Objective: To investigate proliferation, EGF and EGFR expression of villous trophoblast (VTB), decidual cells (DC), and extravillous trophoblast (EVTB) in the placentas from pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (PE) and to compare them with placentas from normal pregnancies.
Methods: Twenty-nine PE placentas and 19 control placentas were studied for EGF and EGFR immunohistochemical expression (noted as week, moderate or strong). Proliferation was expressed as the proliferation index. The CK7 antibody was used to distinguish DC from EVTB.
Results: DC and EVTB proliferation was significantly higher in PE placentas. EGFR and EGF expression showed no significant difference.
Conclusion: Higher DC and EVTB proliferation in PE could contribute to PE development.
Keywords: EGF; EGFR; Preeclampsia; decidual cells; extravillous trophoblast; proliferation.