Placental growth factor (PlGF): a key to optimizing fetal growth

Abstract

The needs of the uterus and the fetus for the provision of nutrients and oxygen, supplied by the blood flow, are understandably extremely high, with the circulatory system playing the most important role in this action. Abnormal vascular growth and transformation that create a high vessel resistance network have been associated with various pregnancy pathologies, including miscarriage, small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses with or without preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Placental growth factor (PlGF) has a major role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in human placenta. Low concentrations of PlGF and high concentrations of its inhibitor-soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) are linked with impaired angiogenesis and placental development, leading to the above pregnancy complications. The activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is the most potent of all angiogenic mediators, is partly modulated by PlGF. Although the mechanisms via which PlGF exerts its various effects are still under investigation, we herein discuss the known actions exerted by this major mediator together with its results on fetal growth.

Placental Growth Factor Influences Maternal Cardiovascular Adaptation to Pregnancy in Mice1

“…Decidual vascular restructuring includes early neoangiogenesis and later spiral arterial remodeling [8], processes influenced by PGF [9,10]. Plasma PGF concentrations fluctuate in women over pregnancy, increasing from the first trimester, peaking at 26-30 wk, and declining toward term [1,11]. We postulated that gestational elevations in PGF participate in the normal functional adaptions of the maternal heart to pregnancy.…”

“…Placental growth factor (PGF) is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family [1] with important cardioprotective roles [2][3][4]. PGF has prominent, specific roles in cardiac stress and disease that have made it an attractive therapeutic candidate [2,3].…”

Standardization of amniotic fluid leptin levels and utility in maternal overweight and fetal undergrowth

“…7 Several growth factors and signaling molecules have been implicated in FGR, including vascular endothelial growth factor, placental growth factor and leptin. [8][9][10] Leptin is an adipokine that regulates energy homeostasis and is increased in obesity (anabolism) and decreased in cachexia (catabolism), 11,12 and leptin is present in fetal tissue, including the placenta, suggesting a direct role for leptin in fetal growth and development. [13][14][15] However, amniotic fluid leptin (AFL) has not been standardized or examined systematically during pregnancy.…”

Angiogenesis-related biomarkers (sFlt-1/PlGF) in placental mesenchymal dysplasia

“…Measurement of the angiogenesis-related biomarkers, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) in the serum of pregnant women are currently available tests to aid in the monitoring and decisionmaking process in pregnancies at risk for placental dysfunction [2,3]. Therefore, we hypothesized that the evaluation of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in cases of PMD could be useful to identify those who are more prone to develop adverse outcomes.…”