Association Between Complement Factor H Y402H Gene Polymorphism And Atherosclerotic Cerebral Infarction

Background and Objective: Complement factor H (CFH) is an important regulator of the complement system and plays a critical role in the protection of host cells and tissues from damage by excessive complement activation. It has been suggested to protect against the progression of atherosclerosis. CFH Y402H gene polymorphism is a common polymorphism that may influence its function. It has been known to be strongly associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined whether this polymorphism relates with incidence of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (ACI) in hunan, China.Methods: The study population was comprised of 190 unrelated Chinese ACI patients and 200 healthy individuals. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was used to detect complement factor H Y402H gene polymorphism.Results: a. In the study populations, the frequency of CFH genotypes are 11.5%(CC), 36.5%(TC) and 52%(TT), the frequency of C/T allele is 0.21/0.79.b. In ACI group, subjects with complement factor H CC and TC genotype had higher carotid IMT and CAP degree than TT genotype, and no significant difference was observed between CC and TC genotype.c. CFH Y402H gene polymorphism revealed no significant difference of genotype and allelic distribution in ACI patients and controls.Conclusion: C allele is associated with ACI patient's IMT and CAP degree, but we found no association of CFH Y402H gene polymorphism with risk of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction.