Effect of vascular endothelial growth factors A, C, and D in HIV-associated pre-eclampsia

ABSTRACT

Objective: To measure and correlate the level of vascular endothelial growth factors A, C, and D in HIV-associated pre-eclampsia.

Methods: VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D were measured in serum of 76 normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnant women stratified by HIV status using Bio-Plex.

Results: No significant difference was shown between pre-eclamptic and normotensive and between HIV negative and positive women. A strong significant positive correlation was demonstrated between VEGF-A and VEGF-C, VEGF-A and VEGF-D, and VEGF-C and VEGF D (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant correlation between VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D and no difference in pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnant women stratified by HIV status suggesting some neutralization of the immune response in HIV-associated pre-eclampsia.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• pre-eclampsia
• VEGF-A
• VEGF-C
• VEGF-D

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the statistician Dr Catherine Connolly for the statistical analysis.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Funding

The authors would like to thank the National Research Foundation and College of Health Sciences for financial support.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the National Research Foundation and College of Health Sciences for financial support.