Association of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein gene polymorphisms with cerebral infarction in a Chinese population

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been widely known for their role as an important mediator of immune reactions in the development and progression of atherosclerotic (AS) lesions, which play the most important role in the occurrence of cerebral infarction (CI). The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) compounds connect LPS receptor-CD14 and play an important role in promoting inflammatory reaction through TLRs. This study was designed to study whether LBP genetic polymorphisms are associated with CI risk in a Chinese population. LBP c.291T > C and c.1306T > C single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 366 CI cases and 200 controls from Changsha by using method of Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Blood lipid and lipoprotein levels were also detected and the intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries were determined. No significant difference in genotype and allele distribution of the LBP c.291T > C and LBP c.1306T > C polymorphism was observed between the cases and controls (P > 0.05). CI patients carrying the TC genotype for both LBP c.291T > C and c.1306T > C polymorphisms showed higher carotid IMT than those carrying the TT genotype (P < 0.05, respectively). LBP c.291T > C and c.1306T > C polymorphisms were significantly associated with carotid IMT in Changsha, China, but both polymorphisms were not associated with risk of atherosclerotic CI.