Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms Research Articles

305.8: Association of donor vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms with risk of acute kidney allograft rejection.

305.8: Association of donor vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms with risk of acute kidney allograft rejection.

Retracted] Association between vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and the risk of osteonecrosis of the femoral head: Systematic review.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/br.2015.527.].

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and age-related macular degeneration in an Egyptian population

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the role of −1154 guanine (G)>adenine (A) and +405 G>cytosine (C) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms as possible risk factors for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and to evaluate their role in patients’ response to anti-VEGF therapy. Patients and methods The study included 50 nAMD patients and 64 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was performed to assess the VEGF −1154 G>A and +405 G>C polymorphisms in relation to AMD. Results Hypertension was reported in 40 (80%) cases compared to 14 (21.9%) of the controls, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Heart disease was also reported more significantly in patients (13 = 26%) than in controls (7 = 10.9%), P = 0.036. In addition, smoking was detected in 39 cases (78%) compared to 10 (15.6%) controls, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Molecular analysis of VEGF −1154 G>A and VEGF +405 G>C gene polymorphisms yielded nonstatistically significant difference between cases and control groups. Assessment of genotype frequency of VEGF −1154 among responders and nonresponders yielded nonstatistically significant difference. However, genotype frequency of VEGF +405 among responders and nonresponders revealed a statistically significant difference, with the GG genotype associated with better response to anti-VEGF therapy (61.1% responders versus 28.6% nonresponders according to visual acuity and optical coherence tomography parameters, P = 0.037). Conclusion Smoking, hypertension, and heart disease were critical risk factors for the development of AMD. The VEGF +405 G>C genotype was found to be an important predictor for response to anti-VEGF therapy.

P-369 Association of vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms with esophageal squamous cell cancer risk in North-West Indians: A case-control study

P-369 Association of vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms with esophageal squamous cell cancer risk in North-West Indians: A case-control study

Association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor gene Polymorphism 2578C/A with Vaso-occlusive Crisis in sickle disease

Objectives: to investigate the contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) variants 2578 C/A (rs699947) to vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) pathogenesis in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.

Prognostic impact of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and VEGF gene polymorphism (rs2010963) in breast cancer patients

Back groundVascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mediates breast carcinogenesis. Several studies shown that, VEGF is associated with increased breast cancer risk. However its prognostic significance and expression in different molecular subtypes remain unclear. The current study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of serum VEGF and VEGF rs2010963 polymorphism in Egyptian women with breast cancer. AimThe current study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of serum VEGF and VEGF rs2010963 polymorphism in Egyptian women with breast cancer. Subjects and methodsThis study was held in Menoufia University Hospital and included 275 participants, 150 women with invasive breast cancer and 125 women as healthy controls. Serum VEGF was assayed by ELISA technique and genotyping of VEGF rs2010963 polymorphism was analyzed by real time PCR. ResultsThe frequency of GG, CG genotypes and G allele were higher in breast cancer group when compared to the control group (p value = 0.001). In breast cancer patients there was significant relation between VEGF gene (C/G) polymorphism and patient age, tumor and nodal stage, molecular subtype and higher level of serum of CA15–3, CEA and VEGF for patients with GG genotype (P ≤ 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis of factors affecting survival showed that advanced tumor stage, presence of metastasis, serum level of VEGF and GG rs 2010963VEGF gene polymorphism were independent factors affecting patient survival (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusionrs2010963 VEGF gene polymorphism and serum VEGF could be considered as potential risk factors for breast cancer, Patients with breast cancer presenting the GG genotype have the highest serum VEGF levels, large tumor size, advanced tumor stage and shorter survival than CC carriers.

Association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels and gene polymorphism with the risk of chronic kidney disease

ABSTRACT Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin-specific growth factor specific for vascular endothelial cells and induces angiogenesis via binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Chronic kidney disease (CKD), accompanied by microvascular disease, is recognized as an irreversible reduction of renal function. The effects of VEGF on CKD risk were evaluated in this study. 121 CKD patients and 50 healthy volunteers were evaluated in the current study. Data mining using the China Biological Medicine (CBM) and NCBI/PubMed databases, was performed and applicable investigations were pursued. Pooled mean differences (MD) and pooled odds ratios (OR), with corresponding confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated by meta-analysis. The levels of Scr, BUN and VEGF in the CKD group were significantly higher, when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). For the meta-analysis, thirteen articles and our current study were evaluated. VEGF levels was found to be associated with CKD risk (P < 0.00001). In the sub-group meta-analysis, we found that the pooled MD of VEGF levels was related to the early CKD group, although the difference was not notable. However, the meta-analysis itself indicated that the pooled MD of VEGF levels were in accordance with severe CKD group (P < 0.00001). Furthermore, VEGF +936C/T T allele was not associated with CKD risk (P = 0.69). VEGF levels are apparently associated with CKD risk, especially in more severe CKD. Gene polymorphism analysis indicates that the VEGF +936C/T T allele is not associated with CKD risk.

