphism VNTR