title: Molecular alterations induced by hypertension in pregnancy on syncythiotrophoblast plasma membranes from human placenta.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Biochimica, Morfologia Umana, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mazzanti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damadei
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cester
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romanini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biagini
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D002118:Calcium