Characterisation of novel TAC3 and TACR3 gene variants and polymorphisms in patients with pre-eclampsia

[摘要] In South Africa, pre-eclampsia is the second highest cause of maternal deaths. The incidence of thisdisease in the Western Cape alone is 6.8% and places a large burden of health care facilities. Theplacenta and implantation thereof is thought to play the most significant role in the onset of thisdisease. Among the many theories for its aetiology, is the acknowledged two - stage theory. This isbased on evidence that pre-eclamptic placentas demonstrate altered remodelling and invasion into theuterine endometrium and myometrium. The sub-optimal endometrium invasion leads to lessoxygenation of the placental environment causing transient hypoxia. Consequently, the placenta isthought to release unknown factors into the maternal circulation which then culminates in clinicalfeatures associated with pre-eclampsia. Neurokinin B is thought to be one of these placental factorsand subsequently binds to the NKB receptor in the maternal system. Endothelium-derived nitricoxide synthase has recently been shown to activate this receptor.The aim of this study was to investigate the role of neurokinin B (TAC3) and the neurokinin Breceptor (TACR3) genes in the predisposition of pre-eclampsia and their interaction with eNOS in theSouth African coloured population together with a matched control cohort.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University