Genetic Polymorphisms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Angiopoietin 2 in Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) contribute to development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We aimed to test whether polymorphisms of these factors are associated with ROP. VEGF− 2578 and Ang2− 35 polymorphisms were analyzed with PCR-RFLP method in 200 preterm infants without ROP or with ROP stages 1–5. Our results suggest that there is no association between carrier state of VEGF− 2578 and Ang2− 35 and risk of ROP in preterm infants. The prevalence of VEGF− 2578 “A” allele was lower in preterm boys with severe ROP (stages 4–5) than in those without or with mild ROP (stages 1–3).