APOL1 Genotype in Preeclampsia

Black women in the United States and Africa are at an increased risk for preeclampsia. Allelic variants in the gene for apolipoprotein LI, APOL1, are found only in populations of African ancestry, and have been shown to contribute significant risk for kidney disease in black populations worldwide. Recent studies suggest a recessive inheritance pattern of the infant, but not maternal, carriage of APOL1 variants also may contribute risk for preeclampsia. We evaluate the association of preeclampsia with carriage of APOL1 risk alleles in the infant, and assessed potential correlates between placental pathology and APOL1 genotype.