Interleukin‐4 −590 (C>T), toll‐like receptor‐2 +2258 (G>A) and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 −1562 (C>T) polymorphisms in pre‐eclampsia

Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin (IL)‐4 −590 (C>T), toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐2 +2258 (G>A) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 −1562 (C>T) were examined by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism to identify their merit as genetic markers for pre‐eclampsia. One hundred and seventeen pre‐eclamptic women and 146 control subjects with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies participated in this study, conducted at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital. While the TLR‐2 +2258 (G>A) and MMP‐9 −1562 (C>T) SNPs failed to present any significant association with pre‐eclampsia, there was a marked trend for an association between the IL‐4 −590 (C>T) SNP and pre‐eclampsia (χ2= 5.87, P = 0.055), with a prevalence of TT homozygous women in this group (OR 4.455, 95% CI 1.286–15.350).