Is laminin gamma-1 a candidate gene for advanced pelvic organ prolapse?

Objective

We sought to determine allele frequencies of 3 LAMC1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Caucasian and African American (AA) women with stage > II pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (cases) and in ethnicity-matched controls with stage < II POP. We also sought to determine if LAMC1 is associated with POP within ethnic groups.

Study Design

Allelic discrimination was performed for LAMC1 SNPs rs10911193 (C/T), rs20563 (A/G), and rs20558 (T/C). SNP and haplotype-specific tests were used to examine associations among POP, ethnicity, and LAMC1.

Results

In all, 411 women were enrolled. Significant differences in allele and haplotype frequencies existed among AAs and Caucasians: rs10911193 “T” (P = .0014); rs20563 “G” (P < .0001); rs20558 “C” (P < .0001); rs20563, rs20558 “GC” (P < .0001); and rs20563, rs20558 “AT” (P < .0001). No significant associations between POP and LAMC1 SNPs or haplotypes were found within ethnicities.

Conclusion

While significant differences were identified between AA and Caucasian women, no associations were found between any LAMC1 gene variant and advanced POP.

Key words: familial pelvic organ prolapse, genetic risk factors, laminin gamma-1, pelvic organ prolapse