Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, cardiovascular disease risk algorithms play a role in primary prevention. However, this is complicated by a lack of powerfully predictive biomarkers that could be observed in individuals before the onset of overt symptoms. A key potential biomarker for heart disease is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), a molecule that plays a pivotal role in blood vessel formation. This molecule has a complex biological role in the cardiovascular system due to the processes it influences, and its production is impacted by various CVD risk factors. Research in different populations has shown single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may affect circulating VEGF-A plasma levels, with some variants associated with the development of CVDs, as well as CVD risk factors. This minireview aims to give an overview of the VEGF family, and of the SNPs reported to influence VEGF-A levels, cardiovascular disease, and other risk factors used in CVD risk assessments.
Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are defined by the World Health Organization as a group of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels in terms of structure or blood supply (). Notable examples of CVDs that are a leading cause of death globally include coronary heart disease (CHD), acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and congenital heart disease (). CHD involves inadequate coronary blood supply, which may arise from a blockage in the coronary arteries usually following progressive narrowing of the lumen of atherosclerotic blood vessels (). Given the multifactorial nature of CVDs, there are reviews available that explore in greater detail specific diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD) (), CHD (), the underlying mechanism of atherosclerosis (, ) and the relationship of these diseases with specific variables (, ).
Overall, risk factors for CVDs can be grouped as modifiable or non-modifiable. The modifiable risk factors involve lifestyle circumstances that can be behavioral (diet, physical activity, exercise, smoking, alcohol) or metabolic (circulating lipid levels and glucose levels) in nature (). Whereas, age, genetics and ethnicity of individuals are the non-modifiable risk factors. This distinction informs the diagnosis of CVDs by determining which critical variables should be included in CVD risk assessments. Critical factors employed have included age, hypercholesterolemia, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, gender, smoking, diabetes, and systolic blood pressure ().
Genetic determinants are important non-modifiable risk factors for CVDs that have been studied intensively since the early 21st century (–). The influence of genetic factors on CVD development was initially explored through family history studies focused on single gene disorders during the 1980 s (, ). Most CVDs are now considered to be polygenic disorders impacted by susceptibility and disease-linked genes, with major impacts from lifestyle and environmental factors (). Susceptibility genes are associated with an increase or reduction in the risk of developing a disease. Comparatively, disease-linked genes are those whose expression is linked to a pathological phenotype (). Both susceptibility and disease-linked genes can influence the regulation of other genes and/or factors that are directly involved in the pathobiology of different CVDs. The genetic basis for CVDs such as CAD and CHD has been reviewed in greater detail elsewhere (, –).
Considering this genetic complexity, numerous studies have focused on identifying associations between genetic variants and common cardiovascular disease traits (, –). This has been supported with the establishment of genome wide association studies (GWAS), which employ technologies that detect many gene variants simultaneously (). The predominant variants identified through GWAS are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (, –). SNPs can be located within a protein-coding region, where they may display a functional effect, but they can also be in non-coding and regulatory areas of the genome (e.g., introns, enhancer, etc.). Moreover, SNPs can play a regulatory role by impacting gene expression and protein concentration if they are located within genetic elements such as transcription factor binding sites, splicing regions, enhancer, promoter, or silencer regions (, ). These are often called expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and explain a proportion of the genetic variance of a particular phenotype (). SNPs can also influence coding regions located within the same loci (cis-acting) or interact with coding regions of other chromosomes or distant loci on the same chromosome (trans-acting) (, ). Specifically, SNP variants can influence CVD risk through traditional risk factors, such as plasma lipid levels and blood pressure (, , ). Overall, SNP variants can have several potential effects on any given gene as summarized in Figure 1. One example covered in this review is VEGFA, which impacts the cardiovascular system through angiogenesis and increased endothelial cell activity.
