The adipokine preadipocyte factor-1 is downregulated in preeclampsia and expressed in placenta. Issue 2 (October 2015) - Schrey, Susanne
Highlights: Circulating Pref-1 levels are significantly lower in preeclampsia patients. Serum Pref-1 significantly decreases postpartum as compared to antepartum levels. Significant Pref-1 protein synthesis is detected in placental tissue. Abstract: Background: Adipokines contribute to the development of preeclampsia (PE), a severe pregnancy complication which increases the future risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disease in both mother and newborn. Pre-adipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1) was recently introduced as a novel antiangiogenic and antiadipogenic adipokine. Material and methods: Pref-1 was quantified in patients with PE ( n = 51) and healthy pregnant controls ( n = 51) during pregnancy, as well as 6 months after delivery (study population 1). Furthermore, Pref-1 was investigated in the immediate peripartal period and the placenta in 40 healthy pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean section (study population 2). Results: In study population 1, median Pref-1 serum concentrations during pregnancy were significantly lower in women with PE (0.5 μg/l) as compared to healthy pregnant controls (0.7 μg/l) ( p < 0.001). Furthermore, Pref-1 serum concentrations were independently predicted by PE, leptin levels, and gestational age in this population. In both study populations, Pref-1 serum levels significantly decreased after delivery as compared to prepartal levels. Moreover, significant expression of Pref-1 was detected in placental tissue. Conclusion: Maternal Pref-1 serum concentrations are significantly decreased in PE. The pathophysiological significance of this regulation needs to be studied in more detail in future experiments.