{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "56ad17fa213342238981a37ec38ba045", "timestamp": "2026-08-10T22:42:46.320Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/publication/56ad17fa213342238981a37ec38ba045.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications.scilifelab.se/publication/56ad17fa213342238981a37ec38ba045"}}, "title": "Elevated mid-pregnancy plasma levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in women prior to the development of preeclampsia.", "authors": [{"family": "Junus", "given": "Katja", "initials": "K"}, {"family": "Bj\u00f6rk Ragnarsd\u00f3ttir", "given": "Inger", "initials": "I"}, {"family": "Nordl\u00f6f Callbo", "given": "Paliz", "initials": "P"}, {"family": "Bergman", "given": "Lina", "initials": "L"}, {"family": "Lager", "given": "Susanne", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Wikstr\u00f6m", "given": "Anna-Karin", "initials": "AK"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2022-03-08", "journal": {"title": "Sci Rep", "issn": "2045-2322", "volume": "12", "issue": "1", "pages": "4109", "issn-l": "2045-2322"}, "abstract": "Preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share multiple features and risk factors. Circulating angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is increased in CVD and mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, causing COVID-19 infection. The role of ACE2 in preeclampsia pathophysiology is unknown. We hypothesized that circulating ACE2 is increased in mid-pregnancy in women later developing preeclampsia. We included 296 women later developing preeclampsia (cases) and 333 women with a continuous healthy pregnancy (controls). Circulating ACE2 was measured with an immunoassay based on proximity extension assay technology, with levels being expressed as relative quantification on a log2 scale. Median (interquartile range) ACE2 levels were higher in cases than in controls; 3.84 (3.50-4.24) vs. 3.72 (3.45-4.04), p = 0.002. Adjusted logistic regression models showed a 60% increased risk for later development of preeclampsia with one unit elevation of ACE2 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.60, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.17-2.18). Preterm preeclampsia (diagnosis before 37 gestational weeks, n = 97) seemed to have a stronger ACE2 association than term preeclampsia, n = 199 (aORs, 95% Cis 2.14, 1.15-3.96 and 1.52, 1.04-2.23, respectively). Circulating ACE2 is increased at mid-pregnancy in women later developing preeclampsia, particularly preterm preeclampsia. Thus, our finding indicates a partly shared pathophysiological pathway between preeclampsia and CVD.", "doi": "10.1038/s41598-022-08081-8", "pmid": "35260736", "labels": {"Affinity Proteomics Uppsala": "Service"}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC8902901"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "10.1038/s41598-022-08081-8"}], "notes": [], "created": "2022-12-02T08:52:16.795Z", "modified": "2022-12-02T08:52:16.799Z"}