Association of the placental VEGF promoter polymorphisms and VEGF mRNA expression with preeclampsia

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE), is a pregnancy-specific complication with the placental origin which associated with altered expression of angiogenic factors. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), is a growth and hypoxia-induced factor which contributes to the regulation of various processes. The present study has investigated the association of the placental VEGF -634G/C (rs2010963), -1154G/A (rs1570360), and -2549 I/D (18bpindel) polymorphisms in the promoter region with VEGF mRNA expression in PE women and control group. METHODS: This case-control study was performed on the placenta of 84 PE women and 103 controls after delivery. Genotyping of the VEGF polymorphisms was done by PCR or PCR, PCR-RFLP or sequencing methods. The mRNA expression levels were measured by Quantitative Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: The relative mRNA expression of VEGF gene was significantly higher in PE women compared to controls. The relative mRNA expression of VEGF gene was significantly higher in women with -634CC genotype compared to CG + GG genotypes in PE women and total studied women but not in control women. However, there was no association between the placental VEGF -1154G/A and -2549 I/D polymorphisms and VEGF mRNA expression neither in PE nor in control groups. CONCLUSION: The current study found higher mRNA expression of placental VEGF gene in PE women. The mRNA expression of the placental VEGF gene has been up-regulated in the placenta of women with -634CC genotype. No association was found between the placental VEGF -1154G/A and -2549 I/D polymorphisms and VEGF mRNA expression.