Author:
Nabweyambo Sheila,Kanyerezi Stephen,Petterson John H.-O.,Katabazi Fred Ashaba,Ssekagiri Alfred,Mwesigwa Savannah,Mboowa Gerald,Nakazzi Faith,Keesiga Annette,Adroma Moses,Bwanga Freddie,McGovern Naomi,Sande Obondo James,Nakimuli Annettee
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is a major angiogenic factor that plays an important role in the formation of blood vessels during embryonic development. VEGFA has been implicated in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia (PE), since pre-eclamptic women present with reduced levels of free circulating VEGFA. The 3’ untranslated region (3’-UTR) of the VEGFA gene consists of elements that regulate the transcription and hence expression of the VEGFA protein in circulation. Hence it is suggested that variations thereof could underlie the reduced VEGFA levels observed in pre-eclamptic women. The purpose of this study was to investigate presence of the + 936C/T polymorphism, a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the 3’-UTR of the VEGFA gene, and determine its association with PE among pregnant women in Uganda.
Results
There was no significant difference observed in the allele and genotype frequencies of the + 936C/T 3’ UTR-VEGFA polymorphism between pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women (P > 0.05). Additionally, there was no significant difference in the median plasma levels of free VEGFA among women with the wild type, CT and TT genotypes of the + 936C/T VEGFA polymorphism (median = 0.84 pg/mL (IQR = 0.39–1.41) Vs 1.05 (0.61–1.18) Vs 1.05 (1.05–1.05) respectively, p-value = 0.7161).
Conclusions
These study findings indicate that the + 936C/T 3’ UTR-VEGFA polymorphism had no significant association with increased susceptibility to PE among women in Uganda. Further studies with a larger sample size are recommended.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC