Genetic predictors of blood pressure traits are associated with preeclampsia

Although underlying causes of preeclampsia are not fully understood, there is evidence suggesting a strong genetic component. All the DNA in one cell is called a genome. We have one copy of every genome in nearly every cell in our body. All humans have near-identical DNA sequences across the 6 billion-letter code for their genome. Slight differences exist between individuals, making each person unique. These differences are called “genomic variants” and occur at specific locations in the DNA. This is important in healthcare because some variants increase the risk of developing a disease, which is often phrased as “having a predisposition to XYZ condition.”

Polygenic scores (PGS) calculate an individual’s genetic risk for a specific condition or trait. These scores are computed by sequencing a patient’s DNA to see if they contain genomic variants associated with a disease. The scientists in this study aimed to evaluate if certain PGSs for blood pressure traits were associated with preeclampsia. The goal of the study was to determine the utility of blood pressure PGSs for predicting preeclampsia, and whether the use of genetic components improved prediction accuracy compared to simply using a patient’s body mass index (BMI) and age.

The study enrolled 8,513 individuals, 1,319 of them with preeclampsia. 41% of the participants were Black and 59% were White. Higher percentages of preeclampsia were found in Black individuals compared to White individuals (18.78% vs 13.20%). The overall rate of preeclampsia for the entire group was 15.5% and these individuals were found to be older and had higher BMIs than those without preeclampsia. Of the three types of blood pressure (diastolic, systolic, and pulse pressures) only PGS for pulse pressure was found to be significantly associated with preeclampsia in Black individuals. In White individuals, all three blood pressure types; diastolic, systolic, and pulse; were significantly associated with preeclampsia.

The findings support shared genetic architecture across preeclampsia risk and blood pressure traits. However, the researchers note that using only blood pressure PGSs had poor predictive ability in the study population. While there is an overlap in genetic susceptibility, additional factors are involved in developing preeclampsia. Finally, the study states that hypertension is a major risk factor for developing preeclampsia and that preeclampsia increases the risk of developing high blood pressure. They are still unclear whether blood pressure complications and preeclampsia are comorbid conditions (occur simultaneously) or if complications lead to preeclampsia or vice versa.

Take home: Genetic risk factors for blood pressure have been shown to contribute to the risk of preeclampsia. Predictive models for detecting preeclampsia should incorporate many known risk factors to improve their accuracy. More research is needed to help us understand the cause of preeclampsia. This knowledge could potentially guide future treatments by providing evidence for repurposing therapies for conditions that have similar biological traits as preeclampsia.

Link:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-68469-6

Citation:Jasper, E.A., Hellwege, J.N., Breeyear, J.H. et al. Genetic predictors of blood pressure traits are associated with preeclampsia. Sci Rep 14, 17613 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68469-6

About Research Roundup

Each quarter, our team of science writers reviews the most current research studies related to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and summarizes those studies of greatest interest and potential impact to our community, including research studies related to risk assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Special thanks to our volunteer research team, including Dr. Sig-Linda Jacobson, Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, and Amanda Yang, who under the leadership of Dr. Elizabeth Sutton, make Research Roundup possible, and to our Patient Advisory Council, who reviews these materials from the patient perspective.