title: First-trimester angiopoietin-2: relationships with maternal and placental characteristics.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. abaschat@umm.edu
authors.forename: Ahmet A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Baschat
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kasdaglis
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aberdeen
authors.forename: Ozhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Turan
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kopelman
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Atlas
authors.forename: Chuka
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blitzer
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harman
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D042702:Angiopoietin-2; D015415:Biomarkers