HDAC9 Polymorphism is Associated with Carotid Plaque in a Korean Population

Background: An association between histone deactylase (HDAC) polymorphism and large vessel ischemic stroke was identified in two genomewide association studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between HDAC9rs 2107595 polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis in Korean adults. Methods and Findings: The study population consisted of 1954 subjects aged 50 years or more from the Dong-gu Study. Carotid ultrasonography was performed to measure common carotid (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) and the presence of carotid plaques. Genotyping was performed by high-resolution melting analysis. After adjustment for age, diabetes, and total cholesterol, carriers of AA and AG had a higher risk ofcarotid plaquethan the GG genotype (odds ratio [OR]AG= 1.38, 95%confidence interval [CI]=1.12-1.70; ORAA = 1.46:1.05-2.02). After further adjustment forcovariates, ORs of AA and AG for carotid plaque were slightly increased (ORAG= 1.44: 1.17-1.78; ORAA = 1.57: 1.12-2.20). However, HDAC9 genotype was not associated with CCA-IMT. Conclusions: We found that the HDAC9rs 2107595 polymorphism is associated with carotid plaque. These results suggest that the HDAC9 polymorphism may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.