Hepatocyte growth factor as a second trimester marker for preeclampsia

Abstract

PREECLAMPSIA CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON, DONNA JOHNSON, Medical University of South Carolina, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Charleston, South Carolina OBJECTIVE: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a hormone produced by placental trophoblasts, is recognized as an important cytokine involved in placental development. HGF knockout animal models display a phenotype of placental insufficiency. HGF has been shown to be reduced in human serum at the onset of clinical preeclampsia. This study was undertaken to determine if serum HGF levels are altered in the second trimester prior to the onset of clinical preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Following IRB approval, serum drawn from 15-20 weeks gestation was obtained from 70 C storage for healthy controls and patients who developed severe preeclampsia as defined by ACOG criteria. Patients were matched for age and gestational age at blood draw. HGF concentration was quantitated by ELISA and reported as mean G standard deviation in pg/mL. Statistical analysis was performed with independent sample T test, chi square, and Fisher’s exact test where appropriate. RESULTS: 44 controls and 37 patients with severe preeclampsia were enrolled. Age (p=0.48) and gestational age at blood draw (p=0.27) were both similar between groups. However, HGF was not different in second trimester serum in patients who later developed severe preeclampsia compared to healthy normotensive patients (1330 G 690 vs. 1130 G 580, p=0.27). CONCLUSION: Although HGF has been reported to be altered in serum of patients who have clinical manifestations of preeclampsia, it does not appear to be altered earlier as measured in the second trimester. HGF alone is not a candidate marker for early detection of preeclampsia as measured in the second trimester.