FAS A-670G and Fas ligand IVS2nt A 124G polymorphisms are significantly increased in women with pre-eclampsia and may contribute to HELLP syndrome: a case-controlled study

Objective: We evaluated the association between the Fas-670A/G and the Fas ligand FasL IVS2nt 124 A/G polymorphisms and the risk of pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Design: A case-controlled study.

Setting: University Hospitals in most areas of Tunisia.

Population: We recruited 300 pregnant women who developed pre-eclampsia and 300 age-matched healthy pregnant women from the same hospital.

Methods: Genotyping of Fas-670A/G and the FasL IVS2nt 124A/G gene polymorphisms were conducted using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism among our cohort.

Main outcome measures: Fisher's exact test was used to compare the statistical differences between groups for categorical variables and Student t tests were used for continuous variables.

Results: The frequency of the Fas-670G gene variant was significantly increased in women with pre-eclampsia (42%) compared with control women (30%; P < 0.001). Also, a statistically significant difference was obtained in the distribution of the FasL IVS2nt 124G gene variant when comparing women with pre-eclampsia (43%) with controls (30%; P < 0.001). Interestingly, we found that the carriage of Fas-670G was associated with increased liver enzymes, suggesting an increased prevalence of the haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, a pre-eclampsia complication.

Conclusion: The Fas-670G and FasL IVS2nt 124G polymorphisms are associated with a higher risk of pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Tweetable abstract: Polymorphisms in the Fas and FasL genes are associated with increased risk of pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome.