VEGFA and endothelial dysfunction: More recently, endothelial dysfunction has emerged as the proximal cause for the maternal clinical symptoms, with increased levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) secreted by the placenta interfering with the bioavailability of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF signalling across the maternal endothelium leading to the maternal hypertensive response [2].