Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
Research Guide

Excess placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) contributes to endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and proteinuria in preeclampsia, a syndrome affecting 5% of pregnancies ("Excess placental soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) may contribute to endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and proteinuria in preeclampsia" (2003)). Placental ischemia leads to sFlt1 production, disrupting angiogenic balance. Maynard et al. (2003) identified this mechanism through experimental models.

Increased levels of sFlt-1 and reduced levels of PlGF predict the subsequent development of preeclampsia ("Circulating Angiogenic Factors and the Risk of Preeclampsia" (2004)). Levine et al. (2004) measured these factors in circulation to assess risk. This imbalance reflects underlying placental pathology.

The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups provides recommendations on diagnosing and classifying hyperglycemia in pregnancy, relevant to preeclampsia comorbidities ("International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Recommendations on the Diagnosis and Classification of Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy" (2010)). Metzger et al. (2010) base criteria on data linking maternal glucose to adverse outcomes. Hyperglycemia associates with increased birth weight and preeclampsia risks.

Hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia rank among leading causes of maternal death globally ("WHO analysis of causes of maternal death: a systematic review" (2006)). Khan et al. (2006) systematically reviewed data showing preeclampsia contributions. Management guidelines address these risks ("Hypertension in Pregnancy" (2013)).

LPS-mediated expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in HUVECs model endothelial dysfunction relevant to preeclampsia ("Lanthanum Chloride Inhibits LPS Mediated Expressions of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Adhesion Molecules in HUVECs: Involvement of NF-κB-Jmjd3 Signaling" (2017)). Chen et al. (2017) showed LaCl3 pretreatment inhibits these via NF-κB-Jmjd3 pathways. This links to preeclampsia pathophysiology.

Recent preprints use maternal plasma cell-free RNA for predicting early- and late-onset preeclampsia in cohorts of over 9,000 pregnancies ("Maternal plasma cell-free RNA as a predictor of early and late-onset preeclampsia throughout pregnancy" (2025)). GitHub tools like Preeclampsia_risk_calculator employ age, race, and conditions for risk scores. Mirvie's Encompass provides personalized blood-based predictions.