Comparison of activin A and cell-free fetal DNA levels in maternal plasma from patients at high risk for preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the concentration of activin A in a prospective manner before the clinical manifestation of preeclampsia and compared the data with those of cell-free fetal DNA in the maternal plasma.


METHODS
The levels of activin A were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for pregnant women: (1) with preeclampsia (n = 34) in the third-trimester and normal controls (n = 44); and (2) at-risk of preeclampsia in the second-trimester (n = 15) as indicated by uterine artery Doppler and normal controls (n = 68). Correlation between activin A level and cell-free fetal DNA level was examined using the Spearman rank test.


RESULTS
The level of plasma activin A was significantly higher in the preeclamptic samples (12.056 vs 7.068 ng/mL, p = 0.000). The increase in the activin A concentration was observed prior to the onset of preeclampsia (3.483 vs 1.324 ng/mL, p = 0.000). This increase in activin A correlated significantly with the increased level of cell-free fetal DNA, in the maternal circulation prior to the onset of preeclampsia (r = 0.977, p = 0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that circulatory activin A could be an independent biomarker for the early identification and monitoring of preeclampsia.
Diesch
Claude Henri
CH
Laboratory for Prenatal Medicine and Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Basel, Switzerland.
Holzgreve
Wolfgang
W
Hahn
Sinuhe
S
Zhong
Xiao Yan
XY
D028341:Activins / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply
C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins; D004247:DNA