**8. Conclusions**

This paper elaborated on the paradigm shift of HIV's effect on angiogenesis in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancy. Whilst an imbalance in the angiogenic and lymphangiogenic transference predominates in PE, we highlight the parodist effect of HIV as it utilizes its accessory proteins to exploit VEGF's effect. Furthermore, due to the ubiquitous nature of HIV infection in South Africa, this paper also outlines the effect of HAART on the risk of PE development, albeit not on the duration of the therapy. Current literature is controversial on the effect of HAART on T-cell reconstitution, with regard to NK cell subset recovery and the influence of Th1/Th2/Th17 and Treg cell dysregulation during HIV infection in pregnancy. Since cytokine stimulation is disparate in HIV infection, PE, and during ARV usage, it is important that future research outlines the archetypal effect in pregnancy. Finally, this will improve therapeutic interventions in HIV-associated preeclamptic pregnancies, thus reducing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

**Author Contributions:** All authors made contributions to the article and approved it for publication.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Acknowledgments:** The authors wish to acknowledge the placental research team at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. **Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
