Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes that encode forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) (rs3761549 C>T, rs2280883T>C, rs2232365 A>G and rs3761548 C>A) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (rs11466359 C>T, rs11466345 A>G and rs1800469 T>C) are associated with pre-eclampsia (PE) risk in Chinese women.
Materials and methods: SNPs were identified by polymerase chain reaction and ligase detection reaction. Allelic variant and genotype frequencies for Foxp3 and TGF-β1 were compared between PE women (n = 203) and healthy pregnant (HP) controls (n = 243).
Results: The TGF-β1 rs1800469 TT genotype was found more frequently in PE patients than in HP controls [CC vs. CT+TT: odds ratio (OR) = 1.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-2.81; p = 0.033], indicating that the T allele of rs1800469 confers a risk for PE [OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.12-1.92; p = 0.006]. The Foxp3 rs2232365 A allele was associated with severe PE specifically [OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.12-2.58; p = 0.01], compared with mild PE. There were no haplotype associations with PE.
Conclusions: These findings indicate that allelic variants of TGF-β1 rs1800469 T influence PE risk in Chinese women. Pregnant Han Chinese women carrying the rs1800469 TT genotype were at increased risk of PE.
Keywords: immunosuppression; pre-eclampsia; regulatory T cells; single nucleotide polymorphisms.