The common Y402H variant in complement factor H gene is not associated with susceptibility to myocardial infarction and its related risk factors

Recently, the genetic variant Y402H in the CFH (complement factor H) gene was associated with an increased risk for MI (myocardial infarction) in a prospective Caucasian cohort. In another nested case-control study, however, the CFH-Y402H variant did not carry susceptibility to MI. The aim of the present study was to test for an association between the CFH-Y402H variant and MI in a large case-control sample with a familial background for CAD (coronary artery disease). A total of 2161 individuals from the German MI family study were studied by questionnaire, physical examination and biochemical analyses. MI patients (n=1188; 51.4±8.6 years at first MI) were recruited from families with at least two members affected by MI and/or severe CAD. Spouses, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law respectively, without MI/CAD were included as unaffected controls (n=973; 56.9±9.8 years). Genotyping was performed using a TaqMan assay. The common Y402H variant in the CFH gene was not associated with classical cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, obesity, smoking and C-reactive protein serum levels). No association was found between the CFH-Y402H variant and susceptibility to MI. Separate analyses in both men and women revealed no gender-specific influence of the gene variant on cardiovascular risk factors or MI. This investigation was unable to replicate the association between the common CFH-Y402H variant and susceptibility to MI in our large Caucasian population which is enriched for genetic factors. We conclude that the CFH-Y402H variant has no relevant risk-modifying effect in our population.