Angiogenic Factor Ratios for Early Pre-eclampsia Diagnosis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing and treating pre-eclampsia are ineffective at early stages, leading to significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, with no known cures and limited understanding of the underlying pathogenesis.
Innovation Solution
Identification of specific gene expression profiles in placental samples, including secreted and intracellular polypeptides, to diagnose and treat pre-eclampsia through measurement and modulation of follistatin related protein, interleukin 8, VEGF-C, and other factors, using antibodies, antisense oligomers, and small molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If routine blood pressure and urine monitoring methods are used, then pre-eclampsia can be detected, but only at late stages after the 20th week of pregnancy, resulting in substantial maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring gene expression levels of specific markers (such as sFlt-1, PlGF, and other angiogenic factors) in maternal blood during the first trimester (weeks 11-13), before the typical onset of pre-eclampsia symptoms. This early molecular profiling enables prediction of pre-eclampsia risk before clinical manifestations occur, allowing for proactive monitoring and early intervention during weeks 14-20 when the condition is still treatable.
2Reliability
If early diagnosis through molecular markers is implemented, then maternal and fetal lives can be saved and premature deliveries prevented, but current understanding of pathogenesis is limited and no known cures exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing multiple gene expression parameters simultaneously - measuring ratios of angiogenic factors (sFlt-1/PlGF), cytokine levels, and other molecular markers to create a composite risk score. This multi-parameter approach enhances diagnostic reliability and accuracy, enabling differentiation between women who will and will not develop pre-eclampsia, thereby guiding targeted monitoring and early intervention strategies.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing or treating pregnancy related hypertensive disorders that include the use of a polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide selected from the following: follistatin related protein, interleukin 8, inhibin A, VEGF-C, angiogenin, beta fertilin, hypothetical protein, leukocyte associated Ig-like receptor secreted protein, erythroid differentiation protein, adipogenesis inhibitory factor, corticotropin releasing factor binding protein, alpha-1 anti-chymotrypsin, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5, CD33L, cytokine receptor like factor 1, platelet derived endothelial growth factor, lysyl hydroxylase isoform 2, stanniocalcin precursor, secreted frizzled related protein, galectin-3, alpha defensin, ADAM-TS3, cholecystokinin precursor, interferon stimulated T-cell alpha chemoattractant precursor, azurocidin, sperminine oxidase, UDP glycosyltransferase 2 family polypeptide B28, neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor 2, neutral endopeptidase, CDC28 protein kinase regulatory subunit 2, beta glucosidase, lanosterol synthase, calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase, estrogen receptor-alternatively spliced transcript H, chemokine (CX3C motif) receptor 1, tyrosinase-related protein 1, hydoxy-delta-5-steroid dehyrogenase, dihydropyramidinase-like-4, and cytochrome P450-family 11.