1
|
Mead EC, Wang CA, Phung J, Fu JY, Williams SM, Merialdi M, Jacobsson B, Lye S, Menon R, Pennell CE. The Role of Genetics in Preterm Birth. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:3410-3427. [PMID: 37450251 PMCID: PMC10692032 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01287-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB), defined as the birth of a child before 37 completed weeks gestation, affects approximately 11% of live births and is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years. PTB is a complex disease with multiple risk factors including genetic variation. Much research has aimed to establish the biological mechanisms underlying PTB often through identification of genetic markers for PTB risk. The objective of this review is to present a comprehensive and updated summary of the published data relating to the field of PTB genetics. A literature search in PubMed was conducted and English studies related to PTB genetics were included. Genetic studies have identified genes within inflammatory, immunological, tissue remodeling, endocrine, metabolic, and vascular pathways that may be involved in PTB. However, a substantial proportion of published data have been largely inconclusive and multiple studies had limited power to detect associations. On the contrary, a few large hypothesis-free approaches have identified and replicated multiple novel variants associated with PTB in different cohorts. Overall, attempts to predict PTB using single "-omics" datasets including genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic biomarkers have been mostly unsuccessful and have failed to translate to the clinical setting. Integration of data from multiple "-omics" datasets has yielded the most promising results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elyse C Mead
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Carol A Wang
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Jason Phung
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia
- Department of Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia
| | - Joanna Yx Fu
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Scott M Williams
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Mario Merialdi
- Maternal Newborn Health Innovations, Geneva, PBC, Switzerland
| | - Bo Jacobsson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Science, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, Domain of Health Data and Digitalization, Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stephen Lye
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Craig E Pennell
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.
- Department of Maternity and Gynaecology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Elias D, Gimenez L, Poletta F, Campaña H, Gili J, Ratowiecki J, Pawluk M, Rittler M, Santos MR, Uranga R, Heisecke SL, Cosentino V, Saleme C, Gadow E, Krupitzki H, Camelo JSL. Preterm birth and genitourinary tract infections: assessing gene-environment interaction. Pediatr Res 2021; 90:678-683. [PMID: 33070163 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01200-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of perinatal morbimortality worldwide. Genetic and environmental factors could raise PTB risk. The aim of this study was to analyze the contribution of the statistical interaction between genes and vaginal-urinary tract infections (VI-UTI) to the risk of PTB by clinical subtype. METHODS Twenty-four SNPs were genotyped in 18 candidate genes from 352 fetal triads and 106 maternal triads. Statistical interactions were evaluated with conditional logistic regression models based on genotypic transmission/disequilibrium test. RESULTS In PTB-idiopathic subtype mothers exposed to UTI, fetal SNPs rs11686474 (FSHR), rs4458044 (CRHR1, allele G), rs883319 (KCNN3), and maternal SNP rs1882435 (COL4A3) showed a nominal significant increment in prematurity risk. In preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), fetal SNP rs2277698 (TIMP2) showed a nominal significant risk increment. In mothers exposed to VI, fetal SNP rs5742612 (IGF1) in PTB-PPROM and maternal SNP rs4458044 (CRHR1, allele C) in spontaneous PTB showed nominal significant increment in prematurity risk. CONCLUSIONS Certain maternal and fetal genes linked to infectious/inflammatory and hormonal regulation processes increase prematurity risk according to clinical subtype when mothers are exposed to UTI or VI. These findings may help in the understanding of PTB etiology and PTB prevention. IMPACT Preterm birth is a major cause of perinatal morbimortality worldwide and its etiology remains unknown. This work provides evidence on the statistical interaction of six genes with gestational vaginal or urinary infections leading to the occurrence of preterm births. Statistical interactions vary according to infection type, genotype (maternal and fetal), and clinical subtype of prematurity. Certain maternal and fetal genetic variants of genes linked to infectious/inflammatory and hormonal regulation processes would increase the risk of prematurity according to clinical subtype and infection type. Our findings may help in the study of etiology of preterm birth and its prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Elias
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas Gimenez
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernando Poletta
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hebe Campaña
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Gili
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto Académico Pedagógico de Ciencias Humanas, Universidad Nacional de Villa María, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Julia Ratowiecki
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariela Pawluk
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Monica Rittler
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Hospital Materno Infantil Ramón Sarda, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria R Santos
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rocio Uranga
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Hospital San Juan de Dios, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvina L Heisecke
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Viviana Cosentino
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cesar Saleme
- Instituto de Maternidad y Ginecología Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Enrique Gadow
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hugo Krupitzki
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge S Lopez Camelo
