title: microRNA-27a rs895819 is associated with obesity in HIV infected preeclamptic Black South African women on HAART.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preeclampsia (PE) and HIV/AIDS present a major health challenge globally. South Africa has the highest disease burden of both HIV/AIDS and PE in the world. Despite extensive research, the pathophysiology of these conditions is not completely understood, however a genetic predisposition in women may affect susceptibility. MiRNA-27a regulates adipogenesis and glucose metabolism. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in miRNA-27a (rs895819T > C) has shown to have disparate effects in various populations. This study investigated the frequency of rs895819 in pregnant normotensive and preeclamptic Black South African (SA) women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enrollment into the study included: normotensive (n = 95; 45 HIV+; 80 analysed for rs895819T > C, age range: 16-46 years) and PE patients (n = 98; 45 HIV+; 56 analysed for rs895819T > C), age range: 16-42 years). DNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Genotyping of miRNA-27a rs895819 was detected using a TaqMan® SNP Genotyping assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We did not find a significant association of miR-27a polymorphism with PE susceptibility in our data. However, in the subgroup analysis (based in HIV status), the variant genotypes (TC/CC) were associated with higher body mass index (BMI) among PE women (32.57 vs. 29.25, p = 0.064), significantly in the presence of HIV infection (33.47 vs. 27.8, p = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggests that miR-27a rs895819 may not be associated with PE susceptibility; however, the miR-27a TC/CC genotype increases susceptibility to elevated BMI in PE, which may be significantly influenced by co-morbid HIV infection among pregnant women on HAART.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, Durban, South Africa.|Discipline of Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, George Campbell Building - South Entrance, 3rd Floor, Kind George V Avenue, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Niren Ray
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Maharaj
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, George Campbell Building - South Entrance, 3rd Floor, Kind George V Avenue, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Prithiksha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ramkaran
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, George Campbell Building - South Entrance, 3rd Floor, Kind George V Avenue, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Siddharthiya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pillay
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Medical Biochemistry and Chemical Pathology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, George Campbell Building - South Entrance, 3rd Floor, Kind George V Avenue, Durban, South Africa. CHUTUR@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: Anil Amichund
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Chuturgoon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D035683:MicroRNAs; D004247:DNA
keywords: BMI; Black South African women; HAART; HIV; Preeclampsia; Single nucleotide polymorphism; miR-27a; rs895819