Astana, Kazakhstan (WDNews) – New research suggests specific genetic variations may help explain recurrent pregnancy loss, offering new insight into why some women experience multiple miscarriages without a known cause.
The study, published in the Journal of Reproductive Immunology, was conducted by Professor Kuralay Atageldiyeva of Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, along with researchers from Kazakhstan, Canada, and Tunisia. The team investigated the role of PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) gene variants in pregnancy outcomes.
PD-L1 plays a role in suppressing the immune system to protect a developing fetus. Researchers found that certain genetic variants of PD-L1, including G/C rs822336 and A/T rs822337, were associated with lower levels of PD-L1 expression and a higher risk of recurrent pregnancy loss.
The findings were specific to women in West Kazakhstan, with no similar association observed in Central Kazakhstan. Researchers believe genetic and environmental differences between the two regions may explain the contrast.
Globally, about one percent of women experience recurrent miscarriages, with half receiving no clear explanation, a condition known as idiopathic pregnancy loss.
“Our team aimed to identify possible new genetic causes and identified a list of genes linked to idiopathic pregnancy loss,” Professor Atageldiyeva said. “Possibly we’ll end up with screening which leads to suggestions for a treatment strategy that improves the outcome of pregnancy.”
Researchers say the results highlight the importance of genetic differences in understanding pregnancy complications and may help guide future treatments and screening options for women worldwide.
