Markers for preeclampsia

Abstract

This document provides methods and materials related to determining whether or not a pregnant mammal (e.g., a pregnant human) has preeclampsia. For example, methods and materials related to the use of urinary podocytes to determine whether or not a pregnant human has preeclampsia are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for assessing a pregnant mammal for preeclampsia, said method comprising determining whether or not a plasma sample from said mammal contains an elevated level of microvesicles expressing a VEGFR-1 polypeptide, and classifying said mammal as having preeclampsia if said plasma contains said elevated level. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining step comprises using flow cytometry. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining step comprises using an antibody to detect said microvesicles. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is an anti-VEGFR-1 antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises classifying said mammal as having preeclampsia if said elevated level is present, and classifying said mammal as not having preeclampsia if said elevated level is not present. 
     
     
         7 . A method for assessing a mammal for risk of developing a complication of preeclampsia, wherein said method comprises determining whether or not plasma from said mammal contains an elevated level of endothelium-derived microvesicles and classifying said mammal as being at risk for developing a complication of preeclampsia. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said determining step comprises using flow cytometry. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said determining step comprises using an antibody to detect said endothelium-derived microvesicles. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said complication of preeclampsia comprises HEELP syndrome. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said method comprises classifying said mammal as being at risk of developing a complication of preeclampsia if said elevated level is present, and classifying said mammal as not being at risk of developing a complication of preeclampsia if said elevated level is not present.