Association of V249I and T280M polymorphisms in the chemokine receptor CX3CR1 gene with early onset of coronary artery disease among North Indians

Monocytes play a critical role in atherosclerosis. CX3CR1 is expressed on monocytes and acts as either a monocyte chemokine receptor or an adhesion molecule. Two common variants of CX3CR1, V249I and T280M, reportedly decrease the coronary artery risk. We have examined the CX3CR1 genotype in 152 early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD) patients (age ≤ 45 years) and in 156 late-onset CAD patients (age ≥ 55 years) and in 300 healthy controls. Homozygous alleles CX3CR1-V249 and T280 were found associated with early onset of CAD (odds ratio [OR] 2.7, p