瘦素在子癎前期患者胎盘和血清的表达和意义

目的 探讨子癎前期患者胎盘和血清中瘦素的表达变化及其和子癎前期发病的关系.方法 采用免疫组化SP法检测45例子癎前期患者(研究组,其中重度组28例,轻度组17例)和30例同期正常妊娠妇女(对照组)胎盘瘦素水平,并用酶联免疫吸附实验检测两组孕妇产前血清瘦素水平.结果 (1)两组胎盘瘦素均在合体滋养细胞胞浆表达,随病情加重,染色逐渐加深,胎盘瘦素与子癎前期存在线性相关关系.(2)研究组、轻度组、重度组和对照组血清瘦素浓度分别为(10.41±4.78)ng/ml、(6.33±1.87)ng/ml、(12.88±4.27)ng/ml、(5.73±2.19)ng/ml,轻度组稍高于对照组但无统计学意义(P>0.05),研究组和对照组、轻和重度组、重度组和对照组相比,均有性统计学意义(P<0.01),瘦素表达水平和病情严重程度呈正相关.(3)血清瘦素与体重指数无相关性(P>0.05);但其与收缩压、舒张压及平均动脉压均呈正相关(r=0.602、0.566和0.585,P均<0.05).结论 瘦素在子癎前期患者胎盘和血清中均高表达,高瘦素水平参与子癎前期的发生和发展.     

Placental leptin in HIV-associated preeclampsia

Objective

HIV-associated preeclampsia reflects a combination of opposing influences on the immune status. The adipocyte hormone leptin has been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and in enhancing immunity. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to determine whether leptin levels in the placenta differ between HIV-associated normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. The study also compares leptin levels between the exchange and conducting areas of the placenta.

Study design

Pregnant women were recruited antenatally and grouped as follows: normotensive HIV uninfected (n = 30), normotensive HIV infected (n = 60), preeclamptic HIV uninfected (n = 30) and preeclamptic HIV infected (n = 60). Anthropometric data were collected and placental leptin was analysed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA.

Results

Leptin levels were similar in the central and peripheral regions of the placenta. Leptin immunoreactivity was observed amongst the different trophoblast cell populations. Both ELISA and immunohistochemistry of the placental exchange villi indicated that leptin levels were higher in preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnancies (p < 0.001). HIV status had no effect on leptin levels but levels were higher in participants on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) compared to those on prophylaxis for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) with normotensive (p = 0.006) and preeclamptic (p = 0.002) pregnancies. The area of immunostaining was greater in the exchange compared to the conducting villi in HIV infected and uninfected preeclampsia.

Conclusions

This novel study establishes an elevation of leptin in preeclamptic placentae, irrespective of HIV status. Leptin elevation was not focal in that it occurred in both central and peripheral regions of the preeclamptic placenta. This suggests a role of leptin in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.     

脂联素在子痫前期患者胎盘组织中的表达与其发病的关系

目的 探讨脂联素在子痫前期患者胎盘组织中的表达与其发病的关系.方法 采用免疫组化链霉菌抗生物蛋白-过氧化物连接(SP)法及RT-PCR技术,检测20例正常足月妊娠孕妇(正常妊娠组)、12例轻度子痫前期(轻度子痫前期组)及22例重度子痫前期(重度子痫前期组)患者胎盘组织中脂联素蛋白及其mRNA的表达,并分析其与子痫前期发病的关系.结果 (1)3组孕妇胎盘绒毛合体滋养细胞及细胞滋养细胞胞质内脂联素蛋白均呈阳性表达,且各组内胎盘母面及子面脂联素蛋白的表达水平相互比较,差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).(2)重度子痫前期组胎盘组织中脂联素蛋白的表达水平(30 984±14 604)低于轻度子痫前期组(58 360±8910)及正常妊娠组(53 246±17 554),差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01).重度子痫前期组中妊娠足月者胎盘组织中脂联素蛋白的表达水平(38 890±20 386)与未足月者(29 319±8997)比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);但与正常妊娠组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).(3)3组孕妇胎盘组织中均有脂联素mRNA的表达.其中重度子痫前期组胎盘组织中脂联素mRNA表达水平(1.0±0.2)低于轻度子痫前期组(2.9±0.8)及正常妊娠组(3.3±1.1),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 重度子痫前期患者胎盘组织中脂联素mRNA表达水平下降导致其蛋白表达水平也下降,提示脂联素的异常表达参与了子痫前期的发病.     