- Laboratorio de Epidemiología Genética Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CEMIC-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Estudio Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformaciones Congénitas, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional, CEMIC-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Stilley JAW, Segaloff DL. FSH Actions and Pregnancy: Looking Beyond Ovarian FSH Receptors. Endocrinology 2018; 159:4033-4042. [PMID: 30395176 PMCID: PMC6260061 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
By mediating estrogen synthesis and follicular growth in response to FSH, the ovarian FSH receptor (FSHR) is essential for female fertility. Indeed, ovarian stimulation via administration of FSH to women with infertility is part of the primary therapeutic intervention used in assisted reproductive technology. In physiological and therapeutic contexts, current dogma dictates that once ovulation has occurred, FSH/FSHR signaling is no longer required for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, a continued role for FSH during pregnancy is suggested by recent studies demonstrating extraovarian FSHR in the female reproductive tract. Furthermore, functional roles for FSHR in placenta and in uterine myometrium have now been demonstrated. In placenta, vascular endothelial FSHR of fetal vessels within the chorionic villi (human) or labyrinth (mouse) mediate angiogenesis, and it has further been shown that deletion of placental Fshr in mice has deleterious effects on pregnancy. In uterine myometrium, changes in the densities of FSHR in muscle fiber and stroma in the nonpregnant state, early pregnancy, and term pregnancy differentially regulate contractile activity, suggesting that signaling through myometrial FSHR may contribute to the quieting of contractile activity required for successful implantation and that the temporal upregulation of the FSHR at term pregnancy may be required for the appropriate timing of parturition. In addition, extraovarian expression of mRNAs encoding the glycoprotein hormone α subunit and the FSH β subunit has been demonstrated, suggesting that these novel aspects of extraovarian FSH/FSHR signaling during pregnancy may be mediated by locally synthesized FSH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A W Stilley
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Deborah L Segaloff
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
- Correspondence: Deborah L. Segaloff, PhD, Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 5-470 Bowen Science Building, 51 Newton Road, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Strauss JF, Romero R, Gomez-Lopez N, Haymond-Thornburg H, Modi BP, Teves ME, Pearson LN, York TP, Schenkein HA. Spontaneous preterm birth: advances toward the discovery of genetic predisposition. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018; 218:294-314.e2. [PMID: 29248470 PMCID: PMC5834399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Evidence from family and twin-based studies provide strong support for a significant contribution of maternal and fetal genetics to the timing of parturition and spontaneous preterm birth. However, there has been only modest success in the discovery of genes predisposing to preterm birth, despite increasing sophistication of genetic and genomic technology. In contrast, DNA variants associated with other traits/diseases have been identified. For example, there is overwhelming evidence that suggests that the nature and intensity of an inflammatory response in adults and children are under genetic control. Because inflammation is often invoked as an etiologic factor in spontaneous preterm birth, the question of whether spontaneous preterm birth has a genetic predisposition in the case of pathologic inflammation has been of long-standing interest to investigators. Here, we review various genetic approaches used for the discovery of preterm birth genetic variants in the context of inflammation-associated spontaneous preterm birth. Candidate gene studies have sought genetic variants that regulate inflammation in the mother and fetus; however, the promising findings have often not been replicated. Genome-wide association studies, an approach to the identification of chromosomal loci responsible for complex traits, have also not yielded compelling evidence for DNA variants predisposing to preterm birth. A recent genome-wide association study that included a large number of White women (>40,000) revealed that maternal loci contribute to preterm birth. Although none of these loci harbored genes directly related to innate immunity, the results were replicated. Another approach to identify DNA variants predisposing to preterm birth is whole exome sequencing, which examines the DNA sequence of protein-coding regions of the genome. A recent whole exome sequencing study identified rare mutations in genes encoding for proteins involved in the negative regulation (dampening) of the innate immune response (eg, CARD6, CARD8, NLRP10, NLRP12, NOD2, TLR10) and antimicrobial peptide/proteins (eg, DEFB1, MBL2). These findings support the concept that preterm labor, at least in part, has an inflammatory etiology, which can be induced by pathogens (ie, intraamniotic infection) or "danger signals" (alarmins) released during cellular stress or necrosis (ie, sterile intraamniotic inflammation). These findings support the notion that preterm birth has a polygenic basis that involves rare mutations or damaging variants in multiple genes involved in innate immunity and host defense mechanisms against microbes and their noxious products. An overlap among the whole exome sequencing-identified genes and other inflammatory conditions associated with preterm birth, such as periodontal disease and inflammatory bowel disease, was observed, which suggests a shared genetic substrate for these conditions. We propose that whole exome sequencing, as well as whole genome sequencing, is the most promising approach for the identification of functionally significant genetic variants responsible for spontaneous preterm birth, at least in the context of pathologic inflammation. The identification of genes that contribute to preterm birth by whole exome sequencing, or whole genome sequencing, promises to yield valuable population-specific biomarkers to identify the risk for spontaneous preterm birth and potential strategies to mitigate such a risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerome F Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA.
