Preeclampsia is a multi-system disorder that is unique to human pregnancy.It is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, as well as preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction.Our previous and recent data revealed upregulation of ActivinA and Nodal level in plasma and placenta of preeclamptic women.However, whether it plays a role in the pathology of preeclampsia or it is just a manifestation of the disease is not fully understood.Using a cohort of preeclaptic patients and healthy pregnant women in Chinese Han population,we found significantly increased expressions of ActivinA, Nodal, ALK7, ActRIIA and Smad2 in preeclamptic placenta when compared with control subjects.Treatment of trophoblast cells with high doses of ActivinA resulted in a significant increase in cell apoptosis.