Increased expression of the leptin receptor in human ovaries affected by endometrioma and detection of high levels of leptin in the ovarian endometriomal fluid

Background

This study was designed to investigate leptin levels in the fluid in ovarian endometriomas (OEs) and to compare the expression of leptin and its receptors (OBR) in ovarian tissue affected by endometrioma in infertile women to its expression in the normal ovarian tissue of fertile controls without endometriosis.

Methods

In this case–control observational study, ovarian tissue, blood samples and peritoneal fluid were obtained from 20 women (10 fertile controls without endometriosis or any ovarian disease, who were undergoing tubal ligation surgery, and 10 infertile women with severe endometriosis and OE). The ovarian endometriomal fluid (EF) was aspirated, and peritoneal-implant (PI) biopsies were performed. The tissues removed during the surgeries were immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen to determine expression levels by western blot and leptin levels by ELISA.

Results

OBR was expressed at higher levels in the ovarian tissue affected by endometrioma than in the normal ovarian tissue (control?=?0.38?±?0.05, study?=?0.60?±?0.09, p?=?0.03), but there was no significant difference in leptin levels between these groups (control?=?0.57?±?0.1, study?=?0.35?±?0.1, p?=?0.18). Positive and significant correlations were observed between leptin and OBR in the OE (r?=?0.85, p?=?0.004) and in the PI (r?=?0.87, p?=?0.001). ELISA results demonstrate a greater leptin concentration within the EF compared with the serum and the PF (serum?=?14.25?±?1.63, PF?=?5.98?±?2.0, EF?=?73.8?±?16.2, p?=?0.0001), but there was no correlation between these variables. A positive, significant and strong correlation was observed between PF leptin levels and the expression of leptin and OBR in PI (leptin: r?=?0.78, p?=?0.007/OBR: r?=?0.68, p?=?0.04) and between the EF leptin levels and the expression of leptin and OBR in the OE (leptin: r?=?0.88, p?=?0.008/OBR: r?=?0.89, p?=?0.005).

Conclusions

These data suggest that leptin may play an important role in the physiopathology of OE through a modulatory interaction with its active receptor.     

RhoA在子痫前期患者胎盘中的表达

目的:检测正常晚期妊娠和子痫前期患者胎盘RhoA的表达,探讨RhoA在子痫前期发病中的作用。方法:用免疫组织化学SP法及RT-PCR检测40例子痫前期和20例正常晚期妊娠胎盘RhoA蛋白及其mRNA的表达。结果:RhoA主要在滋养细胞表达。轻度子痫前期组和重度子痫前期组RhoA蛋白及mRNA均高于正常晚期妊娠组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:子痫前期患者胎盘RhoA的高表达可能与子痫前期的发病有一定的关系。     

The relationship between plasma levels of leptin and androgen in healthy and preeclamptic pregnant women

BACKGROUND: To clarify the role of leptin and androgens in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, we wanted to assess role of maternal leptin in women with severe and mild preeclampsia and the effects of sex steroid hormones on leptin production. METHODS: The groups consisted of 40 healthy pregnant women (HPW) as well as 55 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia (SPE) and 41 pregnant women with mild preeclampsia (MPE). No significant differences were observed between the three groups regarding age, gestational age and body mass index (BMI). Plasma leptin, total testosterone (T), estradiol (E(2)), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (A) levels were measured. Statistical analysis was achieved with one-way analysis of variance (anova) followed by post hoc multiple comparisons with the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) test by using SPSS for Windows statistical computer program, and the Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated. RESULTS: The plasma level of leptin was significantly increased in the SPE and MPE groups (p < 0.001), whereas the plasma level of T was significantly increased only in the SPE group (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in plasma levels of DHEAS among the three groups (p < 0.05). The plasma level of A was significantly decreased in the MPE group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the plasma level of E(2) in the MPE and SPE groups (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the plasma levels of leptin and E(2) in the MPE group (r = 0.41, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We concluded that the elevated plasma levels of leptin and testosterone could contribute to the endothelial dysfunction involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and that estradiol might lead to an increase in the plasma levels of leptin.     

