Introduction: The placental bed plays a key role in placentation during gestation. Most studies investigated the expression of angiogenic factors in the placenta, but their expression and potential role in the placental bed have not been investigated adequately.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the expression of the fact is that Apo-Cas is apoptotic marker and VEGF in placental bed of pregnancy with early, late-onset PE and without PE.
Methods: Placental bed biopsy tissues obtained during Cesarean Section from patients with early-onset (n=15), late-onset (n=15) and without (n=15) PE. The normotensive controls without PE were matched for gestational age at delivery with patients with PE. The expression of Apo-Cas and VEGF in placental bed tissues were evaluated using reverse transcriptase PCR, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot.
Results: There was no statistical difference between the PE group and normotensive control group in age and body mass index. The level of apoptotic marker Apo-Cas was higher in early-compared to late-onset of PE (5%±1.4, and 15%±2.7). The expression of VEGF was significantly decreased in both PE groups compare to control (p<0.05), but not statistically significant between groups with PE. We also revealed reduction of VEGF receptors in endometrial stroma and its absence in endothelial cells.
Conclusion: This study showed the prevalence of apoptosis and decreased expression of VEGF in the placental bed of pregnancies complicated by PE compared with control. Further research will help to create the pathogenetic basis for early prediction, recognition and management of PE.
Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V.