The impact of CCR5-Δ32 deletion on C-reactive protein levels and cardiovascular disease: Results from the Danish Blood Donor Study

Atherosclerosis. 2015 Sep;242(1):222-5. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.07.031. Epub 2015 Jul 17.

Abstract

Background and purpose: The C-C chemokine receptor 5-Δ32 deletion (CCR5-Δ32) has been associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), but the effect on cardiovascular diseases is uncertain. This study addresses the impact of CCR5-Δ32 on the risk of low-grade inflammation and hospitalization with cardiovascular diseases in a large cohort of blood donors.

Methods: Genotyping of 15,206 healthy participants from The Danish Blood Donor Study for CCR5-Δ32 was performed and combined with CRP measurements and questionnaire data. Cardiovascular disease diagnoses were identified by ICD-10 codes in the Danish National Patient Registry.

Results: CCR5-Δ32-carriers had a higher risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases when compared with wild-type homozygotes (hazard ratio = 1.35, 95%-confidence interval: 1.00-1.87). CRP levels were unaffected by the CCR5-Δ32 deletion.

Conclusion: In this cohort, carriers of the CCR5-Δ32 deletion had normal CRP levels but a borderline significant increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; CCR5 receptor; Cardiovascular diseases; Epidemiology; Genetics; Inflammation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics*
  • Denmark / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood*
  • Inflammation / diagnosis
  • Inflammation / epidemiology
  • Inflammation / genetics*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phenotype
  • Receptors, CCR5 / genetics*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • CCR5 protein, human
  • Genetic Markers
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • C-Reactive Protein