The circulating proangiogenic factors CYR61 (CCN1) and NOV (CCN3) are significantly decreased in placentae and sera of preeclamptic patients.
It is thought that preeclampsia results from a shallow invasion of the extravillous trophoblast into the decidua and maternal vessels, which in turn leads to hypoxia and uteroplacental insufficiency. Here, the authors focus on the expression of the proangiogenic secreted molecules CYR61 (CCN1) and NOV (CCN3) in human placentae during normal pregnancy compared with preeclamptic placentae. CYR61 and NOV are strongly expressed in endothelial cells as well as in the extravillous trophoblast, with increasing levels during placental development. Interestingly, the authors found significantly decreased levels in early preeclamptic placentae compared with matched controls. Whereas both CYR61 and NOV proteins are present at constant high levels in the sera of nonpregnant and pregnant women, in the sera of patients with early-onset preeclampsia, levels were significantly reduced. The authors suggest that the reduction of both CCN molecules in preeclampsia could be 1 reason underlying the failure of uterine vascular remodeling. Moreover, their low maternal serum levels could serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis of this disease.
Gellhaus
Alexandra
A
Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. alexandra.gellhaus@uni-essen.de
Schmidt
Markus
M
Dunk
Caroline
C
Lye
Stephen J
SJ
Winterhager
Elke
E
D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D055515:Cysteine-Rich Protein 61; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D055514:Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein; D009864:Ontario; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C501848:CCN1 protein, human; C526317:CCN2 protein, human; C526319:CCN3 protein, human; D055515:Cysteine-Rich Protein 61; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D055514:Nephroblastoma Overexpressed Protein; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor