Epidermal growth factor receptors in placentae and fetal membranes from hypertension-complicated pregnancies

Epidermal growth factor receptor concentrations (EGFR) in placentaeand fetal membranes from 25 normal and 25 hypertension-complicatedpregnancies were analysed by a radioreceptor technique. HigherEGFR concentrations were found in placentae from hypertension-complicatedpregnancies than in those from normal pregnancies (median 125.0fmol/mg protein, range: 33.4–190.7 versus median 50.3fmol/mg protein, range 21.4–184.0) (P = 0.0002). EGFRconcentrations were significantly lower in fetal membranes thanin placental tissue, both in normal membranes (median 31.7,range 4.8–92.0 versus median 50.3, range 21.4–184.0)(P = 0.0004) and in hypertension-complicated pregnancies (median65.0, range 16.8–125.0 versus median 125.0, range 33.4–190.7)(P = 0.0001). A statistically significant inverse correlationbetween EGFR concentrations and gestational age was found inplacentae (r = 0.53, P = 0.0061) and fetal membranes (r = 0.56,P = 0.0032) from hypertension-complicated pregnancies. Multipleregression analyses demonstrated that hypertensive disease ismore closely associated with EGFR concentrations than gestationalage and fetal weight in placental tissue and fetal membranes.Our findings suggest that hypertensive disorders in pregnancyare associated with elevated EGFR concentrations in both theplacenta and fetal membranes.