Background: Our aim was to study genetic variability in the gene encoding cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen (CTLA-4) and individual susceptibility to the development of preeclampsia or placental abruption.
Methods: A total of 361 women (132 with preeclampsia, 117 with placental abruption and 112 healthy controls) were genotyped for 49A-G polymorphism (dbSNP: rs231775) in the CTLA-4 gene.
Results: The frequency of the G alleles was significantly higher in women with preeclampsia than in controls (51.1% vs. 42.0%; OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.01-3.48, p<0.043). Women with placental abruption had decreased frequency of AA genotype (22.2% vs. 35.7%) and significantly more AG or GG genotypes compared with controls (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.09-2.07, p<0.024). No significant differences were detected in the frequencies of genotype GG (29.5%, 21.4% and 19.6%, respectively) between the three groups.
Conclusions: Our data suggest that the 49A-G polymorphism in the CTLA-4 gene is associated with the development of placental abruption and preeclampsia, with women having the G allele being at risk.