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GRP78 as a marker of pre-eclampsia: an exploratory study
A Laverrière1, R Landau, I Charvet
1Laboratoire d'Hormonologie, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternity, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
Molecular Human Reproduction
|June 2, 2009
Summary
A novel marker, the ratio of C-terminal glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) to full-length GRP78, shows promise for early pre-eclampsia prediction. This ratio reflects cellular invasiveness, aiding in early diagnosis of pre-eclampsia.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Biochemistry
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Pre-eclampsia etiology is linked to defective trophoblast invasion of uterine spiral arteries.
- Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) status correlates with cytotrophoblast invasive properties.
- Circulating GRP78 is investigated as a potential diagnostic marker for pre-eclampsia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic potential of circulating GRP78 and its related components in pre-eclampsia.
- To evaluate GRP78 autoantibodies, complexes, and fragments as biomarkers for pre-eclampsia.
Main Methods:
- A prospective case-control study was conducted.
- Plasma samples from pre-eclamptic women, women who developed pre-eclampsia, and healthy controls were analyzed.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify GRP78 autoantibodies, GRP78 complexes, and GRP78 fragments (C-term, N-term, full-length).
Main Results:
- No significant differences were found in GRP78 autoantibodies-complexes or total GRP78 between pre-eclamptic and healthy pregnant women.
- A significant difference was observed in the ratio of C-terminal GRP78 to full-length GRP78 in pre-eclamptic patients compared to controls.
- This significant difference in the C-terminal/full-length GRP78 ratio was noted in the first trimester and at term.
Conclusions:
- Circulating C-terminal GRP78 fragments reflect cellular invasive properties.
- The ratio of C-terminal GRP78 to full-length GRP78 may serve as a predictive marker for pre-eclampsia early in pregnancy.
