TGF-β1 869T/C polymorphism and ischemic stroke: Sex difference in Chinese

Abstract

Background: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and of cerebrovascular complications. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine with a central role in inflammation. To investigate whether polymorphisms of the TGF-β1 gene can modify the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) in Chinese population, we conduct this hospital-based, case-control study. Methods: Transforming growth factor-β1 genotype was determined in 450 Chinese patients (306 male and 144 female) with IS and 450 control subjects (326 male and 124 female). Results: Subjects carrying 869TT were susceptible to IS (odds ratio [OR] =1.58; P=0.003). Further analysis of IS data partitioned by gender revealed the female-specific association with 869T/C (OR=2.64; P=0.001). Conclusions: Findings suggest that the TT genotype of 869T/C might be a risk factor of IS in Chinese, especially in females.