Glucocorticoid synthesis-related genes: HSD11B1 and HSD11B2 in hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether polymorphisms of the maternal glucocorticoid-related genes (HSD11B1 and HSD11B2) are associated with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in a haplotype-based case-control study.

Methods: A total of 166 PIH patients and 222 age-matched controls were genotyped, with two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for the HSD11B1 gene (rs2235543 and rs846910) and three SNPs for the HSD11B2 gene (rs12920590, rs45483293 and rs3743729) used as genetic markers. After separation into preeclampsia (PE) and gestational hypertension (GH) subgroups, PIH patients were assessed.

Results: Significant differences were noted between PE and control groups (p = 0.022, p = 0.034, respectively) for the frequency of genotypes and alleles for rs846910 of HSD11B1. The frequency of the AA genotype of rs846910 was significantly higher in PIH and PE groups compared to controls. Logistic regression analyses showed that this genotype was a risk factor for PIH and PE (adjusted OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.5 and adjusted OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.4–7.4, respectively). The frequency of the T–A haplotype established by rs2235543–rs846910 was also significantly higher in PIH and PE groups (p = 0.045, p = 0.042, respectively).

Conclusion: rs846910 in the HSD11B1 gene could be a marker for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. The T–A haplotype constructed by rs2235543–rs846910 was also a useful susceptibility marker for PIH and PE.

• HSD11B1
• HSD11B2
• pregnancy-induced hypertension
• single-nucleotide polymorphism

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ms K. Sugama for her technical assistance.