Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM1) Lys56Met and Gly241Arg Gene Variants, Plasma-Soluble ICAM1 Concentrations, and Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Events in 23 014 Initially Healthy White Women

Background and Purpose— The objective of this study was to examine the association of 2 nonsynonymous intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) gene variants (Lys56Met and Gly241Arg) with baseline plasma soluble ICAM1 concentrations and with risk of total and selected cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in a prospective cohort of 23 014 apparently healthy white American women followed for 10 years. ICAM1 variations have been associated with plasma soluble ICAM1 concentrations and inflammatory conditions, including atherosclerosis. However, to date, no large prospective, genetic–epidemiological data set is available that would allow evaluation of the degree of association of these gene variants with risk of CVD. Methods— ICAM1 genotypes and baseline plasma soluble ICAM1 concentrations were determined. The primary outcome measure was a composite CVD end point (incident ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, or death due to ischemic CVD); other measures were incident ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, ...