biostudies-literatureUnknown13(20)Gorenjak VTelomere length (TL) is a hallmark of cellular aging and is associated with chronic diseases development. The vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a potent angiogenesis factor, is implicated in the pathophysiology of many chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between VEGF-A and TL. TL in leukocytes (LTL) and skeletal muscle (MTL) were measured, 10 VEGF-related polymorphisms genotyped, and VEGF-A plasma concentrations determined in 402 individuals from the TELARTA cohort. LTL/MTL ratio was calculated as an estimate of lifelong TL attrition. Associations between VEGF-A variants and levels, and TL parameters were investigated. We identified one significant association between the minor allele (T) of rs6993770 variant and LTL/MTL ratio (P=Aging23517-23526https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8580333biostudies-literatureA genetic determinant of VEGF-A levels is associated with telomere attrition.PMC8580333Lamont JBenetos AGorenjak VMasson CKumar SLabat CStathopoulou MGToupance STELARTA ConsortiumMurray HVisvikis-Siest SFitzgerald PPetrelis AMfalseA genetic determinant of VEGF-A levels is associated with telomere attrition.Telomere length (TL) is a hallmark of cellular aging and is associated with chronic diseases development. The vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a potent angiogenesis factor, is implicated in the pathophysiology of many chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between VEGF-A and TL. TL in leukocytes (LTL) and skeletal muscle (MTL) were measured, 10 VEGF-related polymorphisms genotyped, and VEGF-A plasma concentrations determined in 402 individuals from the TELARTA cohort. LTL/MTL ratio was calculated as an estimate of lifelong TL attrition. Associations between VEGF-A variants and levels, and TL parameters were investigated. We identified one significant association between the minor allele (T) of rs6993770 variant and LTL/MTL ratio (P=2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Oct2025-06-01T12:24:57.619Z2022-02-11T14:14:14.124ZS-EPMC85803333466155110.18632/aging.203636