Genetic polymorphisms of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 3DL2 in preeclampsia

We evaluated if killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor 3DL2 gene (KIR3DL2) polymorphisms are a key factor in the development of preeclampsia.

In this case-control study, 105 pregnant women with PE (PE group) were enrolled. Their A52G in exon 3 and C32T in exon 9 polymorphisms of the KIR3DL2 genotypes were determined by polymorphism chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) from venous blood samples and compared with the corresponding KIR3DL2 genotypes of 103 pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies (control group).

Carriers of the A allele in exon 3 of KIR3DL2 gene occurred less frequently in PE than in controls [P=0.001; odds ratio (OR)=2.65, range: 1.5-4.7]. No significant difference was found about allelic frequencies of KIR3DL2 gene C32T in exon 9 in women with preeclampsia as compared to controls. A significant difference between the two groups of genotypic frequencies of KIR3DL2 gene A52G in exon 3 and KIR3DL2 gene C32T in exon 9 polymorphisms was found (P=0.003 and P=0.000). There was no significant difference between genotypic or allelic frequencies in women with mild preeclampsia compared to sever preeclampsia.

Our results suggest that carriers of A allele in exon 3 have a decreased susceptibility to PE. It is likely that the presence of the CC genotype in exon 9 has a considerable effect on disease progression. The mutation of the two sites is not associated with the severity of preeclampsia.