IL-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism in recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Genetic factors may contribute to the development of an aberrant pro-inflammatory immune response during pregnancy, thereby increasing the risk of some pregnancy-related pathologies such as recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist is an important anti-inflammatory molecule encoded by the IL1RN gene, in which an intronic polymorphism has been described. Even though the molecular genetic mechanisms are not understood, this non-coding polymorphism, and especially IL1RN*2, has been associated with several chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

The functionally important IL-10 promoter polymorphism (-1082G-->A) is not a major genetic regulator in recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Enhanced secretion of anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokines is a characteristic feature in normal physiological pregnancy. In recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), however, defective production of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and other Th2 cytokines has been shown in humans. Association studies have shown that a base exchange polymorphism (guanine-->adenine) at position -1082 of the IL-10 promoter is associated with differential IL-10 production.

Worldwide ethnic distribution of the G protein beta3 subunit 825T allele and its association with obesity in Caucasian, Chinese, and Black African individuals.

Recently, it was demonstrated that one allele (825T) of the gene encoding the G protein beta3 subunit (GNB3) is associated with hypertension in Germans. This study investigates a possible association with obesity in young male Germans, Chinese, and black South Africans with low, intermediate, and high 825T allele frequencies, respectively. In each of these three distinct cohorts, the 825T allele frequency was increased significantly in overweight (body mass index [BMI] > or =25 kg/m2) and obese individuals (BMI >27 kg/m2) compared to those with normal weight.

HLA-DQA1 alleles and the presence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies.

Recent reports suggest that the HLA-DQA1 gene may be important in determining susceptibility to and outcome of Helicobacter pylori infection. To determine if there is an association between HLA-DQA1 alleles and H. pylori antibodies, DQA1 alleles and H.

HLA-G polymorphism in Finnish couples with recurrent spontaneous miscarriage.

HLA-G is a class I major histocompatibility complex gene that is expressed in cytotrophoblasts at the materno-fetal interface. It has been suggested that HLA-G could play a key role in materno-fetal immunological interactions during pregnancy. To investigate whether there is an association between HLA-G locus and recurrent spontaneous miscarriage, HLA-G alleles were determined by a PCR-RFLP method in 38 couples with recurrent spontaneous miscarriage and in 26 random control couples.