Placental expression of eNOS, iNOS and the major protein components of caveolae in women with pre-eclampsia

Placenta. 2015 May;36(5):607-10. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.02.001. Epub 2015 Feb 13.

Abstract

Caveolae regulate many cardiovascular functions and thus could be of interest in relation to pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy specific disorder characterised by hypertension and proteinuria. We examined placental mRNA and protein expression/localisation of the caveolae components Caveolin 1-3, Cavin 1-4 as well as eNOS/iNOS in normotensive control (n = 24) and pre-eclamptic pregnancies (n = 19). Placental mRNA expression of caveolin-1, cavin 1-3, was lower and eNOS expression was increased in pre-eclampsia (P < 0.05 for all). Additionally Caveolin-1 protein expression was also reduced in pre-eclampsia (P = 0.007); this could be an adaptive response in pre-eclampsia, possibly to attenuate the oxidative stress/inflammation.

Keywords: Caveolin; Cavin; Hypertension; Placenta; Pre-eclampsia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Caveolae / metabolism
  • Caveolin 1 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism*
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Caveolin 1
  • NOS2 protein, human
  • NOS3 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III