Fig. 1

CST6 mRNA expression increased while LGMN mRNA expression is reduced in placental lysates from patients with early‑onset preeclampsia (< 34 weeks’ gestation). (A) CST6 mRNA expression was examined via RT-qPCR relative to gestation-matched controls (n = 30, orange bar), in placentas obtained from patients with early-onset preeclampsia (n = 78, blue bar), CST6 expression was significantly increased, with a significant association with (B) gestational age at collection (green line, r² = 0.1643, p = 0.0263) and (C) fetal birthweight (green line, r² = 0.2047, p = 0.0121) in the control group. In the preeclampsia group there was no association between CST6 expression and (B) gestational age at collection (pink line, r² = 0.0102, p = 0.2900) and (C) fetal birthweight (pink line, r² = 0.0149, p = 0.7823) (D) LGMN mRNA expression was examined via RT-qPCR relative to gestation-matched controls (n = 30, orange bar), in placentas obtained from patients with early-onset preeclampsia (n = 78, blue bar), LGMN expression was significantly reduced, with no significant association with (E) gestational age at collection (green line, r² = 0.0000, p = 0.9924) and (F) fetal birthweight (green line, r² = 0.0002, p = 0.9382) in the control group. The same was observed in the preeclampsia group between (E) gestational age at collection (green line, r² = 0.0210, p = 0.2218) and (F) fetal birthweight (green line, r² = 0.0342, P = 0.1197). Each dot represents individual participants. The significance of the data was determined using a Mann–Whitney U test and a simple linear regression was used to determine the association of CST6 and LGMN expression/concentration with fetal birthweight and gestation age at delivery. Data is expressed as median ± interquartile range. **** p < 0.0001, * p < 0.05.