Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0976

Evaluation of Urinary Extracellular Vesicles as Predictors of Preeclampsia: A Longitudinal Study

Session Information

• Women's Health and Kidney Diseases
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Women's Health and Kidney Diseases

• 2100 Women's Health and Kidney Diseases

Authors

• Nascimento, Camila de Melo Carvalho, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Camila de Melo Carvalho Nascimento, MMSc, MSc, MSH

• Vigo, Mariana C., Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Mariana C. Vigo

• Oliveira, Evelyn Maciel de, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Evelyn Maciel de Oliveira, MSc

• Martyres, Andreza, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Andreza Martyres, MSc, PhD

• Camisao Aquino, Larissa, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Larissa Camisao Aquino, MD

• Krebs, Kianny Silva, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Kianny Silva Krebs, MSc

• Silva, Andréa A., Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Andréa A. Silva, PhD

• Medeiros, Thalia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Thalia Medeiros, MS, PhD

• Carvalho, Fabiana Rabe, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Fabiana Rabe Carvalho, PhD

• Lugon, Jocemir R., Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Jocemir R. Lugon, MD, PhD

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder characterized by the development of hypertension after the 20th week of pregnancy, accompanied by proteinuria and/or organ dysfunction. Since an early diagnosis might contribute to reducing the risk of adverse outcomes, we aimed to evaluate urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) as predictors of PE.

Methods

Observational, longitudinal, and analytical study approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Medicine of the university. Pregnant women receiving care at a university hospital’s high-risk obstetric clinics between 2025 and 2026 were followed until the end of a physiological or complicated pregnancy, failure to provide the urine collections, or dropout, whichever occurred first. The main outcome was the development of preeclampsia diagnosed using the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics criteria. Urine samples were collected during pregnancy at three time points (20/21, 27/28, and 36/37 weeks). Samples were centrifuged at 600xg for 5min and stored at -80°C. uEVs were isolated by differential centrifugation and characterized by nanoscale flow cytometry (CytoFLEX S) and transmission electron microscopy. uEVs were characterized by size (80-500nm) and positivity for Annexin V and specific markers for podocytes, proximal tubular cells and endothelial cells (podoplanin, megalin and CD144, respectively). uEV counts were normalized by urinary creatinine. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Significance was set at P<0.05.

Results

Sixty-three women (39±7 years old) were included; 20 did not complete the study. Among the remaining 43, outcome data and uEVs counts were available for 25, of whom 11 (44%) developed PE. Results are summarized in Figure 1.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that megalin⁺ and CD144⁺ uEVs may be potential early biomarkers of PE in high-risk pregnant women.

Acknowledgment

We thank the Obstetrics Division of the university hospital and the Laboratório Multiusuário de Apoio à Pesquisa em Nefrologia e Ciências Médicas (LAMAP) for the technical support, the pregnant women for voluntarily participation in the study, and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for funding (Proc 406785/2025-2).

Funding

• Government Support – Non-U.S.