Scientific publications

The contribution of polymorphic markers rs2234663 (VNTR) and rs419598 (c.2008T>C) of the IL1RN gene to the predisposition to the development of arterial hypertension among the population of Karelia was studied. The occurrence of alleles and genotypes for these markers was almost the same in the group of healthy people and in patients with arterial hypertension (χ2 = 0.178, p = 0.67; χ2 = 0.540, p = 0.76; χ2 = 0.01, p = 0.93, χ2 = 1.68, p = 0.43, respectively for alleles and genotypes for rs2234663 and rs419598). The level of IL-1β and IL-1α in the plasma of healthy people did not depend on the carriage of these allelic variants of the IL1RN gene. The number of transcripts of the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM1 gene was higher in peripheral blood leukocytes of healthy individuals with the A1A1 genotype for rs2234663 and TT for rs419598 compared with carriers of alternative genotypes (p < 0.05). The content of the soluble form of ICAM (sICAM) was higher in the plasma of healthy people with the A1A1 genotype than in carriers of the A1A2 and A2A2 genotypes for rs2234663 (p = 0.02). Thus, no association was detected between the polymorphic markers VNTR and c.2008T>C of the IL1RN gene and the risk of developing arterial hypertension in inhabitants of the Republic of Karelia. Nevertheless, the observed effect of the rs2234663 and rs419598 genotypes on ICAM1 level and rs2234663 gene transcripts on sICAM content suggests that these polymorphic loci may be involved in the predisposition to developing steadily high blood pressure, probably through regulation of vascular endothelial functions