First-trimester angiopoietin-2: relationships with maternal and placental characteristics.
Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), synthesized by endothelial cells, is a marker of placental vascular remodeling. Ang-2 is expressed in the first trimester, and levels may therefore correlate to other parameters of placental vascular development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between Ang-2 and other maternal/placental factors in the first trimester. This was a prospective observational study of women presenting for first-trimester screening at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks. Consenting women underwent an ultrasound, physical examination, and blood draw. Maternal serum Ang-2 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results were evaluated with relation to maternal age, parity, race, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), smoking/caffeine use, and parameters of placental blood flow resistance. In 111 consecutive patients, serum Ang-2 ranged from 0.6 to 10.9 ng/mL. Ang-2 levels were unrelated to maternal age, race, parity, smoking, and caffeine intake. Significant negative correlations were observed with BMI (Pearson's R = -0.325; P < 0.0001) and MAP (Pearson's R = -0.287; P = 0.002). Ang-2 levels did not correlate with gestational age (Spearman's rho, 0.064; P = 0.5058), but a significant positive correlation with the crown-rump length was observed (Spearman's rho, 0.261; P = 0.006). Neither uterine artery notching nor umbilical artery Doppler parameters correlated with Ang-2 levels. We concluded that Ang-2 as a marker of placental angiogenesis has significant relationships with maternal risk factors associated with abnormal placental development.
Baschat
Ahmet A
AA
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. abaschat@umm.edu
Kasdaglis
Tania
T
Aberdeen
Graham
G
Turan
Ozhan
O
Kopelman
Jerome
J
Atlas
Robert
R
Jenkins
Chuka
C
Blitzer
Miriam
M
Harman
Christopher
C
D000328:Adult; D042702:Angiopoietin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors
D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D015415:Biomarkers