The Significance of VDR Genetic Polymorphisms in the Etiology of Preeclampsia in Pregnant Polish Women

For the first time in the Polish population, we aimed to investigate associations between the VDR gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) BsmI (rs15444410), ApaI (rs7975232), FokI (rs19735810), and TaqI (rs731236) and the development of preeclampsia (PE). A case-control study surveyed 122 preeclamptic and 184 normotensive pregnant women. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was performed to examine the maternal VDR FokI, BsmI, TaqI, and ApaI polymorphisms. The VDR BsmI AA homozygous genotype was statistically significantly more frequent in preeclamptic women compared to the control group (p = 0.0263), which was also associated with a 2-fold increased risk of PE (OR = 2.06, p = 0.012). A correlation between the VDR BsmI polymorphism with systolic and diastolic blood hypertension was noted. Furthermore, 3-marker haplotype CTA (TaqI/ApaI/BsmI) was associated with significantly higher systolic (p = 0.0075) and diastolic (p = 0.0072) blood pressure. Association and haplotype analysis indicated that the VDR BsmI A allele could play a significant role in the PE pathomechanism and hence could be a risk factor for PE development in pregnant Polish women. These results indicate the importance of the VDR BsmI polymorphism and reveal that this variant is closely associated with a higher predisposition to hypertension.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the association between VDR gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms and preeclampsia in the Polish population. The results revealed that the VDR BsmI AA genotype was more frequent in preeclamptic women and associated with a higher risk of PE. Additionally, the VDR BsmI A allele may be closely related to a higher predisposition to hypertension.