The haplotype of the CDKN2B-AS1 gene is associated with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma in the Caucasian population of Central Russia.

PURPOSE: To replicate the finding of the association of five CDKN2B-AS1 gene polymorphisms (rs7865618, rs1063192, rs944800, rs2157719, and rs4977756) with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and to analyze them for possible association with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXFG) in a Caucasian population of Central Russia.

METHODS

A total of 932 participants of Russian ethnicity (self-reported), including 328 patients with PXFG, 208 patients with POAG (high-tension glaucoma), and 396 controls, were enrolled in the study. The SNPs were analyzed for possible associations using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Several haplotypes based on the studied SNPs were associated with POAG (three haplotypes) and PXFG (six haplotypes). Haplotype AAAGG of loci rs1063192-rs7865618-rs2157719-rs944800-rs4977756 conferred the highest risk for both POAG (OR = 3.99, рperm = 0.001) and PXFG (OR = 2.84, рperm = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The CDKN2B-AS1 gene was associated with an increased risk of both POAG and PXFG in Caucasians of Central Russia. The gene may be related to the development of various types of glaucoma.