TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism is not associated with coronary artery stenosis

Inflammation and innate immunity may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The Asp299Gly polymorphism in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene reduces responsiveness to lipopolysaccharide and has been associated with reduced incidence and slower progression of carotid atherosclerosis. We analyzed this polymorphism in relation to susceptibility to and severity of coronary artery disease. METHODS: 1400 participants (mean age: 63 years, 31% female) in the Southampton Atherosclerosis Study were genotyped for the TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism using the tetra-primer PCR method. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the frequencies of the Asp/Gly or Gly/Gly genotypes combined, compared to the Asp/Asp genotype, in patients with 0, 1, 2 or 3 coronary arteries with >50% stenosis (chi2(3 d.f.)2=0.4, P=0.94). No associations were observed between genotype groups and cardiac risk factors (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study do not support the hypothesis that the TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism influences predisposition to and progression of coronary artery disease.