Placental expression of sFlt-1 and PlGF in early preeclampsia vs. early IUGR vs. age-matched healthy pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether differences between early preeclampsia and early fetal growth restriction can be explained by differential placental expression patterns of sFlt-1, Flt-1, and PlGF.

METHODS

Placental tissues and maternal blood samples from six cases of preeclampsia, seven IUGR, and six age-matched controls were studied for mRNA and protein levels as well as protein localization and expression intensity.

RESULTS

Neither placental PlGF mRNA and protein expression nor placental villous trophoblast expression intensity of PlGF was altered by placental dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

High sFlt-1 concentrations may account for diminished maternal serum PlGF levels.