Fig. 1

Contribution of sFlt-1 to the maternal syndrome of preeclampsia. In preeclampsia, it is believed that the maternal vasculature fails to remodel and provide adequate blood flow to the placenta, causing chronic ischemia. As a result, the placenta produces various factors, notably sFlt-1, which contribute to the maternal syndrome. sFlt-1 acts as a decoy receptor for VEGF and PlGF, causing decreased bioavailable VEGF protein. This leads to maternal vascular endothelial dysfunction, causing aberrant vasoconstriction, changes in renal function, and ultimately hypertension