Activating Transcription Factor 3 Is Reduced in Preeclamptic Placentas and Negatively Regulates sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1), Soluble Endoglin, and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Placenta

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a major pregnancy complication associated with poor placental perfusion and placental hypoxia. Systemic and placental inflammation and elevated placental secretion of the antiangiogenic factors sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1) and sEng (soluble endoglin) are hallmarks of preeclampsia, causing endothelial dysfunction and multiorgan injury. A molecule that links placental hypoxia, inflammation, and antiangiogenic factor release has not been described. ATF3 (activating transcription factor 3) is highly expressed in placenta. We assessed whether placental ATF3 is dysregulated in preterm preeclampsia, is altered by hypoxia, and regulates proinflammatory cytokine and ant..