Association between HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1 alleles and risk of early pregnancy loss

AIM: The aim of the study is to identify HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1 allele and to assess the risk of early pregnancy loss of women, couples with reproductive failure in the first trimester of pregnancy in comparison with fertile women, couples. The study group (B) enrolled 61 couples with reproductive failure and the control group (C) enrolled 20 fertile couples with at least 2 children. METHOD: HLA-DQA1 gene typing was performed using PCR-sequence-specific primer (SSP) on the high resolution level according to established procedure of labeling and using the detection kit (FASTYPE DQASSP Typing, FASTYPE DQA "High Resolution" Typing Sheet) purchased from Bio-Synthesis (USA). RESULTS: In female patient the highest risk quotient was associated with alleles HLA-DQA 01101/0105 OR 7.19 (95% CI 1.18-5.23; p=0.03) and HLA-DQB5 OR 3.67 (95% CI=1.11-12.0; p=0.037). The lowest but statistically significant risk of pregnancy failure in this group was related to allele HLA-DQB6 OR 0.48 (95% CI=0.22-1.04; p=0.087). In patient and control couples the significantly increased risk of pregnancy failure was related to the frequency of HLA-DQB5 allele OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.09-4.82; p=0,035). The lowest risk quotient in the patient couples was associated with HLA-DQ 0302/0303 allele OR 0.44 (95% CI 0.14-1.36; p=ns). SUMMARY: HLA-DQA and HLA-DQB allele might influence pregnancy outcome in the Polish population, but further studies are necessary in this regard.