Angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in preeclampsia

•The expression of VEGF-A, PlGF, endoglin, Flt-1, Flk-1, sFlt-1 and sEng, is fundamental to the establishment of uteroplacental circulation.•There is an increased expression of sFlt-1 and sEng, a decreased expression of VEGF-A and PlGF, and impaired angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.•The imbalance between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors seems to be triggered by the increased expression of endothelin-1 and TNF-α.•It has been possible to establish an efficient and effective diagnostic tool. Pre-eclampsia is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder that is triggered by placental insufficiency and that accounts for up to 15% of maternal deaths. In normal pregnancies, this process depends on the balance between the expression of angiogenic factors and antiangiogenic factors, which are responsible for remodeling the spiral arteries, as well as for neoangiogenesis and fetal development. The aim of this review is to discuss the main scientific findings regarding the role of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia. An extensive research was conducted in the Pubmed database in search of scientific manuscripts discussing potential associations between angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors and preeclampsia. Ninety-one papers were included in this review. There is an increased expression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor and soluble endoglin in pre-eclampsia, as well as reduced placental expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor. Systemic hypertension, proteinuria and kidney injury – such as enlargement and glomerular fibrin deposit, capillary occlusion due to edema, and hypertrophy of endocapillary cells – are some of these changes. The complex etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia instigates research of different biomarkers that allow for the early diagnosis of this entity, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, placental growth factor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor, soluble endoglin, placental glycoprotein pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and protein 13. Even though it is possible to establish an efficient and effective diagnostic tool, three key principles must be observed in the management of preeclampsia: prevention, early screening and treatment.