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Association of AAT/SERPINA1 PI*Z Variant with Gestational Duration and Prevention of Premature Birth in Knockout Mice by AAT-Supplementation

Koivulehto, E.; Pasanen, A.; Haapalainen, A. M.; Tiensuu, H.; FinnGen, ; Ramet, M.; Hallman, M.

2025-11-21 pediatrics
10.1101/2025.11.21.25340724 medRxiv
Show abstract

About 10% of pregnancies end prematurely before 37 weeks, without effective prevention therapies. Previously, we identified rare damaging variants in SERPINA1 encoding Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) in families with recurrent spontaneous preterm births (SPTB) and detected decreased protein and mRNA levels of AAT/SERPINA1 from placentas in SPTB. Here, we investigated genetic associations between SERPINA1 variants and gestational duration and evaluated AAT supplementation as a therapeutic intervention in a mouse model of preterm birth. SERPINA1 Pi*Z variant (rs28929474-T) was associated with gestational duration (P < 5x10-8) in European-ancestry mothers with preterm and term deliveries. We detected a nine-day decrease in gestational duration and a fourfold Odds for preterm birth vs. term birth in Pi*Z homozygotes (Pi*ZZ), compared to other genotypes. In transgenic mice without endogenous AAT, exogenous Prolastina(R) treatment inhibited LPS-induced preterm births (P < 0.05). Supplemented AAT was preferentially deposited in the placenta. Our findings support AATs protective role in SPTB and highlight its therapeutic potential, particularly in SERPINA1 Pi*ZZ genotype carriers.

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