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NCT Number: NCT06317467

Role of Anti-C1q Autoantibodies in Pregnancy

Preeclampsia (PE) is a very frequent obstetric complication. C1q, the first recognition molecule of the classical pathway of complement system (C), represents a double-edged molecule in determining pregnancy outcomes. In animal models, C1q deficiency caused the development of a dysfunctional placenta and PE-like symptoms. Conversely, lower levels of C components were detected in the sera of patients with PE due to C consumption and increased deposition of activated C components in the placenta, as well as to the binding to placental apoptotic bodies, syncytiotrophoblast microvesicles (STBM) and debris which are increased in the circulation of patients with PE.

C1q is a hexameric glycoprotein of 460kDa composed by six copies of three polypeptide chains A, B and C, each made by a C-terminal globular head (gC1q) and a N-terminal collagen-like region (CLR). This molecule can be the target of an antibody response. Autoantibodies targeting C1q were first recognized in the serum of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. The presence of anti-C1q autoantibodies was also detected in patient affected by autoimmune disease (ie, kidney disorders, vasculitis, thyroiditis). Almost all of these autoimmune disorders are associated with an increased risk of developing PE during pregnancy.

Anti-C1q detection mainly concerns the prediction of the onset of lupus nephritis (LN) in SLE patients. Although anti-C1q autoantibodies do not deplete circulating C1q, their presence in maternal circulation and in placenta may trigger improper C activation and impair C1q activity. In pregnancies complicated by autoimmune affection such as SLE, autoimmune thyroid disorders and Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) the prevalence of anti-C1q appeared to be higher than in control pregnancies and associated with miscarriage. High levels of anti-C1q have been found in a group of Japanese patients suffering recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). In a group of anti-C1q positive healthy pregnancies and LN patients was assessed whether C1q autoantigenic behaviour could vary among individuals with or without correlated manifestation. Sera from healthy pregnancies and LN patients were screened for the presence of autoantibodies against the CLR fragment and/or the gC1q: antibodies against gC1q were found in both groups, whereas anti-CLR were only detected in the LN one, suggesting that only the latter may have a pathogenic role. Despite this, the biological functions of anti-C1q remain far from clear

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Key information

Conditions

Pre-eclampsia Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced Pregnancy Complications Urogenital Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo"

Trieste, 34137, Italy

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Chiara Agostinis, BSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

040/5588652

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Group 1. Women occurring physiological pregnancies that sign the consent to participate in the study and agree to spontaneously return to the maternal hospital 40 days after delivery.

Group 2. Patients diagnosed for PE (hypertension arisen suddenly after the 20th week of pregnancy with associated proteinuria, greater than or equal to 300 mg/24 hours often corresponding to 30 mg/dL (1+) on a single sample).

Group 3. Women affected by SLE, APS, or autoimmune thyroiditis attending the medically assisted procreation department or the Department of Rheumatology, Division of Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Exclusion criteria

  • Women aged under 18 years
  • Viral or bacterial blood transmitted infections.
  • Patients whose informed consent cannot be obtained.

Treatment and study plan

Blood sampling

Other

Four blood samples will be collected, in conjunction with the collection of samples already programmed for assistance during pregnancy: blood sampling for the B-test (within the 13th week of gestation), at the blood test centre of the Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo; blood sampling for toxoplasmosis or blood sugar level, upon execution of the morphological ultrasound scanning (around the 20th and 34th weeks of gestation), at the blood test centre of the Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, as well. Finally, 40 days after delivery, during routine gynaecological control after the puerperium.

Primary outcomes

  1. Between groups difference in percentage of anti-gC1q compared to the total anti-C1q autoantibodies

    Time frame: 8-12 weeks of gestation

  2. Between groups difference in percentage of anti-cC1q compared to the total anti-C1q autoantibodies

    Time frame: 8-12 weeks of gestation

  3. Between groups difference in percentage of anti-gC1q compared to the total anti-C1q autoantibodies

    Time frame: 20-24 weeks of gestation.

  4. Between groups difference in percentage of anti-cC1q compared to the total anti-C1q autoantibodies

    Time frame: 20-24 weeks of gestation.

  5. Between groups difference in percentage of anti-gC1q compared to the total anti-C1q autoantibodies

    Time frame: 34-38 weeks of gestation.

  6. Between groups difference in percentage of anti-cC1q compared to the total anti-C1q autoantibodies

    Time frame: 34-38 weeks of gestation.

  7. Between groups difference in percentage of anti-gC1q compared to the total anti-C1q autoantibodies

    Time frame: 40-50 days after delivery.

  8. Between groups difference in percentage of anti-cC1q compared to the total anti-C1q autoantibodies

    Time frame: 40-50 days after delivery.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Chiara Agostinis, BSc

CONTACT

[email protected]

+39.040.5588652

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

IRCCS Burlo Garofolo

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Characterization of the Physiological and the Pathological Role of Anti-C1q Autoantibodies in Pregnancy: a Potential Treatment for Pre-eclampsia to Prevent Fetal Intrauterine Growth Restriction?

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 19, 2024
Registry last updated
Mar 19, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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