Research
Mechanism: Preelumina AB was founded upon the results of advanced molecular research. The first results were in the identification of approximately 800 genes that were significantly different between the preeclamptic and normal placenta. Among these we detected increased expression of the hemoglobin gamma and alpha chains, i.e. fetal hemoglobin. We then discovered large amounts of free fetal hemoglobin in the blood vessels in the preeclamptic placenta (which is shown as red staining in the top image to the right). The healthy placenta on the other hand, showed no free fetal hemoglobin in its blood vessels (lower image).
Diagnosis: After discovering the alterations in the hemoglobin gene expression further research indicated that the toxic effects of hemoglobin cause damage to the normal barrier which separates the mother from the fetus. This enables free fetal hemoglobin to leak into the circulation of the mother. We have shown that women with preeclampsia have 8 times higher levels of fetal hemoglobin in their blood at term.
Prognosis: A prospective study including 100 pregnant women was conducted. By following the concentrations of fetal hemoglobin, it was evident that women who later developed preeclampsia had increased levels of free fetal hemoglobin in plasma in the first trimester. Free fetal hemoglobin in maternal plasma is thus a strong candidate for use as a predictive marker of preeclampsia.
Publications
- Centlow M, Carninci P, Nemeth K, Mezey E, Brownstein M, Hansson S.R.Placental expression profiling in preeclampsia: local overproduction of hemoglobin may drive pathological changes.
- Olsson M.G, Centlow M, Stenfors I, Larsson J, Rutardóttir S, Hosseini-Maaf B, Olsson M.L, Hansson S.R, Åkerström B.Increased levels of free hemoglobin, protein carbonylation and a1-microglobulin in plasma, urine and placenta of women with preeclampsia.