Members of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM) family are associated with atherosclerosis risk and progression.
TREML4
is upregulated in the early phase of acute coronary syndrome. We investigated the relationship between the mRNA expression of 13 genes in blood leukocytes,
TREML4
polymorphisms, and coronary artery lesion extension (Friesinger index) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 137).
TREML4
rs2803495 (A > G) and rs2803496 (T > C) variants and leukocyte mRNA expression were analysed by qRT-PCR.
TREML4
expression was higher in patients with major coronary artery lesions than in subjects without or with low and intermediate lesions (
p
< 0.05). However,
TREML4
polymorphisms were not associated with coronary lesion extent. Presence of the rs2803495 G allele was not associated with increased
TREML4
mRNA expression. Patients carrying the rs2803496 C allele (TC/CC genotypes) were more likely to express
TREML4
mRNA than non-C allele carriers (allele C: OR 7.3, and 95% CI 1.9–27.5,
p
= 0.03). In conclusion, increased
TREML4
mRNA expression in blood leukocytes is influenced by gene polymorphisms and is associated with more severe coronary artery lesions, suggesting its potential as a biomarker of the extent of coronary lesions in patients with CAD.