Increased plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and endoglin levels in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia

Abstract

Background. Increased maternal plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines as well as the anti-angiogenic agents soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and endoglin (sEng) are associated with promoting vascular dysfunction leading to the maternal syndrome of preeclampsia.

Objective and method. Nulliparous women complicated with preeclampsia (n = 29) and their corresponding controls (n = 29) delivering at the Enrique C. Sotomayor Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Guayaquil-Ecuador were requested to participate in a study evaluating plasma levels of soluble anti-angiogenic factors (sFlt-1 and sEng) and pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Maternal and neonatal data were also assessed and compared among the study groups.

Results. No significant differences in either maternal baseline or delivery characteristics were observed among the study groups. Compared with controls, preeclamptic women exhibited higher plasma levels of sFlt-1 (19.0 ± 15.1 vs. 12 ± 8.3 ng/mL) and of sEng (20.4 ± 9.9 vs.15.9 ± 9.4 ng/mL); respectively, p < 0.05. Women with severe disease displayed higher sFlt-1 and sEng levels when compared with mild ones (34.5 ± 11.6 vs. 9.5 ± 1.6 ng/mL, and 29.5 ± 9.0 vs. 14.8. ± 5.2 ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). In contrast, women with preeclampsia exhibited significant lower IL-8 and G-CSF levels compared with controls. No differences existed between either group in IL-6 levels or TNF-α.

Conclusion. Consistent with previous reports, increased sFlt-1 and Eng levels in maternal plasma is consistent with vascular dysfunction found in gestations complicated with preeclampsia.

Keywords:

• Preeclampsia
• sFlt-1
• endoglin
• vascular dysfunction
• cytokines