Endothelial protein C receptor polymorphisms and risk of sepsis in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential relationship of EPCR polymorphisms and the risk of sepsis in a Chinese population. METHODS: Snapshot SNP genotyping assays and DNA sequencing methods were used to detect polymorphisms of the EPCR gene, rs2069948C/T (2532C/T) and rs867186A/G (6936A/G), in 64 patients with sepsis and in 113 controls. Soluble EPCR (sEPCR) was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of EPCR gene rs2069948C/T and allele frequencies of rs867186A/G between male and female patients and controls. Females carrying rs2069948 C/T genotype or T allele and males carrying rs867186 A allele were associated with a significantly increased risk of sepsis. Plasma sEPCR levels of sepsis patients were higher than controls and showed no correlation with EPCR gene polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: EPCR polymorphisms may be associated with increased risk of sepsis, but this has no effect on the release of sEPCR in patients with sepsis.