Long non-coding RNA H19 and MALAT1 gene variants in patients with ischemic stroke in a northern Chinese Han population

Objectives Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as key regulators in the development of atherosclerosis, which is a major cause of ischemic stroke. However, to date, there are no reports on the association between lncRNA gene variation and the risk of ischemic stroke. Therefore, we assessed the association between H19 and MALAT1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to ischemic stroke in a northern Chinese Han population. Methods In our study, we genotyped four genetic variations in lncRNA-H19 and -MALAT1 (rs217727, rs2251375, rs619586, and rs3200401) in a case–control study of 567 ischemic stroke patients and 552 control subjects. Results We found that the TT genotype of the rs217727 polymorphism within H19 was significantly associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke in our northern Chinese Han population (odds ration (OR) = 1.519, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.072–2.152, p = 0.018). Stratified analysis based on stroke subtype revealed that the increased risk was more evident in small vessel ischemic stroke (OR = 1.941, 95% CI = 1.260–2.992, p = 0.02). Individuals with the TT genotype had a 1.941 times higher risk of small vessel ischemic stroke when compared with the subjects of CC + CT. These correlations remained after adjusting for confounding risk factors of stroke (OR = 1.913, 95% CI = 1.221–2.998, p = 0.005). However, there was no significant association between H19 rs2251375 or MALAT1 rs3200401 and ischemic stroke in either total population analysis or subgroup analysis. Conclusion In conclusion, our findings suggest that the H19 rs217727 gene polymorphism contributes to small vessel ischemic stroke susceptibility in the Chinese Han population and may serve as a potential indicator for ischemic stroke susceptibility.