Figure 1
Coupling our understanding of CVD pathogenesis with associations of regulatory SNPs with coronary biomarkers, there is potential for the combined use of CVD-relevant genetic risk scores (cvdGRS) in risk prevention (
VEGF overview
A molecule of interest in the development and progression of CVDs is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), a member of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/VEGF family (
The VEGF family are glycoproteins expressed under the regulation of soluble mediators such as growth factors or cytokines (
There are five VEGF family members that directly influence the human cardiovascular system. The archetype member is VEGF-A, a potent stimulator of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis (
These VEGF proteins act through one or more of three tyrosine kinase VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) found on the surface of endothelial and non-endothelial cells (
Specifically, the VEGF-A canonical pathway occurs when it binds to either VEGFR1 or VEGFR2. This promotes receptor homodimerization or heterodimerization that leads to the phosphorylation of the receptor's intracellular domains (
VEGFA gene and related SNPs in a cardiovascular context
The VEGFA gene has a 16.3 kb coding region located at 6p21.1 on the long arm of chromosome 6, including eight exons and seven introns (
Figure 2

VEGFA gene and select SNPs on chromosome 6 (A) location of VEGF-A related SNPs at chromosome 6 loci. SNPs in bold have been reported to influence VEGF-A levels. SNPs in red have reported associations to CVD risk factors or biomarkers. Red boxes indicate regions that represent lncRNA. Full gene length is indicated individually. Distances between SNPs and genes are indicated above dashes. (B) Schematic representation of SNPs located within exons and introns of VEGFA. Individual exon and intron lengths are shown (
Altered plasma and tissue levels of VEGF-A have been observed in various conditions including ischemic heart disease (IHD), CAD, strokes, heart failure, and myocardial infarction (
Expression of VEGFA can be upregulated by the hypoxia inducible factor, p53 allele polymorphisms, thyroid stimulating hormone, estrogen levels and oxygen tension (
VEGF-A is considered a highly polymorphic gene because of the 148 untranslated region (UTR), 209 exon, 779 intron, and 124 near-gene variants that have been identified (
Some of the SNPs that have been studied are located within exonic regions of VEGFA (
Other variants of interest can be found at the same loci, but outside the intron and exon regions of VEGFA (
Another variant that has been studied is rs699947, which is located in the promoter region of VEGFA (Figure 2A). Various groups report that the AA genotype of rs699947 is associated with increased risk in cardiovascular pathologies including CAD, CHD, stroke and congenital heart diseases (Supplementary Table S1). The A allele of rs699947 has been associated with total cholesterol, LDL and apolipoprotein B (
Some gene variants have findings of associations with molecules used in CVD risk assessment. For example, the rs1570360 variant located in the promoter region of VEGF-A (Figure 2A), was observed to contribute to an increased risk of congenital heart disease (
Similar studies have been reported for other SNPs located across the genome, often denoted as trans-acting SNPs (Supplementary Table S2). Broadly, these eQTL SNPs have been associated with increased risk of CVDs (e.g., CAD, CHD, IHD) (
rs6993770 is located on chromosome 8 in intron 4 of the ZPFM2 gene, which codes for a protein involved in heart morphogenesis and coronary vessel development. Broadly, studies on this variant have shown relationships with VEGF-A, CVD and CVD risk factors (Supplementary Table S2). In the GWAS findings of Choi et al. (
Conclusion
Overall, the impact of VEGF-A related SNPs in various forms of heart disease has been explored in many different types of studies. The collective evidence reveals a critical subset of cis-acting SNPs mapping to the region of VEGFA (Figure 2 and Supplementary Table S1), several trans-acting SNPs mapping in the region of the VEGFR2 gene (Supplementary Figure S1) and elsewhere on the human genome (Supplementary Table S2), with repeatable associations with circulating levels of VEGF-A. A small group of SNPs reproducibly associate with established biomarkers and risk factors for heart disease (rs2010963, rs3025039, rs1570360, rs699947, rs6921438) or with increased susceptibility to common heart disease pathologies (rs2010963, rs3025039, rs1570360, rs699947, rs2305948, rs1870377). This minireview highlights that these SNPs can be potential markers for CVDs and may influence significant biological pathways that impact the cardiovascular system (e.g., lipid metabolism). The wide range of pathologies that VEGF-A and its related SNPs impact emphasizes the complexity of VEGF-A interactions within the cardiovascular system. Both cis- and trans-acting SNP eQTLs can affect expression levels, but there remain many unknowns around the specific mechanisms involved. There is a clear link between SNPs and VEGF-A levels as well as established cardiovascular disease biomarkers (HDL, LDL, BNP, NTproBNP). Together these have the potential to act synergistically on the development of CVDs.
The complexity of SNP influences on CVD and CVD risk factors reinforces the importance of studying them in relation to VEGF-A. Particularly considering how altered levels of VEGF-A contribute to disease onset or exacerbate an individual's health depending on the risk factors they present with. Exploring the link between CVDs, SNPs, and VEGF-A may contribute to improved cardiovascular disease risk assessment, prevention, treatment, and. prognosis.
Statements
Author contributions
JCMA, BP, and RP: conceived the concept of the mini review. JM-A: canvassed the literature and drafted the manuscript. JM-A, BP, BM, CB, and RP: refined and extended the manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Supplementary material
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1190513/full#supplementary-material.
References
1.
World Health Organization. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) (2021). Available at:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)(Accessed June 11, 2021).
2.
JosephPLeongDMcKeeMAnandSSSchwalmJ-DTeoKet alReducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease, part 1. Circ Res. (2017) 121(6):677–94. 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.117.308903
3.
Sanchis-GomarFPerez-QuilisCLeischikRLuciaA. Epidemiology of coronary heart disease and acute coronary syndrome. Ann Transl Med. (2016) 4(13):256. 10.21037/atm.2016.06.33
4.
MalakarAKChoudhuryDHalderBPaulPUddinAChakrabortyS. A review on coronary artery disease, its risk factors, and therapeutics. J Cell Physiol. (2019) 234(10):16812–23. 10.1002/jcp.28350
5.
KhamisRYAmmariTMikhailGW. Gender differences in coronary heart disease. Heart. (2016) 102(14):1142–9. 10.1136/heartjnl-2014-306463
6.
LibbyP. The changing landscape of atherosclerosis. Nature. (2021) 592(7855):524–33. 10.1038/s41586-021-03392-8
7.
LibbyPBuringJEBadimonLHanssonGKDeanfieldJBittencourtMSet alAtherosclerosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. (2019) 5(1):56. 10.1038/s41572-019-0106-z
8.
AkyuzA. Exercise and coronary heart disease. Adv Exp Med Biol. (2020) 1228:169–79. 10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_11
9.
HartmanJFrishmanWH. Inflammation and atherosclerosis. Cardiol Rev. (2014) 22(3):147–51. 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000021
10.
DamenJAAGHooftLSchuitEDebrayTPACollinsGSTzoulakiIet alPrediction models for cardiovascular disease risk in the general population: systematic review. Br Med J. (2016) 353:i2416. 10.1136/bmj.i2416
11.
AssimesTLRobertsR. Genetics: implications for prevention and management of coronary artery disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. (2016) 68(25):2797–818. 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.10.039
12.
RobertsR. Genetics-current and future role in the prevention and management of coronary artery disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep. (2016) 18(12):78. 10.1007/s11883-016-0628-8
13.
RobertsR. A breakthrough in genetics and its relevance to prevention of coronary artery disease in LMIC. Glob Heart. (2017) 12(3):247–57. 10.1016/j.gheart.2017.04.001
14.
RobertsRFairJ. Genetics, its role in preventing the pandemic of coronary artery disease. Clin Cardiol. (2021) 44(6):771–9. 10.1002/clc.23627
15.
McPhersonRTybjaerg-HansenA. Genetics of coronary artery disease. Circ Res. (2016) 118(4):564–78. 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306566
16.
KheraAVEmdinCADrakeINatarajanPBickAGCookNRet alGenetic risk, adherence to a healthy lifestyle, and coronary disease. N Engl J Med. (2016) 375(24):2349–58. 10.1056/NEJMoa1605086
17.
RobertsR. A genetic basis for coronary artery disease. Trends Cardiovasc Med. (2015) 25(3):171–8. 10.1016/j.tcm.2014.10.008
18.
LeBlancMZuberVAndreassenBKWitoelarAZengLBettellaFet alIdentifying novel gene variants in coronary artery disease and shared genes with several cardiovascular risk factors. Circ Res. (2016) 118(1):83–94. 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306629
19.
SunBBMaranvilleJCPetersJEStaceyDStaleyJRBlackshawJet alGenomic atlas of the human plasma proteome. Nature. (2018) 558(7708):73–9. 10.1038/s41586-018-0175-2
20.
ZhaoZGongCGaoYLiuXWuSZhaoHet alAssociation between single nucleotide polymorphisms in cardiovascular developmental critical genes and hypertension: a propensity score matching analysis. Int J Hypertens. (2020) 2020:1–8. 10.1155/2020/9185697
21.
