Placental overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta3 in the HELLP syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the placental expression of transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-beta3) in patients with HELLP syndrome and pre-eclampsia compared to controls, and its correlation to Doppler velocimetry analysis of the utero-placental blood flow.

STUDY DESIGN

Real-time PCR analysis was performed, after cesarean section, in placental samples from 10 women affected by HELLP syndrome, 10 women with pre-eclampsia and 10 controls. Pulsatility indices on Doppler waveform analysis from uterine and umbilical arteries were measured.

RESULTS

The mean TGF-beta3 expression was significantly higher in patients with HELLP syndrome compared with the control group (p < 0.001), and no difference was observed in the pre-eclampsia group. TGF-beta3 expression correlated positively with umbilical PI (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

TGF-beta3 may play a key role as regulator of a variety of cellular events occurring during HELLP syndrome, high local expression of this growth factor may be responsible for remodeling of the placental structure, which results in the dysfunction of maternal-fetal circulation.