The -2549 insertion/deletion polymorphism of VEGF gene associated with uterine leiomyoma susceptibility in women from Southeastern Iran

Abstract

Objectives: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor that regulates angiogenesis and mediates sex steroid-induced cell growth. The present study investigated the association of VEGF gene-2578C/A (rs699947) and -2549 insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the promoter region of VEGF-A gene and uterine leiomyoma susceptibility in Southeast of Iran. Material and methods: One hundred and fifty five women with uterine leiomyoma and 157 age, BMI, and ethnicity matched healthy women were enrolled in this study. VEGF gene -2578C/A polymorphism genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, and the -2549 insertion/deletion polymorphism was analyzed by PCR method. Results: The frequency of alleles and genotypes of VEGF-2578C/A polymorphism was not different between women with uterine leiomyoma and the controls; however, a significant association was revealed between II genotype of -2549 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of VEGF gene and uterine leiomyoma. Conclusions: The findings showed that VEGF gene -2549 insertion/deletion polymorphism was associated with uterine leiomyoma.