Placental leptin receptor isoforms in normal and pathological pregnancies

Alternate mRNA splicing of human leptin receptor generates four membrane isoforms with different C-terminal sequences. They differ by the length of their intracellular domain which include specific motifs crucial for the specificity of leptin signalling. As a step towards functional studies, we have characterized leptin receptors in human placenta from normal pregnancies and pregnancies associated with diabetes and pre-eclampsia. Leptin and leptin receptors were visualized by immunohistochemistry of placentas obtained from first and third trimester pregnancies. Antibodies against N and C-terminal epitopes showed signals in the apical membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast in early and term placental villi as well as in JAr and BeWo derived trophoblast cells. In addition, a distinct isoform recognized by its extracellular juxtamembrane epitope was exclusively localized in cytotrophoblast cells and likely stains the soluble receptor. At contrast with the transmembrane receptors, the expression of this isoform is increased in placentas of pre-eclamptic and diabetic women which synthesize more leptin than placenta from uncomplicated pregnancy.These data demonstrate that short and long transmembrane leptin receptors are expressed in the trophoblast and indicate that leptin synthetized within the placenta can act locally through both receptor isoforms. Being also accessible to leptin from maternal origin, these transmembrane receptors may signal differently in pregnancy with normal and increased leptin production. The co-localization of leptin and the soluble receptor isoform suggests that this isoform serves for modulating maternal free leptin levels through modification of leptin binding capacities.     

Leptin: a potential marker of placental insufficiency

To investigate placental leptin production in placental insufficiency, placental leptin production was measured in women with severe preeclampsia (group 1) and in normotensive pregnancies associated with intrauterine growth restriction (group 2), compared to controls (group 3). Placental leptin content was increased 3-fold in group 1 compared to group 2 (192.5.1 +/- 39.5 vs. 67.8 +/- 10.6 ng/g) and 8-fold in group 1 compared to group 3 (192.5.1 +/- 39.5 vs. 25.4 +/- 6.9 ng/g). Placental leptin content was positively correlated with maternal leptin/BMI ratio (r = 0.62) and the resistance index of the umbilical artery (r = 0.60). These data demonstrate that placental insufficiency is associated with a dramatic increase in placental leptin production. This results in a rise in maternal leptinemia that may be taken as an early index of placental dysfunction.     

Placental miR-1301 is dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia and inversely correlated with maternal circulating leptin

Introduction

miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs important for the regulation of mRNA in many organs including placenta. Adipokines and specifically leptin are known to be dysregulated in preeclampsia, but little is known regarding their regulation by miRNAs during pregnancy.

Methods

We performed high-throughput sequencing of small RNAs in placenta from 72 well-defined patients: 23 early-onset preeclampsia (PE), 26 late-onset PE and 23 controls. The regulation of some miRNAs was confirmed on qRT-PCR. Maternal circulating levels and placental mRNA of leptin, resistin and adiponectin were measured using Bio-Plex and qRT-PCR.

Results

We found that miR-1301, miR-223 and miR-224 expression was downregulated in early-onset PE, but not in late-onset PE, compared to controls. In silico analysis predicted the leptin gene (LEP) to be a target for all three miRNAs. Indeed, we found significant correlation between maternal circulating levels of leptin and placental LEP expression. In addition, we found a significant inverse correlation between maternal circulating leptin/placental LEP expression and placental miR-1301 expression levels. Interestingly, placental expression of miR-1301 was also correlated with newborn weight percentile and inversely correlated with both maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure prior to delivery.

Discussion

Our results confirm that placenta is a major site of LEP expression during pregnancy. It further suggests that miR-1301 could be involved in the regulation of leptin during pregnancy and may play a role in early-onset PE.

Conclusions

miR-1301 is dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia and could possibly play a role in the regulation of leptin during pregnancy.     

Metabolism of vitamin D3 in the placental tissue of normal and preeclampsia complicated pregnancies and premature births

