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Review
. 2017 Dec;31(12):782-786.
doi: 10.1038/jhh.2017.61. Epub 2017 Aug 24.

Placental growth factor and pre-eclampsia

K Chau  1   2   3 , A Hennessy  1   3   4 , A Makris  1   4   5   6
Affiliations
Review

Placental growth factor and pre-eclampsia

K Chau et al. J Hum Hypertens. 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Placental growth factor (PlGF) is an increasingly important molecule in the prediction, diagnosis and treatment of pre-eclampsia. It has pro-angiogenic effects on the feto-placental circulation and supports trophoblast growth. Mechanisms by which PlGF expression is regulated continue to be investigated. Low circulating PlGF precedes the manifestation of clinical disease in pre-eclamptic pregnancies and intrauterine growth restriction. This suggests that low PlGF is a marker of abnormal placentation, but it remains uncertain whether this is a cause or consequence. Prediction of pre-eclampsia using PlGF is promising and may assist in the targeting of resources to women at highest risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Promisingly, experimental animal models of pre-eclampsia have been successfully treated with supplemental PlGF. Treatment of pre-eclampsia with PlGF is a potential therapeutic option requiring further exploration. This review focuses specifically on the role of PlGF in normal and pathological placental development and in the clinical management of pre-eclampsia.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Interaction between VEGF, PlGF, FLT-1 and sFLT-1. VEGF and PlGF homodimers and heterodimers bind to FLT-1 and sFLT-1.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Circulating PlGF concentrations gradually increase during pregnancy to reach a peak at ~30 weeks gestation. In pre-eclampsia PlGF concentrations are comparatively lower throughout pregnancy. Placental expression of PlGF dominates from the second trimester of pregnancy, coinciding with non-branching angiogenesis of feto-placental vessels and maturation of the utero-placental circulation. Placental growth factor may contribute to trophoblast invasion, increase trophoblast proliferation and reduce apoptosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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