Genetic polymorphisms of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, vascular endothelial growth factor and angiotensin converting enzyme among pre-eclamptic women

ABSTRACT

Pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal as well perinatal morbidity and mortality. The exact pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia is most likely multifactorial. Polymorphisms of plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 [PAI-1], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] may contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. This study was conducted to evaluate the PAI-1, VEGF and ACE genetic polymorphisms in pregnant women with and without pre-eclampsia. A total of 42 pre-eclamptic women and 20 women with normotensive pregnancy, aged between 20-43 years were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leucocytes. The 4G/5G polymorphism of the PAI-1 gene and insertion-deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene were detected in DNA samples with the use of the polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and the 936 C/T polymorphism of the VEGF gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP]. Chi-squared and student t-tests were used for statistical analysis. In pre-eclampsia [n=42 women], the frequencies of 4G4G and 4G5G genotypes of PAI-1 gene were significantly higher [14.3% and 57.1% respectively] than in the normotensive pregnant controls [0% and 15%, respectively], P<0.001. The 4G allele frequency was significantly higher in pre-eclampsia [42.9%] than pregnant controls [7.5%]; P<0.001. Besides, no difference was detected in the ACE [I/D] and VEGF [936C/T] genotypes distribution of pre-eclampsia and normal pregnancy. The 4G allele of the 4G/5G polymorphism in the promoter region of the PAI-1 gene is suggested to be a genetic risk factor for pre-eclampsia