Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Polymorphisms in Preeclampsia
Summary
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterised by endothelial dysfunction, impaired placental perfusion and systemic inflammation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is pivotal for angiogenesis and the development of a healthy placental vasculature. Genetic variations in the VEGF gene, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), can alter transcriptional activity, protein expression and circulating levels of VEGF, thereby influencing susceptibility to preeclampsia. Commonly studied SNPs include –2578C/A, –634G/C, +405G/C and +936C/T, each located in promoter or untranslated regions that regulate gene expression. Some polymorphic variants have been linked to reduced free VEGF levels and abnormal spiral artery remodelling, while others appear neutral or even protective in certain ethnic groups. Meta-analyses have highlighted heterogeneity across populations, suggesting that the interaction between maternal and foetal genotypes, environmental exposures and epigenetic modifications may modulate risk. Overall, VEGF polymorphisms represent promising biomarkers for early prediction and therapeutic targeting, with potential to guide personalised management of high-risk pregnancies.
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Polymorphisms in Preeclampsia publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms in preeclampsia across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): A protein that stimulates the formation of blood vessels and is critical for placental development.
Polymorphism (single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP): A variation at a single position in the DNA sequence among individuals, which can affect gene function or regulation.
Angiogenesis: The physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels, essential for placental blood supply.
Allele frequency: The proportion of all copies of a gene in a population that carry a specific variant.
Meta-analysis: A statistical method that combines results from multiple studies to derive a more precise estimate of genetic associations.
References
- No association of a Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene polymorphism with pre-eclampsia among pregnant women in Uganda. BMC Genomics (2023).
- Association Between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) +936C/T Polymorphism (rs3025039) and Preeclampsia Among Myanmar Pregnant Women. Journal of Pregnancy (2024).
- A meta-analysis of the vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms associated with the risk of pre-eclampsia. Bioscience Reports (2020).
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