Placental expression of sFlt-1 and PlGF in early preeclampsia vs. early IUGR vs. age-matched healthy pregnancies.

Objective: To investigate whether differences between early preeclampsia and early fetal growth restriction can be explained by differential placental expression patterns of sFlt-1, Flt-1, and PlGF.
Methods: Placental tissues and maternal blood samples from six cases of preeclampsia, seven IUGR, and six age-matched controls were studied for mRNA and protein levels as well as protein localization and expression intensity.
Results: Neither placental PlGF mRNA and protein expression nor placental villous trophoblast expression intensity of PlGF was altered by placental dysfunction.
Conclusion: High sFlt-1 concentrations may account for diminished maternal serum PlGF levels.