HMHA1
hMHA1: A Comprehensive Guide to the Maternal Health Gene
Introduction
hMHA1, short for human maternal histocompatibility antigen-1, is a gene that plays a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy. It is expressed in the placenta, the organ that nourishes and protects the developing fetus. hMHA1 is responsible for the maternal immune tolerance of the fetus, preventing the mother's immune system from attacking and rejecting the fetus as foreign.
Description
hMHA1 is located on chromosome 6 and encodes a protein called HLA-G. HLA-G is a member of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) family, which are responsible for regulating the immune system. HLA-G has unique properties that allow it to suppress the immune response and promote tolerance.
Associated Diseases
Mutations or abnormal expression of hMHA1 can lead to several diseases, including:
- Preeclampsia: A serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR): A condition where the fetus does not grow as expected in the womb.
- Recurrent miscarriage: A condition where a woman has three or more consecutive miscarriages.
- Alloimmune thrombocytopenia: A condition where the mother's immune system attacks the fetus's platelets, leading to low platelet levels and bleeding.
Did you Know ?
Approximately 5-10% of women with preeclampsia have mutations in the hMHA1 gene. This suggests that hMHA1 plays a significant role in the development of this pregnancy complication.
