Polymorphisms and Haplotypes in Candidate Genes Related to Angiogenesis and Endothelial Dysfunction in Preeclampsia

Valenzuela and colleagues have recently reviewed some polymorphisms in important candidate genes involved in different pathogenic mechanisms related to preeclampsia (PE) and concluded that various studies in different populations have identified maternal polymorphisms associated with PE. However, we would like to contribute to some studies regarding candidate genes related to angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction in PE performed in the Brazilian population. Specifically, genotypes and haplotypes formed by polymorphisms of VEGF, eNOS and MMP-9, along with an example of the interaction among these genes in the prediction of PE. Our suggestions may provide additional information with clinical relevance to PE susceptibility

Association of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 polymorphisms with the susceptibility and drug responsiveness in patients with preeclampsia or gestacional hypertension

Orientador: José Eduardo Tanus dos SantosTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências MédicasResumo: A pré-eclâmpsia é uma síndrome caracterizada por hipertensão associada à proteinúria. As metaloproteinases de matriz extracelular (MMPs) são enzimas zinco-dependentes que degradam vários componentes da matriz extracelular, cuja atividade é modulada pelos inibidores teciduais de metaloproteinases (TIMPs). Uma vez que as MMP-2 e MMP-9 são fundamentais para os processos de formação e remodelamento dos tecidos feto-placentários e participam da regulação do tônus vascular, os níveis dessas enzimas podem estar alterados em desordens hipertensivas da gestação. É possível ainda que polimorfismos localizados no gene da MMP-9 possam influenciar na susceptibilidade a essas doenças. Logo, os objetivos desse trabalho foram: 1) comparar as concentrações plasmáticas de MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 e TIMP-2 entre grávidas saudáveis (GS), grávidas com hipertensão arterial gestacional (HAG) e com pré-eclâmpsia (PE); 2) comparar as frequências genotípicas e haplotípicas dos polimorfismos C-1562 T e (CA)n da MMP-9 entre GS, HAG e PE. E ta mbém correlacionar as concentrações de MMP-9 aos genótipos e haplótipos da MMP-9; 3) comparar as frequências genotípicas e haplotípicas desses polimorfismos entre HAG ou PE que respondem ou não à farmacoterapia com anti-hipertensivos. Inicialmente, determinaram-se os níveis de pro-MMP-9 e pro-MMP-2 no plas ma, por zimografia, e as concentrações plasmáticas de TIMP-1 e TIMP-2 nos grupos GS, HAG e PE, por ELISA. Nossos resultados revelaram um aumento da atividade líquida de MMP-9 (relação pro-MMP-9/TIMP-1) em HAG, mas em PE, comparados com GS. Em seguida, extraiu-se o DNA das voluntárias GS, HAG e PE, e determinaram-se as frequências genotípicas dos polimorfismos C-1562 T e (CA)n, por PCR seguida de eletroforese, e as frequências haplotípicas, pelo programa PHASE. Observou-se que o genótipo CT para o polimorfismo C-1562 T e o haplótipo H4 (T H) estão mais frequentes em HAG, mas não em PE, comparados com GS. Quando avaliamos as concentrações plasmáticas de MMP-9 segundo as distribuições genotípicas e haplotípicas, não se observam diferenças estatisticamente significantes nos grupos GS e PE, apesar de que o genótipo LH do polimorfismo (CA)n foi associado positivamente com a concentração de MMP-9 em HAG. Por último, determinaram-se as frequências genotípicas e haplotípicas nas pacientes HAG e PE classificadas conforme a responsividade à metildopa ou à terapia anti-hipertensiva total. Verificamos que os genótipos CT+TT estão mais freqüentes nas pacientes HAG que não respondem aos anti-hipertensivos, comparadas com as HAG responsivas, em ambas as abordagens. O haplótipo H2 (C H) está mais frequente nas HAG responsivas à terapia total, enquanto o haplótipo H4 nas HAG não-responsivas à terapia total. Além disso, verificou-se que haplótipo H2 está mais frequente nas pacientes PE que não respondem aos anti-hipertensivos em ambas as abordagens, comparadas com as PE responsivas. Portanto, nossos resultados sugerem que a MMP-9 apresenta um papel relevante na fisiopatologia da HAG e que o polimorfismo C-1562 T e o haplótipo H4 estão associados com a susceptibilidade e com a não-responsividade à terapia anti-hipertensiva dessa doença. E ainda que o haplótipo H2 está associado com a não-responsividade aos anti-hipertensivos em PEAbstract: Preeclampsia is a syndrome characteriz ed by hypertension plus proteinuria. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent enzymes that break down several extracellular matrix components, whose activity is modulated mainly by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Since MMP-2 and MMP-9 ar e essential for the processes of placental and uterine artery remodeling, and they can participate in vascular tone control, levels of these enzymes may be altered in hypertensiv e disorders of pregnancy. It is also possible that polymorphisms in the MMP-9 gene may influence susceptibility to t hese diseases. Thus, the objectives of this study were: 1) to compare plasma MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 concentrations among healthy pregnant (HP), pregnant women with gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE); 2) to compare the genotype and haplotype frequencies of MMP-9 polymorphisms (C T and (CA)n) among HP, GH and PE. And to correlate the MMP-9 concentrations with MMP-9 genotypes and haplotypes too; 3) to compare genotype and haplotype frequencies of these polymorphisms between GH or PE who respond or non-respond to pharmacotherapy with antihypertensives. To achieve our first goal, we determined the plasma pro-MMP-9 and pro-MMP-2 leve ls by zymography, and plasma TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 concentrations by ELISA in GS, HAG and PE. Ou r results showed a net increase in the MMP-9 activity (ratio pro-MMP-9/TIMP-1) in GH, but not in PE, compared with HP. Moreover, to achieve ou r second goal, we firstly extracted DNA from HP, GH and PE volunteers, and then we determined the genotype frequencies of C T and (CA)n polymorphisms by PCR followed by electrophoresis, and the haplotype fr equencies by the program PHASE. It was observed that CT genotype for the C T polymorphism and H4 haplotype (T H) are more frequent in GH, but not in PE, compared with the HP. When we evaluated plasma MMP-9 concentrations according to genotype and haplotype distributions, no statistically significant differences were observed in HP and GH groups; although the LH genotype for (CA) n polymorphism was associated significantly and positively with GH. To approach our third goal, we determined the genotype and haplotype frequenc ies in GH and PE patients classified as responsiveness to methyldopa or to glo bal antihypertensive treatment. We found -1562 -1562 -1562 that CT+TT genotypes are more frequent in GH patients who do not respond to antihypertensives in both approaches, compared with GH who respond. We also found that H2 haplotype (C H) is more common in GH women Who respond to global therapy, and that H4 hap lotype is more common in GH women who do not respond to global therapy. In addi tion, it was found he haplotype H2 are more frequent in PE patients who do not respond to antihypertensives in both approaches, compared with PE who respond. Therefore, our results suggest that MMP-9 has a role in the pat hophysiology of GH and the C T polymorphism and H4 haplotype are associ ated with susceptibility and non-responsiveness to antihypertensive treatment of this disease. While the H2 haplotype is associated with non-responsiveness to antihypertensives in PEDoutoradoDoutor em Farmacologi

