Vascular endothelial growth factor gene +813CC polymorphism of foetus is associated with preterm labour but not with pre-eclampsia in Turkish pregnant women

Genetic Polymorphisms of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Neonatal Pathologies: A Systematic Search and Narrative Synthesis of the Literature

(1) Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is essential in vasculo- and angiogenesis due to its role in endothelial cell proliferation and migration. As a vascular proliferative factor, VEGF is one of the hallmarks of cancer and, in adult populations, the relationship between genetic polymorphism and neoplasm was widely investigated. For the neonatal population, only a few studies attempted to uncover the link between the genetic polymorphism of VEGF and neonatal pathology, especially related to late-onset complications. Our objective is to evaluate the literature surrounding VEGF genetic polymorphisms and the morbidity of the neonatal period. (2) Methods: A systematic search was initially conducted in December 2022. The PubMed platform was used to explore MEDLINE (1946 to 2022) and PubMed Central (2000 to 2022) by applying the search string ((VEGF polymorphism*) and newborn*). (3) Results: The PubMed search yielded 62 documents. A narrative synthesis of the findings was undertaken considering our predetermined subheadings (infants with low birth weight or preterm birth, heart pathologies, lung diseases, eye conditions, cerebral pathologies, and digestive pathologies). (4) Conclusion: The VEGF polymorphisms seem to be associated with neonatal pathology. The involvement of VEGF and VEGF polymorphism has been demonstrated for retinopathy of prematurity.

Emerging roles of growth factors in osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a potentially disabling orthopedic condition that requires total hip arthroplasty in most late-stage cases. However, mechanisms underlying the development of ONFH remain unknown, and the therapeutic strategies remain limited. Growth factors play a crucial role in different physiological processes, including cell proliferation, invasion, metabolism, apoptosis, and stem cell differentiation. Recent studies have reported that polymorphisms of growth factor-related genes are involved in the pathogenesis of ONFH. Tissue and genetic engineering are attractive strategies for treating early-stage ONFH. In this review, we summarized dysregulated growth factor-related genes and their role in the occurrence and development of ONFH. In addition, we discussed their potential clinical applications in tissue and genetic engineering for the treatment of ONFH.

A meta-analysis of the vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms associated with the risk of pre-eclampsia

Backgroud: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a common pregnancy-induced hypertension disease. Some case–control studies reported the association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms (rs3025039, rs2010963) and PE risk. However, these associations were inconsistent in several studies. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to assess the role of VEGF gene polymorphisms in PE more precisely.

Methods: Eligible studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Chinese (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and WanFang) databases. Statistical analyses were performed by Stata 12.0 software. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. In addition, subgroup analyses, sensitive analyses and publication bias analyses were performed to further assess this meta-analysis.

Results: In total, 21 studies were included in the meta-analysis covering 2018 cases and 2632 controls. There were significant associations between VEGF polymorphisms (rs3025039, rs2010963) and PE risk in the overall populations. In the subgroup analyses, we found that rs3025039 polymorphism was associated with the increased risk of PE among Chinese. As for rs2010963 polymorphism, a significant association was observed in subgroup of Caucasian.

Conclusion: The present study suggested that the two VEGF gene polymorphisms (rs3025039, rs2010963) are associated with increased risk of PE in different ethnic groups, which means that the targets may be useful genetic markers for early prediction of PE.

Genetic markers for preeclampsia in Peruvian women

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia is a multiorgan disorder associated with maternal and perinatal morbi-mortality. In Peru, incidence is 10% and accounts for 22% of maternal deaths. Genome and genetic epidemiological studies have found an association between preeclampsia and genetic polymorphisms.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) +936 C/T and +405 G/C, interleukine-6 (IL-6) -174 G/C, IL-1β-511 C/T, Apo A-1-75 G/A, Apo B-100 2488 C/T (Xbal) polymorphisms with preeclampsia in pregnant Peruvian women.

