Abstract
BackgroundAcid phosphatase locus 1 and adenosine deaminase locus 1 polymorphisms show cooperative effects on glucose metabolism and immunological functions. The recent observation of cooperation between the two systems on susceptibility to repeated spontaneous miscarriage prompted us to search for possible interactional effects between these genes and the correlation between birth weight and placental weight. Deviation from a balanced development of the feto-placental unit has been found to be associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality and with cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.MethodsWe examined 400 consecutive newborns from the Caucasian population of Rome. Birth weight, placental weight, and gestational length were registered. Acid phosphatase locus 1 and adenosine deaminase locus 1 phenotypes were determined by starch gel electrophoresis and correlation analysis was performed by SPSS programs. Informed verbal consent to participate in the study was obtained from the mothers.ResultsHighly significant differences in birth weight-placental weight correlations were observed among acid phosphatase locus 1 phenotypes (p = 0.005). The correlation between birth weight and placental weight was markedly elevated in subjects carrying acid phosphatase locus 1 phenotypes with medium-low F isoform concentration (A, CA and CB phenotypes) compared to those carrying acid phosphatase locus 1 phenotypes with medium-high F isoform concentration (BA and B phenotypes) (p = 0.002). Environmental and developmental variables were found to exert a significant effect on birth weight-placental weight correlation in subjects with medium-high F isoform concentrations, but only a marginal effect was observed in those with medium-low F isoform concentrations. The correlation between birth weight and placental weight is higher among carriers of the adenosine deaminase locus 1 allele*2, which is associated with low activity, than in homozygous adenosine deaminase locus 1 phenotype 1 carriers (p = 0.04). The two systems show a cooperative effect on the correlation between birth weight and placental weight: the highest value is observed in newborns carrying adenosine deaminase locus 1 allele*2 and acid phosphatase locus 1 phenotypes with medium-low F isoform concentration (p = 0.005).ConclusionThese data suggest that zygotes with low adenosine deaminase locus 1 activity and low F activity may experience the most favourable intrauterine conditions for a balanced development of the feto-placental unit.
Highlights
Acid phosphatase locus 1 and adenosine deaminase locus 1 polymorphisms show cooperative effects on glucose metabolism and immunological functions
We have recently described a cooperative interaction between ACP1 and ADA1 genetic polymorphisms concerning their effects on the susceptibility to spontaneous primary repeated miscarriages: women carrying the ADA1*2 and ACP1*C alleles show the lowest susceptibility to repeated miscarriages [1]
In a recent note we have proposed the correlation between BW and PW as an index of balanced development of the fetoplacental unit and have shown that this correlation is influenced by ACP1 phenotype [6]
Summary
Acid phosphatase locus 1 and adenosine deaminase locus 1 polymorphisms show cooperative effects on glucose metabolism and immunological functions. Deviation from a balanced development of the feto-placental unit has been found to be associated with perinatal morbidity and mortality and with cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. We have recently described a cooperative interaction between ACP1 (acid phosphatase locus 1) and ADA1 (adenosine deaminase locus 1) genetic polymorphisms concerning their effects on the susceptibility to spontaneous primary repeated miscarriages: women carrying the ADA1*2 and ACP1*C alleles show the lowest susceptibility to repeated miscarriages [1]. Both systems share important effects on glucose metabolism and immunological function. In a recent note we have proposed the correlation between BW and PW as an index of balanced development of the fetoplacental unit and have shown that this correlation is influenced by ACP1 phenotype [6]
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