Functional polymorphism rs1024611 in the MCP1 gene is associated with the risk of varicose veins of lower extremities.

OBJECTIVE

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine responsible for monocyte, basophil, and T-lymphocyte attraction. Polymorphism rs1024611 located in the regulatory region of the MCP1 gene has previously been shown to be associated with increased MCP-1 production. In our study, we aimed to examine the association of rs1024611 with the risk of primary varicose veins (PVVs) of lower extremities.

METHODS

The case group comprised 470 patients with PVVs, and the control group included 269 individuals without a history of chronic venous disease. All cases and controls were ethnic Russians. Genotypes were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction allelic discrimination. Association was studied by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

We revealed the association of genotype G/G with the increased risk of PVVs (odds ratio [OR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-3.44; P = .04). In the subgroup analysis, association was revealed only in patients with C2 Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology class (allele G: OR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.13-2.33; P = .008]; genotype G/G: OR, 3.22 [95% CI, 1.43-7.27; P = .005]), in patients with age at onset of PVVs before 30 years (allele G: OR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.08-1.85; P = .01]; genotype G/G: OR, 2.35 [95% CI, 1.22-4.55; P = .01]), and in patients who declared no family history (allele G: OR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.02-2.09; P = .04]; genotype G/G: OR, 2.50 [95% CI, 1.11-5.63; P = .03]).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence for MCP-1 involvement in the development of PVVs and indicate that inflammation could be implicated in the pathogenesis of this condition.