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Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles
05:31

Author Spotlight: Modeling an Aspect of Preeclampsia in Female Mice Using Hypoxic Human Placenta-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles

Published on: January 26, 2024

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Genetic Associations of Circulating Cardiovascular Proteins With Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia

Art Schuermans1,2,3, Buu Truong1,2, Maddalena Ardissino4,5

  • 1Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

JAMA Cardiology
|January 3, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This study identified specific cardiovascular disease-related proteins associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs). Findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for reducing HDP risk and long-term cardiovascular disease in affected women.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Disease Research
  • Reproductive Health
  • Genetics and Genomics

Background:

  • Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) significantly contribute to maternal morbidity and mortality globally.
  • Women with HDPs have an increased risk of long-term cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify circulating proteins associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs).
  • To explore potential therapeutic targets for HDPs and associated cardiovascular risks.

Main Methods:

  • Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to test associations between genetic instruments for cardiovascular disease-related proteins and HDPs.
  • Downstream analyses included a systematic review of observational data and phenome-wide MR analyses.

Main Results:

  • Genetic associations were found for 4 proteins with gestational hypertension and 2 proteins with preeclampsia.
  • Observational data supported findings for NT-proBNP, HSP27, and ECP in relation to HDP risk.
  • Phenome-wide MR identified 37 unique non-HDP-related protein-disease associations.

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests genetic links between specific cardiovascular proteins and HDPs.
  • Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of targeting these protein pathways to mitigate HDP risk.
Abstract

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