Influence of VEGF polymorphism on progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Background: Significant phenotypical variability is observed in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Dysregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the kidney has been demonstrated in a wide range of renal diseases. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of the -2578 C/A and the -1154 G/A polymorphisms in the regulatory region of the VEGF gene upon the progression of ADPKD toward end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods: The study was performed on 283 ADPKD patients (145 males, 138 females, mean age 51.7 +/- 10.3 years) who had reached ESRD. Patients were divided into three groups: (1) ESRD development later than in 63 years (slow progressors, n = 47), (2) ESRD development before 45 years (rapid progressors, n = 69), and (3) ESRD development between 45 and 63 years (intermediate progressors, n = 167). Genetically unrelated healthy Czech individuals were analyzed as a control group (n = 311, 153 males, 158 females, mean age 44.6 +/- 9.2 years). DNA samples were genotyped for the -2578 C/A and for the -1154 G/A polymorphisms of the VEGF gene promoter. The serum levels of VEGF were established in 111 healthy Czech individuals from the control group.

Results: The VEGF -2578 C/A and -1154 G/A genotype distribution showed no differences among the groups of slow, rapid and intermediate progressors. The age of ESRD with regard to different genotypes was not significantly different in all ADPKD patients. However, the AA genotype of the -2578 C/A polymorphism was associated with a significantly higher age of ESRD than other genotypes in rapid progressors (42.7 vs. 40.5 years, p = 0.01). The CG haplotype was found significantly more frequent in ADPKD rapid progressors than in slow progressors (p = 0.047). Serum levels of VEGF did not significantly differ in the control group, according to different genotypes of both polymorphisms.

Conclusion: To conclude, AA genotype of the -2578 C/A polymorphism was related to better prognosis of the disease in a limited group of ADPKD patients. Classical genetic recessive and dominant model did not find significant influence of separate VEGF polymorphisms on the progression of ADPKD. Accordingly, CG haplotype was associated with earlier onset of ESRD in ADPKD patients.