Molecular alterations induced by hypertension in pregnancy on syncythiotrophoblast plasma membranes from human placenta.
To evaluate the possible functional relationships between hypertensive status and syncythiotrophoblast plasma membrane behaviour we have carried out a freeze-fracturing and biochemical investigation to assess: 1) ultrastructurally, relations between number and diameter of Intramembrane Particles (IMP) and hypertensive conditions; 2) biochemically, actin content of microvilli in this pathological status. Our data in vitro show a decrease of IMP in hypertension before and after Ca++ addition and a decrease of actin in microvilli of hypertensive placenta. These observations seem to be in agreement with the hypothesis of a possible structural immaturity in hypertensive placenta and may represent morphological signs of placental insufficiency.
Mazzanti
L
L
Istituto di Biochimica, Morfologia Umana, Ancona, Italy.
Damadei
A
A
Cester
N
N
Benedetti
G
G
Romanini
C
C
Biagini
G
G
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008871:Microvilli / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010920:Placenta / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D000199:Actins; D002118:Calcium