Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, marked by elevated blood pressure with or without organ dysfunction in the latter half of gestation, pose significant short- and long-term risks for both mothers and infants. Currently, treatment options beyond expedited delivery are limited. However, a recent study led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Broad Institute has uncovered promising insights.
Published in JAMA Cardiology, the study delved into genetic data from over 600,000 individuals, aiming to investigate whether genetic predispositions to varying levels of specific proteins in the bloodstream might influence a woman’s susceptibility to hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
The research pinpointed six proteins integral to cardiovascular and inflammatory processes, showcasing strong evidence of either contributing to or protecting against these pregnancy-related conditions. The identified proteins include CD40, cystatin B, eosinophil cationic protein, galectin-3, heat shock protein 27, and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide.
Senior author Michael C. Honigberg, MD, MPP, a cardiologist and researcher at MGH, and an assistant professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the significance of these findings. “These findings provide new insights into the biology of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, suggesting different pathways—such as blood vessel regulation, inflammation, and immunity—are involved in the development of these diseases,” said Honigberg.
The implications of this research extend beyond understanding the conditions; it opens avenues for potential therapeutic targets. The highlighted proteins warrant further investigation in animal models and, if promising, may progress to human trials, offering hope for advancements in preventing and treating preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
