Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and serum levels in Behçet’s disease

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is important for angiogenesis and inflammation, both of which are codependent and contribute to the pathophysiology of Behçet's disease (BD). In this report, we sought to investigate whether the selected VEGF polymorphisms [-634 C/G, +936 C/T and an 18 bp insertion/deletion (I/D) at -2549 of the VEGF promoter region] are associated with susceptibility and severity of BD in the Tunisian population. One hundred and thirty-five Tunisian BD patients and 157 healthy controls were recruited. The VEGF gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction followed by digestion with restriction endonucleases. VEGF serum levels of BD patients and healthy controls were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found no association between the VEGF polymorphisms and the susceptibility to BD. However, when data were analysed according to the presence of each symptom, we found a positive association between VEGF 18 bp I/D polymorphism and ocular involvement as well as BD severity. Indeed, among the BD patients, the frequency of the 18 bp I/I genotype was less in patients with ocular inflammation (6.1% vs 24.6%, P = 0.007) and in patients with severe BD (9.2% vs 21.4%, P = 0.0014). Moreover, the mean serum VEGF level was considerably higher in BD patients (P < 0.01) than in healthy controls. We suggest that VEGF gene polymorphisms may be involved in the development of the ocular BD as well as the severity of the disease.

Association of −2549 Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor with Breast Cancer in North Indian Patients

“…For the -2549 I/D polymorphism, association of the I allele has been previously reported with BD in Italian patients (Salvarani et al, 2004) and with its severity in Tunisian patients (Kamoun et al, 2008).…”

VEGF and VEGFR polymorphisms affect clinical outcome in advanced renal cell carcinoma patients receiving first-line sunitinib

“…Candidate gene studies exploring associations between VEGF polymorphisms and circulating VEGF levels have yielded controversial results. Eight studies have found significant associations with candidate polymorphisms (rs699947, rs1570360, rs833061, rs2010963, rs3025039, and 2549 18 bp I/D) in the promoter, 5′- and 3′-UTRs of the VEGF gene (Renner et al , 2000; Awata et al , 2002; Krippl et al , 2003; Ferrante et al , 2006; Zhai et al , 2007; Kamoun et al , 2008; Petrovic et al , 2008). However, several other studies did not identify any association with these and other VEGF SNPs.…”

Angiogenesis genotyping in the selection of first-line treatment with either sunitinib or pazopanib for advanced renal cell carcinoma

“…Eight studies have found significant associations with candidate polymorphisms (rs699947, rs1570360, rs833061, rs2010963, rs3025039, and 2549 18bp I/D) in the promoter, 5′, and 3′ untranslated regions of the VEGF gene [20–26]. However, several other studies did not identify any association with these and other VEGF SNPs.…”