# Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in ITLN1 gene with ischemic stroke risk in Xi’an population, Shaanxi province

## TL;DR

This study found that specific genetic variations in the ITLN1 gene are linked to a lower risk of ischemic stroke in a population from Xi’an, Shaanxi province.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel SNPs in the ITLN1 gene promoter associated with reduced ischemic stroke risk in a specific population.

## Key findings

- Three SNPs (rs6427553, rs7411035, rs4656958) in the ITLN1 gene were associated with decreased ischemic stroke risk.
- The protective effect was more pronounced in individuals under 60 years and males.
- The SNPs showed statistical significance after adjustments and validation with FPRP and FDR.

## Abstract

Ischemic stroke (IS) is the main cause of death and adult disability. However, the pathogenesis of this complicated disease is unknown. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between ITLN1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the susceptibility to IS in Xi’an population, Shaanxi province.

In this study, we designed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers located at −3,308 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site within promoter region of the ITLN1 gene. The target fragment was amplified by PCR and identified by agarose gel electrophoresis. Sanger sequencing was then performed in the samples extracted from a cohort comprising 1,272 participants (636 controls and 636 cases), and the obtained sequences were compared with the reference sequences available on the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website to detect SNPs in the ITLN1 gene promoter region. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between ITLN1 polymorphisms and IS risk, with adjustments for age and gender. Significant positive results were tested by false-positive report probability (FPRP) and false discovery rate (FDR). The interaction among noteworthy SNPs and their predictive relationship with IS risk were explored using the Multi-Factor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) software.

The results of Sanger sequencing were compared with the reference sequences on the NCBI website, and we found 14 SNPs in ITLN1 gene promoter satisfied Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Logistic regression analysis showed that ITLN1 was associated with a decreased risk of IS (rs6427553: Homozygous C/C: adjusted OR: 0.69, 95% CI [0.48–0.97]; Log-additive: adjusted OR: 0.83, 95% CI [0.70–0.98]; rs7411035: Homozygous G/G: adjusted OR: 0.66, 95% CI [0.47–0.94]; Dominant G/T-G/G: adjusted OR: 0.78, 95% CI [0.62–0.98]; Log-additive: adjusted OR: 0.81, 95% CI [0.69–0.96]; rs4656958: Heterozygous G/A: adjusted OR: 0.74, 95% CI [0.59–0.94]; Homozygous A/A: adjusted OR: 0.51, 95% CI [0.31–0.84]; Dominant G/A-A/A: adjusted OR: 0.71, 95% CI [0.57–0.89]; Recessive A/A: adjusted OR: 0.59, 95% CI [0.36–0.96]; Log-additive: adjusted OR: 0.73, 95% CI [0.61–0.88]), especially in people aged less than 60 years and males.

In short, our study revealed a correlation between ITLN1 variants (rs6427553, rs7411035 and rs4656958) and IS risk in Xi’an population, Shaanxi province, laying a foundation for ITLN1 gene as a potential biomarker for predicting susceptibility to IS.