Background: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine. This study explored the association of 173G/C polymorphism of the MIF gene with coronary heart disease (CHD).
Methods: Sequencing was carried out after polymerase chain reaction with DNA specimens from 186 volunteers without CHD and 70 patients with CHD. Plasma MIF levels on admission were measured by ELISA. Patients were classified into either stable angina pectoris (SAP) or unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Genotype distribution between cases and controls and the association of patients' genotypes with MIF level and plaque stability were statistically evaluated (ethical approval number: 2012-01).
Results: The frequency of the C genotype was higher in CHD patients than in the control (P = 0.014). The frequency of the 173*CC genotype was higher in CHD patients than in the control (P = 0.005). The plasma MIF level was higher in MIF173*C carriers than in MIF173*G carriers (P = 0.033). CHD patients had higher plasma MIF levels than the control (P = 0.000). Patients with UAP had higher plasma MIF levels than patients with SAP (P = 0.014).
Conclusions: These data suggest that MIF -173G/C polymorphism may be related to the development of CHD in a Chinese population. Plasma MIF level is a predictor of plaque stability. This trial is registered with NCT01750502.