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Braveman P, Dominguez TP, Burke W, Dolan SM, Stevenson DK, Jackson FM, Collins JW, Driscoll DA, Haley T, Acker J, Shaw GM, McCabe ERB, Hay WW, Thornburg K, Acevedo-Garcia D, Cordero JF, Wise PH, Legaz G, Rashied-Henry K, Frost J, Verbiest S, Waddell L. Explaining the Black-White Disparity in Preterm Birth: A Consensus Statement From a Multi-Disciplinary Scientific Work Group Convened by the March of Dimes. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2021; 3:684207. [PMID: 36303973 PMCID: PMC9580804 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.684207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2017–2019, the March of Dimes convened a workgroup with biomedical, clinical, and epidemiologic expertise to review knowledge of the causes of the persistent Black-White disparity in preterm birth (PTB). Multiple databases were searched to identify hypothesized causes examined in peer-reviewed literature, 33 hypothesized causes were reviewed for whether they plausibly affect PTB and either occur more/less frequently and/or have a larger/smaller effect size among Black women vs. White women. While definitive proof is lacking for most potential causes, most are biologically plausible. No single downstream or midstream factor explains the disparity or its social patterning, however, many likely play limited roles, e.g., while genetic factors likely contribute to PTB, they explain at most a small fraction of the disparity. Research links most hypothesized midstream causes, including socioeconomic factors and stress, with the disparity through their influence on the hypothesized downstream factors. Socioeconomic factors alone cannot explain the disparity's social patterning. Chronic stress could affect PTB through neuroendocrine and immune mechanisms leading to inflammation and immune dysfunction, stress could alter a woman's microbiota, immune response to infection, chronic disease risks, and behaviors, and trigger epigenetic changes influencing PTB risk. As an upstream factor, racism in multiple forms has repeatedly been linked with the plausible midstream/downstream factors, including socioeconomic disadvantage, stress, and toxic exposures. Racism is the only factor identified that directly or indirectly could explain the racial disparities in the plausible midstream/downstream causes and the observed social patterning. Historical and contemporary systemic racism can explain the racial disparities in socioeconomic opportunities that differentially expose African Americans to lifelong financial stress and associated health-harming conditions. Segregation places Black women in stressful surroundings and exposes them to environmental hazards. Race-based discriminatory treatment is a pervasive stressor for Black women of all socioeconomic levels, considering both incidents and the constant vigilance needed to prepare oneself for potential incidents. Racism is a highly plausible, major upstream contributor to the Black-White disparity in PTB through multiple pathways and biological mechanisms. While much is unknown, existing knowledge and core values (equity, justice) support addressing racism in efforts to eliminate the racial disparity in PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Braveman
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Paula Braveman
| | - Tyan Parker Dominguez
- USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Wylie Burke
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Siobhan M. Dolan
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | | | | | - James W. Collins
- Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Deborah A. Driscoll
- University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Terinney Haley
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Julia Acker
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Gary M. Shaw
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Edward R. B. McCabe
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - Kent Thornburg
- School of Medicine, Oregon State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | | | - José F. Cordero
- University of Georgia College of Public Health, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Paul H. Wise
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Gina Legaz
- March of Dimes, White Plains, NY, United States
| | | | | | - Sarah Verbiest
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Gaining a deeper understanding of social determinants of preterm birth by integrating multi-omics data. Pediatr Res 2021; 89:336-343. [PMID: 33188285 PMCID: PMC7898277 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01266-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the US, high rates of preterm birth (PTB) and profound Black-White disparities in PTB have persisted for decades. This review focuses on the role of social determinants of health (SDH), with an emphasis on maternal stress, in PTB disparity and biological embedding. It covers: (1) PTB disparity in US Black women and possible contributors; (2) the role of SDH, highlighting maternal stress, in the persistent racial disparity of PTB; (3) epigenetics at the interface between genes and environment; (4) the role of the genome in modifying maternal stress-PTB associations; (5) recent advances in multi-omics studies of PTB; and (6) future perspectives on integrating multi-omics with SDH to elucidate the Black-White disparity in PTB. Available studies have indicated that neither environmental exposures nor genetics alone can adequately explain the Black-White PTB disparity. Preliminary yet promising findings of epigenetic and gene-environment interaction studies underscore the value of integrating SDH with multi-omics in prospective birth cohort studies, especially among high-risk Black women. In an era of rapid advancements in biomedical sciences and technologies and a growing number of prospective birth cohort studies, we have unprecedented opportunities to advance this field and finally address the long history of health disparities in PTB. IMPACT: This review provides an overview of social determinants of health (SDH) with a focus on maternal stress and its role on Black-White disparity in preterm birth (PTB). It summarizes the available literature on the interplay of maternal stress with key biological layers (e.g., individual genome and epigenome in response to environmental stressors) and significant knowledge gaps. It offers perspectives that such knowledge may provide deeper insight into how SDH affects PTB and why some women are more vulnerable than others and underscores the critical need for integrating SDH with multi-omics in prospective birth cohort studies, especially among high-risk Black women.
