Expression of cellular prion protein in the placentas of women with normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to determine the difference of cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) expression in the placentas of women with normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

DESIGN

Retrospective study using banked placental tissue samples.

SETTING

University hospital.

POPULATION

Twenty women with severe preeclampsia (preeclampsia group) and 20 gestational age-matched normotensive women (normal group).

SAMPLES

Placental tissue from each woman collected at the time of cesarean section.

METHODS

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining for mRNA expression, quantification and tissue localization of PrP(C) in each placenta.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Increased expression of PrP(C) in preeclamptic placenta.

RESULTS

Compared with the normal group, PrP(C) and its mRNA were highly expressed in preeclampsia (each, p < 0.001). In immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining, PrP(C) was present at the syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast, endothelial cell, stroma, and decidua of all placentas. When the PrP(C) immunoreactivity in each tissue was compared, PrP(C) in endothelial cell, stroma, and deciduas was weakly expressed, and there was no difference of its expression between two groups. But, the intensity of PrP(C) expression in syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast was much higher in preeclampsia than normal.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased expression of PrP(C) in preeclamptic placenta may be a compensatory phenomenon for preeclampsia related conditions. Furthermore, this change in preeclamptic placenta may give an explanation for placental response to overcome the preeclamptic conditions.