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Genomic Variant in IL-37 Confers A Significant Risk of Coronary Artery Disease

Dan Yin1,2, Duraid Hamied Naji1, Yunlong Xia3

  • 1Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China.

Scientific Reports
|February 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

A specific gene variant in Interleukin-37 (IL-37) significantly increases the risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding identifies IL-37 as a potential new target for preventing and treating this common inflammatory condition.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Genetics
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • The interleukin-1 (IL-1) family cytokines are crucial regulators of immune and inflammatory responses.
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a complex chronic inflammatory condition with significant global health implications.
  • The specific role of Interleukin-37 (IL-37), a member of the IL-1 family, in the pathogenesis of CAD remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential genetic association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the IL-37 gene (rs3811047) and the risk of developing CAD.
  • To explore the impact of the identified SNP on IL-37 gene expression levels.

Main Methods:

  • Association analysis of the IL-37 gene polymorphism rs3811047 with CAD in two independent Chinese populations (2,501 patients and 3,116 controls).
  • Statistical analysis using recessive genetic models and adjustment for multiple testing.
  • Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to assess the correlation between rs3811047 genotype and IL-37 mRNA expression.

Main Results:

  • The minor allele A of rs3811047 was significantly associated with an increased risk of CAD in both independent populations and the combined cohort.
  • The association remained statistically significant even after adjusting for age and sex in a matched case-control analysis.
  • Carriage of allele A of rs3811047 was correlated with significantly decreased mRNA expression levels of IL-37.

Conclusions:

  • The IL-37 gene polymorphism rs3811047 represents a novel genetic risk factor for coronary artery disease.
  • Reduced IL-37 expression, potentially influenced by rs3811047, may contribute to CAD development.
  • IL-37 emerges as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and management of CAD.

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