ABSTRACT
Background: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and glaucoma (pseudoexfoliative glaucoma; PEXG, primary open-angle glaucoma; POAG) have mainly been studied for their associations with genes’ polymorphisms. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the role of polymorphisms in genes encoding for micro RNAs (miRNAs) and in genes related to miRNA biogenesis.
Material and Methods: In the present genetic association study, ninety-two polymorphisms were investigated for their contribution to PEX (n = 203), PEXG (n = 38), and POAG (n = 40) pathogenesis compared to a control group (n = 188). The next generation sequencing (NGS) genotypic analysis revealed data for additional 28 variants.
Results: A protective association was found between PEX and polymorphism 11382316 (mir-3161) [odds ratio (OR) = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.47–0.86, p = 0.003], rs2155248 (mir-1304) [OR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.47–0.94, p = 0.019], and rs28635903 (mir-1268a) [OR = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.10–0.94, p = 0.029]. Polymorphism rs113297757 (mir-3196) was associated with an increased risk of POAG [OR = 7.75, 95%CI: 2.13–28.76, p = 3 × 10−4]. Polymorphism rs1057035 (DICER) and rs55671916 (XPO5) in the 3ʹ-UTR of genes related to miRNA biogenesis was associated with decreased risk of PEX [OR = 0.65, 95%CI: 0.46–0.92, p = 0.014] and increased risk of PEXG [OR = 2.84, 95%CI: 1.02–7.94, p = 0.038], respectively. The aforementioned associations according to the allelic model were further supported by the genotypic models of statistical analyses.
Conclusions: This is the first study to report distinct associations of PEX, PEXG, and POAG in the same population with variants of genes involved in miRNA biogenesis and with miRNA genes’ polymorphisms. Further studies in larger groups of patients of various origins are needed to confirm the reported preliminary results.
Declaration of interest
AC: No financial disclosures
PF: No financial disclosures
AM: No financial disclosures
FM: No financial disclosures
EB: No financial disclosures
EA: Honorarium from Allergan; travel grants from Allergan, Thea, and Novartis
TP: Honorarium from Allergan and Novartis
ABH: No financial disclosures
AL: No financial disclosures
FT: Grants/research support from Alcon, Pfizer, Novarrtis, Thea; Consultation fees from Alcon, Bayer, Allergan Pfizer, Thea; Company sponsored speakers bureau: Novartis, Thea, Alcon, Allergan, Santen
None of the authors has any financial interest or any conflict of interest related to the subject matter.