The role of Delta-like 4 ligand/Notch-ephrin-B2 cascade in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia by regulating functions of endothelial progenitor cell

摘要

Introduction: Preeclampsia is a hypertensive complication in pregnancy, closely related to endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have the capacity for endothelial repair. Both Ephrin-B2 and DII4/Notch pathway play critical roles in various steps of angiogenesis. In addition, there is an up-regulation of ephrin-B2 expression consequent to DII4/Notch activation in endothelial cells (ECs). However, the roles of ephrin-B2 and DII4/Notch signaling on EPCs, as well as the relationship between them, have not been completely characterized.