Exploring the relationship between preeclampsia and human epididymis protein 4

Background/Aim: The level of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), a glycoprotein and protease inhibitor,

increases under many malignancies and inflammatory conditions. HE4 is also associated with cell

invasion, migration, and adhesion. In this study, we compared the HE4 protein levels in pregnant patients

with preeclampsia to healthy pregnant and non-pregnant individuals with the aim of finding a biomarker

that can be used to recognize preeclampsia.

Methods: Our study is a prospective case control study and included 20 pregnant women with

preeclampsia, 20 pregnant women without preeclampsia, and 20 healthy non-pregnant women (the

control). The participants’ serum HE4 levels were analyzed statistically.

Results: Data analysis revealed that the mean HE4 levels were significantly lower in the preeclampsia

group than in the other two groups (P = 0.002). Mean HE4 protein levels were also lower in the nonpregnant women than in the pregnant women without preeclampsia; however, this difference was not

significant.

Conclusion: It is difficult to predict preeclampsia, and there is not any sensitive or specific biomarker for

determining the condition. This study may support that HE4 protein may be useful and significant in

predicting preeclampsia. The results we achieved provide proof that HE4 levels could be a potential

biomarker for preeclampsia. Many more comprehensive studies are needed to support the association

between HE4 protein and preeclampsia.

Keywords: HE4 protein, Preeclampsia, Protease inhibitor