Low plasma HLA-G protein concentrations in early gestation indicate the development of preeclampsia later in pregnancy

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether circulating HLA-G levels, early in pregnancy, predict the subsequent development of preeclampsia (PE). Study design Plasma samples, collected longitudinally during the first, second, and third trimesters, from 12 PE patients and 12 matched control patients were tested for HLA-G protein using a validated sandwich ELISA. Results First and second trimester HLA-G levels in PE were significantly lower than in control patients (first trimester, 1.25 μg/mL vs 1.95μg/mL, P = .029; second trimester, 1.11μg/mL vs 1.90μg/mL, P = .024). Conclusion Our results indicate that HLA-G levels in plasma from women who subsequently develop PE are lower than control patients, as early as the first trimester. This suggests that determination of circulating HLA-G protein concentration may be useful as an early predictor for the development of PE.