Soluble TNF-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis as a New Marker in Preeclampsia: A Pilot Clinical Study

Abstract

Introduction. All findings of preeclampsia appear as the clinical consequences of diffuse endothelial dysfunction. Soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) was recently introduced as a TNF related cytokine in various inflammatory and noninflammatory disorders. sTWEAK was found to be related to endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease. In our study we aimed to compare sTWEAK levels in women with preeclampsia to corresponding levels in a healthy pregnant control group. Materials and Methods. The study was undertaken with 33 patients with preeclampsia and 33 normal pregnant women. The concentration of sTWEAK in serum was calculated with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results. Serum creatinine, uric acid, LDH levels, and uPCR were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group. sTWEAK levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic patients (332 ± 144 pg/mL) than in control subjects (412 ± 166 pg/mL) (p = 0.04). Discussion. Our study demonstrates that sTWEAK is decreased in patients with preeclampsia compared to healthy pregnant women. There is a need for further studies to identify the role of sTWEAK in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and to determine whether it can be regarded as a predictor of the development of preeclampsia.

The Role of Soluble TNF-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis as A Predictor of Preeclampsia

“…This agrees with the standard criteria for diagnosing preeclampsia, as described by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Similar to our findings, Yildirim ZK et al [24] discovered that SBP and DBP showed a highly significant elevation in the preeclamptic females than the healthy pregnant females. In addition, Fasshauer M et al [25] found that SBP and DBP were increased in preeclamptic females than healthy controls.…”

Generating evidence on screening, diagnosis and management of non-communicable diseases during pregnancy; a scoping review of current gap and practice in India with a comparison of Asian context

“…The high-risk group that developed PE/PIH also reported having a significantly lower PLGF value, which strengthened the hypothesis that low sTWEAK is related to the progression of disease severity, indicating the potential of sTWEAK in identifying high-risk cases at the earliest [36]. A similar finding was reported by Yildirim et al 2016, in which sTWEAK levels were significantly lower in pre-eclamptic patients (332 ± 144 pg/mL) than in control subjects (412 ± 166 pg/mL) (p = 0.04). However, the authors warrant further investigation to build evidence on the role of sTWEAK as a predictor for pre-eclampsia [65].…”

“…A similar finding was reported by Yildirim et al 2016, in which sTWEAK levels were significantly lower in pre-eclamptic patients (332 ± 144 pg/mL) than in control subjects (412 ± 166 pg/mL) (p = 0.04). However, the authors warrant further investigation to build evidence on the role of sTWEAK as a predictor for pre-eclampsia [ 65 ].…”

Evaluation of soluble TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) levels to predict preeclampsia in early weeks of pregnancy

“…Globally 5-14% of all pregnancies are complicated by PE and in developing countries it's prevalence is 4-18% (2). PE is a multifactor disorder, starting with placental dysfunction leading to augmented anti-angiogenic response in mother (3). With the loss of balance between pro-and antiangiogenic factors, the maternal endothelial function deteriorates (4).…”

“…sTWEAK is a multipurpose cytokine which is involved in conducting diverse biological events, like cellular multiplication, growth, migration, angiogenesis, cell differentiation, apoptosis and inflammation by instigating expression of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, in peculiar it appears to perform critical role in tissue repair and wound healing (3). TWEAK is universally expressed as Type II trans-membrane protein of 35-kDA which after cleaving, shed functionally active soluble 18-kDA processed factor called as sTWEAK (18).…”