Pre-eclampsia: Molecular events to biomarkers
Journal Title: Medical Journal Armed Forces - Year 2017, Vol 73, Issue 2
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy, which accounts for 10–15% of the maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. Abnormal placental development and tissue hypoxia are its main etiologic factors. The present diagnostic methods of blood pressure monitoring and renal function evaluation are insufficient in the early detection of preeclampsia. Since molecular events portent well ahead of the disease onset, biomarker research for the early diagnosis of pre-eclampsia has recently generated ambitious clinical targets. However, no clinically validated biomarker has so far been reported for the prediction of pre-eclampsia. Therefore, this review takes stock of the current understanding of preeclampsia from a molecular biology perspective and critically evaluates the following diagnostic potentials claimed for the biomarkers: placental proteins, angiogenic markers, and cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in maternal circulation. Though the emerging evidences in favor of the fetal-specific epigenetic marker, hypermethylated RASSF1A of cffDNA, are highlighted, it pitches for a broader strategy of 'combination biomarker approach' for the reliable forecasting and triaging of pre-eclampsia.
Authors and Affiliations
Seema Saraswathy
Keywords
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- DOI 10.1016/j.mjafi.2016.09.001
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