Apolipoprotein E and lipoprotein lipase gene polymorphisms interaction on the atherogenic combined expression of hypertriglyceridemia and hyperapobetalipoproteinemia phenotypes

The combination of hypertriglyceridemia (hyperTG) and hyperapobetalipoproteinemia (hyperapoB) is associated with an increased coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Apolipoprotein (apo) E and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) genes are involved in the catabolism of triglycerides (TG)-rich apoB-containing lipoproteins (VLDL). Several apoE and LPL gene variants affecting CAD risk, plasma TG or apoB concentrations have an allelic frequency of >5% in the general population. This study examined the combined effect of frequent apoE and LPL gene polymorphisms on the expression of hyperTG and hyperapoB. ApoE (E2, E3, and E4) and LPL (D9N, N291S, G188E, and P207L) were genotyped and fasting lipid profiles were assessed among 1,441 French-Canadian subjects. Multivariate analyses were performed to estimate the relationship between apoE and LPL gene variants and the risk of hyperTG (TG>1.7 mmol/l) and hyperapoB (apoB>0.9 g/l). Compared to apoE3 carriers, the apoE4 allele significantly increased the risk of expressing the "hyperTG/hyperapoB" phenotype [odds ratio (OR)=1.95; p=0.014]. This risk was significantly exacerbated (OR=4.69; p=0.017) by the presence of frequent deleterious LPL gene variants in this population. The apoE2 allele was negatively associated with hyperTG/hyperapoB (OR=0.49; p=0.002) in the absence of a deleterious LPL gene variant. These results suggest that epistasis is a phenomenon to consider while assessing the CAD risk associated with gene variants or the effect of frequent alleles on high-risk lipid profiles.