Placentation abnormalities in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia, a pregnancy-specific syndrome of hypertension and proteinuria, is one of the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although the initiating factor is unknown, a clearer picture regarding the network mechanisms of preeclampsia has begun to emerge during the past few years. The pathogenesis of preeclampsia can be described as having two stages. The first stage of preeclampsia involves abnormal placental implantation, followed by transition to the second stage of endothelial dysfunction. The link bridging these two stages is considered to be oxidative stress and disrupting angiogenesis. Discovery of the fundamental molecular mechanisms causing preeclampsia may provide a potential for prophylactic intervention and symptom amelioration. In this article, the clinical syndrome and risk factors of preeclampsia will be introduced, followed by the recent advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and, finally, research into aberrant placentation will be discussed.

Keywords::

• diagnosis
• mechanism
• pathogenesis
• placenta
• preeclampsia

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported in part by grants from Taipei Veterans General Hospital (V97C1–071; 97VN-012; V97ED1–008), and the National Science Council (NSC-96–2314-B-010 -018 -MY3; NSC 96–2629-B-010–001), Taiwan. The authors have no other 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 apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.