The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene polymorphism in Czech and Russian patients with myocardial infarction.

Abstract Background Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine implicated in early and advanced atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphism of MIF gene is associated with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in MIF gene (− 173G/C, rs755622) was investigated in Czech ( n  = 219) and Russian ( n  = 240) MI patients and population control from the same geographical areas (Czech, n  = 137; Russian, n  = 174). Further, another SNP (rs1007888) located within the 3' flanking region of the MIF gene was investigated in Czech MI patients and control subjects. Results There were no significant differences in the distribution of MIF − 173G/C genotypes, alleles or carriage rates between case and control groups in either populations. However, the GG genotype of the MIF SNP rs1007888 was associated with MI in Czech female patients ( p  = 0.027). Conclusions Taken together with previous reports, our study suggests that particular MIF gene polymorphisms may contribute to MI susceptibility in females.