Extracellular Matrix Remodeling of the Umbilical Cord and Placenta in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia affects 2% to 8% of all pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal morbidity an mortality worldwide.Althought the primary pathology leading to preeclampsia is remain not known, complex pathophysiologic pathways and mechanisms have been described. New blood vessels evolve during angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, two physiological processes, that play a crucial role in embryogenesis and placentation. Structural alterations in the human umbilical cord, maternal spiral arteries can cause adverse fetal consequences.Pre-eclampsia is accompanied by an extensive remodelling of the ECM of the umbilical cord. Pre-eclamptic Wharton's jelly contains higher amounts of glycosaminoglycans in comparison to control tissue. Matrixmetalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that degrade various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinases (ADAMs) and ADAMs with Thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) are proteinases closely related to Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs). Dysregulation of ADAMs and ADAMTS expression have been reported in different types of pathologies such as cancer, osteoarthritis, neurodegenerative inflammation or asthma. The role of ADAMTS in the pathomechanism of pre-eclampsia has not been studied until now. We therefore decided to compare the ADAMTS composition of the umbilical cord and placenta from newborns of mothers with pre-eclampsia with those with normal pregnancy.