Association of apolipoprotein J gene 866C→T polymorphism with preeclampsia and essential hypertension

The etiology of preeclampsia ( PE) is unknown, but endothelial cell injury plays a pivotal role. Moreover, there is a significantly positive association between PE and later hypertension. Apolipoprotein J ( apo J) plays an important role in stabilizing cell membranes at diverse fluid-tissue interfaces and might protect vascular endothelium against an attack by some factors in plasma such as active complement complexes. This study investigated the prevalence and possible association of apo J gene in PE and essential hypertension ( EH). To screen for polymorphisms of apo J gene in a population in Guizhou, China, by employing polymerase chain reaction combined with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, we identified 866C --> T polymorphism in exon 5 and a rare variant 1061C --> T in exon 7. The CT genotype and T-allele frequencies in PE ( CT genotype 26%; T allele 13%) and EH ( CT genotype 28.57%; T allele 17.14%) were significantly lower than that in the control group ( CT genotype 50%; T allele 27%). The results suggested that the 866C] T polymorphism might be associated with PE and EH. It is plausible that apo J may play a certain role in the predisposition to PE and EH. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.