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Bublitz MH, Carpenter M, Bourjeily G. Preterm birth disparities between states in the United States: an opportunity for public health interventions. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2020; 41:38-46. [PMID: 30624142 PMCID: PMC9608822 DOI: 10.1080/0167482x.2018.1553156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To examine associations between statelevel characteristics and state-level preterm birth rates.Study design: We conducted a retrospective ecological cross-sectional study using statelevel data from 2013 to 2014 extracted from publicly available sources -the March of Dimes PeriStats database, the U.S. Census Bureau, the US Department of Education, and the US Department of Justice.Results: State-level preterm birth rates correlated with the following state characteristics: poverty rate, obesity rate, percentage of non-Hispanic Black women residents, smoking rate, percent of C - section deliveries, percent of births to women <20 years old, pregnancies receiving late/no prenatal care, and violent crimes per capita. Linear regression analysis found that only the percent of non-Hispanic Black women by state remained a significant predictor of state-level preterm birth rates after adjusting for other risk factors.Conclusions: States with higher percentages of non-Hispanic Black women had higher rates of preterm birth, even after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, prenatal care, and maternal health by state. These findings suggest that public health interventions that target contextual and environmental risk factors affecting non-Hispanic Black women may help to curb rising rates of preterm birth in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret H. Bublitz
- The Miriam Hospital, Women’s Medicine Collaborative, Providence, RI, USA,Department of Medicine, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Marshall Carpenter
- The Miriam Hospital, Women’s Medicine Collaborative, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ghada Bourjeily
- The Miriam Hospital, Women’s Medicine Collaborative, Providence, RI, USA,Department of Medicine, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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Genetic association of AKAP10 gene polymorphism with reduced risk of preterm birth. J Perinatol 2015; 35:700-4. [PMID: 26110499 DOI: 10.1038/jp.2015.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Revised: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Preterm birth (PTB) is a multifactorial complication in which genetic and environmental factors contribute to the phenotype. The AKAP10 protein encoded by AKAP10 gene has a vital role in the maintenance of myometrial quiescence and pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms in the AKAP10 gene are associated with the risk of PTB. STUDY DESIGN A total of 664 women (132 preterm and 532 term) with spontaneous singleton deliveries were genotyped for AKAP10 polymorphisms (rs119672, rs203462 and rs169412) using Sequenom MassARRAY platform. RESULT A significant association was observed between the CC and AC genotypes of AKAP10 rs169412 with reduced risk of PTB (CC: adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-7.09, P=0.016. AC: adjusted OR 3.46, 95% CI: 1.38-8.68, P=0.008), respectively. Following stratification by ethnicity, a significant association was observed between the AC and CC genotypes of rs169412 and term birth in the Malay ethnic subgroup. (CC: OR 2.9, 95% CI: 1.01-8.59, P=0.041. AC: OR 3.14, 95% CI: 1.04-9.54, P=0.043). A significant association was also observed between the CT genotypes of AKAP10 rs119672 with reduced risk of PTB deliveries (CT: OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.06-9.76 P=0.007, TT: OR 2.8, 0.98-8.34, P =.0.015) Alternatively, there was no association between AKAP10 rs169412 and rs119672 polymorphisms with PTB in the Indians and Chinese ethnic groups. CONCLUSION This study indicates a significant association between the AKAP10 polymorphisms and reduced risk of PTB in the Malays. This demonstrates the potential role of AKAP10 polymorphisms in preterm complications.
