Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Polymorphism and Birth Timing: Pathway Analysis Among African American Women.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Timing of birth is a major determinant of newborn health. African American women are at increased risk for early birth, particularly via the inflammatory pathway. Variants of the IL1RN gene, which encode the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) protein, are implicated in early birth. The biological pathways linking these variables remain unclear. Evidence also suggests that inflammatory pathways differ by race; however, studies among African American women are lacking.

Objectives

We assessed whether an IL1RN variant was associated with timing of birth among African American women and whether this relationship was mediated by lower anti-inflammatory IL-1Ra production or related to a decrease in inhibition of proinflammatory IL-1β production.

Methods

A

SUBMITTER: Gillespie SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5334774 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar/Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature