Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2002 Aug;45(8):1354-1359.

The Effect of VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor) on Endothelial Cells in Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia

• Cho YK
• Lee HK

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Preeclampsia is primarily a disorder of the maternal endothelium. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of VEGF on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro.
METHODS
The serum concentrations of VEGF in women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women were measured with a sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassays. After HUVEC were isolated and cultured in vitro, these HUVEC were stimulated with VEGF, sera from women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women for 24 hours. And then prostacyclin levels were measured.
RESULTS
The serum concentrations of VEGF were significantly higher in women with preeclampsia than in normotensive pregnant women. Vascular endothelial growth factor induced a significant concentration- dependent increase in prostacyclin production. HUVEC stimulated with sera from women with preeclampsia showed an increase in production of prostacyclin. VEGF concentration in serum was correlated with prostacyclin production by the stimulated cells.
CONCLUSION
VEGF may be one of the circulating factors that cause the alteration in endothelial function and the high serum concentration of VEGF is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Keyword

Preeclampsia; endothelial dysfunction; VEGF; prostacyclin

MeSH Terms

Endothelial Cells*
Endothelium
Epoprostenol
Female
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Pre-Eclampsia*
Pregnant Women
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
Epoprostenol
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A