EP16.03-045 The Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms in the Clinical Outcome of Patients with Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in terms of incidence and mortality, worldwide. Indeed, multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations contribute to carcinogenesis and disease progression. Thus, understanding the molecular bases of carcinogenesis has contributed not only to the development of personalized therapy but also to angiogenesis inhibitors targeting vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), a key mediator of tumor angiogenesis. It has been proven that different polymorphisms in the VEGF gene result in a different expression of the VEGF protein in cancer cells, thus affecting the disease prognosis.

Interaction Between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphism and Smoking on Gastric Cancer Risk in Chinese Han Population.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the associations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and its interaction with current smoking with gastric cancer (GC) risk in the Chinese Han population. Methods: We used logistic regression model to test the association between VEGF gene polymorphism and the risk of GC. The association strength was evaluated by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) calculated using logistic regression. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to analyze the effect of the interaction between VEGF gene and current smoking on GC risk. Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of GC was significantly higher in rs10434 -G allele carriers than that in AA genotype carriers (AG + GG and AA), and the adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.64 (1.24–2.08). In addition, we found a significantly higher GC risk in subjects with rs833061-T allele than those with CC allele (CT + TT and CC), adjusted or (95% CI) = 1.43 (1.10–1.87). We also found a statistically significant two- locus model (p = 0.018), including rs10434 and current smoking, indicating a significant interaction between rs10434 and current smoking on the risk of GC. Hierarchical analysis found that current smokers with AG or GG genotype have the highest GC risk, compared to never- smokers with AA genotype, OR (95% CI) = 2.43 (1.64–3.28). Conclusion: We found that rs10434 -G and rs833061-T alleles, gene- environment interaction between rs10434, and current smoking were all related to increased GC risk.

Association of the IL-6 gene rs1800796 polymorphism with recurrent pregnancy loss in a population of women from northwestern China: a case-control study

We aimed to identify whether IL-1β (rs1143627, rs1143634 and rs16944), IL-6 (rs1800796), IL-10(rs1800872 and rs1800896), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (rs1570360) gene polymorphisms were risk factors for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in a population of women in northwestern China. A total of 150 women with a history of two or more unexplained and consecutive spontaneous abortions before their 24th gestational week and 150 age-matched women with at least two normal pregnancies and no history of pregnancy loss were included in the present study as cases and controls, respectively. We extracted genomic DNA from peripheral blood, and executed genotyping with the SNaPshot technique. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the odds ratios (ORs) of the associations between the polymorphisms and RPL. Of the seven polymorphisms we studied, only IL-6 rs1800796 showed a statistically significant association with RPL, as we noted an elevated risk of RPL with the G allele (OR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.10–2.24; p = .01). The risk of RPL in women with the GG + CG genotype (OR = 1.96; 95% CI, 1.19–3.21; p = .01) was also higher than that in women with the CC genotype. The present study thus indicated that the IL-6 gene rs1800796 polymorphism may serve as an important risk factor for RPL in this group of women from northwestern China. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Cytokine and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms may affect the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) by modulating cytokine and VEGF expression. What do the results of this study add? The study results showed that the IL-6 rs1800796 single-nucleotide polymorphism constituted a risk factor for RPL in a population of women in northwestern China. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study clearly reflects clinical significance as it provides a theoretical basis for the early screening of RPL by revealing that the IL-6 gene rs1800796 polymorphism increased the risk of RPL in women in northwestern China.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR GENE POLYMORPHISMS AND THE RISK OF PREECLAMPSIA IN IRAQI PREGNANT WOMEN

