Problem: Preeclampsia has a multifactorial origin with genetic, immunological, and environmental factors described as main contributors to its onset. This study aimed to investigate glutathione-S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione-S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) gene polymorphisms, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and the potential relationship between GST polymorphisms and cytokine expression levels in preeclampsia and uncomplicated pregnancy.
Method of study: This prospective case-control study included 50 women with preeclampsia and 50 healthy pregnant women. DNA and RNA were extracted from women leukocytes. Deletion polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR, while cytokine mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time PCR.
Results: GSTM1 null genotype with present GSTT1 increased the risk for preeclampsia development. Deletion of GSTT1 without deletion of GSTM1 increased the risk for early preeclampsia. Relative mRNA expression of TNF-α was significantly higher in preeclampsia compared to healthy pregnant women (P = 0.006). Expression of IL-1β was significantly higher in severe and late preeclampsia compared to the control group (P = 0.005, P = 0.007, respectively). A significant positive correlation between TNF-α and IL-1β was observed (Spearman's ρ = 0.312, P = 0.028) and between IL-1β and IL-6, in preeclampsia group (Spearman's ρ = 0.296, P = 0.037). IL-1β was significantly increased in patients with GSTT1 null genotype (P = 0.015) while IL-6 was increased in patients with GSTM1 null genotype (P = 0.015).
Conclusions: GSTM1 null genotype represents a risk factor for preeclampsia development, while GSTT1 null genotype favors early preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is also associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, predominantly TNF-α and IL-1β.
Keywords: Genetic polymorphism; cytokines; glutathione-S-transferase M1; glutathione-S-transferase T1; pre-eclampsia.
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.