Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of podoplanin and their role in the concurrent occurrence of preeclampsia and HIV in women of African descent

Research has consistently demonstrated alterations in podoplanin expression within the placenta of women with preeclampsia. Notably, anomalous podoplanin expression has been observed within the syncytiotrophoblast layer, hinting at a possible involvement in the pathogenesis of the condition. This study aims to examine the possible connection between specific variations in podoplanin (rs1148455, rs10927904, and rs7518611) and susceptibility to preeclampsia. Participants were enrolled and grouped according to pregnancy type (control or preeclampsia), disease onset (early-onset or late-onset) and HIV status (negative or positive). Whole blood was collected and analysed using the TaqMan genotyping assay, comparisons were made using the Chi-squared test. Results showed a significant elevation in the TT genotype (rs1148455) in preeclampsia cases [CT vs TT: Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.5179, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.2815-0.9528, p = 0.0335] compared to control pregnancies. Subgroup analysis revealed a higher prevalence of the TT genotype (rs10927904) in late-onset preeclampsia [CT vs TT: OR = 0.5128, CI = 0.2623-1.003, p = 0.0494; TT vs CT/CC: OR = 0.5256, CI = 0.2766-0.9990, p = 0.0481] relative to control pregnancies. These findings highlight a genetic link between the TT genotype of rs1148455 with preeclampsia, consistent with immunoexpression studies involving podoplanin. Sub-group analysis further reveals an association of the TT genotype (rs10927904) with late-onset preeclampsia, a less severe form of disease indicating differing genetic predispositions between early and late-onset forms.