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Hannah Haymond-Thornburg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
| | - Bhavi P Modi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maria E Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
| | - Laurel N Pearson
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | - Timothy P York
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA; Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA
| | - Harvey A Schenkein
- Department of Periodontics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Richmond, VA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dominguez-Lopez P, Diaz-Cueto L, Arechavaleta-Velasco M, Caldiño-Soto F, Ulloa-Aguirre A, Arechavaleta-Velasco F. The follicle-stimulating hormone receptor Asn680Ser polymorphism is associated with preterm birth in Hispanic women. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2017; 31:580-585. [PMID: 28282771 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1292245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recently, a study based on the analysis of accelerated evolution of related genes at birth identified the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) as a possible candidate for the development of preterm delivery. Additionally, FSHR expression has been described in extragonadal tissue including the placenta. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the association between the N680S polymorphism of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and preterm birth in a population of Hispanic women. METHODS Placenta samples were obtained from 64 women who had preterm births and 54 control cases. DNA was extracted and genotyped for the N680S FSHR gene polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The χ2 test and t-test were used to calculate statistical significance. RESULTS Statistically significant differences in genotype frequencies for the N680S polymorphism were observed between preterm and term groups (p = .04). Based on the Akaike information criterion values, the dominant model showed that the NN genotype had a significantly increased risk of preterm birth compared with the SS + NS genotype (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.20-5.33, p = .02). CONCLUSIONS The results herein suggest that the FSHR polymorphism N680S is significantly associated with preterm birth in the Hispanic population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Dominguez-Lopez
- a Unidad de Investigacion Medica en Medicina Reproductiva, UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social , Ciudad de Mexico , Mexico
| | - Laura Diaz-Cueto
- a Unidad de Investigacion Medica en Medicina Reproductiva, UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social , Ciudad de Mexico , Mexico
| | - Miguel Arechavaleta-Velasco
- b Centro Nacional de Investigacion Disciplinaria en Fisiologia y Mejoramiento Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias , Queretaro , Mexico
| | - Felipe Caldiño-Soto
- c Division de Obstetricia , UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social , Ciudad de Mexico , Mexico
| | - Alfredo Ulloa-Aguirre
- d Red de Apoyo a la Investigacion (RAI), Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico-Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion SZ , Ciudad de Mexico , Mexico
| | - Fabian Arechavaleta-Velasco
- a Unidad de Investigacion Medica en Medicina Reproductiva, UMAE Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 4 Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social , Ciudad de Mexico , Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sheikh IA, Ahmad E, Jamal MS, Rehan M, Assidi M, Tayubi IA, AlBasri SF, Bajouh OS, Turki RF, Abuzenadah AM, Damanhouri GA, Beg MA, Al-Qahtani M. Spontaneous preterm birth and single nucleotide gene polymorphisms: a recent update. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:759. [PMID: 27766960 PMCID: PMC5073925 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3089-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Preterm birth (PTB), birth at <37 weeks of gestation, is a significant global public health problem. World-wide, about 15 million babies are born preterm each year resulting in more than a million deaths of children. Preterm neonates are more prone to problems and need intensive care hospitalization. Health issues may persist through early adulthood and even be carried on to the next generation. Majority (70 %) of PTBs are spontaneous with about a half without any apparent cause and the other half associated with a number of risk factors. Genetic factors are one of the significant risks for PTB. The focus of this review is on single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) that are reported to be associated with PTB. Results A comprehensive evaluation of studies on SNPs known to confer potential risk of PTB was done by performing a targeted PubMed search for the years 2007–2015 and systematically reviewing all relevant studies. Evaluation of 92 studies identified 119 candidate genes with SNPs that had potential association with PTB. The genes were associated with functions of a wide spectrum of tissue and cell types such as endocrine, tissue remodeling, vascular, metabolic, and immune and inflammatory systems. Conclusions A number of potential functional candidate gene variants have been reported that predispose women for PTB. Understanding the complex genomic landscape of PTB needs high-throughput genome sequencing methods such as whole-exome sequencing and whole-genome sequencing approaches that will significantly enhance the understanding of PTB. Identification of high risk women, avoidance of possible risk factors, and provision of personalized health care are important to manage PTB. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3089-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ishfaq A Sheikh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ejaz Ahmad
