Variants in the fetal genome near FLT1 are associated with risk of preeclampsia

We report the first GWAS of offspring from preeclamptic pregnancies and discovery of the first genome-wide significant susceptibility locus (rs4769613; P = 5.4 × 10−11) in 4,380 cases and 310,238 controls. This locus is near the FLT1 gene encoding Fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, providing biological support, as a placental isoform of this protein (sFlt-1) is implicated in the pathology of preeclampsia. The association was strongest in offspring from pregnancies in which preeclampsia developed during late gestation and offspring birth weights exceeded the tenth centile. An additional nearby variant, rs12050029, associated with preeclampsia independently of rs4769613. The newly discovered locus may enhance understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and its subtypes.

Source: Nature Genetics - June 19, 2017 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Ralph McGinnis Valgerdur Steinthorsdottir Nicholas O Williams Gudmar Thorleifsson Scott Shooter Sigrun Hjartardottir Suzannah Bumpstead Lilja Stefansdottir Lucy Hildyard Jon K Sigurdsson John P Kemp Gabriela B Silva Liv Cecilie V Thomsen Tiina J ä ä ske Tags: Letter Source Type: research