Increased placental sFlt-1 but unchanged PlGF expression in late-onset preeclampsia

<i>Objective</i>: To investigate whether differences between late-onset preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can be explained by differential placental expression patters of sFlt-1, Flt-1, and placental growth factor (PlGF). <i>Methods</i>: Placental tissues and maternal blood samples from seven patients with PE, five IUGR, and seven age-matched controls were studied for mRNA and protein levels as well as protein localization and expression intensity. <i>Results</i>: Placental PlGF mRNA and protein expression were not altered by placental dysfunction while placental villous trophoblast expression intensity of PlGF was increased. <i>Conclusion</i>: High sFlt-1 concentrations may account for diminished maternal serum PlGF levels.