Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the genetic variability of the GP6 gene in patients with sticky platelet syndrome (SPS), a disorder characterized by platelet hyperaggregability, and thus to identify the genetic changes of the glycoprotein VI with possible relation to the platelet hyperaggregability.
Patients and methods: Seventy-one patients with SPS, clinically manifested as ischemic stroke, and 77 controls without SPS and with negative personal history of thromboembolic events were involved. SPS was diagnosed by platelet aggregometry (PACKS-4 aggregometer, Helena Laboratories) according to the method and criteria described by Mammen and Bick. Seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GP6 gene (rs1654410, rs1671153, rs1654419, rs11669150, rs1613662, rs12610286, and rs1654431) were evaluated with the use of restriction-fragment-length polymorphism analysis.
Results: All allele and genotype frequencies were comparable between both SPS patients and the control group with no statistically significant differences. The haplotype analysis showed a higher occurrence of the one major haplotype (TTGTGA, 0.228 vs. 0.174; odds ratio (OR) 1.421; confidence interval (CI) 0.799-2.526) and two minor haplotypes (CGATAA, 0,026 vs. 0,006; OR 4.117; CI 0.443-38.25; TTGTGG, 0.018 vs. 0.009; OR 2.107; CI 0.259-17.12) in patients with SPS. None of haplotype differences was statistically significant. However, both the allele G of SNP rs12610286 (P = 0.029; OR 2.411; CI 1.134-5.123) and one major haplotype (TTGTGA; P = 0.012; OR 2.749; CI 1.223-6.174) were found significantly more frequent in patients with SPS type I in comparison with controls.
Conclusion: Our results, especially higher occurrence of four haplotypes in SPS patients, can support an idea that variability of the GP6 gene may be associated with the platelet hyperaggregability in SPS.