A potential novel spontaneous preterm birth gene, AR, identified by linkage and association analysis of X chromosomal markers.

Preterm birth is the major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. In many cases, it has severe life-long consequences for the health and neurological development of the newborn child. More than 50% of all preterm births are spontaneous, and currently there is no effective prevention. Several studies suggest that genetic factors play a role in spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). However, its genetic background is insufficiently characterized. The aim of the present study was to perform a linkage analysis of X chromosomal markers in SPTB in large northern Finnish families with recurrent SPTBs. We found a significant linkage signal (HLOD = 3.72) on chromosome locus Xq13.1 when the studied phenotype was being born preterm. There were no significant linkage signals when the studied phenotype was giving preterm deliveries. Two functional candidate genes, those encoding the androgen receptor (AR) and the interleukin-2 receptor gamma subunit (IL2RG), located near this locus were analyzed as candidates for SPTB in subsequent case-control association analyses. Nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these genes and an AR exon-1 CAG repeat, which was previously demonstrated to be functionally significant, were analyzed in mothers with preterm delivery (n = 272) and their offspring (n = 269), and in mothers with exclusively term deliveries (n = 201) and their offspring (n = 199), all originating from northern Finland. A replication study population consisting of individuals born preterm (n = 111) and term (n = 197) from southern Finland was also analyzed. Long AR CAG repeats (≥ 26) were overrepresented and short repeats (≤ 19) underrepresented in individuals born preterm compared to those born at term. Thus, our linkage and association results emphasize the role of the fetal genome in genetic predisposition to SPTB and implicate AR as a potential novel fetal susceptibility gene for SPTB.

A study of collectin genes in spontaneous preterm birth reveals an association with a common surfactant protein D gene polymorphism.

INTRODUCTION: Preterm birth is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates. Intrauterine infection and/or inflammatory response are evident in 60-70% of spontaneous preterm births (SPTBs). Genetic factors significantly increase this risk. However, the genetic background associated with SPTB is poorly understood. Surfactant protein (SP) A, SP-D, and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) are structurally and functionally related collectins that bind pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and mostly suppress innate immune responses. RESULTS: We detected an overrepresentation of the methionine allele of the SFTPD gene (encoding SP-D) Met31Thr polymorphism in preterm infants as compared to term infants. This association was highly significant in infants of families with recurrent SPTBs (P = 0.001, odds ratio = 1.65, 95% confidence interval = 1.22-2.22); however, there was no such association with SFTPD in the mothers of these infants. Polymorphism of the genes encoding SP-A and MBL did not influence the risk of SPTB. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that the fetal SFTPD Met31Thr polymorphism plays a significant role in genetic predisposition to SPTB. We propose that fetal immune responses influence sensitivity to preterm labor-inducing signals. METHODS: Genes encoding SP-A, SP-D, and MBL were investigated as potential candidates for association with SPTB in a population of preterm singleton infants (n = 406) and their mothers (n = 308), and in mothers with term deliveries (n = 201) and their infants (n = 201), all originating from northern Finland.

Mapping a new spontaneous preterm birth susceptibility gene, IGF1R, using linkage, haplotype sharing, and association analysis.

Preterm birth is the major cause of neonatal death and serious morbidity. Most preterm births are due to spontaneous onset of labor without a known cause or effective prevention. Both maternal and fetal genomes influence the predisposition to spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB), but the susceptibility loci remain to be defined. We utilized a combination of unique population structures, family-based linkage analysis, and subsequent case-control association to identify a susceptibility haplotype for SPTB. Clinically well-characterized SPTB families from northern Finland, a subisolate founded by a relatively small founder population that has subsequently experienced a number of bottlenecks, were selected for the initial discovery sample. Genome-wide linkage analysis using a high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array in seven large northern Finnish non-consanginous families identified a locus on 15q26.3 (HLOD 4.68). This region contains the IGF1R gene, which encodes the type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor IGF-1R. Haplotype segregation analysis revealed that a 55 kb 12-SNP core segment within the IGF1R gene was shared identical-by-state (IBS) in five families. A follow-up case-control study in an independent sample representing the more general Finnish population showed an association of a 6-SNP IGF1R haplotype with SPTB in the fetuses, providing further evidence for IGF1R as a SPTB predisposition gene (frequency in cases versus controls 0.11 versus 0.05, P = 0.001, odds ratio 2.3). This study demonstrates the identification of a predisposing, low-frequency haplotype in a multifactorial trait using a well-characterized population and a combination of family and case-control designs. Our findings support the identification of the novel susceptibility gene IGF1R for predisposition by the fetal genome to being born preterm.

Genetic association of SP-C with duration of preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes and expression in gestational tissues.

BACKGROUND: Surfactant protein (SP) C has been shown to be expressed also outside pulmonary alveoli. Certain SP-C gene (SFTPC) polymorphisms associate with lung diseases and very preterm birth. AIMS: We investigated the association of SFTPC single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4715 with factors affecting spontaneous preterm birth and characterized the SP-C expression in human and mouse gestational tissues. METHODS: The SFTPC SNP rs4715 polymorphism was genotyped in a homogeneous northern European population of mothers and infants in spontaneous preterm birth and term controls. The expression and protein of SP-C in gestational tissues was analyzed. RESULTS: SFTPC SNP rs4715 did not associate with spontaneous preterm birth. However, fetuses with short interval (<72 hours) between preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM) and preterm birth had significant over-representation of the minor allele A, whereas in fetuses with prolonged PPROM (>or=72 hours) the frequency was decreased. Maternal SFTPC did not associate with the duration of PPROM. SP-C mRNA and proprotein were detected in fetal membranes, placenta, and pregnant uterus. CONCLUSION: SFTPC SNP rs4715 associates with the duration of PPROM, and SP-C is expressed in gestational tissues. We propose that fetal SFTPC moderates the inflammatory activation within the fetal extra-embryonic compartment.

Mother's genome or maternally-inherited genes acting in the fetus influence gestational age in familial preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: While multiple lines of evidence suggest the importance of genetic contributors to risk of preterm birth, the nature of the genetic component has not been identified. We perform segregation analyses to identify the best fitting genetic model for gestational age, a quantitative proxy for preterm birth. METHODS: Because either mother or infant can be considered the proband from a preterm delivery and there is evidence to suggest that genetic factors in either one or both may influence the trait, we performed segregation analysis for gestational age either attributed to the infant (infant's gestational age), or the mother (by averaging the gestational ages at which her children were delivered), using 96 multiplex preterm families. RESULTS: These data lend further support to a genetic component contributing to birth timing since sporadic (i.e. no familial resemblance) and nontransmission (i.e. environmental factors alone contribute to gestational age) models are strongly rejected. Analyses of gestational age attributed to the infant support a model in which mother's genome and/or maternally-inherited genes acting in the fetus are largely responsible for birth timing, with a smaller contribution from the paternally-inherited alleles in the fetal genome. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that genetic influences on birth timing are important and likely complex.