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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Nature Portfolio
2022-03-01
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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. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-23T13:11:43Z |
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issn | 2045-2322 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-23T13:11:43Z |
publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
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series | Scientific Reports |
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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