The COMT Val158Met Polymorphism is Significantly Associated with Early Onset Preeclampsia in Both African American and Caucasian Mothers

The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal and infant Val158Met polymorphisms of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT), a reported indicator of preeclamptic risk, in a United States population. Healthy control, early-onset preeclamptic, and late-onset preeclamptic patients were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from mothers and infants via buccal swabs and DNA was genotyped via tetra-primer amplification PCR. Our findings indicate that the COMT genotype was not significantly associated with late-onset PE. While there were no significant differences between African American and Caucasian races, the maternal COMTMet158Met genotype was significantly associated with early-onset preeclampsia in both African Americans and Caucasians when compared to COMTVal158Val or COMTVal158Met. These results suggest that the maternal COMTMet158Met genotype may be a risk factor for early-onset PE.### Competing Interest StatementThe authors have declared no competing interest.### Funding StatementWe would like to thank the following for funding and support: Nicholas J Thompson Obstetrics and Gynecology Distinguished Professor Translational Research Award (TLB), the Wright State University and Premier Health Neuroscience Institute (TLB), the Wright State University Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Program (AEH), the Wright State University Foundation Women in Science Giving Circle (MRK), and Wright State University Foundation Endowment for Research on Pregnancy Associated Disorders (TLB, [www.wright.edu/give/pregnancyassociateddisorders][1]).### Author DeclarationsI confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.YesThe details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:This study was reviewed and approved by the Wright State University Institutional Review Board.I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.YesI understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).YesI have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.YesAll data produced in the present work are contained in the manuscript [1]: https://www.wright.edu/give/pregnancyassociateddisorders