HLA-G polymorphisms and soluble HLA-G protein levels in women with recurrent pregnancy loss from Basrah province in Iraq.
HLA-G is a nonclassical, class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene that exhibits immunomodulatory properties and likely plays a role in the maintenance of successful pregnancy. In this study, we investigated the role of HLA-G polymorphisms on risk for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and on circulating levels of soluble (s)HLA-G in Iraqi women. DNA and plasma were obtained from blood samples collected at 9-12 weeks gestation from 50 women with RPL and 50 healthy pregnant women in Basrah province, Iraq. As measured by ELISA, median sHLA-G levels were significantly lower in the RPL cases compared to healthy controls (21.4 vs. 38.8 U/ml, respectively; P=0.025), and decreased with increasing maternal age (P=0.0051). However, HLA-G allele and haplotype frequencies did not differ significantly between cases and controls (P values ≥0.12 for all tests). In contrast, homozygosity for the C allele (CC) at a tri-allelic promoter polymorphism, -725C/G/T, was associated with lower concentrations of sHLA-G compared to the CG or CT genotypes (median levels 21.1 vs. 40.1 vs. 42.6 U/ml, respectively; P=0.0089). These results demonstrate that HLA-G genotype influences circulating sHLA-G levels during pregnancy but is not significantly associated with risk of RPL.
Basic Science Department, Dentistry College, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq.
Raghed M
RM
Jassem
Wafaa Sadoon
WS
Shani
Dagan A
DA
Loisel
Maysoon
M
Sharief
Christine
C
Billstrand
Carole
C
Ober
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D059951:HLA-G Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D008423:Maternal Age; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012307:Risk Factors; D012995:Solubility
D059951:HLA-G Antigens