Mapping genetic susceptibility to spontaneous preterm birth: analysis of Utah pedigrees to find inherited genetic factors.

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. It is a final common pathway for multiple etiologies, some of which are well known while others likely remain to be identified. Despite recent advancements in identifying genetic risk factors, the mechanisms of many SPTBs remain poorly understood due to the phenotypic heterogeneity and complexity. Large family-based studies decrease heterogeneity and improve power to identify genetic causes of SPTB.

OBJECTIVE

To identify inherited genetic factors in SPTB etiology using large families.

STUDY DESIGN

Using the Utah Population Database, which links a 4.5 million-person genealogy to state birth certificate and fetal death records, we identified large pedigrees containing multiple women with early SPTB (<34 weeks' gestation) and any SPTB (<37 weeks' gestation). We reviewed birth certificate data to exclude those with maternal and fetal diagnoses associated with iatrogenic preterm birth, resulting in 74 large multiplex pedigrees for early SPTB. Enrolled women with SPTB underwent comprehensive clinical phenotyping with review of primary medical records. Seven pedigrees, each containing at least 3 sampled women with SPTB, were the focus of this genetic study. High-density single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping was conducted in maternal peripheral blood samples from women in the seven pedigrees. Shared genomic segments analysis was performed to identify genome-wide significant chromosomal regions shared in excess by women with SPTB.

RESULTS

We identified two genome-wide significant chromosomal regions. In single-pedigree SGS analysis, a 1.75 Mega base region in chromosome 8 (8q24.23) was shared by 5 out of 6 women with SPTB in a single large pedigree (false positive rate=0.028). In duo-pedigree analysis, a 1.05 Mega base region in the same 8q24.23 locus was identified in a second pedigree (false-positive rate [duo]=0.0019). The intersecting region at the 8q24.23 locus contains FAM135B (family with sequence similarity 135 member B) and KHDRBS3 (KH RNA-binding domain containing, signal transduction associated 3) genes, which have previously been implicated in oncogenesis and ovarian cancer, respectively. Duo-pedigree SPTB analysis also identified a second genome-wide significant 67 kilo base locus in chromosome 12 (12q21.1-q21.2) that was shared by all women with SPTB in two independent pedigrees (false-positive rate [duo]=0.01). The intersecting region at the 12q21.1-q21.2 locus contains CAPS2 (calcyphosine 2) and KCNC2 (potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily C member 2) genes, both implicated in vascular-related complications of pregnancy and preterm labor.

CONCLUSION

Using large SPTB families, we identified shared chromosomal regions (8q24.23 and 12q21.1-q21.2), providing evidence for inherited (segregating) risk loci in SPTB etiology. Further investigation into genes in SPTB etiology, including functional validation may provide avenues for novel therapeutic development and guide efforts for SPTB prevention to prolong pregnancy and improve outcomes.