Objectives

Placental derived vasculogenic/angiogenic substances in maternal blood are dysregulated in pre-eclampsia. We hypothesized that CXCL12, a chemokine with vasculogenic actions, is amongst such molecules.

Study design

CXCL12, CXCL16, CXCR4, and CXCR6 immunolocalization in placental tissue was analyzed in pre-eclampsia (n = 8) in comparison to controls (n = 8). CXCL12, measured by ELISA in blood, in women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia (n = 14) and prior to the development of pre-eclampsia (at 20 weeks’ gestation, n = 20) was compared with CXCL12 concentrations in gestation-matched, healthy control subjects (n = 34).

Results

In placental tissue, syncytiotrophoblast staining for CXCL12 was increased in pre-eclampsia. Maternal serum CXCL12 was increased in pre-eclampsia [2000 (SD 402) vs 1484 (SD 261) pg/ml, P = 0.01] but not in plasma obtained at 20 weeks of gestation prior to the onset of pre-eclampsia [1183 (SD 336) vs 1036 (SD 144) pg/ml, P = 0.09].

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the syncytiotrophoblast contributes to a pre-eclampsia-associated increase in CXCL12 levels in maternal blood. These findings support the hypothesis that an imbalance of angiogenic factors contributes to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.