Circulating angiogenic factors in singleton vs multiple-gestation pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
Placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Here we describe alterations in serum angiogenic factor levels in women with multiple gestation pregnancies, a major preeclampsia risk factor.


METHODS
We collected serial serum specimens from 101 pregnant women at high preeclampsia risk between 22 and 36 weeks' gestation. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Women who had preeclampsia or gestational hypertension develop were excluded.


RESULTS
Maternal soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 was higher in multiple gestation (n = 20) compared with high-risk singleton (n = 81) pregnancies for each gestational age range examined. Maternal placental growth factor was significantly higher in multiple vs high-risk singletons before 31 weeks' gestation, whereas the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1/placental growth factor ratio was higher in multiple vs high-risk singletons after 27 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Alterations in circulating angiogenic factors are present in women with multiple gestations and may contribute to higher preeclampsia risk in this population.
Maynard
Sharon E
SE
Department of Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. smaynard@mfa.gwu.edu
Moore Simas
Tiffany A
TA
Solitro
Matthew J
MJ
Rajan
Abraham
A
Crawford
Sybil
S
Soderland
Peter
P
Meyer
Bruce A
BA
D000328:Adult; D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk / Q000097:blood; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000097:blood*; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood*
D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1