EarleNYeo HanDPilbrowACrawfordJSmithWShellingANet alSingle nucleotide polymorphisms in arrhythmia genes modify the risk of cardiac events and sudden death in long QT syndrome. Heart Rhythm. (2014) 11(1):76–82. 10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.10.005
22.
RobertsRChangCCHadleyT. Genetic risk stratification: a paradigm shift in prevention of coronary artery disease. JACC: Basic Transl Sci. (2021) 6(3):287–304. 10.1016/j.jacbts.2020.09.004
23.
GeigerM. Fundamentals of Vascular Bology. Learning Materials in Biosciences. Vienna, Austria: Springer (2019).
24.
ZhangXJohnsonADHendricksAEHwangSJTanriverdiKGaneshSKet alGenetic associations with expression for genes implicated in GWAS studies for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and blood phenotypes. Hum Mol Genet. (2014) 23(3):782–95. 10.1093/hmg/ddt461
25.
BurokerNE. VEGFA rSNPs, transcriptional factor binding sites and human disease. J Physiol Sci. (2014) 64(1):73–6. 10.1007/s12576-013-0293-4
26.
NicaACDermitzakisET. Expression quantitative trait loci: present and future. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. (2013) 368(1620):20120362. 10.1098/rstb.2012.0362
27.
DunhamIKundajeAAldredSFCollinsPJDavisCADoyleFet alAn integrated encyclopedia of DNA elements in the human genome. Nature. (2012) 489(7414):57–74. 10.1038/nature11247
28.
RobertsRCampilloASchmittM. Prediction and management of CAD risk based on genetic stratification. Trends Cardiovasc Med. (2020) 30(6):328–34. 10.1016/j.tcm.2019.08.006
29.
WangKBasuMMalinJHannenhalliS. A transcription-centric model of SNP-age interaction. PLoS Genet. (2021) 17(3):e1009427. 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009427
30.
YunHNohNILeeEY. Genetic risk scores used in cardiovascular disease prediction models: a systematic review. RCM. (2022) 23(1):1–9. 10.31083/j.rcm2301008
31.
O'SullivanJRaghavanSMarquez-LunaCLuzumJADamrauerSMAshleyEAet alPolygenic risk scores for cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American heart association. Circulation. (2022) 146(8):e93–e118. 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001077
32.
GladdingPALeggetMFatkinDLarsenPDoughtyR. Polygenic risk scores in coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. Heart Lung Circ. (2020) 29(4):634–40. 10.1016/j.hlc.2019.12.004
33.
RobertsRCampilloA. Genetic stratification for primary prevention of coronary artery disease. Curr Opin Cardiol. (2018) 33(5):529–34. 10.1097/HCO.0000000000000542
34.
KnowlesJWAshleyEA. Cardiovascular disease: the rise of the genetic risk score. PLoS Med. (2018) 15(3):e1002546. 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002546
35.
RotterJILinHJ. An outbreak of polygenic scores for coronary artery disease. J Am Coll Cardiol. (2020) 75(22):2781–4. 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.04.054
36.
SmithGAFearnleyGWHarrisonMATomlinsonDCWheatcroftSBPonnambalamS. Vascular endothelial growth factors: multitasking functionality in metabolism, health and disease. J Inherit Metab Dis. (2015) 38(4):753–63. 10.1007/s10545-015-9838-4
37.
ShibuyaM. Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor system: physiological functions in angiogenesis and pathological roles in various diseases. J Biochem. (2013) 153(1):13–9. 10.1093/jb/mvs136
38.
BraileMMarcellaSCristinzianoLGaldieroMRModestinoLFerraraALet alVEGF-A in cardiomyocytes and heart diseases. Int J Mol Sci. (2020) 21(15):1–18. 10.3390/ijms21155294
39.
CamaréCPucelleMNègre-SalvayreASalvayreR. Angiogenesis in the atherosclerotic plaque. Redox Biol. (2017) 12:18–34. 10.1016/j.redox.2017.01.007
40.
SengerDRGalliSJDvorakAMPerruzziCAHarveyVSDvorakHF. Tumor cells secrete a vascular permeability factor that promotes accumulation of ascites fluid. Science. (1983) 219(4587):983–5. 10.1126/science.6823562
41.
KeckPJHauserSDKriviGSanzoKWarrenTFederJet alVascular permeability factor, an endothelial cell mitogen related to PDGF. Science. (1989) 246(4935):1309–12. 10.1126/science.2479987
42.
