5HT2A polymorphism His452Tyr in a German Caucasian systemic sclerosis population

Page 1 of 2 (page number not for citation purposes) Recently, Beretta and colleagues [1] reported a protective association of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism His452Tyr (C+1354T, rs6314) with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in an Italian population. 5HT2A accounts for most vasoconstrictive and platelet aggregation due to serotonin activity [2]. Beretta and colleagues also demonstrated that plasma from healthy heterozygous carriers of His452Tyr showed decreased platelet aggregation after serotonin stimulus compared to plasma from healthy individuals homozygous for His452. In consequence, they suggested a functional role of His452Tyr in reducing susceptibility to SSc.