Are polymorphisms in the ACE and PAI-1 genes associated with recurrent spontaneous miscarriages?
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the ACE D/D genotype or the combination of PAI-1 4G/4G and ACE D/D genotypes may serve as a risk factor for recurrent pregnancy loss.


METHODS
Buccal swabs were obtained from 120 women experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss and from 84 fertile control women. DNA was extracted from the buccal swab samples using the Qiagen DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen), followed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were analyzed for the ACE gene polymorphism, which consists of the insertion or deletion (I/D) of a 287-bp fragment in intron 16, and the PAI-1 4G/4G genotype.


RESULTS
No significant differences in specific ACE gene mutations were observed when patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage were compared with control women. When the frequencies of homozygous mutations for ACE D/D and PAI-I 4G/4G were compared between recurrent aborters and controls, again no significant differences in the prevalence of the combination of these gene mutations were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Homozygosity for the D allele of the ACE gene and the combination of the D/D genotype with two 4G alleles of the PAI-1 promoter gene are not associated with a significant increase in the risk of recurrent miscarriage.
Goodman
Chelsi
C
CARI Reproductive Institute, Chicago, IL, USA.
Hur
Jee
J
Goodman
Cyle S
CS
Jeyendran
Rajasingham S
RS
Coulam
Carolyn
C
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005260:Female; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics*; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A