Low expression of Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLAG) in the placenta is a risk factor for preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is an incident of hypertension in pregnancy that has a negative impact on the mother or the fetus. PE is one of the causes of death in pregnant women throughout the world and is a significant cause of fetal mortality and morbidity. The etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia is currently unknown. HLAG is a product of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genetic locus located on chromosome 6, which protects trophoblast from maternal immune influences or maternal cytotoxic attacks. It is hoped that this research can explain the impact of low HLAG on the occurrence of preeclampsia. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional analytical design to include a total of 44 women, 22 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 22 pregnant women without preeclampsia who were treated at Prof IGNG Ngoerah Hospital, Denpasar. The Chi-Square test is used to determine the prevalence ratio or risk estimate of HLAG levels on the occurrence of preeclampsia. Results: Based on the mean comparison test, with the independent t test the mean maternal age in the preeclampsia group (31.09 +/- 5.31) was not significantly different from the group without preeclampsia (27.86 +/- 5.89) with a p-value = 0.060. The mean value of gestational age obtained by the preeclampsia group (35.45 +/- 2.00) was not significantly different from the group without preeclampsia (2.82 +/- 1.26) with a value of p = 0.068. The mean parity value between the preeclampsia group (3.27 +/- 1.20) and the group without preeclampsia (2.82 +/- 1.26) was not significantly different (p = 0.230). This study found that low HLAG expression in the placenta was a risk factor for PE with prevalence ratio (PR) of 15.96 (95% CI=2.35-108.36). Conclusions: HLAG expression was significantly different in PE and without PE cases. Low HLAG expression in the placenta is a risk factor for PE with prevalence ratio (PR) of 15.96.