The ICAM-1 E469K polymorphism is a risk factor for multiple cervical artery dissections

Aims: Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) contributes to the inflammatory response by promoting adhesion between white blood cells and endothelial cells. The 469K allele of ICAM-1 encodes an alternatively spliced short isoform (ICAM-1-S) with modified inflammatory immune response. Longoni et al. recently found a genetic association between ICAM 469K and cervical artery dissections (CAD). Methods: We analyzed the genotype of the ICAM-1 E469K SNP in 132 German patients with a single CAD, in 50 patients with multiple CAD and in 203 healthy control subjects. Results: The 469E/E encoding genotype was found mor…