Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) polymorphisms in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is the most potent proangiogenic molecule promoting the angiogenic phenotype of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We hypothesized that VEGFA polymorphisms may contribute to RA susceptibility.

We studied VEGFA rs699947 C/A, rs2010963 G/C, and rs3025039 C/T gene polymorphisms in 329 patients with RA and 697 controls in a Chinese population. Genotyping was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).

VEGFA rs699947 C/A, rs2010963 G/C, and rs3025039 C/T polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of RA. However, in the dominant genetic model, a significantly decreased risk for RA associated with the VEGFA rs699947 CA/AA genotypes was evident among older patients and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA)-negative patients compared with the VEGFA rs699947 CC genotype. A significantly decreased risk for RA associated with the VEGFA rs699947 CA genotype was evident among older patients.

These findings suggest that the functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) VEGFA rs699947 C/A allele may decrease the risk of RA in older patients and ACPA-negative patients. However, our results were obtained from a moderate-sized sample and therefore this is a preliminary conclusion. Validation by a larger study from a more diverse ethnic population is needed to confirm these findings.