Antihypertensive therapy in preeclampsia is not modulated by VEGF polymorphisms

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is relevant for healthy pregnancy, and abnormalities in VEGF functions have been associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Our group recently demonstrated that VEGF genetic polymorphisms affect the susceptibility to preeclampsia (PE).Therefore, in this study our aim is to examine whether VEGF polymorphisms affect the antihypertensive responses in women with PE.We studied 113 white PE women who were stratified according to blood pressure levels after antihypertensive treatment (46 responsive, R group and 67 non-responsive, NR group). We then compared the frequencies of two VEGF genetic polymorphisms (C-2578A and G-634C) between R and NR groups.We found no significant differences in genotype or allele distributions between R and NR groups (P > 0.05). In addition, no difference was observed in overall distribution of haplotypes (P > 0.05).Our data suggest that VEGF polymorphisms do not affect responsiveness to the antihypertensive therapy in PE.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Epistasis among eNOS, MMP-9 and VEGF maternal genotypes in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Polymorphisms of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes were shown to be associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. However, epistasis is suggested to be an important component of the genetic susceptibility to preeclampsia (PE). The aim of this study was to characterize the interactions among these genes in PE and gestational hypertension (GH). Seven clinically relevant polymorphisms of eNOS (T-786C, rs2070744, a variable number of tandem repeats in intron 4 and Glu298Asp, rs1799983), MMP-9 (C-1562T, rs3918242 and -90(CA)(13-25), rs2234681) and VEGF (C-2578A, rs699947 and G-634C, rs2010963) were genotyped by TaqMan allelic discrimination assays or PCR and fragment separation by electrophoresis in 122 patients with PE, 107 patients with GH and a control group of 102 normotensive pregnant (NP) women. A robust multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis was used to characterize gene-gene interactions. Although no significant genotype combinations were observed for the comparison between the GH and NP groups (P>0.05), the combination of MMP-9-1562CC with VEGF-634GG was more frequent in NP women than in women with PE (P<0.05). Moreover, the combination of MMP-9-1562CC with VEGF-634CC or MMP-9-1562CT with VEGF-634CC or-634GG was more frequent in women with PE than in NP women (P<0.05). These results are obscured when single polymorphisms in these genes are considered and suggest that specific genotype combinations of MMP-9 and VEGF contribute to PE susceptibility. Hypertension Research (2012) 35, 917-921; doi:10.1038/hr.2012.60; published online 10 May 2012Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP-Brazil)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq-Brazil)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), BrazilFundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), Brazi