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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
Published on: May 31, 2016
Correlation of VEGF genetic polymorphisms and lipid profile to aortic calcification
Binod Kumar Yadav1, Yoochan Hong2, Byoung-Soo Shin3
1Department of Medical Sciences, Chonbuk National University Graduate School, Jeonju, Chonbuk, Republic of Korea; Department of Biochemistry, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Insights
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) like -2578C>A and specific haplotypes are linked to aortic calcification. Aggravating factors include age, hypertension, and diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Aortic calcification, a major cause of cardiovascular disease and aortic valve replacement, involves calcium buildup in the aorta.
- Understanding the genetic underpinnings of aortic calcification is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between specific Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and aortic calcification.
- To evaluate the association of these VEGF SNPs with biochemical parameters relevant to aortic calcification.
Main Methods:
- Aortic calcification was diagnosed and graded using posteroanterior chest X-rays.
- VEGF SNPs (-2578C>A, -1154G>A, +936C>T) were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
Main Results:
- A significant genetic difference was observed between aortic calcification and control groups for the VEGF SNP -2578C>A.
- The T-A-A haplotype (+936/-1154/-2578) was significantly different in control versus calcification groups, potentially enhancing calcification.
- Regression analysis identified age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia as significantly associated with different VEGF genotypes.
Conclusions:
- Age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia are established aggravating factors for aortic calcification.
- These factors interact with different VEGF genotypes, influencing the development of aortic calcification.
Background:
Aortic calcification is developed due to accumulation of a large amount of calcium in the aorta of the heart and it is the leading cause of aortic valve replacement and third leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between aortic calcification and VEGF SNPs (-2578C>A, -1154G>A and +936C>T) and to evaluate the association of these SNPs with biochemical parameter in relation to aortic calcification.
Methods:
Aortic calcification was diagnosed by examining the posteroanterior chest X-rays by a radiologist and graded into four groups. The real-time polymerase chain reaction with melting curve analysis in LightCycler was used to genotype the VEGF SNPs.
Results:
Among the VEGF SNPs, a significant genetic difference was found only between the aortic calcification and control group with VEGF SNP -2578C>A but haplotypes T-A-A of (+936/-1154/-2578) were significantly different in control and aortic calcification and could enhance the aortic calcification development. By regression analysis, it was found that age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia were found significantly different with the different genotypes of VEGF SNPs which may induce aortic calcification development.
Conclusion:
Age, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia were established as aggravating factors for the aortic calcification in association with different VEGF genotypes.
