Hydroxysteroid (17beta) dehydrogenase 1 (HSD17B1) is a steroid synthetic enzyme expressed in ovarian granulosa cells and placental syncytiotrophoblasts. Here, HSD17B1 serum concentration was measured with a validated immunoassay during pregnancy at three time points (12–14, 18–20 and 26–28 weeks of gestation). The concentration increased 2.5-fold (P < 0.0001) and 1.7-fold (P = 0.0019) during the follow-up period for control women and women who later developed preeclampsia (PE), respectively, and a significant difference was observed at weeks 26–28 (P = 0.0266). HSD17B1 concentration at all the three time points positively correlated with serum PAPPA measured at the first time point (first time point r = 0.38, P = 1.1 × 10^–10; second time point r = 0.27, P = 5.9 × 10^–6 and third timepoint r = 0.26, P = 2.3 × 10^–5). No correlation was observed between HSD17B1 and placental growth factor (PLGF). Serum HSD17B1 negatively correlated with the mother's weight and body mass index (BMI), mirroring the pattern observed for PAPPA. The univariable logistic regression identified a weak association between HSD17B1 at 26–28 weeks and later development of PE (P = 0.04). The best multivariable model obtained using penalized logistic regression with stable iterative variable selection at 26–28 weeks included HSD17B1, together with PLGF, PAPPA and mother's BMI. While the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model was higher than that of the adjusted PLGF, the difference was not statistically significant. In summary, the serum concentration of HSD17B1 correlated with PAPPA, another protein expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts, and with mother's weight and BMI but could not be considered as an independent marker for PE.

Summary Sentence

Novel immunoassay for serum hydroxysteroid (17beta) dehydrogenase 1 reveals that its concentration in pregnant women correlates with pregnancy-associated plasma protein A but does not serve as an independent marker for preeclampsia.

Graphical Abstract