Investigation of RHOA/ROCK gene polymorphisims in preeclamptic pregnancies and preterm delivery

Preeclampsia and preterm labor have an important role in the pathologies of pregnancy and may cause both maternal and fetal adverse effects. Rho/ROCK pathway is thought to play a role in myometrium and vascular smooth muscle contractions in preeclampsia and preterm labor by increasing calcium sensitivity in smooth muscles. The aim of this study was to investigate whether RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2 gene polymorphisms are associated with preeclampsia and preterm delivery. The study included 96 pregnant women with preeclampsia, 96 pregnant women with risk of preterm birth and 96 healthy controls aged 18-45 years. Polymorphisms were analyzed via genomic DNA using the BioMark 96.96 Dynamic Array System. No significant association was found between rs2177268, rs3448 and rs974495 polymorphisms of RhoA gene with both preeclampsia and preterm delivery. ROCK1 gene rs2271255 polymorphism CT, TT genotypes and T allele were significant differences in both preeclampsia and preterm delivery group compared to control group (P<0.0001). ROCK2 gene rs6755196 polymorphism GA and AA genotypes (P=0.0002), rs965665 polymorphism CC genotype and C allele (P<0.0001), rs1515219 polymorphism CT genotype and T allele were significant differences in preeclampsia group and control group (P<0.0001 and P=0.0023, respectively). ROCK2 rs10178332 polymorphism AC genotype (P<0.0001), rs965665 polymorphism CC genotype and C allele (P<0.0001), rs1515219 polymorphism CT genotype and T allele (P<0.0001) were significant difference between preterm delivery group and control. The relationship between these polymorphisms in preeclampsia and preterm labor was first examined in our study.