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential factor for angiogenesis and plays important role in placental development. Objective: To investigate the association between VEGF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) +936 Cytosine/Thymine (C/T) and -634 Guanine/Cytosine (G/C) and preeclampsia risk. Methods: A total of 50 cases of pregnant women with preeclampsia and 50 healthy pregnant women (as a control) were involved in this case control study. Blood samples were collected form each woman and the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted. Amplification of VEGF gene was done by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then detection of SNPs-634 G/C and +936 C/T were carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR (PCR-RFLP). Results: The frequency of different genotypes of VEGF SNPs +936 C/T &amp;-634 G/C are in accordance with Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. VEGF polymorphism +936 C/T appeared in 3 genotypes after digestion with restriction enzymes Cytosine Cytosine (CC), Cytosine Thymine (C/T) &amp; Thymine Thymine (TT). VEGF SNP -634 G/C appeared in 3 genotypes after digestion with restriction enzymes; those were Guanine Guanine (GG), Guanine Cytosine (GC) and CC. The heterozygous genotype CT of polymorphism +936 C/T was more frequent among preeclamptic patients than the controls (26% versus 16%). Likewise, TT genotype was more frequent among preeclamptic patients (8% versus 2%) with no significant differences. At the allelic level, the difference was more prominent. The frequency of mutant allele (T allele) was much more frequent in preeclamptic patients than controls (21% versus 10%) with a statistically significant difference (p=0.049). Although CC genotype of polymorphism -634 G/C was more frequent among preeclamptic patients than controls (14% versus 10%), the difference was not significant (p=0.704). Likewise, there were no significant differences in allele frequency. Conclusion: The study suggested that the mutant T allele of VEGF +936 C/T polymorphism was associated with increased preeclampsia risk and disease development. Keywords: Vascular endothelial growth factor, polymorphisms, preeclampsia Citation: Khaleel MF, Al-Moayad HA. Association between vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and the risk of preeclampsia in Iraqi pregnant women. Iraqi JMS. 2022; 20(1): 106-112. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.20.1.14

152P Prognostic impact of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and VEGF gene polymorphism (rs2010963) in breast cancer patients

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mediates breast carcinogenesis, several studies shown that VEGF is associated with increased breast cancer risk however its prognostic significance and expression in different molecular subtypes remain unclear. The current study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of serum VEGF and VEGF rs2010963 polymorphism in Egyptian women with breast cancer.

On assessing risks of developing and progressing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using TNF-α, IL6, and VEGF factors and polymorphisms of their genes

Our research aim was to develop a system for calculating risks of development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The system would be based on interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and TNF-α gene polymorphism in the region -308G/A (rs1800629), IL-6 in the region –174G/C (rs1800795), and VEGFA in the region –634G/C (rs2010963). We examined 52 patients with NAFLD and 65 healthy donors. The examination involved estimating levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and VEGF in blood serum. We also studied the polymorphism of the TNF-α genes in the -308G/A region, IL-6 in the -174G/C region, and VEGFA in the -634G/C region. Women aged from 32 to 54 years prevailed among patients with NAFLD (67 %). We established in this research that concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and the level of VEGF in the blood serum were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD than in the reference group (p = 0.03; p = 0.00003 and р = 0.001 accordingly). This confirms an occurring inflammatory syndrome and endothelial dysfunction that are typical for this pathology. Patients with NAFLD tended to have the AA genotype of the TNF-α -308G/A gene (rs1800629) significantly more frequently than healthy donors (р = 0.04). Homozygote CC and allele C of the VEGFA gene (G-634C) in the position rs2010963 were significantly more often detected in the test group (patients with NAFLD) than in the reference one (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01 respectively). We didn’t detect any statistically significant differences in the IL-6 gene polymorphism in the -174G/C (rs1800795) region in the analyzed groups. TNF-α -308G/A gene polymorphism correlated with activating production of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines (Ki = 0.588; p = 0.043 and Ki = 0.597; p = 0.04, respectively), which can lead to developing immune-inflammatory syndrome in its carriers. When determining genetic profiles, we established that 51 % donors had low risks of NAFLD development whereas the risk was high for 75 % of patients with the disease. The risk of developing NASP is associated with carrying the AA genotype of the TNF-α -308G/A gene and the CC genotype of the VEGFA -634G/C gene. Assessment of a genetic profile using these markers provides an opportunity to assess risks of developing NAFLD in healthy people and to predict its progression in patients with the disease.

