ABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the relationship between the polymorphism of upstream regulatory region (URR) in human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) gene and the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia.@*Methods@#Thirty-nine gravidas with severe preeclampsia, who were admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2008 to March 2009, were enrolled as the case group. Another 43 healthy gravidas at the third trimester were chosen as the control group. All gravidas in both groups were Han nationality. URR polymorphism in HLA-G gene was detected by PCR sequencing. Allele frequencies and genotype frequencies of all single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were compared between the two groups.@*Results@#(1) Eight SNPs were detected between -1179 and -689 in HLA-G gene URR in Chinese Han pregnant women. (2) In the severe preeclampsia group, the genotype frequency of -964GG was 12.8% (5/39), which was significantly lower than the frequency of 37.2% (16/43) found in the control group (P=0.012). The allele frequency of -964G was also significantly lower in the severe preeclampsia group than in the control group [38.5% (30/78) vs 57.0% (49/86), P=0.018). (3) In the severe preeclampsia group, the genotype frequency of -716TT was 17.9% (7/39), which was significantly lower than the frequency of 41.9% (18/43) found in the control group (P=0.019). In the severe preeclampsia group, the allele frequency of -716T was 39.7% (31/78), which was also significantly lower than the frequency of 60.5% (52/86) found in the control group (P=0.008). (4) No significant differences were found in the allele or genotype frequencies of -1140A/T, -762C/T or -725C/G in HLA-G gene URR between the two groups (P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#Some of the SNPs in HLA-G gene URR are associated with the susceptibility of severe preeclampsia in Chinese Han gravidas. Pregnant women carrying -964G or -716T may have reduced risk of severe preeclampsia.