An updated view on the origin and use of angiogenic biomarkers for preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The last decade has seen massive efforts towards the identification and the potential use of predictive biomarkers for the pregnancy pathology preeclampsia. The angiogenic factors sFlt-1 and placental growth factor (PGF) have been in focus and have been massively supported.

Areas covered: This review describes preeclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR), focusing on sFlt-1 and PGF, their sources during and outside pregnancy and the application of these markers in diseases outside pregnancy. Finally, the specificity of the angiogenic markers for preeclampsia is discussed.

Expert commentary: The admixture of the two independent syndromes preeclampsia and IUGR has not helped in identifying the etiologies of either. Rather, it has made the search for new markers and pathways much more complicated as has the constriction on the angiogenic markers. The current markers sFlt-1 and PGF have a clear value once an adverse outcome is diagnosed but are not specific for preeclampsia. Also, they are mostly derived from the maternal vascular system rather than the placenta and are already in use as markers outside pregnancy. A new holistic approach using disease maps and interoperable workflows based on topic-related big data will help in broadening our understanding of the etiology of preeclampsia and hence, develop new markers and therapies.

KEYWORDS:

• Angiogenic biomarkers
• PGF
• placenta
• preeclampsia
• sFlt-1

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewers Disclosure

One reviewer has received fees for lectures from Roche Diagnostics and Thermo-Fisher (both companies provides preeclampsia biomarkers, specifically sFlt-1 and PlGF). The remaining peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was not funded.