К оценке риска развития и прогрессирования неалкогольного стеатоза печени с использованием факторов TNF-α, IL-6, VEGF и полиморфизмов их генов

Our research aim was to develop a system for calculating risks of development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The system would be based on interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and TNF-α gene polymorphism in the region -308G/A (rs1800629), IL-6 in the region –174G/C (rs1800795), and VEGFA in the region –634G/C (rs2010963). We examined 52 patients with NAFLD and 65 healthy donors. The examination involved estimating levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and VEGF in blood serum. We also studied the polymorphism of the TNF-α genes in the -308G/A region, IL-6 in the -174G/C region, and VEGFA in the -634G/C region. Women aged from 32 to 54 years prevailed among patients with NAFLD (67 %). We established in this research that concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and the level of VEGF in the blood serum were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD than in the reference group (p = 0.03; p = 0.00003 and р = 0.001 accordingly). This confirms an occurring inflammatory syndrome and endothelial dysfunction that are typical for this pathology. Patients with NAFLD tended to have the AA genotype of the TNF-α -308G/A gene (rs1800629) significantly more frequently than healthy donors (р = 0.04). Homozygote CC and allele C of the VEGFA gene (G-634C) in the position rs2010963 were significantly more often detected in the test group (patients with NAFLD) than in the reference one (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01 respectively). We didn’t detect any statistically significant differences in the IL-6 gene polymorphism in the -174G/C (rs1800795) region in the analyzed groups. TNF-α -308G/A gene polymorphism correlated with activating production of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines (Ki = 0.588; p = 0.043 and Ki = 0.597; p = 0.04, respectively), which can lead to developing immune-inflammatory syndrome in its carriers. When determining genetic profiles, we established that 51 % donors had low risks of NAFLD development whereas the risk was high for 75 % of patients with the disease. The risk of developing NASP is associated with carrying the AA genotype of the TNF-α -308G/A gene and the CC genotype of the VEGFA -634G/C gene. Assessment of a genetic profile using these markers provides an opportunity to assess risks of developing NAFLD in healthy people and to predict its progression in patients with the disease.

POS-804 Donor vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphism association with acute allograft rejection in live related renal transplant recipient patients

Renal allograft rejection risk associated with donor’s vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphism remain unelucidated till now. Although, studies have shown, an association of recipient’s VEGF polymorphism with the end-stage renal disease and early acute rejection. VEGF has pleiotropic function, which regulates vasculogenesis, endothelial cell survival signaling. Endothelial cell regulates tonicity, the permeability of blood vessels and egression of allo-stimulated inflammatory cell in intragraft compartments, thus regulate the events of rejection. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the distribution of VEGF -634C>G, -1154 G>A, -1190G>A, -1455T>C, -1499 C>T, -2578 C>A, -2549 18bp Insertion/Deletion, +405 C>G and +936 C>T SNPs among donors and recipients and to evaluate the VEGF mRNA and protein expression in intragraft tissue and in plasma. We analyzed VEGF gene polymorphism in 160 Kidney donor and 320 Kidney allograft recipients (n=160, rejecters and n=160, non-rejecters patients). One hours prior to patient admission in kidney transplant unit, a 5 ml of blood was collected in K2EDTA vials for plasma, DNA and RNA isolation from donor and recipients. After centrifugation at 1500RPM for 5 minutes, plasma supernatants were separated and 1ml cell pellet was used for DNA isolation and 1 ml pellet was dissolved in Trizole solution for RNA isolation. A core of allograft biopsy specimen was collected from 50 patients for allograft recipient for VEGF gene and protein expression in intragraft tissue by the RT-PCR and Immunohistochemistry techniques respectively and soluble plasma VEGF level was analyzed by the ELISA. Genotyping of VEGF SNPs were done through PCR- RFLP technique. Difference between donor and recipient group was calculated by the Fisher exact test. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The odd ratio was calculated to measure the difference in association between genotypes. On comparison between donors and recipients genotypes of VEGF +936 C>T [CT (OR=7.16; 95% CI=4.33- 11.84; P=0.00) and TT (OR=49.30; 95% CI=11.84-205.29; P=0.00)], -1154 G>A [AG (OR=2.22; 95% CI=1.40-3.50; P=0.00)], -1190G>A [GG (OR=2.21; 95% CI=1.22-4.01; P=0.00)], -634C>G [GG (OR=2.34; 95% CI=1.34-4.10; P=0.00)], -2549 18bp Insertion/Deletion [ID (OR=1.58; 95% CI=1.01- 2.46; P=0.04) were significantly associated with risk of rejection. Genotypic frequencies of +936 C>T [TT (OR=2.43; 95% CI=1.33-4.44; P=0.004)], -1154 G>A [GG (OR=1.94; 95% CI=1.03-3.67; P=0.04)], -1190G>A [GA (OR=1.83; 95% CI=1.07-3.13; P=0.02)], -2549 18bp Insertion/Deletion [ID (OR=2.35; 95% CI=1.38- 3.99; P=0.002) and -1455T>C [TT (OR=3.13; 95% CI=1.07-9.10; P=0.03)] shown risk of allograft rejection whereas mutant genotypes of -2578 C>A [ CA (OR=0.45; 95% CI=0.26-0.79; P=0.005) and CC (OR=0.23; 95% CI=0.11-0.46; P=0.000)] and +405 C>G [GG (OR=0.43; 95% CI=0.20-0.91; P=0.02)] have shown protective association with rejection. The intragraft VEGF mRNA and protein expression and plasma soluble VEGF level was significantly higher in allograft recipients compared to healthy donor, which was further higher in rejecters compared to non-rejecters. Mutant genotypes of VEGF +936 C>T, -1190G>A, -2549 18bp Insertion/Deletion and -1455T>C SNPs was associated with increased risk for allograft rejection

