Placental growth factor and pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Placental growth factor (PlGF) is an increasingly important molecule in the prediction, diagnosis and treatment of pre-eclampsia. It has pro-angiogenic effects on the feto-placental circulation and supports trophoblast growth. Mechanisms by which PlGF expression is regulated continue to be investigated. Low circulating PlGF precedes the manifestation of clinical disease in pre-eclamptic pregnancies and intrauterine growth restriction. This suggests that low PlGF is a marker of abnormal placentation, but it remains uncertain whether this is a cause or consequence. Prediction of pre-eclampsia using PlGF is promising and may assist in the targeting of resources to women at highest risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Promisingly, experimental animal models of pre-eclampsia have been successfully treated with supplemental PlGF. Treatment of pre-eclampsia with PlGF is a potential therapeutic option requiring further exploration. This review focuses specifically on the role of PlGF in normal and pathological placental development and in the clinical management of pre-eclampsia.

Adrenergic receptor blockade attenuates placental ischemia-induced hypertension

“…; Chau et al. ). PlGF plays an increased role in promoting vasorelaxation during normal pregnancy via action on its receptor, VEGFR1 (Osol et al.…”

“…In this study, we detected falls in circulating PlGF levels in RUPP compared to Sham rats. Angiogenic factors, like PlGF and VEGF, are important for maintenance of maternal vascular health (Krysiak et al 2005;Chau et al 2017). PlGF plays an increased role in promoting vasorelaxation during normal pregnancy via action on its receptor, VEGFR1 (Osol et al 2008), whereas VEGF isoforms largely bind to VEGF2 to induce relaxation (Itoh et al 2002;Clegg and Mac Gabhann 2017).…”

How to perform first trimester combined screening for pre‐eclampsia

“…PlGF is a vascular endothelial growth factor that is predominately expressed by the placenta . This biomarker plays a key role in angiogenesis of the uteroplacental circulation .…”

“…PlGF is a vascular endothelial growth factor that is predominately expressed by the placenta . This biomarker plays a key role in angiogenesis of the uteroplacental circulation . In the normal evolution of pregnancy, PlGF concentrations rise and reach a peak at 30 weeks of gestation .…”

“…This biomarker plays a key role in angiogenesis of the uteroplacental circulation . In the normal evolution of pregnancy, PlGF concentrations rise and reach a peak at 30 weeks of gestation . However, in pregnancies complicated by PE, PlGF levels are reduced, likely reflecting abnormal placentation .…”