Selected polymorphisms of Renin-Angiotensin System in the pathology of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Pregnancy induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia, defined as hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with no history of such symptoms, are a great challenge in the field of perinatology. They are a serious threat to the mother and the child. Regardless of numerous studies on the subject, the pathogenesis of pregnancyinduced hypertension and pre-eclampsia is still unknown, although a crucial role of genetic factors combined with environmental factors has been confirmed. New theory, based on genetic analysis of Renin-Angiotensin System and its impact on blood pressure in pregnant women, has been subject to much debate recently. Numerous genes have been studied but angiotensinogen remains to be the best known. Little is known about angiotensin receptor type 1 and 2. This paper presents the knowledge about selected genes of RAS and their impact on pregnancy.