A Lead ANRIL Polymorphism Is Associated with Elevated CRP Levels in Periodontitis: A Pilot Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Periodontology

Background:

• Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) indicates systemic inflammation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) risk.
• hsCRP is also associated with periodontitis, with observed inter-individual variations.
• The ANRIL gene locus is strongly linked to both periodontitis and ACVD susceptibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between hsCRP plasma levels and a specific ANRIL single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in periodontitis patients and controls.
• To determine if genetic variation in ANRIL influences inflammatory processes related to periodontitis and ACVD risk.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 171 healthy subjects of North European descent (115 with periodontitis, 56 controls).
• Measurement of hsCRP plasma levels.
• Genotyping for the ANRIL SNP rs1333048.

Main Results:

• Periodontitis, female gender, increased BMI, and the AA-genotype of rs1333048 were significantly associated with elevated hsCRP (p < 0.05).
• Periodontitis patients with the rs1333048 AA-genotype exhibited higher hsCRP levels (median: 4.5 mg/L) compared to those with the minor C allele (median: 1.6 mg/L, padjusted = 0.007).

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to demonstrate that an ANRIL SNP (rs1333048) contributes to inter-individual variation in hsCRP levels in periodontitis patients.
• Genetic variation in ANRIL, alongside gender and BMI, helps explain hsCRP variability in this population.
• Findings highlight a potential genetic link between periodontitis, inflammation, and cardiovascular risk via the ANRIL gene.