Gene variants of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and components of metabolic syndrome in KORA S4, Augsburg

Objective: Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) has been suggested to be involved in the development of several components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The present study investigated the association of nine MCP-1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with MetS, type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic risk factors. Subjects and methods: The population-based study sample comprised 1630 subjects aged 55–74 years from KORA S4 (Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg Survey 4). Genotyping was carried out by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis of allele-dependent primer extension products. Results: The MCP-1 SNP c.-3813C>T exhibited trends for differences between the genotype groups in triglycerides, 2-h glucose and uric acid (P = 0.0084, 0.014, 0.027). Other trends were observed for c.-928G>C associated with height and fasting glucose (P = 0.0024, 0.033), for c.105T>C with height and leukocytes (P = 0.0095, 0.047), for c.*65C>T and c.*3879C>T with MCP-1 levels (both P = 0.012) and for c.-2138A>T with interleukin-6 levels. After correction for multiple testing, none of the analysed SNPs, except c.-928G>C in men showed a significant association with MetS, T2DM or other analysed parameters. Haplotype MCP-1*1 and c.-928G>C in men (P = 0.0002, 0.0004) were significantly associated with an increase in height. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the associations of MCP-1 SNPs with MetS. We found trends for several components of MetS. These parameters were hyperlipidaemia, fasting and 2-h glucose, and uric acid. A new finding is that MCP-1*1 haplotype is associated with height. Further investigation in larger populations is needed to clarify the involvement of MCP-1 in MetS.