ConnollyDTHeuvelmanDMNelsonROlanderJVEppleyBLDelfinoJJet alTumor vascular permeability factor stimulates endothelial cell growth and angiogenesis. J Clin Invest. (1989) 84(5):1470–8. 10.1172/JCI114322
43.
LeungDWCachianesGKuangW-JGoeddelDVFerraraN. Vascular endothelial growth factor is a secreted angiogenic mitogen. Science. (1989) 246(4935):1306–9. 10.1126/science.2479986
44.
NiklanderSBordagarayMJFernandezAHernandezM. Vascular endothelial growth factor: a translational view in oral non-communicable diseases. Biomolecules. (2021) 11(1):1–27. 10.3390/biom11010085
45.
SinghPSinghMKhindaRValechaSKumarNSinghSet alGenetic scores of eNOS, ACE and VEGFA genes are predictive of endothelial dysfunction associated osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Int J Environ Res Public Health. (2021) 18(3):1–18. 10.3390/ijerph18030972
46.
HolmesDIZacharyI. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family: angiogenic factors in health and disease. Genome Biol. (2005) 6(2):209. 10.1186/gb-2005-6-2-209
47.
ShaikFCuthbertGAHomer-VanniasinkamSMuenchSPPonnambalamSHarrisonMA. Structural basis for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor activation and implications for disease therapy. Biomolecules. (2020) 10(12):1–25. 10.3390/biom10121673
48.
HuLGongCChenXZhouHYanJHongW. Associations between vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and different types of diabetic retinopathy susceptibility: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Diabetes Res. (2021) 2021:7059139. 10.1155/2021/7059139
49.
LeTHVKwonSM. Vascular endothelial growth factor biology and its potential as a therapeutic target in rheumatic diseases. Int J Mol Sci. (2021) 22(10):1–17. 10.3390/ijms22105387
50.
GuHChenWYinJChenSZhangJGongJ. Methionine sulfoxide reductase a rs10903323 G/A polymorphism is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease in a Chinese population. Clin Biochem. (2013) 46(16-17):1668–72. 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2013.07.011
51.
ZhouYZhuXCuiHShiJYuanGShiSet alThe role of the VEGF family in coronary heart disease. Front Cardiovasc Med. (2021) 8:1–16. 10.3389/fcvm.2021.738325
52.
OszajcaKSzemrajJWyrzykowskiDChrzanowskaBSalamonAPrzewratilP. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 genes and risk of infantile hemangioma. Int J Dermatol. (2018) 57(10):1201–7. 10.1111/ijd.14127
53.
ApteRSChenDSFerraraN. VEGF in signaling and disease: beyond discovery and development. Cell. (2019) 176(6):1248–64. 10.1016/j.cell.2019.01.021
54.
PeachCJMignoneVWArrudaMAAlcobiaDCHillSJKilpatrickLEet alMolecular pharmacology of VEGF-A isoforms: binding and signalling at VEGFR2. Int J Mol Sci. (2018) 19(4):1264. 10.3390/ijms19041264
55.
SimonsMGordonEClaesson-WelshL. Mechanisms and regulation of endothelial VEGF receptor signalling. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. (2016) 17(10):611–25. 10.1038/nrm.2016.87
56.
PagèsGPouysségurJ. Transcriptional regulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene–a concert of activating factors. Cardiovasc Res. (2005) 65(3):564–73. 10.1016/j.cardiores.2004.09.032
57.
TischerEMitchellRHartmanTSilvaMGospodarowiczDFiddesJCet alThe human gene for vascular endothelial growth factor. Multiple protein forms are encoded through alternative exon splicing. J Biol Chem. (1991) 266(18):11947–54. 10.1016/S0021-9258(18)99049-6
58.
KeytBABerleauLTNguyenHVChenHHeinsohnHVandlenRet alThe carboxyl-terminal domain (111–165) of vascular endothelial growth factor is critical for its mitogenic potency. J Biol Chem. (1996) 271(13):7788–95. 10.1074/jbc.271.13.7788
59.
KrillekeDDeErkenezASchubertWGiriIRobinsonGSNgY-Set alMolecular mapping and functional characterization of the VEGF164 heparin-binding domain. J Biol Chem. (2007) 282(38):28045–56. 10.1074/jbc.M700319200
60.
