Altered gene expression of endothelin-A and endothelin-B receptors, but not endothelin-1, in myometrium and placenta from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to compare the mRNA expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1), ET-1 receptors ET(A) and ET(B) in myometrium and placenta obtained from biopsies collected from women with preeclampsia (n=10) or normal pregnant (n=12).


METHODS
The mRNA levels of ET-1 ET(A) and ET(B) were determined using RT-PCR and expressed as arbitrary units after correction for control GAPDH gene mRNA levels.


RESULTS
The mRNA levels of ET-1 in myometrium and placenta were not altered in women with preeclampsia compared to normal pregnant. The mRNA expression of ET(A) was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in both placenta and myometrium from women with preeclampsia. The mRNA levels of ET(B) were similar in placentas from both preeclamptic and normal pregnant women, but higher in myometrium (p<0.05) from women with preeclampsia.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the higher levels of ET-1 seen in preeclamptic women do not depend on an altered mRNA transcription of ET-1. The significantly reduced mRNA expression of ET(A) receptor in myometrium and placenta in women with preeclampsia might represent downregulation of the receptors due to the increased levels of ET-1 in uteroplacental circulation in this disorder. Much more research is needed before the role of ET(B) receptors in preeclampsia can be clarified.
Faxén
M
M
Center for Genomics Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Margareta.Faxen@cgr.ki.se
Nisell
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Kublickiene
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D000328:Adult; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D009215:Myometrium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D019332:Endothelin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin