Transforming growth factor βeta 1-3 in HIV associated pre-eclampsia.

Introduction: Pre-eclampsia is a clinical syndrome that complicates approximately 3-8% of all pregnancies and is the second leading cause of maternal mortality. The maternal imbalance of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors evident in pre-eclampsia has influenced investigation of circulating levels of TGF-β in normotensive and pre-eclamptic women to determine if this protein can be used as a biomarker for pre-eclampsia development. The aim of this study was to determine the level of transforming growth factor β1, β2 and β3 in serum of HIV associated pre-eclampsia Methods: The study consisted of 76 participants including normotensive HIV negative (19), normotensive HIV positive (19), pre-eclamptic HIV negative (19) and pre-eclamptic HIV positive (19). The TGF-beta levels were measured using the Bio-plex pro assay kit and the results were read using the Bio-Plex® MAGPIX ™ Multiplex Reader. Results: There was no significant difference in TGF-β1 and TGF- β2 levels between pre-eclamptic and normotensive groups (p=0.3921 and 0.9265) respectively. Also based on HIV status there was no significant difference in beta-1 and beta-2 levels amongst HIV positive and HIV negative groups (P=0.6312 and 0.5655) respectively. Moreover, TGF-β3 levels showed no significant difference between normotensive and pre-eclamptic groups; however they differed significantly between the HIV negative and HIV positive groups; p=0.0461. Conclusion: No significant difference in TGF-β1 and β2 serum levels between the pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnancy women was observed, however TGF-β3 levels differed significantly between HIV positive and HIV negative women. These findings support the predictor test value of TGF-β3 as a biomarker for HIV associated pre-eclampsi