Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia

Abstract Preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share multiple features and risk factors. Circulating angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is increased in CVD and mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, causing COVID-19 infection. The role of ACE2 in preeclampsia pathophysiology is unkno...

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Main Authors: Katja Junus, Inger Björk Ragnarsdóttir, Paliz Nordlöf Callbo, Lina Bergman, Susanne Lager, Anna-Karin Wikström
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2022-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08081-8
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author Katja Junus
Inger Björk Ragnarsdóttir
Paliz Nordlöf Callbo
Lina Bergman
Susanne Lager
Anna-Karin Wikström
author_facet Katja Junus
Inger Björk Ragnarsdóttir
Paliz Nordlöf Callbo
Lina Bergman
Susanne Lager
Anna-Karin Wikström
author_sort Katja Junus
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share multiple features and risk factors. Circulating angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is increased in CVD and mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, causing COVID-19 infection. The role of ACE2 in preeclampsia pathophysiology is unknown. We hypothesized that circulating ACE2 is increased in mid-pregnancy in women later developing preeclampsia. We included 296 women later developing preeclampsia (cases) and 333 women with a continuous healthy pregnancy (controls). Circulating ACE2 was measured with an immunoassay based on proximity extension assay technology, with levels being expressed as relative quantification on a log2 scale. Median (interquartile range) ACE2 levels were higher in cases than in controls; 3.84 (3.50–4.24) vs. 3.72 (3.45–4.04), p = 0.002. Adjusted logistic regression models showed a 60% increased risk for later development of preeclampsia with one unit elevation of ACE2 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.60, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.17–2.18). Preterm preeclampsia (diagnosis before 37 gestational weeks, n = 97) seemed to have a stronger ACE2 association than term preeclampsia, n = 199 (aORs, 95% Cis 2.14, 1.15–3.96 and 1.52, 1.04–2.23, respectively). Circulating ACE2 is increased at mid-pregnancy in women later developing preeclampsia, particularly preterm preeclampsia. Thus, our finding indicates a partly shared pathophysiological pathway between preeclampsia and CVD.
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spelling doaj.art-43faae57d42b494b9a6f7a159aea27d62022-12-21T17:45:43ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-03-011211510.1038/s41598-022-08081-8Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsiaKatja Junus0Inger Björk Ragnarsdóttir1Paliz Nordlöf Callbo2Lina Bergman3Susanne Lager4Anna-Karin Wikström5Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share multiple features and risk factors. Circulating angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is increased in CVD and mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, causing COVID-19 infection. The role of ACE2 in preeclampsia pathophysiology is unknown. We hypothesized that circulating ACE2 is increased in mid-pregnancy in women later developing preeclampsia. We included 296 women later developing preeclampsia (cases) and 333 women with a continuous healthy pregnancy (controls). Circulating ACE2 was measured with an immunoassay based on proximity extension assay technology, with levels being expressed as relative quantification on a log2 scale. Median (interquartile range) ACE2 levels were higher in cases than in controls; 3.84 (3.50–4.24) vs. 3.72 (3.45–4.04), p = 0.002. Adjusted logistic regression models showed a 60% increased risk for later development of preeclampsia with one unit elevation of ACE2 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.60, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.17–2.18). Preterm preeclampsia (diagnosis before 37 gestational weeks, n = 97) seemed to have a stronger ACE2 association than term preeclampsia, n = 199 (aORs, 95% Cis 2.14, 1.15–3.96 and 1.52, 1.04–2.23, respectively). Circulating ACE2 is increased at mid-pregnancy in women later developing preeclampsia, particularly preterm preeclampsia. Thus, our finding indicates a partly shared pathophysiological pathway between preeclampsia and CVD.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08081-8
spellingShingle Katja Junus
Inger Björk Ragnarsdóttir
Paliz Nordlöf Callbo
Lina Bergman
Susanne Lager
Anna-Karin Wikström
Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia
Scientific Reports
title Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia
title_full Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia
title_fullStr Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia
title_full_unstemmed Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia
title_short Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia
title_sort elevated mid pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08081-8
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