Association of the PECAM-1 (Leu125Val) and P-Selectin (Thr715Pro) Gene Polymorphisms With Unexplained Spontaneous Miscarriages.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effect of the PECAM-1-C373G (Leu125Val) and P-Selectin-A37674C (Thr715Pro) polymorphisms in unexplained spontaneous abortions.

Methods: In a case-control design, Greek nulligravida women with recurrent idiopathic miscarriages <20 weeks of gestation and fertile controls were genotyped by pyrosequencing.

Results: There was no significant association of the PECAM-1-C373G (Leu125Val) polymorphism with recurrent abortions. Although the P-Selectin-A37674C (Thr715Pro) polymorphism was not associated with miscarriages overall, the association was statistically significant for younger women (carriers of the P-Selectin-37674C allele: <35 years: odds ratio (OR) = 3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-7.97, p = 0.023; <30 years: OR = 6.75, 95%CI: 2.02-22.58, p = 0.002). In comparison with CC/AA genotype, the combined carriers of the PECAM-1-373G and P-Selectin-37674C alleles had OR =8.81 (95%CI: 1.07-72.50, p = 0.024). The association of the coexistence of the two polymorphisms was stronger in younger women (<35 years: OR = 12.07, 95%CI: 1.38-105.68, p = 0.014; <30 years: OR = 65, 95%CI: 3.38-1251.28, p = 0.001), and late (OR = 10.64, 95%CI: 1.16-97.60, p = 0.024) and second-trimester miscarriages (OR = 26, 95%CI: 1.84-367.71, p = 0.014). The association between carriage of the P-Selectin-37674C allele and recurrent miscarriages was significant for younger women.

Conclusion: The coexistence of the PECAM-1-373G and P-Selectin-37674C alleles increased the miscarriage risk for the total population studied, suggesting an interaction between the two polymorphisms, more pronouncedly in younger women and the association was stronger for late fetal loss.