title: The role of angiogenic, anti-angiogenic and vasoactive factors in pre-eclamptic African women: early- versus late-onset pre-eclampsia.
abstract: The pathogenesis and aetiology of pre-eclampsia (PE) is still unclear. We investigated the role of angiogenic, antiangiogenic and vasoactive factors in black South African women with early- and late-onset PE. Serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) levels were determined using the ELISA technique, and placental mRNA expression levels of sFlt-1, VEGF, PlGF and AT1 receptors were determined using real-time PCR. Serum sFlt-1 levels were significantly elevated and PlGF significantly reduced in early-onset PE compared to the normotensive group. Placental VEGF mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced in the late-onset preeclamptic group compared with the normotensives. The placental mRNA expression of AT1 receptor in the late-onset pre-eclamptic group was relatively raised compared to the normotensives, suggesting hypersensitivity to pressor agents. We believe that the excess of serum sFlt-1 and reduced VEGF and PlGF levels favour an anti-angiogenic state and endothelial dysfunction leading to PE, and that the aetiology and pathogenesis of early- and late-onset PE differ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Physiological Chemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lucinda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mackraj
authors.forename: Prem
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gathiram
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moodley
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013019:South Africa; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C449676:AGTRAP protein, human; D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1