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Christiaens I, Ang QW, Gordon LN, Fang X, Williams SM, Pennell CE, Olson DM. Two novel genetic variants in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene associated with spontaneous preterm birth. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2015; 16:59. [PMID: 26260058 PMCID: PMC4593185 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-015-0205-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Preterm birth is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in newborn infants. Its etiology is multifactorial with genes and environmental factors, including chronic maternal stress, contributing to its risk. Our objective was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in the stress response are associated with spontaneous preterm birth using a candidate gene approach. Methods A total of 210 cases (singleton spontaneous preterm birth at <37 weeks) and 412 controls (singleton term birth at 38–42 weeks without a history of preterm birth) were studied. High quality maternal DNA was available from saliva samples of 190 cases and 369 controls and compared. Sociodemographic and medical data were collected. Sixteen SNPs, either tag SNPs located in key genes involved in the stress response identified in the Preterm Birth Genome Project database or SNPs found to be associated with adverse mental health outcomes in the published literature, were selected for genotyping and sequencing. SNPs were genotyped using Taqman® SNP genotyping assays. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Results Multivariate analysis showed that two SNPs located in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene were significantly associated with spontaneous preterm birth: rs17484063 (OR 0.50, p = 0.038) and rs2883929 (OR 0.49, p = 0.017), regardless of maternal age, smoking, alcohol use, educational status, and history of spontaneous miscarriage. Conclusion This report demonstrates an association between mineralocorticoid receptor gene polymorphisms, rs17484063 and rs2883929, and preterm birth, supporting a role for genetics in the association between chronic maternal stress and preterm birth. Potentially, this information may be used to predicting the risk of having a preterm delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Christiaens
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
| | - Q Wei Ang
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, WA, Australia.
| | - Lindsay N Gordon
- Department of Genetics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
| | - Xin Fang
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2S2, Canada.
| | - Scott M Williams
- Department of Genetics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. .,Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232-0700, USA.
| | - Craig E Pennell
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, WA, Australia.
| | - David M Olson
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2S2, Canada.
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Ali SR, Fong JJ, Carlin AF, Busch TD, Linden R, Angata T, Areschoug T, Parast M, Varki N, Murray J, Nizet V, Varki A. Siglec-5 and Siglec-14 are polymorphic paired receptors that modulate neutrophil and amnion signaling responses to group B Streptococcus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 211:1231-42. [PMID: 24799499 PMCID: PMC4042635 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20131853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Siglec-5 and Siglec-14 are shown to be paired inhibitory/activating receptors expressed on neutrophils and amniotic epithelium and modulating immune responses to group B Streptococcus. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes invasive infections in human newborns. We recently showed that the GBS β-protein attenuates innate immune responses by binding to sialic acid–binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 5 (Siglec-5), an inhibitory receptor on phagocytes. Interestingly, neutrophils and monocytes also express Siglec-14, which has a ligand-binding domain almost identical to Siglec-5 but signals via an activating motif, raising the possibility that these are paired Siglec receptors that balance immune responses to pathogens. Here we show that β-protein–expressing GBS binds to both Siglec-5 and Siglec-14 on neutrophils and that the latter engagement counteracts pathogen-induced host immune suppression by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and AKT signaling pathways. Siglec-14 is absent from some humans because of a SIGLEC14-null polymorphism, and homozygous SIGLEC14-null neutrophils are more susceptible to GBS immune subversion. Finally, we report an unexpected human-specific expression of Siglec-5 and Siglec-14 on amniotic epithelium, the site of initial contact of invading GBS with the fetus. GBS amnion immune activation was likewise influenced by the SIGLEC14-null polymorphism. We provide initial evidence that the polymorphism could influence the risk of prematurity among human fetuses of mothers colonized with GBS. This first functionally proven example of a paired receptor system in the Siglec family has multiple implications for regulation of host immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Raza Ali
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Jerry J Fong
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Aaron F Carlin
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Tamara D Busch
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Rebecka Linden
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Takashi Angata
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Thomas Areschoug
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mana Parast
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Nissi Varki
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Jeffrey Murray
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Victor Nizet
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Ajit Varki
- Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093Glycobiology Research and Training Center, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Pathology, Department of Medicine, and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
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Kim J, Stirling KJ, Cooper ME, Ascoli M, Momany AM, McDonald EL, Ryckman KK, Rhea L, Schaa KL, Cosentino V, Gadow E, Saleme C, Shi M, Hallman M, Plunkett J, Teramo KA, Muglia LJ, Feenstra B, Geller F, Boyd HA, Melbye M, Marazita ML, Dagle JM, Murray JC. Sequence variants in oxytocin pathway genes and preterm birth: a candidate gene association study. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2013; 14:77. [PMID: 23889750 PMCID: PMC3737028 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2350-14-77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background Preterm birth (PTB) is a complex disorder associated with significant neonatal mortality and morbidity and long-term adverse health consequences. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that genetic factors play an important role in its etiology. This study was designed to identify genetic variation associated with PTB in oxytocin pathway genes whose role in parturition is well known. Methods To identify common genetic variants predisposing to PTB, we genotyped 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oxytocin (OXT), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), and leucyl/cystinyl aminopeptidase (LNPEP) genes in 651 case infants from the U.S. and one or both of their parents. In addition, we examined the role of rare genetic variation in susceptibility to PTB by conducting direct sequence analysis of OXTR in 1394 cases and 1112 controls from the U.S., Argentina, Denmark, and Finland. This study was further extended to maternal triads (maternal grandparents-mother of a case infant, N=309). We also performed in vitro analysis of selected rare OXTR missense variants to evaluate their functional importance. Results Maternal genetic effect analysis of the SNP genotype data revealed four SNPs in LNPEP that show significant association with prematurity. In our case–control sequence analysis, we detected fourteen coding variants in exon 3 of OXTR, all but four of which were found in cases only. Of the fourteen variants, three were previously unreported novel rare variants. When the sequence data from the maternal triads were analyzed using the transmission disequilibrium test, two common missense SNPs (rs4686302 and rs237902) in OXTR showed suggestive association for three gestational age subgroups. In vitro functional assays showed a significant difference in ligand binding between wild-type and two mutant receptors. Conclusions Our study suggests an association between maternal common polymorphisms in LNPEP and susceptibility to PTB. Maternal OXTR missense SNPs rs4686302 and rs237902 may have gestational age-dependent effects on prematurity. Most of the OXTR rare variants identified do not appear to significantly contribute to the risk of PTB, but those shown to affect receptor function in our in vitro study warrant further investigation. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the findings of this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsil Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Chittoor G, Farook VS, Puppala S, Fowler SP, Schneider J, Dyer TD, Cole SA, Lynch JL, Curran JE, Almasy L, Maccluer JW, Comuzzie AG, Hale DE, Ramamurthy RS, Dudley DJ, Moses EK, Arya R, Lehman DM, Jenkinson CP, Bradshaw BS, Defronzo RA, Blangero J, Duggirala R. Localization of a major susceptibility locus influencing preterm birth. Mol Hum Reprod 2013; 19:687-96. [PMID: 23689979 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gat036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB) is a complex trait, but little is known regarding its major genetic determinants. The objective of this study is to localize genes that influence susceptibility to PTB in Mexican Americans (MAs), a minority population in the USA, using predominantly microfilmed birth certificate-based data obtained from the San Antonio Family Birth Weight Study. Only 1302 singleton births from 288 families with information on PTB