Cord blood angiogenic profile in normotensive pregnancies

Abstract

Human placenta undergoes both angiogenesis and vasculogenesis during fetal development. An imbalance in proangiogenic [placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor] and antiangiogenic factors [soluble fms like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng)] has been reported to have a role in pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Hence the present study was designed to analyze heme oxygenase-1 and endoglin levels in maternal and cord blood of normotensive women. The study comprised of twenty five normotensive pregnant women immediately after delivery Study samples were drawn (maternal venous blood and umbilical cord blood) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and endoglin levels were analyzed by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Heme oxygenase-1 levels were elevated in maternal blood as compared to cord blood of normotensive pregnant women. Also, serum blood endoglin levels were higher in maternal blood compared to cord blood of normotensive pregnant women. These findings indicate that there is angiogenic balance during normotensive pregnancy and dysbalance might occur during pathological pregnancy. These markers of angiogenic balance may serve as diagnostic marker and may help in explaining future risk of cardiovascular disease in these women.

Keywords: Vasculogenesis; Proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors; Pregnancy