IL-17A polymorphism (rs2275913) and levels are associated with preeclampsia pathogenesis in Chinese patients

Abstract

Background Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related condition that affects both the infant and the mother. Although the role of various inflammatory molecules in PE has been demonstrated, the importance of pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-17A, IL-23 is not well understood. In the present investigation, a potential association of common genetic variants in the IL-17A and IL-23A genes with PE was investigated. Methods 115 PE clinically diagnosed patients who registered to the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital were enrolled in this research. Age, sex-matched 102 pregnant women and 147 healthy Chinese women have also been included. ELISA was used to measure IL-17A and IL-23 serum levels in all enrolled subjects. Common genetic polymorphisms in IL-17A (rs 2275913, rs1974226, and rs1974226), IL-23A (rs11171806), and IL-12B (rs3212227) were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP or TaqMan probe-based method. Results Elevated serum IL-17A levels were found in PE patients compared to pregnant (P<0.0001) and healthy women (P<0.0001). However, IL-23 levels were comparable across various clinical groups. In addition, heterozygous (GA) and minor allele (A) for IL-17A (rs2275913) and IL-23A (rs11171806) were more prevalent in PE patients compared to pregnant women indicating an important role in the predisposition to PE growth. Interestingly, IL-17A (r 2275913) mutants were associated with elevated IL-17A levels relative to wild type (GG). Conclusions IL-17A (rs2275913) variants are associated with higher serum levels of cytokine, and predisposed PE development.