StevensMOlteanS. Modulation of receptor tyrosine kinase activity through alternative splicing of ligands and receptors in the VEGF-A/VEGFR axis. Cells. (2019) 8(4):288. 10.3390/cells8040288
61.
DehghanianFHojatiZKayM. New insights into VEGF-A alternative splicing: key regulatory switching in the pathological process. Avicenna J Med Biotechnol. (2014) 6(4):192–9. PMID:
62.
EswarappaSMPotdarAAKochWJFanYVasuKLindnerDet alProgrammed translational readthrough generates antiangiogenic VEGF-ax. Cell. (2014) 157(7):1605–18. 10.1016/j.cell.2014.04.033
63.
BridgettSDellettMSimpsonDA. RNA-sequencing data supports the existence of novel VEGFA splicing events but not of VEGFAxxxb isoforms. Sci Rep. (2017) 7(1):58. 10.1038/s41598-017-00100-3
64.
Al KawasHSaaidIJankPWesthoffCCDenkertCProssTet alHow VEGF-A and its splice variants affect breast cancer development–clinical implications. Cell Oncol. (2022) 45(2):227–39. 10.1007/s13402-022-00665-w
65.
ArcondéguyTLacazetteEMillevoiSPratsHTouriolC. VEGF-A mRNA processing, stability and translation: a paradigm for intricate regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Nucleic Acids Res. (2013) 41(17):7997–8010. 10.1093/nar/gkt539
66.
Au YeungSLLamHSchoolingCM. Vascular endothelial growth factor and ischemic heart disease risk: a Mendelian randomization study. J Am Heart Assoc. (2017) 6(8):1–8. 10.1161/JAHA.117.005619
67.
ZhangYMaTHuHWangJZhouS. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor as a biomarker for prognosis of minor ischemic stroke. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. (2020) 196:106060. 10.1016/j.clineuro.2020.106060
68.
Rodríguez-RodríguezLGarcía-BermúdezMMartínJFernández-GutierrezBGonzález-JuanateyCVazquez-RodriguezTRet alVascular endothelial growth factor a and cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Tissue Antigens. (2011) 77(4):291–7. 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2010.01625.x
69.
HeinonenSEKiveläAMHuuskoJDijkstraMHGurzelerEMäkinenPIet alThe effects of VEGF-A on atherosclerosis, lipoprotein profile, and lipoprotein lipase in hyperlipidaemic mouse models. Cardiovasc Res. (2013) 99(4):716–23. 10.1093/cvr/cvt148
70.
RuotsalainenSEPartanenJJCichonskaALinJBennerCSurakkaIet alAn expanded analysis framework for multivariate GWAS connects inflammatory biomarkers to functional variants and disease. Eur J Hum Genet. (2021) 29(2):309–24. 10.1038/s41431-020-00730-8
71.
ZhaoXMengLJiangJWuX. Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Growth Factors. (2018) 36(3-4):153–63. 10.1080/08977194.2018.1477141
72.
LiZWangMGuJZhaoLGuoYZhangZet alMissense variants in hypoxia-induced VEGFA/VEGFR2 signaling predict the outcome of large artery atherosclerotic stroke. Cell Mol Neurobiol. (2021) 41(6):1217–25. 10.1007/s10571-020-00890-7
73.
MichelJ-BVirmaniRArbustiniEPasterkampG. Intraplaque haemorrhages as the trigger of plaque vulnerability. Eur Heart J. (2011) 32(16):1977–85. 10.1093/eurheartj/ehr054
74.
MitrokhinVShimAAksyonovAZotovAKonevAOvchinnikovRet alCirculating interleukin-18: association with IL-8, IL-10 and VEGF serum levels in patients with and without heart rhythm disorders. Int J Cardiol. (2016) 215:105–9. 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.04.002
75.
TzengHETsaiCHChangZLSuCMWangSWHwangWLet alInterleukin-6 induces vascular endothelial growth factor expression and promotes angiogenesis through apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 in human osteosarcoma. Biochem Pharmacol. (2013) 85(4):531–40. 10.1016/j.bcp.2012.11.021
76.
FaheyEDoyleSL. IL-1 family cytokine regulation of vascular permeability and angiogenesis. Front Immunol. (2019) 10:1–15. 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01426
77.
