[Predictive and prognostic factors of preeclampsia: Interest of PlGF and sFLT-1]. / Facteurs prédictifs et pronostiques de la prééclampsie : intérêt du dosage du PlGF et du sFLT-1.

Preeclampsia is characterized by the association of hypertension and a de novo proteinuria in the second half of pregnancy. Currently, obstetrical teams do not have any tool to detect during the first trimester of pregnancy, in low risk population, the patients likely to develop early and severe preeclampsia. On the other hand, there is no diagnostic/prognostic tool in case of strong suspicion of preeclampsia. The Placental Growth Factor (PIGF) and soluble receptor of the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (sFlt-1) are respectively two molecules pro- and anti-angiogenic released mainly by the placenta during pregnancy. Numerous experimental and clinical results suggest that an imbalance of pro/anti-angiogenic factors is involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. We selected and analyzed the main studies that have evaluated the predictive, diagnostic and prognostic value of these two biomarkers for preeclampsia.

Role of both actin-myosin cross bridges and NO-cGMP pathway modulators in the contraction and relaxation of human placental stem villi.

INTRODUCTION: Human placental stem villi (PSV) present contractile properties. We studied the role of actin-myosin cross bridges (CBs) and the effects of NO-cGMP pathway modulators in the PSV contraction and relaxation. METHODS: In vitro contractile properties were investigated in 71 PSV from term human placentas studied according to their long axis. Contraction was induced by both KCl and electrical tetanic stimulation. Relaxation was induced by inhibiting the CB cycle with either 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) or blebbistatin (BLE) and by activating the NO-cGMP pathway with isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), sildenafil (SIL) or ISDN + SIL. RESULTS: PSV tension slowly increased by 140% of the basal tone after KCl exposure and by 85% after tetanus. The addition of BDM, BLE, ISDN, SIL and ISDN + SIL induced a relaxation of PSV, the overall time course of relaxation (in s) was respectively (means ± SD) 3412 ± 1904, 14,250 ± 3095*, 3813 ± 1383, 2883 ± 1188 and 2440 ± 477; significantly longer in BLE compared with BDM, ISDN, SIL and ISDN + SIL:*p < 0.001). the overall time course of relaxation (in s) was respectively (means ± SD) 3412 ± 1904, 14,250 ± 3095*, 3813 ± 1383, 2883 ± 1188 and 2440 ± 477; significantly longer in BLE compared with BDM, ISDN, SIL and ISDN + SIL:*p < 0.001). These relaxation kinetics were particularly slow. Other relaxation parametres, i.e., maximum lengthening, -peak dT/dt, and resting tension, did not differ between these 5 subgroups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Isolated human PSV were able to contract after both KCl exposure and tetanus. This increase in contractility was reversed by inhibiting the CB cycle with BDM or BLE and by stimulating the NO-cGMP pathway with ISDN or SIL. The association ISDN + SIL did not potentiate the relaxing processes.