TLR4 rs11536889 and rs1927914 SNPs are Associated with Ischemic Stroke Risk in a Southern Chinese Han Population

The polymorphisms of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene are associated with lipid levels, such as serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). The aim of this study was to detect the association of the six polymorphisms in TLR4 gene and serum lipid levels and the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) in a Southern Chinese Han population.

Genotypes of six polymorphisms in TLR4 gene in 372 subjects (IS, 186 and healthy controls, 186) were determined by the Snapshot Technology. The relationship between TLR4 polymorphisms and serum lipid levels, risk of IS were analyzed.

The levels of fasting blood glucose and triglyceride were higher, and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was lower in IS cases than those in controls. The allelic frequencies of TLR4 gene rs11536889 SNP (p=0.037) and rs1927914 SNP (p=0.036) were different between the IS and control groups. The rs11536889 C allele carriers had an increased risk of IS (odds ratio (OR)=1.278, 95% confidence interval (CI) =1.013-1.784, p=0.037 for C vs G alleles), and the G allele carriers of rs1927914 had a decreased risk of IS (OR=0.695, 95% CI=0.534-0.949, p=0.036 for G vs A allele) in the southern Chinese Han population.

The TLR4 rs11536889 and rs1927914 SNPs may be associated with decreased risk of IS in the Chinese population.