The cadmium levels in the peripheral blood of preeclamptic patients were higher than those in normal pregnancy.
A novel rat model of preeclampsia by injection with low-dose CdCl2 during GD 9-14 was established.
Cadmium increased AT1-AA level by upregulating activation-induced cytosine deaminase in B cells.
AT1-AA-mediated AT1 receptor activation is responsible for C5 elevation.
Elevated C5a contributes to key features of PE seen in the CdCl2-injection model.