Title:Circulatory and Placental Expression of Soluble Fms-like Tyrosine Kinase-
1 and Placental Growth Factor in HIV-infected Preeclampsia
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Author(s): Zinhle P. Mlambo*, Olive P. Khaliq, Jagidesa Moodley and Thajasvarie Naicker
Affiliation:
- Optics and Imaging Centre, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University
of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Keywords:
Pre-eclampsia, placental growth factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor, HIV.
Abstract: An imbalance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors plays a fundamental role in
the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Studies have shown a dysregulation of sFlt-1 and placental
growth factor (PlGF) in PE. However, there are differing reports on the levels of these pro-/antiangiogenic
factors in HIV-infected preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies, possibly due to
highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its immune reconstitution effect. The study aimed
to investigate the effect of hypertension and ARVs on circulating and placental pro- and antiangiogenic
factors in HIV-infected PE. The level of sFlt-1 expression is elevated in PE compared to
normal pregnancies. PlGF was altered by placental dysfunction. Antiretroviral therapy does not impact
the angiogenic shift in PE development. The angiogenic imbalance evident in the circulatory
system by higher sFlt-1 compared to PlGF levels is replicated in the placenta by reduced expression
of PlGF receptors in comparison to sFlt-1 receptors. However, there is a lack of data that explore the
relationship between HAART and anti-angiogenic factors in the placenta and the circulation of PE
comorbid with HIV infection.
