Significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA)-1154 G/A gene polymorphism (rs1570360) in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Aim of the work: To evaluate the association of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 1154G/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with the risk of RA and its possible relation to different disease parameters. Patients and methods: Fifty RA patients and 50 matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Disease activity score (DAS28) was assessed. VEGF 1154G/A was measured byreal time polymerized chain reaction (RT-PCR) for patients and controls. Results: The patients mean age was 44.2 +/- 12.1 years (25-64 years) and they were 41 females and 9 males with a disease duration of 5 +/- 3.6 years and DAS28 of 5.88 +/- 1.06. None of the patients were in remission or had low disease activity. The VEGF-1154 AA genotype and A allele were significantly higher in controls (54%, 56%) compared to the patients (10%, 23%)(p < 0.001). The GG, GA genotypes and G allele tended to be higher in patients (64%, 26% and 77%) compared to the control (42%, 4% and 44% respectively (p < 0.001). As regards anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF), AA genotype was significantly higher in seronegative (93.1% and 96.5%) patients compared to seropositive (6.9% and 3.5%; p = 0.002 and p = 0.005 respectively). There was no significant difference in the genotype according to gender (p = 0.45) or DAS28 (p = 0.78). No significant association was found between the SNP with the age (p = 0.48), disease duration (p = 0.58), ESR (p = 0.97) and CRP (p = 1). Conclusions: The minor A allele of VEGFA1154G/A might act as a protective factor against RA and might also be related to a better disease prognosis. (c) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Publishing services by ELSEVIER B.V. on behalf of The Egyptian Society of Rheumatic Diseases This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).