Promoter polymorphism of the erythropoietin gene in severe diabetic eye and kidney complications

Zongzhong Tong, Zhenglin Yang, Shrena Patel, Haoyu Chen, Daniel Gibbs, Xian Yang, Vincent S. Hau, Yuuki Kaminoh, Jennifer Harmon, Erik Pearson, Jeanette Buehler, Yuhong Chen, Baifeng Yu, Nicholas H. Tinkham, Norman A. Zabriskie, Jiexi Zeng, Ling Luo, Jennifer K. Sun, Manvi Prakash, Rola N. HamamStephen Tonna, Ryan Constantine, Cecinio C. Ronquillo, Srini Vas Sadda, Robert L. Avery, John M. Brand, Nyall London, Alfred L. Anduze, George L. King, Paul S. Bernstein, Scott Watkins, Xiang Ma, D. Joshua-Cameron, Melvin Rabena, Alex Goldfarb-Rumyantzev, Nick Banerjee, Hilary-Keenan, Nick Mamalis, Charles Perez, Bradley J. Katz, Lynn B. Jorde, Dean Y. Li, Lloyd Paul Aiello, Martin R. Pollak, Kang Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

155 Scopus citations

Abstract

Significant morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus result largely from a greatly increased incidence of microvascular complications. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) are two of the most common and severe microvascular complications of diabetes. A high concordance exists in the development of PDR and ESRD in diabetic patients, as well as strong familial aggregation of these complications, suggesting a common underlying genetic mechanism. However, the precise gene(s) and genetic variant(s) involved remain largely unknown. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a potent angiogenic factor observed in the diabetic human and mouse eye. By a combination of case-control association and functional studies, we demonstrate that the T allele of SNP rs1617640 in the promoter of the EPO gene is significantly associated with PDR and ESRD in three European-American cohorts [Utah: P = 1.91 × 10-3; Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) Study: P = 2.66 × 10-8; and Boston: P = 2.1 × 10-2]. The EPO concentration in human vitreous body was 7.5-fold higher in normal subjects with the TT risk genotype than in those with the GG genotype. Computational analysis suggests that the risk allele (T) of rs1617640 creates a matrix match with the EVI1/MEL1 or AP1 binding site, accounting for an observed 25-fold enhancement of luciferase reporter expression as compared with the G allele. These results suggest that rs1617640 in the EPO promoter is significantly associated with PDR and ESRD. This study identifies a disease risk-associated gene and potential pathway mediating severe diabetic microvascular complications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)6998-7003
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume105
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - May 13 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Association
  • Diabetic microvascular complication
  • End stage renal disease
  • Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • SNP

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Promoter polymorphism of the erythropoietin gene in severe diabetic eye and kidney complications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this