Atherosclerosis and PTPN22: a study in coronary artery disease.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Recently, it has been shown that PTPN22 genetic polymorphism is associated with phenotypes related to the risk of atherosclerosis. In the present note, we have searched for a possible association of PTPN22 polymorphism with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four non-diabetic subjects admitted to hospital for CAD and 174 healthy subjects (blood donors) were studied. PTPN22 genotypes were determined by DNA analysis. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS programs. RESULTS: In CAD patients, the proportion of carriers of the *T allele of PTPN22 is significantly higher compared to healthy controls (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.07-6.72). CONCLUSIONS: The present observation confirms the association of PTPN22 phenotype with atherosclerosis and suggests a role of immune mechanism in the pathogenesis of CAD.