Markers of haemostasis and angiogenesis in placentae from gestational vascular complications: Impairment of mechanisms involved in maintaining intervillous blood flow☆

Abstract 

Introduction

Preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are multifactorial diseases, whose pathogenesis is largely unknown. A significant relationship between haemostasis and angiogenesis in placentae from uneventful pregnancies was previously shown.

Materials and Methods

RNA expression of haemostasis (TF, TFPI, TFPI-2, PAI-2, Anx V, TM) and angiogenesis (Ang-1, Ang-2, PlGF, VEGF) markers in placentae from PE (n=12), PE+FGR (n=17) and FGR (n=20) in respect of placentae from uncomplicated pregnancies (n=21) were investigated.

Results

Placentae from complicated pregnancies showed a significant lower expression (p≤0.05 Mann-Whitney U test) of TF, TFPI, TFPI-2, Anx V, PAI-2 than those from in uncomplicated ones. VEGF and PlGF were not different in the considered groups; Ang-1 and Ang-2 were significantly higher (p≤0.05 Mann-Whitney U test) in the PE group.

Correlations between factors involved in haemostasis and those involved in angiogenesis, observed in placentae from uneventful pregnancies are lacking in those from complicated ones.

Conclusions

Haemostasis factors are reduced in placentae from complicated pregnancies. The relationship between haemostasis and angiogenesis observed in uncomplicated pregnancies is impaired in PE and FGR.

Abbreviations: PE, preeclampsia, FGR, fetal growth restriction, TF, tissue factor, TFPI, Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor, PAI, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor, AnxV, Annexin V, TM, Thrombomodulin, Ang-1 and 2, Angiopoietin 1 and 2, VEGF, Vascular Endothelial growth Factor, PlGF, Placental Growth Factor

Keywords: Haemostasis factors, Angiogenesis factors, Gestational vascular complications