Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-2 is increased in pregnancy but is not further increased in preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-2 (EMAP-2) is a novel protein that demonstrates potent proinflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of EMAP-2 in normal pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and to test the hypothesis that EMAP-2 is a causative agent of the endothelial activation of preeclampsia.


METHODS
Expression of EMAP-2 in the placenta was investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to detect mRNA, and immunohistochemistry with an EMAP-2-specific polyclonal antiserum was carried out to detect protein. Levels of circulating EMAP-2 protein were measured in the blood of nonpregnant, normal pregnant, and preeclamptic individuals using a specific enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and the molecular forms present assessed by Western blotting.


RESULTS
EMAP-2 is transcribed and translated by the placenta troughout pregnancy and in preeclampsia and can be detected in the plasma of nonpregnant and pregnant individuals. Levels of circulating EMAP-2 antigen are raised in pregnancy compared with nonpregnant controls; however, levels in patients with preeclampsia are identical to those in normal pregnant individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
While circulating levels of EMAP-2 are increased in pregnancy, there is no evidence that EMAP-2 is involved directly in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Wellings
R P
RP
University of Nottingham Division of Obstetrics, Midwifery and Gynaecology, School of Human Development, United Kingdom.
Lash
G E
GE
Murray
J C
JC
Tas
M
M
Ward
W
W
Trew
A J
AJ
Baker
P N
PN
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016207:Cytokines; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D016207:Cytokines; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C077219:small inducible cytokine subfamily E, member 1