HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DPB1 Genotypes in Severe Preeclampsia

Objective: To clarify whether there are susceptible HLA-DQB1 or HLA-DPB1 alleles in women with preeclampsia. Methods: The frequency of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DPB1 alleles was analyzed in 47 women with previous severe preeclampsia and compared with that in 85 normal fertile women. The types of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DPB1 alleles were assessed using a polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The frequency of HLA-DQB1∗04 allele in previously preeclamptic women was 21.3% (20 of 94 loci) and in the controls was 11.2% (19 of 170 loci). Thus, the HLA-DQB1∗04 allele frequency was significantly higher in preeclamptic women compared with controls ( P 2 test, OR 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.08, 4.27). The frequency of other HLA-DQB1 alleles and all HLA-DPB1 alleles was not significantly different between groups. The incidence of homozygosity of HLA-DQB1 or HLA-DPB1 alleles in preeclamptic women was not significantly different compared with that of normal fertile women. Conclusion: These data suggest that women who have the HLA-DQB1∗04 allele might be susceptible to preeclampsia.