METHODS

Were included preeclamptic and healthy (control) pregnant women. Maternal blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction, and molecular genetic analysis was conducted using the PCR-RFLP technique and following a specific protocol for each gene. Allele and genotypic frequencies in the cases and controls were compared.

RESULTS

No association was found between the VEGF+936C/T and VEGF+405 polymorphisms and preeclampsia. The frequencies of the GG genotypes and the G allele of the -174 G/C polymorphism in the IL6 gene in preeclamptic and controls showed significant differences, with higher frequencies in cases. For the -511 C/T polymorphism of the IL-1β gene, no significant differences were found in the frequencies of TT genotypes compared with CT+CC. The genotypes and alleles of the Apo-A1-75 G/A and Apo-B100 Xbal variants showed no significant differences between cases and controls.

CONCLUSION

No association was found between the studied genetic markers and preeclampsia. However, in the -174G/C polymorphism of the IL-6 gene, significant differences were found mainly in the GG genotype and G allele.

Vascular endothelial growth factor C/A 2578 gene polymorphism and umbilical artery Doppler in preeclamptic women

INTRODUCTION

Preeclampsia is strongly associated with placental hypoperfusion. Genetic factors have an impact on the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aim is to assess the association of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (C2578A) gene polymorphism with the occurrence and severity of preeclampsia and the umbilical artery Doppler changes among preeclamptic women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case-control study was conducted in clinical and Chemical pathology and Obstetrics departments in Beni- Suef University, Egypt. Two hundred and ninety pregnant women above 20 weeks gestational age until delivery were divided into 2 main groups. The patient group included 145 preeclamptic women who were further sub grouped according to the severity of preeclampsia into 82 severe and 63 mild cases. Control group included 145 normotensive pregnant women. Our primary outcome was detection of VEGF C 2578 A gene mutations by a polymerase chain reaction. A secondary outcome was Doppler changes in the pulsatility index of the umbilical artery compared with VEGF genotypes.

RESULTS

Our study showed that VEGF C 2578 A genotype and alleles frequencies were not related to the occurrence of preeclampsia (p-value 0.513 and 0.549, respectively), odds ratio (95%CI) 1.154 (0.724-1.848). Mild preeclamptic cases showed no significance comparing VEGF genotypes studied and pulsatility index of the umbilical artery. However, severe cases showed p-value < 0.0001.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that VEGF 2578C/A polymorphism had no association with the occurrence of preeclampsia in studied groups, whereas there was a significant relationship among severe cases between CA and CC genotypes and pulsatility index of the umbilical artery.

Association between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms and Pre-Eclampsia Susceptibility: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the genetic association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms and the risk of pre-eclampsia (PE).Methods: A systematic literature search of several databases (PubMed, Embase, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)) was conducted for case-control trials comparing VEGF polymorphisms (+936C/T, -634G/C, -2578C/A, and -1154G/A) with the risk of PE. Meta-analysis was performed using the Stata 12.0 software.Results: Twenty-three case-control studies on a total of 2597 PE patients and 3075 controls were included in our meta-analysis. The +936C/T polymorphism was observed to be associated with the risk of PE in the overall population (T vs. C: odds ratios (OR) = 1.434, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.120-1.836, P = .004). However, the -634G/C, -2578C/A, and -1154G/A polymorphisms showed no association with the risk of PE. A subgroup analysis based on ethnicity found that the +936C/T polymorphism was associated with the risk of PE in both Europeans and Asians. Furthermore, the -634G/C polymorphism was found to be associated with the risk of PE in Europeans (C vs. G: OR = 1.428, 95% CI = 1.141-1.778, P = .002). The polymorphisms at other loci were not associated with the risk of PE.Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that VEGF +936C/T polymorphism, rather than -634G/C, -2578C/A, or -1154G/A polymorphisms, is associated with the risk of PE in the overall study population. However, the -634G/C polymorphism may be associated with the risk of developing PE in Europeans.

