Fatores genéticos relacionados a lipídios, angiogênese e inflamação na degeneração macular relacionada à idade

Abstract

Background - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex disease. The identification of risk factors may contribute to the prognosis and treatment. Objectives – Evaluate the influence of genetic variants related to lipid metabolism, angiogenesis and inflammation and its relation with clinical and lipid profile and lifestyle beyond their gene expression in patients with AMD. Casuistic and Methods – We studied 333 individuals aged ≥50 years, 108 with AMD in exudative form (G1); 45 with AMD in dry form (G2), and 180 individuals without clinical and angiographic signs of the disease (G3). The polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E (APOE-rs429358/rs7412), triphosphate binding cassette sub -family A transport -member 4 (ABCA4-rs472908), complement factor H (CFH-rs1061170) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-rs3025039/rs1570360) were analyzed by PCR/RFLP (polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragments length polymorphism), while the respective gene expression in blood by PCR/RT (reverse transcription-PCR) and serum levels of apo E, ABCR, CFH, VEGF by ELISA (enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay). Clinical and lipid profile data in addition to lifestyle were obtained from medical records and questionnaire. Level of significance was accepted for P<0.05. Results – Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and smoking prevailed in patients with AMD exudative form (P<0.05). Genetic polymorphisms: APOE- rs429358/rs7412 - APOE*3/3 was noted in all groups, followed by APOE*3/4, as well APOE*4 (P>0.05). ABCA4-rs472908 - Genotype A/G was more frequent in G3 (68%) versus G2 (44%; P<0.0001), while A/A in G2 (36%) versus G1 (19%; P=0.04) and G3 (14%; P=0.003). The mutant genotype (G/G) prevailed in combination (G1+G2) versus G3 (P< 0.0001), and allele G in all groups (P>0.05). CFH-rs1061170 – The wild homozygous (TT) was in evidence in G3 (58%) versus G1 (39%, P=0.003); as well the homozygous mutant (CC) in G1 (27 %) versus G3 (14%; P=0.002) and allele T in G3 (0.72) versus G1 (0.56; P=0.0002). VEGF-rs3025039 – Genotypic and allelic distribution were similar between groups (P>0.05), highlighting the CC genotype and allele C. VEGF-rs1570360 – Mutant homozygote (A/A) prevailed in G2 (21%) versus G1 (5%; P=0.002) and G3 (8%; P=0.015) as well as the wild type allele (G) G1 (0.75) and G3 (0.71) versus G2 (0.57, P=0.004, P=0.020, respectively). Gene expression – Similar values between groups for all analyzed genes (P>0.05). Serum levels (median values in ng/mL) – ApoE– Increased level in G1 (270.6) versus G2 (196.5; P<0.0001) and G3 (242.8; P=0.035), and G3 versus G2 (P=0.0002). ABCR – High levels in G1 (0.30) versus G2 (0.25; P=0.003) and G3 (0.25, P<0.0001). CFH – Increase in G1 (1198.9) versus G2 (859.8; P=0.0069), both higher than in G3 (618.3; P<0.001, P=0.001, respectively). VEGF – Similar values between groups (P>0.05). Lipid profile – G3 showed the highest level of HDLc (median=71mg /dL), compared to G2 (60mg/dL), and G1 (45mg/dL; P=0.003, P=0.029, respectively). Conclusion – Genetic variants of ABCA4, VEGF and CFH, besides SAH, smoking and increased serum levels of apo E, ABCR and CFH are associated with AMD, whereas the expression of the respective genes not differentiate AMD exsudative and dry forms, in contrast CFH (homozygous wild-type) has a protective character, as well as serum levels of HDLc.