Association of interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphism in spontaneous abortions: a family-based triad study

The present study is a triad study designed to determine the co-relation of IL-10 -819C/T promoter polymorphism with the risk of spontaneous abortions.

A total of 50 families with spontaneous abortions and 60 families with medically terminated pregnancies were considered for the present study. Fetal tissue of less than 20 weeks of gestation along with peripheral blood from all the couples was collected in this study.

A standard amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction was carried out to determine the IL 10 genotype in all the subjects. Odd's ratio and their respective 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the strength of association between IL-10 promoter gene polymorphism and spontaneous abortions.

The study revealed a statistically significant association of IL-10 -819C/T polymorphism between the two family groups among fetuses (p=0.0000003) and mothers (p=0.0000001). No significant difference was observed in the genotype distribution of IL-10 among fathers.

An increased frequency of TT genotype and T allele was observed in spontaneously aborted fetuses and their mothers compared to respective controls. In conclusion, IL-10 C -819T gene promoter polymorphism may act as a major genetic regulator in the etiology of spontaneous abortions.