The α2 gene coding sequence T807/A873 of the platelet collagen receptor integrin α2β1 might be a genetic risk factor for the development of stroke in younger patients

The polymorphisms C807T and G(873)A Of the platelet integrin alpha(2)beta(1) (collagen receptor glycoprotein [GP] Ia-IIa) are linked to the expression density of this receptor. The GPIa T-807/A(873) allele causes a higher receptor expression, enhancing platelet binding to collagen. This might present a genetic predisposition for the development of thromboembolic complications. In this case-control study, the genotypes of the GPIa C807T polymorphism and presence of conventional risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking) were compared in stroke patients and patients without cerebrovascular disease (non CVD patients) less than or equal to 50 years of age (n = 45 and 41, respectively) and in stroke patients and non-CVD patients more than 50 years of age (n = 182 and 129, respectively. In patients less than or equal to 50 years of age, the T-807 allele was the only overrepresented variable (P =.023; odds ratio, 3.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.20 to 7.61) and an independent risk factor, whereas the presence of conventional risk factors was similar between stroke patients less than or equal to 50 years of age and non CVD patients less than or equal to 50 years of age. Large epidemiological studies should prove whether the platelet collagen receptor GPIa-IIa T-807 allele is an independent risk factor for the development of stroke in younger patients. (C) 1999 by The American Society of Hematology.