Abstract
Dizygotic twins share the same type of genetic relationship as non-twin siblings. Whereas monozygotic (MZ) twins are considered to have identical genetic material, they still differ. There is a number of reasons for early MZ twin discordance, including differences in the in utero environment, stochasticity, genetic mosaicism, and epigenetic factors. During gestation, the efficient innate immune system is of utmost importance. Our study was based on immunohistochemical evaluation of the differences in innate immune protein expression (TLR-2, NOD2, and NF-κB) in the 95 placentas between twins. Our study revealed statistical significant differences between diamniotic–dichorionic and monoamniotic–dichorionic twins. Monoamniotic–monochorionic twins exhibited no significant differences in protein expressions. To identify epigenetic factors causing the differences between twins, we made a series of comparisons with clinical data. The study revealed more cases with infections, miscarriages, in vitro fertilization, and premature rupture of membranes within the group with higher differences level of NF-κB, NOD2 and TLR-2 between twins. In case of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, there were no significant differences in innate immune protein expressions between twins. These results show that dissimilar genetic material and separate in utero environment promote discordance in innate immune protein expressions between twins. Moreover, additional blood flow between twins may be favorable in life-threatening conditions ensuring similar microenvironment.
Highlights
In recent years, the wide availability of assisted reproductive technologies has caused a rapid increase in number of multiple pregnancies
There is a number of reasons for early MZ twin discordance, including differences in the in utero environment, stochasticity, genetic mosaicism, and epigenetic factors (Czyz et al 2012)
Each condition may potentially result in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
Summary
The wide availability of assisted reproductive technologies has caused a rapid increase in number of multiple pregnancies. Twin pregnancies naturally occur with a frequency of 1:80 births but new opportunities have caused an increase in number of twin pregnancies by 47%, while triplet pregnancies have increased by 37% (Fauque et al 2010). Dizygotic (DZ) twins share the same type of genetic relationship as non-twin siblings (Titlestad et al 2002). Phenotypic discordance in MZ twins has traditionally been ascribed to non-shared environmental factors acting after birth; recent data indicate that this explanation is far too simple. There is a number of reasons for early MZ twin discordance, including differences in the in utero environment, stochasticity, genetic mosaicism, and epigenetic factors (Czyz et al 2012)
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