Maternal Serum SCUBE-1: A Novel Ischemic Marker in Preeclampsia.

Background: SCUBE-1 (Signal peptide-CUB (complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, and Bmp1)-EGF (epidermal growth factor)-domain-containing protein 1) is a novel marker of ischemia, which is a cell surface-secreted protein in the platelets and endothelial cells. The aim of the study is to measure serum SCUBE-1 levels and investigate their association with uteroplacental blood flow in patients with preeclampsia.
Methods: The study was conducted on patients with preeclampsia. Maternal serum SCUBE1 and IMA levels were the main outcomes. The control group consisted of gestational-age-matched pregnant women. Fetal umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI), middle cerebral artery PI, cerebroplacental ratio (CPR), and maternal uterine artery (UtA)-PI were also examined, and correlation analysis was performed to reveal the association between maternal serum SCUBE1 levels and Doppler findings.
Results: The study group consisted of thirty-two preeclamptic patients, and the control group consisted of thirty-two uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. Maternal serum SCUBE1 and IMA levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic women compared to the control group ( p < 0.000, p < 0.004, respectively). Mean UtA-PI values and fetal UA-PI values were significantly higher in preeclamptic pregnant women compared to the control group ( p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). However, the average CPR was significantly lower in pregnant women with preeclampsia ( p < 0.05). While no significant correlation was found between maternal serum SCUBE1 levels and UA-PI and CPR ( p > 0.05, p > 0.05, respectively), a significant correlation was found between right and left UtA-PI ( p < 0.004, p < 0.006, respectively).
Conclusions: The maternal serum SCUBE1 level is increased in patients with preeclampsia, and this increase is significantly correlated with the maternal uterine artery pulsatility index.