bronchopulmonary dysplasiaRecent reports indicate a connection between inflammation and angiogenesis. Researchers for the U.S. Government recently published an article connecting elevated sENG (soluble Endoglin), an anti-angiogenic protein, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Researchers evaluated levels of sENG in the amniotic fluid of women with IAI (intra-amniotic inflammation or infection) and those without IAI. In patients with IAI, the body responded by elevating sENG, which collected in amniotic fluid. They also evaluated the neonatal outcome of infants born prematurely to women with IAI.

Conclusion: Levels of sENG correlated with the number of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia – more sENG resulted in a higher risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. When IAI occurred, the body responded by increasing expression of sENG. Researchers believe macrophages could be the source of sENG.

Source: Kim SK, Romero R, Savasan ZA, Xu Y, Dong Z, Lee DC, Yeo L, Hassan SS, Chaiworapongsa T. Endoglin in amniotic fluid as a risk factor for the subsequent development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2013 Feb;69(2):105-23. doi: 10.1111/aji.12046. Epub 2012 Dec 24.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23279628