Vitamin D Receptor is associated with preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and preterm birth

Role of Placental VDR Expression and Function in Common Late Pregnancy Disorders

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(11), 2340; doi:10.3390/ijms18112340

Julia Knabl 1,2, Aurelia Vattai 1, Yao Ye 1, Julia Jueckstock 1, Stefan Hutter 1, Franz Kainer 2, Sven Mahner 1 and Udo Jeschke 1,* OrcID

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, 80337 Munich, Germany

2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinik Hallerwiese, 90419 Nürnberg, Germany

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin D and Its Analogues: New Insights on Biological Effects and Therapeutic Uses)

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Vitamin D, besides its classical role in bone metabolism, plays a distinct role in multiple pathways of the feto-maternal unit. Calcitriol is the major active ligand of the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in different uteroplacental parts and exerts a variety of functions in physiologic pregnancy. It

• regulates decidualisation and implantation,

• influences hormone secretion and

• placental immune modulations.

This review highlights the role of the vitamin D receptor in physiologic and disturbed pregnancy, as

• preeclampsia,

• fetal growth restriction     5 % of pregnancies

• gestational diabetes     3% to 8% of pregnancies

• preterm birth.

We discuss the existing literature regarding common VDR polymorphisms in these pregnancy disorders.

Clipped from PDF

• “FokI variant could be linked to an increased risk of preterm birth (odds ratio OR = 3.317)”
  • The above is the only quantitative data which was quickly noticed in the study