Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1 Gene Polymorphisms in Korean Patients with Pre-eclampsia

Problem The aim of this study was to investigate whether c.869T > C (Leu10Pro) and c.915G > C (Arg25Pro) polymorphisms in exon1 of the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta 1) gene are associated with development of pre-eclampsia (PE) in Korean women. Method of study We analyzed blood samples from 164 patients with PE and 182 healthy pregnant women using the polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Results The frequencies of the 869CC and combined TC/CC genotypes were higher in patients with PE than in healthy controls. In the PE with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), the frequencies of these genotypes were also higher than that in controls. Furthermore, the 869C allele frequency was significantly higher in both PE and IUGR-complicated PE than in controls. Multivariate analysis showed that the 869TC, CC, and combined TC/CC genotypes were associated with an increased risk of PE compared with the 869TT genotype. In addition, the 869TC, CC, and combined TC/CC genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of IUGR-complicated PE compared with the 869TT genotype. The TGF-beta 1 c.915G > C polymorphism was not detected in our population. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the TGF-beta 1 c.869T > C polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor for PE and IUGR-complicated PE.