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Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-2 is increased in pregnancy but is not further increased in preeclampsia
R P Wellings1, G E Lash, J C Murray
1University of Nottingham Division of Obstetrics, Midwifery and Gynaecology, School of Human Development, United Kingdom.
Objectives:
Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-2 (EMAP-2) is a novel protein that demonstrates potent proinflammatory activity in vivo and in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of EMAP-2 in normal pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and to test the hypothesis that EMAP-2 is a causative agent of the endothelial activation of preeclampsia.
Methods:
Expression of EMAP-2 in the placenta was investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to detect mRNA, and immunohistochemistry with an EMAP-2-specific polyclonal antiserum was carried out to detect protein. Levels of circulating EMAP-2 protein were measured in the blood of nonpregnant, normal pregnant, and preeclamptic individuals using a specific enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay and the molecular forms present assessed by Western blotting.
Results:
EMAP-2 is transcribed and translated by the placenta troughout pregnancy and in preeclampsia and can be detected in the plasma of nonpregnant and pregnant individuals. Levels of circulating EMAP-2 antigen are raised in pregnancy compared with nonpregnant controls; however, levels in patients with preeclampsia are identical to those in normal pregnant individuals.
Conclusion:
While circulating levels of EMAP-2 are increased in pregnancy, there is no evidence that EMAP-2 is involved directly in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Insights
Circulating levels of Endothelial Monocyte-Activating Polypeptide-2 (EMAP-2) increase during pregnancy. However, this study found no evidence that EMAP-2 directly causes preeclampsia, despite its proinflammatory roles.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Vascular biology
- Protein biochemistry
Background:
- Endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide-2 (EMAP-2) is a novel protein with known in vivo and in vitro proinflammatory activity.
- Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by endothelial activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate EMAP-2 expression in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.
- To determine if EMAP-2 contributes to the endothelial activation seen in preeclampsia.
Main Methods:
- Placental EMAP-2 mRNA and protein expression were analyzed using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.
- Circulating EMAP-2 protein levels were quantified via ELISA in nonpregnant, normal pregnant, and preeclamptic individuals.
- Western blotting was used to assess the molecular forms of circulating EMAP-2.
Main Results:
- EMAP-2 is transcribed and translated by the placenta throughout pregnancy, including in preeclampsia.
- Circulating EMAP-2 is detectable in nonpregnant and pregnant individuals.
- While pregnancy elevates circulating EMAP-2 compared to nonpregnant states, levels in preeclampsia were similar to normal pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Circulating EMAP-2 levels are elevated during pregnancy.
- There is no direct evidence implicating EMAP-2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.