Lack of Association of Polymorphism Located Upstream of ABCA1 (rs2472493), in FNDC3B (rs7636836), and Near ANKRD55 - MAP3K1 Genes (rs61275591) in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients of Saudi Origin.

Polymorphisms rs2472493 near ABCA1 , rs7636836 in FNDC3B , and rs61275591 near the ANKRD55-MAP3K1 genes were previously reported to exhibit genome-wide significance in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Since these polymorphisms have not been investigated in the Arab population of Saudi Arabia, we examined their association with POAG in a Saudi cohort. Genotyping was performed in 152 POAG cases and 246 controls using Taqman real-time assays and their associations with POAG and clinical markers, such as intraocular pressure, cup/disc ratio, and the number of antiglaucoma medications, were tested by statistical methods. There was no association observed between POAG and the minor allele frequencies of rs2472493[G], rs7636836[T], or rs61275591[A]. None of the genetic models such as co-dominant, dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and log-additive demonstrated any genotype link. The Rs2472493 genotype showed a modest association ( p = 0.044) with the number of antiglaucoma medications in the POAG group, but no significant genotype effect on post hoc analysis. In addition, a G-T allelic haplotype of rs2472493 ( ABCA1 ) and rs7636836 ( FNDC3B ) did show an over two-fold increased risk of POAG (odds ratio = 2.18), albeit non-significantly ( p = 0.092). Similarly, no other allelic haplotype of the three variants showed any significant association with POAG. Our study did not replicate the genetic association of rs2472493 ( ABCA1 ), rs763683 ( FNDC3B ), and rs61275591 ( ANKRD55 - MAP3K1 ) in POAG and related clinical phenotypes, suggesting that these polymorphisms are not associated with POAG in a Saudi cohort of Arab ethnicity. However, large population-based multicenter studies are needed to validate these results.