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AT1-receptor autoantibodies and uteroplacental RAS in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

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Abstract

Pre-eclampsia is a common, pregnancy-induced disorder, consisting of hypertension and proteinuria. The condition is one of the leading causes for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Immunological mechanisms and the renin–angiotensin system have been implicated in the development of pre-eclampsia. Agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) have been identified in pre-eclamptic patients, unifying the two hypothesis. Evidence has also accumulated for the existence and importance of a local, utroplacental renin–angiotensin system. We summarize recent data emphasizing the pathophysiological role for the autoantibodies and the uteroplacental renin–angiotensin system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Faculty of the Charité, Franz-Volhard Clinic, HELIOS Clinic, Berlin, Germany

    Florian Herse, Friedrich C. Luft & Ralf Dechend

  2. Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany

    Lydia Hering, Dominik N. Müller, Friedrich C. Luft & Ralf Dechend

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Anne Cathrine Staff

  4. Faculty of Medicine University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Anne Cathrine Staff

  5. Charite, Campus-Buch and HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Schwanebecker Chaussee 50, 13125, Berlin, Germany

    Ralf Dechend

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  1. Florian Herse
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  2. Anne Cathrine Staff
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  4. Dominik N. Müller
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Correspondence to Ralf Dechend.

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Herse, F., Staff, A.C., Hering, L. et al. AT1-receptor autoantibodies and uteroplacental RAS in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. J Mol Med 86, 697–703 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-008-0332-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-008-0332-4

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