Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) contributes to pre-eclampsia pathogenesis by binding and neutralising which two angiogenic factors, thereby causing widespread endothelial dysfunction?

• A VEGF and PlGF ✓
• B VEGF and angiopoietin-1
• C PlGF and TGF-β1
• D EGF and FGF

Explanation

sFlt-1 is a truncated, soluble decoy receptor for VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and PlGF (placental growth factor). It is released excessively by the hypoxic placenta in pre-eclampsia, sequesters free VEGF and PlGF in the maternal circulation, and prevents their binding to endothelial receptors — causing vasoconstriction, proteinuria, and the systemic features of pre-eclampsia. The sFlt-1:PlGF ratio >38 has high negative predictive value for ruling out pre-eclampsia within one week.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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