Influence of vascular endothelial growth factor on neutrophil activation in asthmatics.

IntroductionAsthma is a complex syndrome associated with heterogeneity in the type of inflammation that modulates airway hyperresponsiveness and remodelling. Airway inflammation with neutrophils, cytokines like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and various gene polymorphisms might be relevant for asthma pathogenesis.AimTo investigate the expression of CD69 and CD11b markers on peripheral neutrophils after VEGF in vitro stimulation in asthmatics. Furthermore, the possible influence of a genetic factor (del/ins genotype at -2549 -2567 position in the VEGF-promoter gene) was taken into account.Material and methods122 subjects (82 asthmatics and 40 controls) participated in our study. CD69 and CD11b presence on peripheral blood neutrophils was detected using the flow cytometric method without exogenous stimulation (negative control), after N-formyl-methionine-leucyl-phenylalanine stimulation (fMLP – positive control) and after VEGF stimulation. Genotyping for the VEGF-promoter region was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsPeripheral neutrophil stimulation with VEGF enhances the activity of these cells and induces CD69 and CD11b expression in a dose-dependent manner compared with unstimulated neutrophils (p > 0.05). CD69 and CD11b markers were slightly presented (p = 0.05 and p = 0.07, respectively) on neutrophils stimulated with fMLP in asthmatics with the ins genotype variant in the VEGF-promoter region.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that VEGF might insignificantly activate neutrophils in asthmatics. In addition, the modulated expression of CD69 and CD11b on peripheral neutrophils is not related to potential contribution of the VEGF gene polymorphism.

Determination of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor levels with VEGF gene polymorphisms in patients with Behçet’s uveitis

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis affecting multiple organs. Uveitis is frequently seen in patients with BD, especially in Turkish population. To investigate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms along with the levels of VEGF and VEGF receptors in patients with Behçet's uveitis (BU). Fifty-five BD-associated uveitis patients and 30 ageand sex-matched controls were included in this case-control study. The genotypes of the single nucleotide poymorphisms (SNPs): rs2010963 (+405G), rs3025039 (+936T) and rs699947 (-2598A) of the VEGF-A gene were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serum levels of VEGF and VEGF receptors were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No associations of the VEGF gene polymorphisms were observed in BD uveitis patients, but arthritis was present in 53.3% of patients not possessing CT genotype in C3025039→T polymorphism (p = 0.024). Although there were no statistically significant differences in serum VEGF-A, VEGF-C and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (sVEGFR-3) levels (p < 0.05), serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) and sVEGFR-3 levels were significantly higher in the BD group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). In addition, VEGF-C/soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (sVEGFR-2) ratio was significantly higher (p < 0.001), while VEGF-A/VEGFR-1 and VEGF-C/sVEGFR-3 ratios were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and p = 0.033, respectively) in BD patients compared to controls. Also, VEGF-C/sVEGFR-3 (p = 0.024, r = 0.37) and VEGF-C/sVEGFR-2 (p = 0.020, r = 0.38) ratios were positively correlated with disease duration. The significant changes in sVEGFR-3 levels and VEGF-C/sVEGFR-3 ratio has shown that lymphangiogenesis processes might take place in the pathogenesis of BD uveitis, and these parameters can be important indicators of evaluation of BD patients with uveitis together with disease duration.