SellamiNLamineLBTurkiASarraySJailaniMAl-AnsariAKet alAssociation of VEGFA variants with altered VEGF secretion and type 2 diabetes: a case-control study. Cytokine. (2018) 106:29–34. 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.03.003
78.
StevensASodenJBrenchleyPERalphSRayDW. Haplotype analysis of the polymorphic human vascular endothelial growth factor gene promoter. Cancer Res. (2003) 63(4):812–6. PMID:
79.
KimY-JChungWCJunK-HChinH-M. Genetic polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) associated with gastric cancer recurrence after curative resection with adjuvant chemotherapy. BMC Cancer. (2019) 19(1):483. 10.1186/s12885-019-5702-5
80.
DebetteSVisvikis-SiestSChenMHNdiayeNCSongCDestefanoAet alIdentification of cis- and trans-acting genetic variants explaining up to half the variation in circulating vascular endothelial growth factor levels. Circ Res. (2011) 109(5):554–63. 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.111.243790
81.
ChoiSHRuggieroDSoriceRSongCNutileTVernon SmithAet alSix novel loci associated with circulating VEGF levels identified by a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies. PLoS Genet. (2016) 12(2):e1005874. 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005874
82.
CuiQTLiYDuanCHZhangWGuoXL. Further evidence for the contribution of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene in coronary artery disease susceptibility. Gene. (2013) 521(2):217–21. 10.1016/j.gene.2013.03.091
83.
SkrypnikDMostowskaAJagodzinskiPPBogdanskiP. Association of rs699947 (−2578 C/A) and rs2010963 (−634 G/C) single nucleotide polymorphisms of the VEGF gene, VEGF-A and leptin serum level, and cardiovascular risk in patients with excess body mass: a case-control study. J Clin Med. (2020) 9(2):1–16. 10.3390/jcm9020469
84.
MerloSStarcevicJNMankocSLetonjaMSVujkovacACZorcMet alVascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphism (rs2010963) and its receptor, kinase insert domain-containing receptor gene polymorphism (rs2071559), and markers of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes Res. (2016) 2016:1–6. 10.1155/2016/1482194.
85.
Totomoch-SerraAde Lourdes MuñozMBurgueñoJRevilla-MonsalveMCDiaz-BadilloAMuñozMdLAssociation of common polymorphisms in the and genes with type 2 diabetes-related traits in Mexicans. Arch Med Sci. (2018) 14(6):1361–73. 10.5114/aoms.2018.74757
86.
LinharesPViana-PereiraMFerreiraMAmorimJNabicoRPintoFet alGenetic variants of vascular endothelial growth factor predict risk and survival of gliomas. Tumour Biol. (2018) 40(3):1010428318766273. 10.1177/1010428318766273
87.
PetrovičMGKorošecPKošnikMOsredkarJHawlinaMPeterlinBet alLocal and genetic determinants of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Mol Vision. (2008) 14:1382–7. PMID:
88.
DongP-P. Association of vascular endothelial growth factor expression and polymorphisms with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. J Clin Lab Anal. (2019) 33(2):e22686. 10.1002/jcla.22686
89.
RuggieroDDalmassoCNutileTSoriceRDionisiLAversanoMet alGenetics of VEGF serum variation in human isolated populations of cilento: importance of VEGF polymorphisms. PLoS One. (2011) 6(2):e16982. 10.1371/journal.pone.0016982
90.
LiuDSongJJiXLiuZCongMHuB. Association of genetic polymorphisms on VEGFA and VEGFR2 with risk of coronary heart disease. Medicine. (2016) 95(19):e3413. 10.1097/MD.0000000000003413
91.
ChenHGuYWuWChenDLiPFanWet alPolymorphisms of the vascular endothelial growth factor a gene and susceptibility to sporadic brain arteriovenous malformation in a Chinese population. J Clin Neurosci. (2011) 18(4):549–53. 10.1016/j.jocn.2010.08.025
92.
StathopoulouMGBonnefondANdiayeNCAzimi-NezhadMEl ShamiehSSalehAet alA common variant highly associated with plasma VEGFA levels also contributes to the variation of both LDL-C and HDL-C. J Lipid Res. (2013) 54(2):535–41. 10.1194/jlr.P030551
93.
Azimi-NezhadMStathopoulouMGBonnefondARancierMSalehALamontJet alAssociations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with adhesion and inflammation molecules in a healthy population. Cytokine. (2013) 61(2):602–7. 10.1016/j.cyto.2012.10.024
94.
