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Genetic Investigation Reveals Potential Links Between Babies' DNA and the Development of Preeclampsia

Genetic Study Reveals Potential Connections Between Baby's Genetic Code and Preeclampsia

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Mothers' susceptibility to preeclampsia could potentially be influenced by their babies' genetic...
Mothers' susceptibility to preeclampsia could potentially be influenced by their babies' genetic makeup, according to new research.

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It's never a good idea to mess with genetics, but a recent international study may have stumbled upon an unwelcome link: preeclampsia, a potentially deadly pregnancy complication, and babies' DNA.

In the journal Nature Genetics, researchers led by Dr. Linda Morgan of the University of Nottingham in the UK report their findings from a 5-year investigation into the genetic underpinnings of preeclampsia. By analyzing DNA samples from Iceland, Norway, Finland, and the U.K., these sleuths of science discovered that the risk of preeclampsia is, in fact, linked to babies' DNA.

What the Heck is Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia isn't something you want to find on your pregnancy checklist. Characterized by an abrupt spike in blood pressure during the 20th week, it's accompanied by protein in urine and swelling in the hands and face. Left unchecked, it can lead to some scary stuff: damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and even death for both mum and baby.

Preeclampsia affecting around 5 percent of pregnancies worldwide, it's a top contributor to pregnancy- and birth-related deaths.

New Study Shines Light on the DNA Connection

To better understand this pesky condition, Dr. Morgan and her team conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 4,380 children born to mothers who developed preeclampsia and 310,238 babies whose mothers did not.

GWAS is a modern technique that quickly scans people's entire sets of DNA to find genetic variations linked to specific diseases. This technique allows researchers to dig deeper, looking for clues not just in the mother's, but also the father's, and the baby's DNA.

Catching Up: Past GWAS Analyses

While previous GWAS analyses of preeclampsia have been done, they have focused solely on the mothers' DNA. Yet, as midwives and obstetricians have long suspected, the family ties run deep when it comes to preeclampsia: a woman is more likely to develop it if her mother or sister had the condition. Not to mention, studies have found that it also runs in the families of men who father preeclamptic pregnancies.

"We set out to see if we could find a link between the baby's DNA and the condition," explained Dr. Morgan. And, in the process, she believes her team is the first to conduct a genetic study of preeclampsia focusing on the baby's DNA.

Digging Deeper: The Discovered DNA Variants

The GWAS analysis identified two previously unknown DNA variants that were significantly linked to preeclampsia. These variants, which occur in about half the population, don't cause preeclampsia on their own, but they do raise the risk.

The new variants are close to a gene called FLT1 that codes for a cell-surface receptor known to be involved in the creation of new blood vessels. One form of FLT1 has been linked to preeclampsia before, as placental levels of the associated protein can reach toxic levels in pregnant women, damaging blood vessels and potentially leading to high blood pressure and organ damage.

Potential Benefits and Future Research

With these new insights, Dr. Morgan believes they could crack the code for more effective prevention and treatment strategies, ultimately improving the outcome of pregnancy for both mother and child.

The team is now analyzing the genomes of another 4,220 babies in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan who were born to preeclamptic mothers to see if they also share the same DNA variants.

Interested in learning more about how preeclampsia might impact your heart health in the long run? Check out our article.

Enrichment Data (integrated):

  • Recent studies have found multiple genetic loci associated with preeclampsia (PE) and pregnancy hypertension (PH), including FGF5, SH2B3, MAPKAPK5, and ACAD10[1]. These genes are involved in various biological pathways affecting vascular function, placental health, and kidney function, all of which may impact the risk of preeclampsia and related cardiovascular conditions.
  • Variants in the APOL1 gene have been shown to increase the risk of preeclampsia, particularly when present in the fetus[2]. While there's currently no direct evidence linking these specific DNA variants to heart conditions, managing or modulating these genetic factors could potentially reduce cardiovascular risks by mitigating hypertension[1]. Further research is needed to understand the long-term impact of these genetic variants on heart health.
  1. The study in 'Nature Genetics' linked the risk of preeclampsia to babies' DNA, contrary to commonly focusing on the mother's DNA.
  2. Preeclampsia, a potentially deadly pregnancy complication, can lead to damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and even death for both mother and baby.
  3. Despite previous GWAS analyses on preeclampsia, this study is the first to focus on the baby's DNA.
  4. The study identified two previously unknown DNA variants linked to preeclampsia, which raise the risk but do not cause the condition on their own.
  5. These newly discovered DNA variants are near the gene FLT1, which is known to be involved in the creation of new blood vessels.
  6. Previous research has associated one form of FLT1 with preeclampsia, as placental levels of the associated protein can harm blood vessels and lead to organ damage.
  7. The team is now analyzing the genomes of more babies in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to see if they share the same DNA variants.
  8. Understanding these genetic links could lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies for preeclampsia.
  9. Preeclampsia affects around 5% of pregnancies worldwide, making it a major contributor to pregnancy- and birth-related deaths.
  10. The genetic underpinnings of preeclampsia have been the focus of a 5-year investigation by Dr. Linda Morgan and her team.
  11. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) quickly scan people's DNA to find genetic variations linked to specific diseases, and this technique was applied to the understanding of preeclampsia.
  12. The impact of preeclampsia on heart health in the long run can be explored further by reading more about it in [another article].
  13. GWAS analysis of preeclampsia has focused on the mothers' DNA in the past, but this study explores the connection between the baby's DNA and the condition.
  14. Familial ties run deep when it comes to preeclampsia, as a woman is more likely to develop it if her mother or sister had the condition.
  15. The risk of preeclampsia is linked to babies' DNA, as discovered by this study, but more research is needed to understand the long-term impact of these genetic variants on heart health.
  16. Dr. Morgan believes that the team's insights could potentially reduce cardiovascular risks by mitigating hypertension.
  17. Recent studies have found multiple genetic loci associated with preeclampsia and pregnancy hypertension, including FGF5, SH2B3, MAPKAPK5, and ACAD10[1].
  18. Managing or modulating these genetic factors associated with preeclampsia could influence the prevention and treatment options for this dangerous pregnancy condition.

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