The possible role of maternal and placental vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and haplotypes in pathogenesis of preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency may be a main causative agent in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). The actions of the active form of vitamin D are mediated via the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is expressed in numerous organs including placenta. Therefore, we evaluated the potential relationship between maternal and placental VDR polymorphisms and the predisposition to PE in an Iranian population.

Methods: This case–control study surveyed 152 PE and 160 normotensive pregnant women. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was performed to examine the maternal and placental VDR Fok1 rs2228570, Bsm1 rs1544410, Taq1 rs731236, and Apa1 rs7975232 polymorphisms.

Results: The maternal but not placental VDR FokI Ff genotype, was significantly lower in PE women (P = .02 and P = .06, respectively). The maternal and placental VDR FokI polymorphism was associated with lower PE risk in the dominant model (Ff+ff vs. FF) and these genotypes could decrease PE risk (OR, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.3–0.8], P = .007 and OR, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.3–0.9], P = .02, respectively). The haplotype analysis revealed that the maternal and placental TABf haplotype may lead to decreased risk of PE. In addition, the placental TABF haplotype was associated with higher risk of PE. No relationship was observed between PE susceptibility and the maternal and placental VDR Bsm1, Taq1 and Apa1 polymorphisms. There was also no relationship between the maternal and placental VDR polymorphisms and PE severity.

Conclusions: the maternal and placental VDR FokI variant was associated with decreased risk of PE in the dominant model.

KEYWORDS:

• Placenta
• polymorphism
• preeclampsia
• vitamin D receptor
• haplotype

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Research Deputy in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences (No. IR. ZAUMS. REC.1395.21). The authors would like to thank the Deputy of Research Affairs for their financial support.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. The research was achieved according to the ethical principles of the Helsinki Declaration (2013).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences [No. IR. ZAUMS. REC.1395.21].