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad S Jamal
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Rehan
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mourad Assidi
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Iftikhar A Tayubi
- Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samera F AlBasri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama S Bajouh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rola F Turki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,KACST Innovation Center in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel M Abuzenadah
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,KACST Innovation Center in Personalized Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghazi A Damanhouri
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd A Beg
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohammed Al-Qahtani
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Stilley JAW, Guan R, Santillan DA, Mitchell BF, Lamping KG, Segaloff DL. Differential Regulation of Human and Mouse Myometrial Contractile Activity by FSH as a Function of FSH Receptor Density. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:36. [PMID: 27335068 PMCID: PMC5029472 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.141648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies from our laboratory revealed that the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is expressed at low levels in nonpregnant human myometrium and that it is up-regulated in pregnant term nonlaboring myometrium; however, the physiological relevance of these findings was unknown. Herein, we examined signaling pathways stimulated by FSH in immortalized uterine myocytes expressing recombinant FSHR at different densities and showed that cAMP accumulation is stimulated in all cases but that inositol phosphate accumulation is stimulated only at high FSHR densities. Because an increase in cAMP quiets myometrial contractile activity but an increase in 1,4,5-triphosphoinositol stimulates contractile activity, we hypothesized that FSHR density dictates whether FSH quiets or stimulates myometrial contractility. Indeed, in human and mouse nonpregnant myometrium, which express low levels of FSHR, application of FSH resulted in a quieting of contractile activity. In contrast, in pregnant term nonlaboring myometrium, which expresses higher levels of FSHR, application of FSH resulted in increased contractile activity. Examination of pregnant mouse myometrium from different stages of gestation revealed that FSHR levels remained low throughout most of pregnancy. Accordingly, through mid-gestation, the application of FSH resulted in a quieting of contractile activity. At Pregnancy Day (PD) 16.5, FSHR was up-regulated, although not yet sufficiently to mediate stimulation of contractility in response to FSH. This outcome was not observed until PD 19.5, when FSHR was further up-regulated. Our studies describe a novel FSHR signaling pathway that regulates myometrial contractility, and suggest that myometrial FSHR levels dictate the quieting vs. stimulation of uterine contractility in response to FSH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A W Stilley
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Rongbin Guan
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Donna A Santillan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Bryan F Mitchell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kathryn G Lamping
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Deborah L Segaloff
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kaluarachchi DC, Momany AM, Busch TD, Gimenez LG, Saleme C, Cosentino V, Christensen K, Dagle JM, Ryckman KK, Murray JC. Polymorphisms in NR5A2, gene encoding liver receptor homolog-1 are associated with preterm birth. Pediatr Res 2016; 79:776-80. [PMID: 26761123 PMCID: PMC6596415 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2016.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. There is strong evidence of genetic susceptibility. Objective of this study was to identify genetic variants contributing to PTB. METHODS Genotyping was performed for 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 4 candidate genes (NR5A2, FSHR, FOXP3, and SERPINH1). Genotyping was completed on 728 maternal triads (mother and maternal grandparents of a preterm infant). Data were analyzed with Family Based Association Test. RESULTS For all maternal triads rs2737667 of NR5A2 showed significant association at P = 0.02. When stratifying by gestational age three SNPs in NR5A2 had P values <0.05 in the <32-wk gestational age group (rs12131233, P = 0.007; rs2737667, P = 0.04; rs2816949, P = 0.02). When preterm premature rupture of membranes cases were excluded rs2737667 of NR5A2 showed the strongest association with a P value <0.0002. This association remained significant after correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSION This study suggests a potential association between intronic SNPs in the NR5A2 gene and PTB. NR5A2 gene encodes for the liver receptor homolog-1 protein, which plays a critical role in regulation of cholesterol metabolism, steroidogenesis, and progesterone synthesis. These findings suggest that NR5A2 may be important in the pathophysiology of PTB and exploring noncoding regulators of NR5A2 is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tamara D Busch
