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Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious hypertensive disorder that affects up to 8% of all pregnancies annually. An established risk factor for PE is family history, clearly demonstrating an underlying genetic component to the disorder. To date, numerous genetic studies, using both the candidate gene and genome-wide approach, have been undertaken to tease out the genetic basis of PE and understand its origins. Such studies have identified some promising candidate genes such as STOX1 and ACVR2A. Nevertheless, researchers face ongoing challenges of replicating these genetic associations in different populations and performing the functional validation of identified genetic variants to determine their causality in the disorder. This chapter will review the genetic approaches used in the study of PE, discuss their limitations and possible confounders, and describe current strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E J Yong
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, The University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Padma Murthi
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Shaun P Brennecke
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric K Moses
- Centre for Genetic Origins of Health and Disease, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Defective decidualization during and after severe preeclampsia reveals a possible maternal contribution to the etiology. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E8468-E8477. [PMID: 28923940 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1706546114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In preeclampsia (PE), cytotrophoblast (CTB) invasion of the uterus and spiral arteries is often shallow. Thus, the placenta's role has been a focus. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that decidual defects are an important determinant of the placental phenotype. We isolated human endometrial stromal cells from nonpregnant donors with a previous pregnancy that was complicated by severe PE (sPE). Compared with control cells, they failed to decidualize in vitro as demonstrated by morphological criteria and the analysis of stage-specific antigens (i.e., IGFBP1, PRL). These results were bolstered by global transcriptional profiling data that showed they were transcriptionally inert. Additionally, we used laser microdissection to isolate the decidua from tissue sections of the maternal-fetal interface in sPE. Global transcriptional profiling revealed defects in gene expression. Also, decidual cells from patients with sPE, which dedifferentiated in vitro, failed to redecidualize in culture. Conditioned medium from these cells failed to support CTB invasion. To mimic aspects of the uterine environment in normal pregnancy, we added PRL and IGFBP1, which enhanced invasion. These data suggested that failed decidualization is an important contributor to down-regulated CTB invasion in sPE. Future studies will be aimed at determining whether this discovery has translational potential with regard to assessing a woman's risk of developing this pregnancy complication.
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Colucci F. The role of KIR and HLA interactions in pregnancy complications. Immunogenetics 2017; 69:557-565. [PMID: 28695287 PMCID: PMC5537332 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-017-1003-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Combinations of KIR and HLA genes associate with pregnancy complications as well as with many other clinical scenarios. Understanding how certain KIR and HLA genes influence the biology of a disease is, however, a formidable challenge. These are the two most variable gene families in the human genome. Moreover, the biology of a disease is best understood by studying the cells of the affected tissue. Natural Killer (NK) cells express KIR and are the most abundant leukocytes in the uterus. Most of our knowledge of NK cells is based on what we have learned from cells isolated from blood, but these are different from their tissue resident counterparts, including uterine NK (uNK) cells. Reproductive immunology faces an additional challenge: Two genotypes must be considered because both maternal and foetal HLA class I molecules may influence the outcome of pregnancy, most likely through interactions with maternal KIR expressed on uNK cells. Maternal uNK cells are not spontaneously cytotoxic and instead engage in interactions with trophoblast. We hypothesise that these interactions regulate allocation of resources between the foetus and the mother and may go wrong in diseases of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Colucci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 111, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
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Barrett HL, Dekker Nitert M, McIntyre HD, Callaway LK. Maternal lipids in pre-eclampsia: innocent bystander or culprit? Hypertens Pregnancy 2014; 33:508-23. [PMID: 25121342 DOI: 10.3109/10641955.2014.946614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia continues to be a challenge--to understand the underlying pathogenesis and to prevent or treat in the clinical setting. One area of potential therapies opening up is treatment of maternal lipids and clinical trials are underway using statins in early pre-eclampsia. At present, most potential therapies to treat lipids cannot be recommended for general use in pregnancy and if we were to target maternal lipids to reduce rates of pre-eclampsia, very large numbers of women may need to be treated. Prior to reaching that point, we first need to understand whether maternal lipids are pathogenic in the processes underlying pre-eclampsia. The aim of this review is to examine the role of lipids in the pathogenesis and outcomes of pre-eclampsia, how abnormal lipid genes may be implicated and consider whether treatment of hyperlipidemia has a more general place in the prevention or treatment of pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen L Barrett
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia , Queensland , Australia
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Williams PJ, Broughton Pipkin F. The genetics of pre-eclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2011; 25:405-17. [PMID: 21429808 PMCID: PMC3145161 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2011.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension is the most frequent medical complication occurring during pregnancy. In this chapter, we aim to address the genetic contribution to these disorders, with specific focus on pre-eclampsia. The pathogenic mechanisms underlying pre-eclampsia remain to be elucidated; however, immune maladaptation, inadequate placental development and trophoblast invasion, placental ischaemia, oxidative stress and thrombosis are all thought to represent key factors in the development of disease. Furthermore, all of these components have genetic factors that may be involved in the pathogenic changes occurring. The familial nature of pre-eclampsia has been known for many years and, as such, extensive genetic research has been carried out in this area using strategies that include candidate gene studies and linkage analysis. Interactions between fetal and maternal genotypes, the effect of environmental factors, and epistasis will also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula J Williams
- Human Genetics Research Group, School of Molecular and Medical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, UK.
