# Potential Molecular Biomarkers of Preeclampsia—A Pilot Study

## TL;DR

This pilot study identifies potential blood biomarkers for preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication, by comparing protein levels in affected and healthy pregnant women.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific serum biomarkers (calbindin 1, clusterin, GSTP1, KIM-1, and MCP-1) as potential indicators of kidney injury in preeclampsia.

## Key findings

- Five serum biomarkers of kidney injury were elevated in preeclampsia patients compared to controls.
- Calbindin 1, clusterin, GSTP1, and KIM-1 were significantly higher in both early- and late-onset preeclampsia.
- Urinary KIM-1 was elevated only in late-onset preeclampsia compared to controls.

## Abstract

Preeclampsia, one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, affects approximately 3–5% of pregnancies worldwide. However, its etiology remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify molecular markers of preeclampsia. Protein concentrations in blood and urine were determined using the Bio-Plex Kidney Toxicity 1 assay Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA followed by magnetic separation and flow cytometry. This study included 51 patients with preeclampsia and 25 healthy pregnant women. The results revealed that five out of the six serum biomarkers of kidney injury were elevated in the preeclampsia group compared to the control group (calbindin 1, clusterin, glutathione transferase pi (GSTP1), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and kidney injury molecule type 1 (KIM-1)). Additionally, the serum concentrations of calbindin 1, clusterin, GSTP1, and KIM-1 were significantly higher in both early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia compared to the control group. The analysis of urinary proteins showed that only the KIM-1 concentration was elevated in late-onset preeclampsia compared to the control group. These findings suggest that the calbindin 1, clusterin, GSTP1, KIM-1, and MCP-1 concentrations in maternal plasma could serve as potential biomarkers for monitoring kidney injury in preeclamptic women. This study provides a foundation for future research to explore novel biomarkers of preeclampsia and renal injury in pregnant women.