and significant covariates were considered for genetic analysis. PTB is defined as a childbirth that occurs at <37 completed weeks of gestation, and the prevalence of PTB in this sample was 6.4%. An ∼10 cM genetic map was used to conduct a genome-wide linkage analysis using the program SOLAR. The heritability of PTB was high (h(2) ± SE: 0.75 ± 0.20) and significant (P = 4.5 × 10(-5)), after adjusting for the significant effects of birthweight and birth order. We found significant evidence for linkage of PTB (LOD = 3.6; nominal P = 2.3 × 10(-5); empirical P = 1.0 × 10(-5)) on chromosome 18q between markers D18S1364 and D18S541. Several other chromosomal regions (2q, 9p, 16q and 20q) were also potentially linked with PTB. A strong positional candidate gene in the 18q linked region is SERPINB2 or PAI-2, a member of the plasminogen activator system that is associated with various reproductive processes. In conclusion, to our knowledge, perhaps for the first time in MAs or US populations, we have localized a major susceptibility locus for PTB on chromosome 18q21.33-q23.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Chittoor
- Department of Genetics, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78245-0549, USA
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Dolan SM, Christiaens I. Genome-wide association studies in preterm birth: implications for the practicing obstetrician-gynaecologist. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2013; 13 Suppl 1:S4. [PMID: 23445776 PMCID: PMC3561171 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-13-s1-s4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth has the highest mortality and morbidity of all pregnancy complications. The burden of preterm birth on public health worldwide is enormous, yet there are few effective means to prevent a preterm delivery. To date, much of its etiology is unexplained, but genetic predisposition is thought to play a major role. In the upcoming year, the international Preterm Birth Genome Project (PGP) consortium plans to publish a large genome wide association study in early preterm birth. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are designed to identify common genetic variants that influence health and disease. Despite the many challenges that are involved, GWAS can be an important discovery tool, revealing genetic variations that are associated with preterm birth. It is highly unlikely that findings of a GWAS can be directly translated into clinical practice in the short run. Nonetheless, it will help us to better understand the etiology of preterm birth and the GWAS results will generate new hypotheses for further research, thus enhancing our understanding of preterm birth and informing prevention efforts in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan M Dolan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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Bryant A, Mhyre JM, Leffert LR, Hoban RA, Yakoob MY, Bateman BT. The Association of Maternal Race and Ethnicity and the Risk of Postpartum Hemorrhage. Anesth Analg 2012; 115:1127-36. [DOI: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3182691e62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Abstract
The existence of pronounced differences in health outcomes between US populations is a problem of moral significance and public health urgency. Pursuing research on genetic contributors to such disparities, despite striking data on the fundamental role of social factors, has been controversial. Still, advances in genomic science are providing an understanding of disease biology at a level of precision not previously possible. The potential for genomic strategies to help in addressing population-level disparities therefore needs to be carefully evaluated. Using 3 examples from current research, we argue that the best way to maximize the benefits of population-based genomic investigations, and mitigate potential harms, is to direct research away from the identification of genetic causes of disparities and instead focus on applying genomic methodologies to the development of clinical and public health tools with the potential to ameliorate healthcare inequities, direct population-level health interventions or inform public policy. Such a transformation will require close collaboration between transdisciplinary teams and community members as well as a reorientation of current research objectives to better align genomic discovery efforts with public health priorities and well-recognized barriers to fair health care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Fullerton
- Department of Bioethics and Humanities, and Center for Genomics and Healthcare Equality, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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Alexander BT. Is maternal blood pressure the key to vascular dysfunction in preterm offspring with elevated blood pressure? Hypertension 2010; 56:34-5. [PMID: 20479329 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.110.153338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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