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms on disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundThe full etiology of RA remains unclear; in addition to the contributions of infectious, hormonal, and environmental factors, several lines of evidence have suggested that the disease has a genetic basis. The VEGF gene is also an independent risk factor for RA severity and correlates with multiple disease parameters, such as disease activity, joint damage, and functional disability. This case-control study aimed to investigate the impact of a common genetic polymorphism in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene on disease activity and synovial lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).ResultsT allele was present in the RA group more frequently (22.5% vs. 10% respectively in controls). The C allele was less frequent in the RA group (77.7% vs. 90% respectively in controls) (P = 0.002). Homozygous genotype (CC) was found in 61.2% of patients and 82.5% of controls, homozygous genotype (TT) in 6.3% of patients, and 2.5% of controls while heterozygous (CT) genotype in 32.5% of patients and 15% of controls (P = 0.011). Grade 1 PDUS was found in 30.6% of CC and 11.5% of CT and not found in TT genotypes. The grade 2 was found in 69.4%, 65.4%, and only 20% of CC, CT, and TT genotypes, respectively. The grade 3 was found in 80% of TT, 23.1% of CT, and none of CC genotypes (P < 0.001).ConclusionAn association between VEGF gene SNP rs3025039 and increased risk for RA among a sample of Egyptian population was noticed. VEGF gene polymorphism appears to be a potential diagnostic activity indicator and a promising therapeutic target for RA patients.

Association of vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphism with psoriasis

Background Psoriasis is an immune-mediated complex cutaneous disorder. In its pathologic process, there is abnormal keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation, as well as inflammation, besides abnormal vascular expansion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) acts as a potent mediator of inflammation and angiogenesis in psoriasis. Objective This work aimed to study the role of VEGF gene polymorphism (rs2010963) in psoriasis vulgaris. Patients and methods This case–control study covered 45 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 45 age-matched and sex-matched healthy participants as a control group, and had been checked to discover C-G transition polymorphism at position +405 of the VEGF gene by a real-time PCR. Results There was a significant difference between cases and controls concerning the distribution of VEGF gene polymorphism (P = 0.046), and also, there was a statistically significant difference between cases and controls concerning VEGF alleles (P = 0.036). Conclusion There was a significant association between the genotypes of the VEGF gene polymorphism and psoriasis vulgaris, suggesting that the VEGF gene polymorphism may have a possible active role in the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris.

Associations between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms and Different Types of Diabetic Retinopathy Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms have been shown to be associated with the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR), but the results were inconsistent. The aim of this study was to systematically assess the associations between VEGF gene polymorphisms and different types of DR (nonproliferative DR and proliferative DR). Methods Electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, and WANFANG DATA were searched for articles on the associations between VEGF gene polymorphisms and different types of DR up to November 6, 2019. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and subgroup analyses were conducted by ethnicity. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the results. Publication bias was assessed by using the Egger regression asymmetry test and visualization of funnel plots. A systematic review was conducted for polymorphisms with a high degree of heterogeneity (I2 > 75%) or studied in only one study. Results A total of 13 and 18 studies analyzed the associations between VEGF SNPs and nonproliferative DR (NPDR) as well as proliferative DR (PDR), respectively. There were significant associations between rs2010963 and NPDR in Asian (dominant model: OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.04 − 1.60); and rs2010963 is associated with PDR in total population (dominant model: OR = 1.20, 95%CI = 1.03 − 1.41), either Asian (recessive model: OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.04 − 2.35) or Caucasian (recessive model: OR = 1.83, 95%CI = 1.28 − 2.63). Rs833061 is associated with PDR in Asian (recessive model: OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.11 − 2.26). Rs699947 is associated with NPDR in the total population (dominant model: OR = 2.04, 95%CI = 1.30 − 3.21) and associated with PDR in Asian (dominant model: OR = 1.72, 95%CI = 1.05 − 2.84). Conclusions Rs2010963, rs833061, and rs699947 are associated with NPDR or PDR, which may be involved in the occurrence and development of DR.