Angiotensin receptors, autoimmunity, and preeclampsia

J Immunol. 2007 Sep 15;179(6):3391-5. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.6.3391.

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder that causes substantial maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite being a leading cause of maternal death and a major contributor to maternal and perinatal morbidity, the mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia are poorly understood. Recent studies indicate that women with preeclampsia have autoantibodies that activate the angiotensin receptor, AT1, and that autoantibody-mediated receptor activation contributes to pathophysiology associated with preeclampsia. The research reviewed here raises the intriguing possibility that preeclampsia may be a pregnancy-induced autoimmune disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoantibodies / metabolism
  • Autoantibodies / physiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pre-Eclampsia / immunology*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / metabolism*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / immunology*
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / metabolism
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 / physiology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1