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Schmider-Ross A, Wirsing M, Büscher U, Neitzel H, Krause M, Henrich W, Reles A, Dudenhausen JW. Analysis of the S810L Point Mutation of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor in Patients with Pregnancy‐Induced Hypertension. Hypertens Pregnancy 2009; 23:113-9. [PMID: 15117605 DOI: 10.1081/prg-120028293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A missense mutation at codon 810 (Ser --> Leu) of the mineralocorticoid receptor was recently observed in a family with early manifestation of hypertension. Our objective was to determine if this mineralocorticoid receptor alterations is prevalent in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. METHODS Thirty-eight women with hypertension during pregnancy were tested for the mineralocorticoid receptor gene mutation. DNA was extracted out of blood leucocytes. PCR and automated DNA sequencing were used to analyze exon 6 for the S810L missense mutation. Anamnestical data concerning cardiovascular risk factors and family history were evaluated with a questionnaire. Pregnancy course and outcome were documented in all cases. RESULTS In 33 patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension and in five patients with exacerbation of preexisting hypertension in pregnancy no point mutations were found at codon 810 in exon 6. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the S810L missense mutation of the mineralocorticoid receptor does not play a major role in the etiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension in a German /Turkish population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Schmider-Ross
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
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Abstract
Preeclampsia is specific to pregnancy and is still a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity, affecting about 3% of women, but the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms still remain unclear. Immune maladaptation, placental ischemia and increased oxidative stress represent the main components discussed to be of etiologic importance, and they all may have genetic implications. Since the familial nature of preeclampsia is known for many years, extensive research on the genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of this severe pregnancy disorder has been performed. In this review, we will overview the linkage and candidate gene studies carried out so far as well as summarize important historical notes on the genetic hypotheses generated in preeclampsia research. Moreover, the influence of maternal and fetal genes and their interaction as well as the role of genomic imprinting in preeclampsia will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Mütze
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aachen University (RWTH), Aachen, Germany.
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Holzgreve W, Hahn S, Zhong XY, Lapaire O, Hösli I, Tercanli S, Mindy P. Genetic communication between fetus and mother: short- and long-term consequences. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007; 196:372-81. [PMID: 17403426 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2006.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2006] [Accepted: 12/12/2006] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Holzgreve
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Trogstad L, Skrondal A, Stoltenberg C, Magnus P, Nesheim BI, Eskild A. Recurrence risk of preeclampsia in twin and singleton pregnancies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 126A:41-5. [PMID: 15039972 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.20512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of preeclampsia is unknown. The relatively high risk of recurrence of preeclampsia in subsequent pregnancies to the same mother suggests a genetic basis for the disease, but the mode of inheritance is uncertain. We compare the risk of preeclampsia in second pregnancies for mothers whose first preeclamptic pregnancy was either a singleton or a twin pregnancy. The crude and adjusted recurrence risks of preeclampsia in twin and singleton pregnancies were estimated in a population-based register including the first and second pregnancies of 550218 women registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, 1967-1998. The recurrence risk of preeclampsia in second pregnancy for women with a singleton pregnancy with preeclampsia the first time was 14.1% (95% CI: 13.6-14.6). For women with a first time twin pregnancy the recurrence risk was lower, 6.8% (CI: 4.3-10.1), P < 0.001. Thus, the crude excess risk for recurrent preeclampsia was 7.3% (95% CI: 4.5-10.0) in women with a first time singleton as compared to women with a first time twin pregnancy. The recurrence risk of preeclampsia is lower when the first pregnancy was a twin as compared to a singleton pregnancy. This observation is consistent with a polygenic liability model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lill Trogstad
- Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
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Abstract
Preeclampsia-eclampsia is still one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite active research for many years, the etiology of this disorder exclusive to human pregnancy is an enigma. Recent evidence suggests there may be several underlying causes or predispositions leading to the signs of hypertension, proteinuria, and edema, findings that allow us to make the diagnosis of the "syndrome" of preeclampsia. Despite improved prenatal care, severe preeclampsia and eclampsia still occur. Although understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders has improved, treatment has not changed significantly in over 50 years. Although postponement of delivery in selected women with severe preeclampsia improves fetal outcome to a degree, this is not done without risk to the mother. In the United States, magnesium sulfate and hydralazine are the most commonly used medications for seizure prophylaxis and hypertension in the intrapartum period. The search for the underlying cause of this disorder and for a clinical marker to predict those women who will develop preeclampsia-eclampsia is ongoing, with its prevention the ultimate goal. This review began with the clinical and pathophysiologic aspects of preeclampsia-eclampsia (Part 1). Now, in Part 2, the experimental observations, the search for predictive factors, and the genetics of this disorder are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Pridjian
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
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Currie L, Peek M, McNiven M, Prosser I, Mansour J, Ridgway J. Is there an increased maternal-infant prevalence of Factor V Leiden in association with severe pre-eclampsia? BJOG 2002; 109:191-6. [PMID: 11888101 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2002.00373.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the prevalence of the Factor V Leiden mutation in children and maternal-infant pairs in pregnancies affected by severe pre-eclampsia with unmatched normal controls. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Department of Women's and Children's Health, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT, Australia. SAMPLE Forty-eight maternal-infant pairs where the index pregnancy was affected by severe pre-eclampsia; 46 unmatched maternal-infant pairs where the index pregnancy was defined as normal. METHODS DNA analysis of cheek swab samples obtained from maternal-infant pairs for the Factor V Leiden mutation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The prevalence of the Factor V Leiden mutation in mothers, infants and maternal-infant pairs in association with severe pre-eclampsia compared with unmatched controls. RESULTS No difference was detected in the prevalence of Factor V Leiden mutation between the women and children of both groups, nor the maternal-infant pairs from each group. CONCLUSIONS No evidence was found of an increased prevalence of the Factor V Leiden mutation in either the mothers or children in association with severe pre-eclampsia. This result argues against a Factor V Leiden fetal or maternal contribution to the development of severe pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Currie
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, The Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT, Australia
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