The aim of this study was to analyze the hormonal basis for low 1,25(OH)2D3 circulating levels in patients with preeclampsia and/or preterm deliveries. The activity and expression of the 1 alphaOHase, 25-OHase, 24-OHase and VDR in the placental tissue of normal pregnancies, preeclampsia-complicated pregnancies and premature births were investigated. The mRNA of the enzymes was detected in the placental tissue from preeclamptic pregnancies and compared to those of normal placental tissue. Real time PCR analysis showed a significant increased 1 alpha-OHase gene expression in preeclamptic patients, and the gene expression of 24-OHase was significantly decreased. With regard to the 25-OHase the median value of the normal placental tissue was significantly higher than in the placental tissue of preeclamptic patients. The real time analysis of all target genes also showed significant differences in normal placental tissue compared to placental tissue from premature births (VDR: p = 0.041; 1 alpha-OHase: p = 0.013; 24-OHase: p = 0.007; 25-OHase p = 0.027). Our observation of reduced VDR expression on mRNA level in placental tissue indicates a possible dependence of the modulation of VDR expression from proliferation and differentiation processes. It can be speculated whether the down-regulation of VDR in the examined placenta cells was the result of an altered production of calcitriol by these cells. We found a significantly higher 1 alpha-OHase-expression in the placental tissue of pregnant women with preeclampsia or preterm birth compared to healthy pregnant women, whereas the expression of 25-OHase was significantly reduced. These results correlate with other studies and support the significance of the placenta regarding metabolism malfunctions as they were observed in the calcium metabolism for preeclampsia. That a placenta with preeclampsia expresses less 1 alpha-OHase-mRNA and shows less 1 alpha-OHase-activity than in placental samples of inconspicuous placentae, can be granted as a specific alteration in the placental ability to synthesize adequate amounts of 1,25(OH)2D3.     

Hormonal regulation of neonatal weight: placental leptin and leptin receptors

Objective To examine whether umbilical and maternal leptin levels correlate with birthweight, placental weight, and maternal weight; and to detect membrane-bound leptin receptors in placental tissue as well as soluble leptin receptors in umbilical and maternal blood.
Design Prospective observational study.
Setting University teaching hospital.
Methods Serum levels of leptin and soluble leptin receptors were analysed in 31 randomly selected mother/newborn pairs at delivery. In addition, placental tissue was assayed for leptin receptors using immunocytochemistry and Western blot.
Results The mean [SD] leptin level in umbilical cord venous blood (7.1 ng/mL [4.0]) was significantly lower (   P < 0.001  ) than in maternal blood (22.5 ng/mL [10.8]). Umbilical cord leptin concentrations correlated significantly with birthweight (   P < 0.001  ), placental weight (   P < 0.005  ) but not with maternal leptin. Maternal leptin concentrations correlated only with maternal weight (   P < 0.001  ). In chorionic villous tissue, trophoblasts stained strongly positive for leptin receptor-like immunoreactivity. Two membrane-bound isoforms of the leptin receptor were also detected in placental tissue. In both umbilical and maternal serum, a soluble leptin receptor was found migrating as broad band at M_r 97,000 D.
Conclusion The present data strongly reinforce the idea that circulating leptin levels may provide a growth-promoting signal for fetal development during late pregnancy. While membrane-bound leptin receptors may be involved in autocrine regulation of placental leptin production, the soluble receptor form may serve as a transport vehicle for leptin to fetal tissues.     

Trophoblast expression of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) in the preeclampsia placenta

Placental pathology in preeclampsia and retarded fetuses is associated with changes of the pattern of expression of EGFR. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in trophoblast populations of preeclampsia and retarded fetuses in comparison with normal controls. Tissue microarray with paraffin sections containing a general of 90 placental specimens including 30 preeclamptic cases, 30 retarded fetuses and 30 normal pregnancies (controls) were studied immunohistochemically for epidermal growth factor receptor in the syncytiotrophoblast and villous cytotrophoblast. Epidermal growth factor receptor levels were estimated semiquantitatively. The percentage of strong/intermediate immunoreactivity of epidermal growth factor receptor in the syncytiotrophoblast was significantly higher in normal placental cases (98%) than in pathological conditions (P = .03), although strong/intermediate immunoreactivity in the syncytiotrophoblast was significantly lower in pathologic cases (35%) than controls (P < .001). No correlation (P > 0.01) was found between the trophoblast expression of EGFR and the weight of the newborn fetuses. Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in the villous and extravillous cytotrophoblastic cells were significantly different between controls and preeclamptic cases (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The development of pathologic pregnancies is possibly related to the differential expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in the syncytiotrophoblast.     

