title: New aspects in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
abstract: Preeclampsia, the de novo occurrence of hypertension and proteinuria after the 20th week of gestation, continues to exert an inordinate toll on mothers and children alike. Recent clinical trials, new physiologic insights, and novel observations on pathogenesis have altered the thinking about preeclampsia. The mechanisms surrounding relaxin and its effects on the circulation and on matrix metalloproteinases have been elucidated. The growth factor's receptor, fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, has been shown to exist in a soluble form that is able to inactivate vascular endothelial-derived growth factor and human placental growth factor. Compelling evidence has been brought forth suggesting that fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 is a circulating factor that can cause preeclampsia. Preeclamptic women have high circulating levels of asymmetric dimethyl arginine that could account for the generalized endothelial dysfunction observed in preeclampsia. Preeclamptic women also produce novel autoantibodies that may serve to activate angiotensin receptors. These new observations raise the possibility that the treatment of preeclamptic women will soon be improved.
authors.affiliation: Franz Volhard Clinic, Wiltberg Strasse 50, 13125 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Homuth
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jeyabalan
authors.forename: Kirk P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.forename: S Ananth
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Karumanchi
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quaggin
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dechend
authors.forename: Friedrich C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Luft
mesh_terms: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D045462:Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012065:Relaxin / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D001323:Autoantibodies; D045462:Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors; D012065:Relaxin