TY - JOUR

T1 - HLA-G genotype is associated with fetoplacental growth

AU - Hviid, Thomas Vauvert

PY - 2004/6

Y1 - 2004/6

N2 - The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is expressed by extravillous cytotrophoblast cells in the feto-maternal contact zone. Polymorphisms have been described in the HLA-G gene and have been linked with differences in HLA-G mRNA alternative splicing patterns and protein expression. Differences in the isoform profile or the degree of HLA-G expression may influence cytokine production and, thereby, placental and fetal growth. Associations between a 14 bp deletion polymorphism in the 3'UTR part of the HLA-G gene and birth weight in relation to gestational age and placental weight were studied in 47 pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and 87 with no preeclampsia. An HLA-G genotype homozygous for the presence of the 14 bp sequence polymorphism was significantly associated with increased birth weight in relation to gestational age (one-way analysis of variance; 2 degrees of freedom: p = 0.02) and with placental weight at birth (>38 weeks of gestation; +14 bp/+14 bp vs others; unpaired t-test: p = 0.03). There was also a slightly higher placental ratio in the offspring with the +14 bp/+14 bp genotype. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to certain complications of pregnancy and in an evolutionary perspective.

AB - The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is expressed by extravillous cytotrophoblast cells in the feto-maternal contact zone. Polymorphisms have been described in the HLA-G gene and have been linked with differences in HLA-G mRNA alternative splicing patterns and protein expression. Differences in the isoform profile or the degree of HLA-G expression may influence cytokine production and, thereby, placental and fetal growth. Associations between a 14 bp deletion polymorphism in the 3'UTR part of the HLA-G gene and birth weight in relation to gestational age and placental weight were studied in 47 pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and 87 with no preeclampsia. An HLA-G genotype homozygous for the presence of the 14 bp sequence polymorphism was significantly associated with increased birth weight in relation to gestational age (one-way analysis of variance; 2 degrees of freedom: p = 0.02) and with placental weight at birth (>38 weeks of gestation; +14 bp/+14 bp vs others; unpaired t-test: p = 0.03). There was also a slightly higher placental ratio in the offspring with the +14 bp/+14 bp genotype. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to certain complications of pregnancy and in an evolutionary perspective.

KW - Alternative Splicing

KW - Birth Weight

KW - Female

KW - Fetus

KW - Gestational Age

KW - HLA Antigens

KW - HLA-G Antigens

KW - Histocompatibility Antigens Class I

KW - Humans

KW - Placenta

KW - Placentation

KW - Polymorphism, Genetic

KW - Pre-Eclampsia

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Sequence Deletion

KW - Trophoblasts

KW - Journal Article

KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

U2 - 10.1016/j.humimm.2004.03.002

DO - 10.1016/j.humimm.2004.03.002

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 15219378

VL - 65

SP - 586

EP - 593

JO - Human Immunology

JF - Human Immunology

SN - 0198-8859

IS - 6

ER -