Genetic variation in C-reactive protein (CRP) gene is associated with retinopathy and hypertension in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Abstract

Elevated concentration of CRP has been associated with the risk of diabetes as well as cardiovascular events and microvascular complications in T1D patients. We hypothesize that the +1846 C>T CRP gene polymorphism may have impact on the risk of T1D and/or its complications. We have examined 400 young patients with T1D and 250 healthy age-matched controls. The +1846 C>T CRP gene polymorphism was genotyped by ARMS-PCR method. The analysis covers microvascular complications, concentrations of serum pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, adhesion molecules, proangiogenic factor as well as blood pressure. CT genotype (OR=1.799) and T allele (OR=1.733) are associated with increased risk of T1D, while CC genotype decreases the risk of this condition (OR=0.458). Moreover, increased risk of hypertension corresponds with TT and T variant (OR=3.116 and OR=1.830, resp.) while CC genotype is decreasing the risk (OR=0.547). Furthermore, CT variant is connected with lower risk of retinopathy (OR=0.512) whereas TT variant decreases the risk of this complication (OR=2.228). Our data also implies various effects of CRP +1846 C>T polymorphism on the inflammatory status of T1D patients. Although further studies are required, the +1846 C>T CRP gene polymorphism could be considered a genetic marker to predict susceptibility to retinopathy and hypertension in T1D adolescents.