Role of HGF polymorphisms in the development of keratoconus in South Asian population

Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been previously reported to be causative of keratoconus (KC) in different populations. Aims: The current study was conducted to investigate the role of HGF single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in sporadic KC cases from South Asian population of Pakistani origin. Methodology: A total of 100 sporadic cases were screened KC associated reported polymorphisms in HGF (rs17501108 and rs3735520) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results: No significant association of the HGF SNPs were observed in the sporadic cases of KC and possibility of involvement of another gene in the pathogenesis of KC exist. Conclusion: Present study came with the findings that although globally an association exit between HGF and KC but genotyping data of Asian population of Pakistan origin does not show any association between HGF and pathogenesis of KC.