title: Changes in serum concentrations of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 after pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent stimulator of angiogenesis. It mediates its activity through two membrane-bound receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, both expressed in the placenta. Beginning in early pregnancy, the soluble form of the first, sVEGFR-1, binds and inhibits most of the biological actions of circulating VEGF. After delivery, it disappears from the maternal circulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined the biological elimination rate of endogenous sVEGFR-1 after term pregnancy in serial venous samples obtained during and after elective Caesarean sections (n=8), and we demonstrated the relationship between serum sVEGFR-1 and VEGF after mid-trimester legal termination of pregnancy (n = 5), by analysing their concentrations using immunoassays (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The disappearance of sVEGFR-1 from circulation after Caesarean delivery was biphasic with a rapid half-life of 3.4 h (2.2-7.5 h; median, range) and a slow one of 29 h (17-94 h). After mid-trimester legal termination of pregnancy the sVEGFR-1 concentrations decreased and those of free VEGF simultaneously increased with a highly significant negative correlation with each other (r = -0.90, P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The disappearance of endogenous sVEGFR-1 after pregnancy is biphasic, and it is associated with a simultaneous increase in free VEGF concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. katja-anneli.wathen@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: K-A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wathén
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sarvela
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stenman
authors.forename: U-H
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Stenman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vuorela
mesh_terms: D000029:Abortion, Legal; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D047929:Term Birth; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1