Associations of TF Gene Polymorphisms with the Risk of Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke (IS) is the main cause of mortality and disability in China; thus, this study aimed to examine the association between six variants and their haplotypes within the transferrin (TF) gene and the risk of IS in the Southern Chinese Han population. Genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform for 249 IS patients and 249 age- and sex-matched controls. The association between polymorphisms and IS risk was tested by Chi squared test and haplotype and stratification analysis. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression analysis. The results of genetic model analyses indicated that the two SNPs (rs1880669 and rs2692695) were associated with decreased IS risk under the co-dominant, dominant, and additive models. Additionally, rs4525863 was also associated with decreased IS risk both under the dominant and additive models in males. Moreover, the CG haplotype of TF (rs1880669 and rs2692695) was significantly associated with a decreased risk of IS in the total population and males. Our findings suggested that polymorphisms (rs4525863, rs1880669, and rs2692695) of the TF gene might be a protective factor for IS in Southern Chinese Han population. Further large prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.