YadavBKYadavRChangHChoiKKimJTParkMSet alGenetic polymorphisms rs699947, rs1570360, and rs3025039 on the VEGF gene are correlated with extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis and ischemic stroke. Ann Clin Lab Sci. (2017) 47(2):144–55. PMID:
95.
MaW-QWangYHanX-QZhuYLiuN-F. Association of genetic polymorphisms in vascular endothelial growth factor with susceptibility to coronary artery disease: a meta–analysis. BMC Med Genet. (2018) 19(1):1–12. 10.1186/s12881-018-0628-3
96.
PalmerBRPatersonMAFramptonCMPilbrowAPSkeltonLPembertonCJet alVascular endothelial growth factor-A promoter polymorphisms, circulating VEGF-A and survival in acute coronary syndromes. PLoS One. (2021) 16(7):1–5. 10.1371/journal.pone.0254206
97.
HoseiniZGhayour-MobarhanMAvanANematyMSafarianMFernsGAet alVEGF gene polymorphism interactions with dietary trace elements intake in determining the risk of metabolic syndrome. J Cell Biochem. (2019) 120(2):1398–406. 10.1002/jcb.27171
98.
WangWXuAXuH. The roles of vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms in congenital heart diseases: a meta-analysis. Growth Factors. (2018) 36(5-6):232–8. 10.1080/08977194.2018.1513505
99.
LiLPanYDaiLLiuBZhangD. Association of genetic polymorphisms on vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor genes with susceptibility to coronary heart disease. Med Sci Monit. (2016) 22:31–40. 10.12659/MSM.895163
100.
OhS-HMinK-TJeonY-JKimM-HMoonJ-SKimH-Set alAssociation between kinase insert domain-containing receptor gene polymorphism and haplotypes and ischemic stroke. J Neurol Sci. (2011) 308(1):62–6. 10.1016/j.jns.2011.06.012
101.
MarksECAWilkinsonTMFramptonCMSkeltonLPilbrowAPYandleTGet alPlasma levels of soluble VEGF receptor isoforms, circulating pterins and VEGF system SNPs as prognostic biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndromes. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. (2018) 18(1):169. 10.1186/s12872-018-0894-1
102.
Azimi-NezhadMMirhafezSRStathopoulouMGMurrayHNdiayeNCBahramiAet alThe relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor cis- and trans-acting genetic variants and metabolic syndrome. Am J Med Sci. (2018) 355(6):559–65. 10.1016/j.amjms.2018.03.009
103.
Góra-TyborJSzemrajJRobakTJamroziakKClinical relevance of vascular endothelial growth factor type A (VEGFA) and VEGF receptor type 2 (VEGFR2) gene polymorphism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood Cells Mol Dis. (2015) 54(2):139–43. 10.1016/j.bcmd.2014.11.022
104.
MafuTSeptemberAShamleyD. KDR inferred haplotype is associated with upper limb dysfunction in breast cancer survivors of mixed ancestry. Cancer Manag Res. (2019) 11:3829–45. 10.2147/CMAR.S191969
105.
SalamiAEl ShamiehS. Association between SNPs of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor levels, hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome. Medicina. (2019) 55(8):1–9. 10.3390/medicina55080464
106.
ZhangLJZhangYQHanXZhangZTZhangZQ. Association of VEGFR-2 gene polymorphisms with clopidogrel resistance in patients with coronary heart disease. Am J Ther. (2016) 23(6):e1663–70. 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000231
Summary
Keywords
vascular endothelial growth factor, single nucleotide polymorphism, cardiovascular disease, VEGF-A eQTLs, genetic association
Citation
Meza-Alvarado JC, Page RA, Mallard B, Bromhead C and Palmer BR (2023) VEGF-A related SNPs: a cardiovascular context. Front. Cardiovasc. Med. 10:1190513. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1190513
Received
29 March 2023
Accepted
27 April 2023
Published
23 May 2023
Volume
10 - 2023
Edited by
Paul Cahill, Dublin City University, Ireland
Reviewed by
Sadie Slater, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Updates

Check for updates
Copyright
© 2023 Meza-Alvarado, Page, Mallard, Bromhead and Palmer.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: B. R. Palmer b.palmer@massey.ac.nz
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.