This assay is intended for the in vitro quantitative determination of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) in human serum and plasma. Used together with the PlGF assay, it helps determine the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, which assists in diagnosing preeclampsia alongside other clinical information. sFlt-1 is a multi-glycosylated protein of about 100 kDa, acting as an anti-angiogenic factor by binding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and preventing its interaction with cell surface receptors, thereby inhibiting VEGF's biological activity. Preeclampsia, affecting 2-8% of pregnancies globally, is characterized by hypertension and organ dysfunction after 20 weeks of pregnancy. In preeclampsia, sFlt-1 levels increase significantly while PlGF levels decrease compared to normal pregnancies, disrupting placental vascular development. Measuring the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio provides valuable diagnostic insight into preeclampsia risk and progression. Common testing methods include ELISA, chemiluminescence, and immunofluorescence.
