DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF ALLELES AND GENOTYPES FOR HLA-G 3'UTR 14-bp ins/del IN MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS OR REPRODUCTIVE LOSSES AT EARLY GESTATION TERMS

Abstract

HLA-G is the main molecule through which provides tolerance of maternal immune microenvironment to the semi-allogeneic embryo. Polymorphic variant of 14-bp ins/del in the HLA-G 3’UTR gene affects stability and expression of specific mRNA and, thereby, efficiency of immune rejection blockade of the semi-allogeneic embryo. Immune interactions in the “mother – fetus”system can cause teratogenic effects. Congenital heart defects are the dominant pathology among congenital malformations of the fetus and newborns. The aim of the study was to search possible associations between polymorphic 14-bp ins/del variants of maternal HLA-G 3’UTR gene, and reproductive losses or congenital heart defects in their children. Subjects and Methods. We have examined 103 women who had children with congenital heart defects, 21 women with reproductive losses at up to 9 weeks of pregnancy, 101 women with two or more healthy children. Results. It was revealed that the minor homozygous genotype HLA-G 3’UTR 14-bp ins/14-bp ins (OR = 5.25; 95% CI = 1.31-21.11), and allele HLA-G 3’UTR 14-bp ins (OR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.13-4.84) were markers of early reproductive loss in women. Polymorphic variant of the 14-bp ins/14-bp del gene variant of HLA-G 3’UTR in the mothers was not significantly associated with birth of infants with congenital heart defects.

Keywords

• hla-g 3’utr 14-bp ins/del
• gestation
• reproductive loss
• congenital heart diseases