Angiopoietin-2: A Promising Indicator for the Occurrence of Severe Preeclampsia

Background. The known connection between placental hypoxia and the development of preeclampsia suggests that angiogenic factors in the placenta would be changed and affect the maternal and/or umbilical cord plasma levels in patients with preeclampsia. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the difference and correlation of placental mRNA expression and maternal/umbilical cord plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), angiopoietin-1, and angiopoietin-2 between women with severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancies. Methods. Sixteen patients with severe preeclampsia and 29 normotensive pregnant women were studied. The placental mRNA expression was assessed using real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Maternal/umbilical cord plasma levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Nonparametric methods were applied for statistical analysis. Results. Placental mRNA expression of angiopoietin-2 was significantly increased in patients with severe preeclampsia (p < 0.001). The maternal plasma angiopoietin-2 protein level was also significantly increased in women with severe preeclampsia (p < 0.05) and showed a positive correlation with the placental mRNA expression of angiopoietin-2 (r = 0.54, p < 0.005). For VEGF-A and angiopoietin-1, there were no significant differences between the two groups. A maternal plasma angiopoietin-2 concentration of 8.4 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 63% and a specificity of 83% for predicting severe preeclampsia. Conclusion. Placental angiopoietin-2 mRNA expression was increased and correlated with the maternal plasma angiopoietin-2 protein concentration in women with severe preeclampsia. This suggests that the plasma angiopoietin-2 protein level may be a candidate marker for severe preeclampsia.     

The Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Pregnancies Complicated by Severe Preeclampsia or Fetal Growth Restriction

We tested the hypothesis that the expression of placental connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is enhanced in pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia (PE) or fetal growth restriction (FGR). CTGF expression was analyzed using immunostaining, western blot and real-time quantitative PCR in placental samples obtained after third trimester cesarean deliveries without labor from women with severe PE (n = 11), idiopathic FGR (n = 14), or healthy controls (n = 14). Serum CTGF concentrations were analyzed using ELISA. We found that CTGF was stably expressed in villous trophoblasts throughout pregnancy. The expression of CTGF mRNA in placentas from severe PE or FGR was higher than placentas from controls. Whereas the levels of placental CTGF protein were similar between normal and severe PE, maternal and fetal serum CTGF levels were elevated in severe PE. Maternal CTGF levels were also distinctively elevated in women with PE or FGR with histological evidence of placental injury. The enhancement of CTGF expression as well as serum CTGF levels in clinical conditions attributed to placental dysfunction suggests a role for this secretary protein in the pathophysiology of placental injury or its sequelae.     

Increased Placental Telomerase mRNA in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Objective.?We assessed hTERT mRNA levels in normal versus preeclamptic placental samples, examining hTERT expression levels in different clinical manifestations of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.?Methods.?We performed a single-site, prospective case-control study of hTERT mRNA levels in placentas from term and preterm pregnancies with hypertensive disorders compared with unaffected pregnancies. Placental biopsies were collected from 61 patients (preeclamptic: 32; non-preeclamptic (control): 29). Total RNA from placenta was isolated and reversely transcribed to c‐DNA. A probe-specific real-time quantitative PCR assay was employed to determine the relative expressional levels of hTERT mRNA levels in these placentas from both unaffected and affected pregnancies with different categories of hypertensive disorders including preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver function tests, Low Platelet).?Results.?The average ratio of hTERT mRNA levels was 1.73 in the preeclamptic group and 1.02 for control group (p < 0.0001). The hTERT expression levels were elevated for each of the different categories of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy compared with control: HELLP syndrome 1.86, severe preeclampsia 1.81, eclampsia 1.71 and mild preeclampsia 1.63. In addition, hTERT levels were higher in severe than mild preeclampsia (p < 0.01). Conclusions.?Elevated hTERT mRNA expression is observed in placentas from pregnancies with different clinical manifestations of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The patho-physiological significance of this finding awaits further studies.     

Catalase activity in normal and preeclamptic placentas

OBJECTIVE: The decrease of placental catalase (CAT) activity may lead to an increase of placental amounts of reactive oxygen species and can contribute to preeclampsia pathogenesis. DESIGN: The aim of the study was to determine CAT activity in placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies (with and without intrauterine growth restriction--IUGR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigations comprised placentas obtained immediately after delivery from 22 normal pregnancies (group K), 26 pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia-PE without IUGR (group PE) and 23 pregnancies complicated by severe PE and IUGR (group PEI). The activity of CAT was determined using a spectrophotometric method and expressed as IU/mg protein. Comparative analysis was performed using U Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: Mean activity of CAT (MCAT) in the PEI group--0.38 +/- 0.14 (M +/- SD), was significantly lower (p < 0.001) as compared to MCAT in the group K (0.55 +/- 0.16). MCAT in the PE group (0.48 +/- 0.14) was lower than MCAT in the group K, but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). MCAT in the group PEI was significantly lower (p = 0.026) as compared to MCAT in the PE group. CONCLUSIONS: The activity of CAT is decreased in placentas from pregnancies complicated by severe PE and IUGR. Obtained results may indicate that the decrease of placental CAT activity may be involved in pathogenesis of IUGR in preeclamptic pregnancies.     

