Genetics
CETP TaqIB genotype shows no link to preeclampsia or pregnancy lipid profile, unlike apoE (Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2004)
Original title: Apolipoprotein E and cholesteryl ester transfer protein polymorphisms in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies
Comparing 144 normal pregnant women (67 in the third trimester) with 51 third-trimester preeclampsia cases, apoE and CETP TaqIB genotypes were tested for association with preeclampsia and with lipid/lipoprotein profile. Genotype distributions for both apoE and CETP did not differ between control and preeclampsia groups. Among all third-trimester subjects, apoE genotype, but not CETP genotype, was associated with lipid differences: E2 carriers had significantly lower LDL-cholesterol than E4 carriers and E3/3 individuals, while E4 carriers had significantly lower HDL-cholesterol and apoA-I, higher total cholesterol and LDL, and higher LDLc/HDLc and apoB/apoA-I ratios than E3/3. Neither candidate gene was associated with preeclampsia, but apoE genotype, unlike CETP genotype, shaped the pregnancy lipid profile.
Original abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the association of apolipoprotein (apo) E polymorphism and a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) polymorphism (CETP/TaqIB) with preeclampsia and with lipid/lipoprotein profile in pregnancy.
Materials And Methods: A group of 144 normal pregnant women (67 in the third trimester) were compared with 51 cases of preeclampsia in the third trimester of gestation. Apo E and CETP genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins were evaluated using commercially available kits. LDL size was assessed by gradient gel electrophoresis.
Results: No differences were found in the distribution of subjects with respect to genotypes, in the apo E and CETP polymorphisms, between control and pathologic groups. In the third trimester of gestation (both control and case groups considered), apo E polymorphism, but not CETP polymorphism, was associated with different lipid and lipoprotein levels. Patients carrying the E2 allele (E2+) presented with significantly lower values of LDL cholesterol (LDLc) compared with carriers of E4 (E4+) and E3/3 individuals. E2+ also presented with the highest triglyceride (TG) level, although this was not statistically significant. On the other hand, HDL cholesterol (HDLc) and apo A-I levels were significantly reduced in E4+, compared with E3/3. Furthermore, E4+ presented with the highest total cholesterol and LDL and therefore LDLc/HDLc and apo B/apo A-I ratios were significantly higher in this group compared with the other two.
Conclusions: Neither of our candidate genes showed association with preeclampsia. However, apo E genotype was associated with changes in lipid and lipoprotein profiles in pregnant women.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.