Role of leptin in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia

Shuai Zeng; Yijun Liu; Ping Fan; Luming Yang; Xinghui Liu

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2023.09.005

Role of leptin in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia

Placenta. 2023 Oct:142:128-134. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.09.005. Epub 2023 Sep 10.

Authors

Shuai Zeng¹, Yijun Liu¹, Ping Fan², Luming Yang³, Xinghui Liu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine, Laboratory of the Key Perinatal Disease and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
² Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine, Laboratory of the Key Perinatal Disease and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
³ Chongqing University Medical School, Chongqing, China.
⁴ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine, Laboratory of the Key Perinatal Disease and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Disease of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Electronic address: xinghuiliu@163.com.

PMID: 37713744
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.09.005

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe pregnancy complication. The exact pathogenesis of PE remains unclear, but it is related to immune, inflammatory, circulatory, and oxidative stress factors. Leptin is a protein involved in these processes and is essential for maintaining a normal pregnancy and healthy fetal growth. Abnormal increases in leptin levels have been observed in the peripheral blood and placenta of patients with PE. Disturbances in leptin can affect the proliferation and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells, which are important for placentation. Leptin also regulates arterial tension and trophoblast function in pregnant women. In addition, consistently high levels of leptin are linked to hyperactive inflammation and oxidative stress reactions in both patients with PE and animal models. This review focuses on the role of leptin in the pathophysiology of PE and elucidates its potential mechanisms.

Keywords: Leptin; Preeclampsia; Trophoblast; Vascular smooth muscle cell.

Publication types

Review