Chemokine receptor (CCR2) genotype is associated with myocardial infarction and heart failure in patients under 65 years of age

Inflammation is associated with atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. Chemokines have an important role in inflammation. The CCR2 chemokine receptor mediates leukocyte chemoattraction, which is involved in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease. We prospectively studied 1960 consecutive patients aged under 65 years and referred for a first-time left ventricular catheter. Left heart catheters were analyzed by two independent cardiologists for the presence of myocardial infarction (regional wall motion abnormality) and moderate or severely reduced left ventricular function on cineventriculography and presence of coronary atherosclerosis on angiography. Genotyping for CCR2 V64I polymorphism was performed. The presence of the rare allele of the CCR2 gene was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of myocardial infarction on cinventriculography (32.0% vs. 24.2%, moderately or severely reduced left ventricular function (14.0% vs. 9.5%) and NYHA class III or IV (16.7% vs. 12.2%). The association of the CCR2 genotype with heart failure was not independent of the presence of myocardial infarction in multivariate analysis. There was no association of the CCR2 genotype with coronary atherosclerosis. The CCR2 genotype seems to predispose patients for myocardial infarction before the age of 65 years. The higher prevalence of heart failure in gene carriers with the rare alle might be a consequence of myocardial infarction. If the CCR2 genotype is associated with higher mortality in the general population must be investigated in further studies.