VAL158MET catechol O-methyltransferase polymorphism contributes to the development of preeclampsia

Objectives: Establishment of association between: (a) Val158Met COMT (G1947A) polymorphism and preeclampsia; (b) cytokines gene expression and COMT genotypes. Methods: 50 preeclampsia and 50 healthy pregnant women were enrolled. COMT genotyping was done by PCR/RFLP. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 mRNA levels were determined by Real-time PCR. Results: Variant (AA) homozygotes carried 3.7-fold increased preeclampsia odds, especially for severe (OR = 9.0, 95%CI (2.09-38.799)) and early forms (OR = 6.6, 95%CI (1.62-26.87)). AA homozygotes with PE had higher TNF-α levels compared to controls (P = 0.012). Conclusions: Val158Met COMT polymorphism increases preeclampsia risk. TNF-α expression and Val158Met COMT polymorphism have concomitant roles in PE pathogenesis.