Fetal production of growth factors and inflammatory mediators predicts pulmonary hypertension in congenital diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) represents a spectrum of lung hypoplasia and consequent pulmonary hypertension is an important cause of postnatal morbidity and mortality. We studied biomarkers at the maternal-fetal interface to understand factors associated with the persistence of pulmonary hypertension. METHODS: Maternal and cord blood samples from fetuses with CDH and unaffected controls were analyzed using a human 39plex immunoassay kit. Cellular trafficking between the mother and the fetu was quantified using quantitative real-time PCR for non-shared alleles. Biomarker profiles were then correlated with CDH severity based on the degree of pulmonary hypertension. RESULTS: Cord blood levels of epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and several inflammatory mediators increased significantly as the severity of CDH increased, while maternal levels growth factors and mediators decreased significantly with CDH severity. Maternal cells were increased in fetuses with severe CDH compared to controls, with elevated levels of the chemokine CXCL-10 in patients with the highest trafficking. CONCLUSION: Patients with CDH demonstrate pro-inflammatory and chemotactic signals in fetal blood at the time of birth. Since some of these molecules have been implicated in the development of pulmonary hypertension, prenatal strategies targeting specific molecular pathways may be useful adjuncts to current fetal therapies.