The role of prostaglandins and polymorphisms of A2 phospholipase genes in the occurrence of early uterine contractions during pregnancy

This study focused on the role of polymorphisms in prostaglandin expression regulating genes in the occurrence of early uterine contractions during pregnancy. The analyzed genes were: PLA2G4C, encoding calcium independent phospholipase A2, and PLA2G4C, encoding IVD phospholipase A2. It was examined if known reference polymorphisms in these genes (rs1366442, [A/C/T] for PLA2G4C; and rs4924618, [A/T] for PLA2G4D), have any influence on preterm birth. Additionally, other biological, genetic and socio-economic factors were taken into account and analyzed, based on their role in induction of early resolve of pregnancy in the study group. Blood samples were taken from 20 patients. 15 of them gave birth preterm, 5 gave birth at the predicted date of pregnancy resolve. DNA was isolated from the samples, and subjected to PCR, with obtained amplified samples separated using electrophoresis on 1,5% agarose gel. Resulting material was subjected to high-throughput sequencing. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 13 software. Analyses have shown that the discussed biological, genetic and societal-economic factors have statistically significant influence on preterm birth. Sequencing results presented the suspected presence of the analyzed SNPs in most women from the studied groups, while not showing their presence in any of the controls. The biological, genetic, and socio-economic factors analyzed have a significant influence on pre-term birth. Presence of SNPs in PLA2G4C and PLA2G4D genes may increase the risk of early resolve of pregnancy. However, as the control and study groups were relatively small, it is suggested to repeat the studies on bigger samples to validate the results.