RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism is associated with small vessel occlusion stroke in Taiwan Han Chinese

The regulator of G-protein signaling protein 5 (RGS5) has been demonstrated to play a role in regulating blood pressure and cardiovascular function. Studies have shown that RGS5 polymorphisms exhibit susceptibility to hypertension. However, no study has yet been performed among stroke patients.

To evaluate whether RGS5 rs4657251 is a susceptibility gene for stroke, we performed a case-control association study involving 714 large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA) patients, 383 small vessel occlusion (SVO) patients, 401 hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages (HICH), and 626 controls. The RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism was analyzed through polymerase chain reaction.

The TC genotype was significantly higher in the SVO group compared with that in the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.76, p = 0.035). In addition, the dominant phenotype (TC + CC vs TT) was also significantly different between the SVO and the control groups (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.01-1.70, p = 0.046). However, no association was found between RGS5 rs4657251 and LAA an HICH. After adjustment with gender, diabetes, smoking, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism remained an independent risk factor for SVO (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.12-1.98) but not for LAA or HICH.

Our findings, obtained among Taiwan Han Chinese subjects, provide the first evidence that RGS5 rs4657251 polymorphism is an independent risk factor for SVO.