Decreased endothelial progenitor cells in umbilical cord blood in severe preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
We compared the numbers of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in umbilical cord blood in severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy, along with the cord blood plasma levels of free VEGF and sVEGFR-1.


METHODS
Umbilical cord blood EPC counts in severe preeclampsia (n = 15) and gestationally matched normal pregnant women (n = 30) were retrospectively analyzed. Cord plasma free VEGF and sVEGFR-1 levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
Significantly higher systolic blood pressure, lower birth weight, and higher rate of small for gestational age were noted in the severe preeclampsia group. Circulating EPCs in cord blood and umbilical cord plasma free VEGF were significantly decreased in severe preeclampsia compared to the control group (p = 0.009 and 0.04, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
In severe preeclampsia, cord blood EPCs were reduced markedly and this was accompanied by a significant decrease in cord plasma free VEGF which is known to play a role in EPC mobilization.
Kwon
Ja-Young
JY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Maeng
Yong-Son
YS
Kwon
Young-Guen
YG
Kim
Young-Han
YH
Kang
Moung-Hwa
MH
Park
Yong-Won
YW
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014469:Umbilical Arteries; D014471:Umbilical Veins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood*
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A