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Evaluation of Placental VEGFA mRNA Expression in Preeclampsia: A Case Control Study

The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India volume 69, pages 142–148 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

The aim of our case–control study was to determine expression of VEGFA mRNA in placentae of preeclamsia (PE) versus uncomplicated pregnancy to further clarify its differential expression in pregnancy hypertensive disorders.

Study Design

The PE group was subdivided into severe and non-severe; those with or without HELLP syndrome and placental VEGFA characteristics were compared for these cohorts. Additionally, the neonatal and maternal outcomes were recorded. The quantification of placental VEGFA was done using quantitative real-time PCR and results were expressed as fold change.

Results

Out of 42 PE cases, 23 (55%) were non-severe and 19 cases (45%) were severe PE. Out of 19 severe PE patients, 8 (42%) were HELLP syndrome (complete HELLP) and remaining 11 (58%) were non-HELLP severe PE. Compared to controls, the true fold change in PE, HELLP, non-HELLP, severe PE, non-severe PE was − 2.186, − 13.333, − 6.698, − 8.950 and 1.466, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results showed a lowered VEGFA expression in PE placentae compared to uncomplicated controls. The finding of initial increase of VEGFA in non-severe PE and subsequent marked lowering in HELLP strengthens the existing hypothesis of decompensated VEGF being a major role player in PE.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur, Delhi, 110095, India

    Rachna Agarwal, Neelam Kumari, Alpana Singh & Gita Radhakrishnan

  2. Department of Biochemistry, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur, Delhi, 110095, India

    Rajarshi Kar, Nilesh Chandra & Archana Nimesh

Authors
  1. Rachna Agarwal
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  2. Neelam Kumari
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  3. Rajarshi Kar
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  4. Nilesh Chandra
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  5. Archana Nimesh
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  6. Alpana Singh
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  7. Gita Radhakrishnan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachna Agarwal.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Ethical Standard

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Additional information

Dr. Rachna Agarwal, MS is a professor at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Dr. Neelam Kumari, MBBS is a Postgraduate Student at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Dr. Rajarshi Kar, MD is an Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry; Dr. Nilesh Chandra, MD is a Senior Resident, Department of Biochemistry; Dr. Archana Nimesh, MD is a Senior Resident, Department of Biochemistry; Dr. Alpana Singh, MS is an associate professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Dr. Gita Radhakrishnan, MS is a Director Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. All are affiliated to University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi.

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Agarwal, R., Kumari, N., Kar, R. et al. Evaluation of Placental VEGFA mRNA Expression in Preeclampsia: A Case Control Study. J Obstet Gynecol India 69, 142–148 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-018-1128-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-018-1128-2

Keywords

  • VEGF
  • Placenta
  • Preclampsia