A1M/α1-microglobulin protects from heme-induced placental and renal damage in a pregnant sheep model of preeclampsia

PLoS One. 2014 Jan 28;9(1):e86353. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086353. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy complication that manifests as hypertension and proteinuria after the 20(th) gestation week. Previously, fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has been identified as a plausible causative factor. Cell-free Hb and its degradation products are known to cause oxidative stress and tissue damage, typical of the PE placenta. A1M (α1-microglobulin) is an endogenous scavenger of radicals and heme. Here, the usefulness of A1M as a treatment for PE is investigated in the pregnant ewe PE model, in which starvation induces PE symptoms via hemolysis. Eleven ewes, in late pregnancy, were starved for 36 hours and then treated with A1M (n = 5) or placebo (n = 6) injections. After injections, the ewes were re-fed and observed for additional 72 hours. They were monitored for blood pressure, proteinuria, blood cell distribution and clinical and inflammation markers in plasma. Before termination, the utero-placental circulation was analyzed with Doppler velocimetry and the kidney glomerular function was analyzed by Ficoll sieving. At termination, blood, kidney and placenta samples were collected and analyzed for changes in gene expression and tissue structure. The starvation resulted in increased amounts of the hemolysis marker bilirubin in the blood, structural damages to the placenta and kidneys and an increased glomerular sieving coefficient indicating a defect filtration barrier. Treatment with A1M ameliorated these changes without signs of side-effects. In conclusion, A1M displayed positive therapeutic effects in the ewe starvation PE model, and was well tolerated. Therefore, we suggest A1M as a plausible treatment for PE in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alpha-Globulins / genetics
  • Alpha-Globulins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Heme / toxicity*
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / metabolism*
  • Placenta / drug effects*
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / drug therapy*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Alpha-Globulins
  • alpha-1-microglobulin
  • Heme

Grants and funding

The project was founded by the Swedish Research Council; the Marianne & Marcus Wallenberg foundation; the Torsten Söderbergs foundation, the Maggie Stephens foundation and A1M Pharma AB. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.