Interleukin IL-15 (IL-15) has been implicated in the development of
coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of
IL-15 gene polymorphisms as susceptibility markers for development of subclinical
atherosclerosis (SA) and cardiovascular risk factors in Mexican population. Four
IL-15 gene polymorphisms (rs4956403, rs3806798, rs1057972 and rs10833) were analyzed in a group of 397 individuals with SA and 1120 controls. Under different inheritance models adjusted by traditional risk factors, the rs10833T allele was associated with increased risk of developing SA [OR=1.42, Pcodom1=0.046; OR=1.48, Pdom=0.021; OR=1.43, Padd=0.014]. Under a dominant model, the rs1057972 polymorphism was associated with
central obesity (P=0.045) and
fatty liver (P=0.021), while the rs10833 polymorphism was associated with
metabolic syndrome (P=0.007) in individuals with SA. The TAC haplotype was significantly associated with a decreased risk of SA. Individuals with rs10833CC genotype exhibited higher levels of
IL-15 than individuals with CT+TT genotypes. The results suggest that
IL-15 polymorphisms are involved in the risk of developing SA and are associated with
metabolic syndrome,
central obesity and
fatty liver in our study population. The rs10833 polymorphism could be involved in regulating
IL-15 production in SA.