Association between C-reactive protein genotype, circulating levels, and aortic pulse wave velocity
Wiebke Schumacher1, John Cockcroft, Nicholas J Timpson
1MRC CAiTE Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|December 17, 2008
Summary
Circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels correlate with arterial stiffness, but genetic analysis suggests CRP does not causally influence this condition. This indicates CRP may be a marker, not a cause, of vascular damage.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Inflammation markers
- Genetics and cardiovascular health
Background:
- Circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) is linked to cardiovascular disease, prompting investigation into its causal role.
- Arterial stiffness, measured by pulse wave velocity, is an established cardiovascular risk indicator.
- Previous studies suggest an association between CRP levels and arterial stiffness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between circulating CRP levels, CRP gene polymorphisms, and aortic pulse wave velocity.
- To determine if CRP has a causal role in the development of arterial stiffness.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 790 healthy male participants in the Caerphilly study.
- Measurement of circulating CRP levels and aortic pulse wave velocity.
- Genotyping of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRP gene (rs1130864, rs1800947, rs1205).
Main Results:
- Circulating CRP levels were significantly associated with aortic pulse wave velocity (P=0.001) after adjusting for confounders.
- Three CRP gene SNPs were associated with circulating CRP levels, but not with aortic pulse wave velocity.
- No genetic evidence was found to support a causal link between CRP and arterial stiffness.
Conclusions:
- While circulating CRP levels associate with arterial stiffness, CRP itself does not appear to causally influence its development.
- The observed association may be due to reverse causality (CRP as a marker of vascular damage) or residual confounding.
- Further research is required to clarify the precise role of CRP in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
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