Evaluation of physiological alterations of the placenta through analysis of cell-free messenger ribonucleic acid concentrations of angiogenic factors

Objective: Placental messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) has been shown to circulate in maternal plasma. We investigated concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), and endoglin in subjects with preeclampsia, compared with normal pregnancies. Study Design: Peripheral blood samples were obtained from preeclampsia (n = 43) and control subjects (n = 41). Plasma ribonucleic acid was subjected to analysis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay to examine the mRNA distribution among women with preeclampsia and control subjects during weeks 35-41 of gestation. Results: Concentrations of VEGF, VEGFR-1, and endoglin mRNA of women with preeclampsia were significantly increased. The mRNA values were observed to correlate directly with the severity of hypertension and proteinuria. VEGFR-1 mRNA was markedly elevated in women with preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet syndrome. Conclusion: The mRNA concentrations of VEGF, VEGFR-1, and endoglin were observed to correlate directly with the severity of preeclampsia.