Supplementation of maternal omega-3 fatty acids to pregnancy induced hypertension Wistar rats improves IL10 and VEGF levels

OBJECTIVES

Our recent study demonstrates the beneficial effect of a combined supplementation of vitamin B12, folic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid in reducing the severity of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). It is also known to be associated with angiogenic imbalance and inflammation. The current study examines whether the individual/combined supplementation of folic acid, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid during pregnancy can ameliorate the inflammatory markers and restore the angiogenic balance in a rat model of PIH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There were total of six groups, control and five treatment groups: PIH Induced; PIH+vitamin B12; PIH+folic acid; PIH+Omega-3 fatty acids and PIH+combined micronutrient supplementation (vitamin B12+folic acid+omega-3 fatty acids). Hypertension during pregnancy was induced using L- Nitroarginine methylester (L-NAME; 50mg/kg body weight/day). Dams were dissected at d20 of gestation and placental tissues were collected for further analysis.

RESULTS

Animals from the PIH induced group demonstrated lower (p<0.01 for both) IL-10 and VEGF levels as compared to control. However, PIH induction did not alter the protein levels of eNOS, IL-6, Flt and mRNA levels of VEGF and VEGFR-1/ Flt-1. Individual micronutrient supplementation of vitamin B12 and folate did not offer benefit. In contrast individual omega-3 fatty acid as well as combined micronutrient supplementation showed IL-10 and VEGF levels comparable to that of control.

CONCLUSION

Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation plays a key role in reducing inflammation in pregnancy induced hypertension.

Vascular endothelial growth factor +936C/T, -634G/C, -2578C/A, and -1154G/A polymorphisms with risk of preeclampsia: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence showed that VEGF gene polymorphisms are involved in the regulation of VEGF protein expression, thus increasing an individual's susceptibility to preeclampsia (PE); but individually published results are inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the associations between VEGF gene polymorphisms and PE risk.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases was conducted. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 12.0 software and Review manager 5.1. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations.

RESULTS

According to the inclusion criteria, 11 case-control studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. A total of 1,069 PE cases and 1,315 controls were included in this study. Our meta-analysis indicated that VEGF +936C/T (T vs. C, OR = 1.52, 95%CI = 1.08-2.12) or -634G/C polymorphism (C vs. G, OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.03-1.50) was associated with the risk of PE, whereas there was no association between -2578C/A (A vs. C, OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.82-1.16) or -1154G/A (A vs. G, OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 0.94-1.78) polymorphism and PE risk in our study.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis suggested that VEGF -2578C/A or -1154G/A polymorphism had no association with PE risk in all examined patients, whereas there was an association between VEGF +936C/T or -634G/C polymorphism and risk of PE.

Associations between vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms and pre-eclampsia susceptibility: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

A meta-analysis was conducted on the associations between the -634 C/G, +936 C/T, -1154 A/G, and -2578 A/C polymorphisms of VEGF and pre-eclampsia.

RESULTS

Ten studies involving 2068 subjects (pre-eclampsia, 950; controls, 1118) were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed an association between pre-eclampsia and the VEGF -634 C allele in overall group (OR = 1.351, 95% CI = 1.105-1.651, p = 0.003) and in European group (OR = 1.427, 95% CI = 1.139-1.787, p = 0.002). The meta-analysis revealed an association between pre-eclampsia and the VEGF -936 T allele in Asians, but not in Europeans (OR = 1.555, 95% CI = 1.232-1.961, p = 1.9 × 10(-5); OR = 1.587, 95% CI = 0.933-2.699, p = 0.088). However, the meta-analysis revealed no association between pre-eclampsia and the VEGF -1154 A/G and 2578 A/C polymorphisms

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggested that the VEGF -634 C/G polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to pre-eclampsia in Europeans and that the VEGF -634 C/G polymorphism is associated with pre-eclampsia in Asians.