Maternal serum leptin as a marker of preeclampsia

Purpose

To assess maternal leptin levels as a marker for preeclampsia (PE) and to explore the possibility of leptin being a marker of severity of preeclampsia.

Participants and methods

Comparative prospective study was conducted among a total of 72 pregnant women at 28–38 weeks of gestation. They were divided into two groups (control and study) according to the absence or presence of clinical parameters of preeclampsia. Leptin was measured for both groups at the time of presentation, once weekly and at the termination of pregnancy.

Results

Leptin levels were found to be significantly higher among all preeclampsia patients when compared to the control group; whether at admission or at the time of delivery. Mean serum leptin level at admission in control group was 9.8?ng/ml versus 10.9 ng/ml in mild cases and 17.6 ng/ml in severe cases. At the time of delivery, mean serum leptin in control group decreased to 4.7 ng/ml while in preeclampsia patients it increased up to 22 ng/ml in mild cases and 42.6 ng/ml in severe cases. ROC curve analysis has shown that a cut off value >13.7 ng/ml can be used to detect presence of preeclampsia with a sensitivity of 91 % and specificity 100 % while a cut off value >22.5 ng/ml can be used to detect severity of preeclampsia with a sensitivity of 85 % and specificity 100 %.

Conclusion

Maternal serum leptin is significantly elevated in preeclampsia, also it can be used as a marker for the presence of preeclampsia and to differentiate patients with mild preeclampsia from those with severe disease.     

Increased expression levels of E-cadherin,cytokeratin 18 and 19 observed in preeclampsia were not correlated with disease severity

Introduction

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder and placental factor(s) contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Turnover of villous trophoblast is affected by impaired placental perfusion in preeclampsia. Expression and localisation of cadherins and cytokeratins are involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. However, studies describing the associations between cadherins and cytokeratins in preeclampsia are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, cytokeratin 18 and cytokeratin 19 in placentae from women with preeclampsia in order to determine whether their expression differs with disease severity.

Methods

29 preeclamptic placentae and 25 normotensive placentae were included in this study. The expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin 18, cytokeratin 19 andN-cadherin was quantified by immunohistochemistry and western blotting.

Results

E-cadherin, cytokeratin 18 and cytokeratin 19 were expressed predominantly in the syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta and the expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin 18 and cytokeratin 19 was significantly increased in preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnancies. However, there was no significant difference in expression between severe preeclampsia and mild preeclampsia. In addition, there was no difference in the expression of N-cadherin between preeclampsic and normotensive pregnancies.

Discussion

Our data demonstrated increased expression of E-cadherin, cytokeratin 18 and cytokeratin 19 in the syncytiotrophoblast of preeclamptic placentae, but this increase was not correlated with disease severity.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that E-cadherin and cytokeratins are involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.     

正常妊娠与子痫前期患者胎盘组织VEGF和p53的表达与意义

目的:探讨子痫前期(PE)患者胎盘组织血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和抑癌基因p53的表达变化、相互关系及其在PE发病过程中的作用。方法:采用链酶菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化物酶连接(SP)法检测35例PE患者(轻度15例和重度20例)和25例正常妊娠(对照组)胎盘组织中VEGF和p53的表达变化。结果:(1)重度PE患者胎盘组织中VEGF表达强度显著低于正常对照组和轻度PE组(P均0.05),而轻度PE组与正常对照组无显著差异(P0.05);(2)PE患者胎盘组织中p53的表达强度较正常对照组均显著升高(P0.05),重度PE组亦显著高于轻度PE组(P0.05);(3)胎盘组织中VEGF和p53的表达呈显著负相关(r=-0.428,P=0.001)。结论:VEGF和p53在PE和正常妊娠胎盘组织中的表达变化预示着其与PE的发生、发展有一定的关系。