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Lucas G Gimenez
- Department of Genetics, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cesar Saleme
- Department of Neonatology, Instituto de Maternidad y Ginecología Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Viviana Cosentino
- Department of Genetics, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kaare Christensen
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - John M Dagle
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Kelli K Ryckman
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Casarini L, Simoni M, Brigante G. Is polycystic ovary syndrome a sexual conflict? A review. Reprod Biomed Online 2016; 32:350-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2016.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
10
|
Is parturition-timing machinery related to the number of inhibitor CD94/NKG2A positive uterine natural killer cells? Arch Gynecol Obstet 2015; 294:261-5. [PMID: 26660880 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-015-3978-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prematurity is the most common cause of infant mortality and morbidity. To prevent this, the timing of parturition and its mechanisms should be understood. It is likely that inhibitor CD94/NKG2A positive decidual natural killer cells (uNK) provide for the continuation of pregnancy. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells are highest in elective cesarian section (C/S) (suggesting ongoing gestation), moderate in normal full-term birth, and lowest in pre-eclamptic parturition. METHODS Of 48 pregnant women, 21 C/S, 16 normal, and 11 pre-eclamptic deliveries were included in this study. Five placentas in each group were assigned randomly. After staining, the volumetric analysis of the placental villi and villous blood vessels was performed via the Cavalieri principle. The CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells were counted using the physical disector method. RESULTS The gestation periods and birth weights of the pre-eclamptic deliveries were lower than those of the other two groups. Additionally, the villi and villous vascular volumes were lowest in the pre-eclamptic placentas. As proposed in our hypothesis, the inhibitor CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells were the highest in the C/S, moderate in the normal, and lowest in the pre-eclamptic placentas. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells are related with the continuation of pregnancy, and that our human model could be used to search for parturition-timing machinery. We believe that CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells are also related to the timing of birth.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Preterm birth is the single leading cause of mortality for neonates and children less than 5 years of age. Compared to other childhood diseases, such as infections, less progress in prevention of prematurity has been made. In large part, the continued high burden of prematurity results from the limited understanding of the mechanisms controlling normal birth timing in humans, and how individual genetic variation and environmental exposures disrupt these mechanisms to cause preterm birth. In this review, we summarize the outcomes and limitations from studies in model organisms for birth timing in humans, the evidence that genetic factors contribute to birth timing and risk for preterm birth, and recent genetic and genomic studies in women and infants that implicate specific genes and pathways. We conclude with discussing areas of potential high impact in understanding human parturition and preterm birth in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nagendra K Monangi
- Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229; Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Heather M Brockway
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Melissa House
- Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Ge Zhang
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Louis J Muglia
- Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229; Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms controlling human birth timing at term, or resulting in preterm birth, have been the focus of considerable investigation, but limited insights have been gained over the past 50 years. In part, these processes have remained elusive because of divergence in reproductive strategies and physiology shown by model organisms, making extrapolation to humans uncertain. Here, we summarize the evolution of progesterone signaling and variation in pregnancy maintenance and termination. We use this comparative physiology to support the hypothesis that selective pressure on genomic loci involved in the timing of parturition have shaped human birth timing, and that these loci can be identified with comparative genomic strategies. Previous limitations imposed by divergence of mechanisms provide an important new opportunity to elucidate fundamental pathways of parturition control through increasing availability of sequenced genomes and associated reproductive physiology characteristics across diverse organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayleigh A Swaggart
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
| | - Mihaela Pavlicev
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
| | - Louis J Muglia
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Affiliation(s)
- T Rajendra Kumar
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Institute for Reproductive Health & Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| |
Collapse
|