title: Placenta growth factor in sickle cell disease: association with hemolysis and inflammation.
abstract: Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is released by immature erythrocytes and is elevated in sickle cell disease (SCD). Previous data generated in vitro suggest that PlGF may play a role in the pathophysiology of SCD-associated pulmonary hypertension (PHT) by inducing the release of the vasoconstrictor, endothelin-1. In this cross-sectional study of 74 patients with SCD, we confirm that PlGF is significantly elevated in SCD compared with healthy control subjects. We found significantly higher levels of PlGF in SCD patients with PHT but observed no association of PlGF with the frequency of acute pain episodes or history of acute chest syndrome. The observed correlation between PlGF and various measures of red cell destruction suggests that hemolysis, and the resultant erythropoietic response, results in the up-regulation of PlGF. Although relatively specific, PlGF, as well as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule, has low predictive accuracy for the presence of PHT. Prospective studies are required to conclusively define the contribution of PlGF to the pathogenesis of PHT and other hemolytic complications in SCD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7305, USA.
authors.forename: Julia E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Brittain
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hulkower
authors.forename: Susan K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Dell
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Strayhorn
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Castro
authors.forename: Marilyn J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Telen
authors.forename: Eugene P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Orringer
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinderliter
authors.forename: Kenneth I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Ataga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor