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Maternal KIR and Fetal HLA-C Genes in Recurrent Miscarriages

Completed
Conditions
Recurrent Miscarriages
Registration Number
NCT00180804
Lead Sponsor
Imperial College London
Brief Summary

For implantation of developing conceptus, placental cells need to invade mother's uterus to access maternal blood supply in a control manner. We have found a combination of maternal immune genes (the KIR family) and fetal genes (HLA-C) strongly associated with pre-eclampsia where placenta does not implant adequately. The aim of this research is to investigate these two genes family in women suffering with recurrent miscarriages and find a possible link between them.

Detailed Description

Little is known about reasons for early pregnancy failures. It is believed that some pathology leading to defective implantation of fetus in maternal uterus may lead to recurrent early miscarriages. This project arises from previous work on pre-eclampsia where we found combination of maternal immune genes (KIR) with their ligand (HLA-C) in the fetus was strongly associated with the disease. We will tissue type the fetus, mother and father in cases of unexplained miscarriages. We hope that genetic findings in recurrent miscarriage will lead to new insights, prevention and treatment.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
400
Inclusion Criteria

Couples with 3 or more unexplained miscarriages

Exclusion Criteria

Previous livebirths, parental karyotypic abnormalities, thrombophilic defects, uterine structural abnormalities

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

St. Mary's Hospital

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

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