Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a heterogeneous disorder which
complicates 5-7% of all pregnancies and remains a leading cause of ma
ternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Severe preeclampsi
a is the most distinctive and life-threatening form; a multi-system di
sorder more common in first pregnancies, it is characterized by high b
lood pressure and proteinuria. In a series of Caucasian women with pre
gnancy-induced hypertension, we have observed a significant associatio
n of preeclampsia with a molecular variant of angiotensinogen, T235, f
ound previously to be associated with essential hypertension. This fin
ding is corroborated in a sample ascertained in Japan. Together, these
observations support a new pathophysiological interpretation of preec
lampsia and of its relation to some forms of essential hypertension.