Problem: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is involved in the maintenance of an inflammatory environment in uterus. High MBL levels have been associated with successful pregnancies whereas low levels are involved in pre-eclampsia (PE) development. Here, we evaluated MBL2 gene polymorphisms in the structural and promoter regions addressing their association with PE.
Method of study: DNA samples from 162 control pregnant women and 157 pregnant PE women were genotyped and data compared with demographic and clinical characteristics.
Results: High frequency of C and D alleles (related to low MBL levels) was observed in PE women when compared to controls (C: 0.08 versus 0.03, P = 0.006; D: 0.10 versus 0.05, P = 0.009). Grouping the MBL genotypes according to phenotype, a higher frequency of OO genotype was observed in PE women when compared to control women (0.15 versus 0.04, P = 0.007).
Conclusion: Our data suggest that women with genotypes associated with low MBL levels could be potential PE developers.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.