The alpha(2) gene coding sequence T-807/A(873) of the platelet collagen receptor integrin alpha(2)beta(1) 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 rec eptor expression, enhancing platelet binding to collagen. This might presen t a genetic predisposition for the development of thromboembolic complicati ons. In this case-control study, the genotypes of the GPIa C807T polymorphi sm and presence of conventional risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellit us, and smoking) were compared in stroke patients and patients without cere brovascular disease (non CVD patients) less than or equal to 50 years of ag e (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 overrepres ented 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. La rge epidemiological studies should prove whether the platelet collagen rece ptor GPIa-IIa T-807 allele is an independent risk factor for the developmen t of stroke in younger patients. (C) 1999 by The American Society of Hemato logy.