SDF–1 is elevated in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES: Stromal cell derived factor–1 (SDF–1) is involved in denovo blood vessel formation, a key process in placental development. Dysregulation of placental angiogenesis in early pregnancy is thought to be the underlying cause of preeclampsia (PE). We hypothesized that SDF–1 is dysregulated in PE and tested this hypothesis by determining the placental expression pattern of SDF–1 in placentas and maternal SDF–1 blood levels in both normal and PE pregnancies. Methods: We performed case-control studies comparing SDF–1 expression by immuno-localization in placental tissue samples and measured SDF–1 levels by E…