Identifying HDL Composition and Function in Preeclamptic and Normal Pregnancies

Scientific background Preeclampsia is a syndrome characterized by the onset of hypertension and proteinuria or other end-organ dysfunction. It develops after 20 weeks of gestation and can cause significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality (1,2). The pathophysiology of preeclampsia is thought to be developmental abnormalities of placental vasculature leading to placental under-perfusion or ischemia. This ischemia is believed to mediate the release of anti-angiogenic factors into the maternal circulation, causing endothelial dysfunction, hypertension and end-organ injury (2). The elemental factor that leads to the development of placental vasculature abnormalities is still to be elucidated. However, histological changes in the placenta include atherosis (lipid laden cells in the wall of the arteriole), fibrinoid necrosis, thrombosis, sclerotic narrowing of arterioles, and placental infarction, all of which are similar to findings seen in atherosclerotic plaque (1-3). Another close association between the mechanisms of preeclampsia and atherosclerosis was found in large epidemiological studies that demonstrated a strong correlation between preeclampsia (PET) and the development of cardiovascular disease later in life (4). Women with PET are more likely than those with normal pregnancy to develop chronic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and end-stage renal disease (1,4).Common atherosclerotic diseases, such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypercholesterolemia and diabetes are strongly associated with preeclampsia during pregnancy (5-6).

Large epidemiologic and experimental studies have shown an association between low levels of high density lipids (HDL) in the blood and increased cardiovascular risk (7). The cardioprotective properties of HDL are thought to be composed of several mechanisms, including regulation of endothelial functions that enhance NO production and maintaining endothelial integrity, as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-thrombotic effects (8-9). However, pharmacological studies reported that increases in plasma HDL did not improve cardiovascular outcomes (10-12).

At the same time, emerging data have revealed the importance of the quality of the HDL more than its quantity. HDL from patients with CKD was found to lose its anti-atherogenic and endothelial protective effects. In a study by Shroff et al. (13), HDL from patients with CKD was incubated with a primary endothelial cell line. Several endothelial functions, such as reduced NO production, permission of SO production, increased VCAM-1 expression and reduction of cholesterol efflux capacity were decreased compared to those of HDL from healthy individuals. These effects were associated with vascular dysfunction markers in those patients, such as high levels of urate, angiopoeitin and IL-6, as well as poor vascular function measurements, as measured by aortic pulse velocity and carotid intima media thickness. These negative functions increased as CKD severity progressed and showed a partial improvement after kidney transplantation (13).

Information regarding the composition and function of serum lipids and lipoproteins among preeclamptic pregnancies compared to normal pregnancies is scarce. Early pregnancy dyslipidemia, particularly hypertriglyceridemia appears to be associated with increased risk of preeclampsia (14). However, equivocal results were found regarding paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity, which is an antioxidative enzyme found in HDL that inhibits low density lipid (LDL) and HDL oxidation. PON1 activity is decreased in diseases associated with endothelial activation and dysfunction including diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease (15). Demir et al. (16) found low levels of HDL, ApoA1 and paraoxonase activity in preeclamptic compared to normal pregnancies, whereas Acikgoz et al. (17) demonstrated significantly higher PON1 activity in preeclamptic compared to normal pregnancies.

Saliva contains constituents that reflect a diseased or physiologic state of the human body and hence could be utilized for diagnostic purposes. The sources and composition of whole saliva (oral fluid) are unique and complex. Saliva consists of secretions from salivary glands and gingival crevicular fluid, oral mucosa transudate, secretions from nasal and pharyngeal mucosa, nonadherent bacteria, desquamated oral epithelial cells, keratin debris, blood cells, and possibly food or medication residuals (18). Its functions include lubrication, digestion, antimicrobial activity, facilitating remineralization of dental enamel, and maintaining normal taste sensation (19). These important functions are achieved by the various chemical components of saliva including water, inorganic compounds (ions), organic compounds (non-proteins and lipids), protein/polypeptides, and hormones (19). The search for reliable salivary biomarkers has developed rapidly, especially in oral cancers, spurred by the fact that collecting saliva is simpler and less invasive than drawing blood.

Salvador-Moysén et al. (20) aimed to determine the usefulness of salivary cortisol as a predictor of preeclampsia in adolescents. They found that cortisol concentrations >14.9 nmol/L were observed in the group that developed preeclampsia, whereas the control group had values <10.1 nmol/L.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) can be detected in the breath and blood and used for the early detection and characterization of the development and progression of diseases (21). Many of the VOC that are detected in the breath are systemic or endogenous and are produced during physiological processes, but the metabolic routes behind their production are known for only a few (22). Other VOCs are exogenous and result from external contamination through inhaled air or ingested foods or drinks.

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) is a simple, automated, rapid technique for VOC detection combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (20). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been conducted to identify VOC in saliva from preeclamptic women.

Objectives

1. There is a correlation between diagnosis of preeclampsia and its severity to changes in HDL quality, in terms of composition and function.
2. Determine whether preeclampsia-induced changes in VOCs in saliva can be used for the early diagnosis of preeclampsia.

Research goals

1. Assess: HDL composition and function of normal and preeclamptic pregnancies at weeks 12-14 (second trimester), weeks 28-30 (third trimester) and at delivery Apo-A1 properties, PON1 activity HDL size HDL lipid content HDL antioxidant activity (toward LDL and macrophages) HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages
2. Evaluate the effects of HDL from women with PET, normal pregnancies and non-pregnant women, on primary endothelial culture regarding proteins, mRNA and miRNAs, which are significant components in normal endothelial function and related to inflammatory response.
3. Evaluate differences in the genomic and lipid profiles of cord blood and placentas from women with PET, normal pregnancies and non-pregnant women
4. Identify VOC in saliva, as early biomarkers of PET during the second and third trimesters and at delivery.