ROLE OF HLA-DRB1 GENE POLYMORPHISM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM IN RUSSIAN PREGNANT WOMEN

The paper presents data on the association of polymorphisms in the genes encoding the development of autoimmune states with hypothyroidism in pregnant women Objective To study the associations of polymorphisms in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II DDB1 gene with hypothyroidism in Russian pregnant women. Subject and methods. Gene polymorphisms were determined in 178 women with singleton pregnancy, by using a set of reagents to type human histocompatibility class II(HLA-DRB1) genes by amplification. A study group included 65 women with hypothyroidism. A control group consisted of 113 healthy pregnant women. Results. Markers for inherited predisposition to hypothyroidism were described in pregnant women. A significant difference between the examined groups was found in only two alleles: DRB1*04 and DRB1*11. The DRB1*04 allele group was associated with an increased risk of hypothyroidism. Its frequency in the study and control groups was 20.8 and 10.6%, respectively (p = 0.009; OR 2.21, 95 CI 1.21-4.04). The DRB1*11 allele group was associated with disease resistance; its frequency was 7.7% in the patients and 17.7% in the healthy individuals (p=0.009; OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.79). Conclusion. The authors revealed a significant relationship of polymorphisms in the DRB1*04 allele group to the development of hypothyroidism in pregnant women, as well as the protective role for the DRB1*11 allele group, suggesting the important role of genetic polymorphism in the genesis of thyroid diseases.

gene polymorphism, major histocompatibility complex, hypothyroidism, pregnancy