The variant rs8048002 T>C in intron 3 of the MHC2TA gene is associated with risk of developing acute coronary syndrome

•The rs8048002 polymorphism is associated with risk of developing ACS.•The individual with the C allele had a 4.55-fold increased the risk of developing ACS.•The TC+CC genotypes were significantly associated with increased risk of ACS (OR=4.56, pC=0.004). Recently, an intronic single nucleotide polymorphism (rs8048002) in the MHC class II transactivator gene (MHC2TA) was shown to be associated with increased susceptibility to several inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to test for an association between this MHC2TA gene polymorphism and susceptibility to the risk of developing acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in a group of Mexicans patients. The single nucleotide polymorphism (rs8048002) of the MHC2TA gene was analyzed by 5′ exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays in a group of 452 patients with ACS and 456 healthy controls. The C allele and TC genotype were associated with risk of developing ACS (OR=4.55, pC=6×10−4 and OR=4.41, pC=1.5×10−3, respectively). Multiple logistic analysis was used for estimate risk between ACS patients and controls adjusted by cardiovascular risk factors (gender, age, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, diabetes, body mass index and alcohol consumption). In this analysis, the TC+CC genotypes were significantly associated with increased risk of ACS as compared to TT genotype (OR=4.56, pC=0.004). In summary, our data suggest that the MHC2TA rs8048002 C>T gene polymorphism plays an important role in the risk of developing ACS.