FOXP3 gene polymorphisms in preeclampsia.

Objective: To determine whether polymorphisms in the FOXP3 gene are associated with preeclampsia.

Study Design: Case-control study in which 120 women with preeclampsia were compared with 120 healthy normotensive controls. Genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites) in the FOXP3 gene were analyzed. Polymorphisms were chosen based on studies of the FOXP3 gene in other autoimmune disorders. Correction of P values for multiple comparisons was performed by using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure.

Results: There were no differences in the genotypes or allele frequencies in the single nucleotide polymorphisms between cases and controls. The FOXP3 GT microsatellite allele at 266 bp was less common in cases than controls (1.0% vs 5.2%, P = .0264). However, this did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons.

Conclusion: Preeclampsia is not associated with FOXP3 gene polymorphisms that have been associated with other autoimmune disorders.