A MOLECULAR VARIANT OF ANGIOTENSINOGEN ASSOCIATED WITH PREECLAMPSIA

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.