The minor allele of GP6 T13254C is associated with decreased platelet activation and a reduced risk of recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality: results from the SMILE–Platelets project

Summary Background: Contradictory results have been published on the effects of T13254C (rs1613662), which distinguishes the two major isoforms of GP6, the gene encoding the platelet receptor glycoprotein VI, on platelet function and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods: We performed a population‐based case–control study, the Study of Myocardial Infarctions in Leiden, among 547 male patients with a first myocardial infarction (MI) and 646 control subjects, as well as a prospective cohort study in which the same MI patients were followed for recurrent events (fatal and non‐fatal MI and unstable angina) and mortality (median follow‐up of 12 years). P‐selectin expression by platelets induced by crosslinked collagen‐related peptide (CRP‐XL) was measured by whole blood flow cytometry in 274 MI patients. Results: T13254C was not associated with a first MI, but seemed to be associated with a reduced incidence of recurrent events [per‐allele hazard ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56–1.06] and mortality (hazard ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.37–0.89). Pooling with the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study revealed hazard ratios of 0.81 (95% CI 0.66–0.99) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.55–0.96). The minor C‐allele was also strongly associated with a reduced percentage of P‐selectin‐expressing platelets. The reduction per C‐allele was 23% (95% CI 18–28%). In an independent study of 219 healthy volunteers, the per‐allele reduction of CRP‐XL‐induced aggregation was 10% (95% CI 2–18%). Conclusion: The minor allele of GP6 T13254C that reduced platelet activation and aggregation also seemed to be associated with a reduced incidence of recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality, but was not associated with first MI.