Angiogenic factors in preeclampsia: potential for diagnosis and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The review summarizes new observations of key roles for circulating angiogenic factors in diagnosing, managing, and treating preeclampsia.


RESULTS
Alterations in circulating angiogenic factors (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor) in preeclampsia correlate with the diagnosis and adverse outcomes, particularly when the disease presents prematurely (<34 weeks). Measurement of these angiogenic biomarkers further helps differentiate preeclampsia and its complications from other disorders that present with similar clinical profiles. A ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1/placental growth factor greater than 85 appears ideal as the cut-off for both diagnosis and prognosis. There is also evidence that modulating these factors has therapeutic effects, suggesting a future role for angiogenic factors in treatment and prevention of preeclampsia.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating angiogenic biomarkers help in diagnostic and prognostic profiling of preeclampsia and may facilitate better management of these patients.
aDivision of Nephrology/Department of Medicine bMaternal Fetal Medicine/Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Arvind
A
Goel
Sarosh
S
Rana
D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000097:blood
D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1