Placental growth factor: a useful predictable marker in predicting preeclampsia

The placental growth factor (PlGF) is a kind of glycoprotein with four isoforms, which is predominantly expressed in the placenta. The PlGF plays an important role in the angiogenesis and development, as a biomarker of placenta angiogenesis, the decreasing of the PlGF expression may lead to the dysfunction of vascularization. Anti-angiogenesis is a pathological characteristic of pre-eclampsia. The PlGF levels both in the serum and urine are lower in preeclampsia than those in normal pregnancy. Due to the decreasing of PlGF during the first trimester, the PlGF is an important predictable marker of preeclampsia. It is also expected to be used in the treatment of preeclampsia.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 879-882) Key words: Pre-eclampsia; Placenta growth factor; Biomarkers