Enhanced expression of Fas-associated proteins in decidual and trophoblastic tissues in pregnancy-induced hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if feto-placental tissues from gestations complicated by pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) have altered expression of Fas-associated proteins.


METHODS
The expression of several Fas-related proteins was determined in fetal membranes, decidua, and placentas obtained from PIH-affected (n = 12, age range 32-36 weeks) and normal (n = 6, age range 37-41 weeks) gestations. Paraffin-embedded tissue sections were stained with specific monoclonal antibodies to Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), caspase-3, and bax.


RESULTS
We observed greater expression of Fas and FasL in amnion and decidua from PIH-affected gestations than in normal controls. Intense staining was observed only in the perivascular endothelium (caspase-3) and in decidual cells (bax) from PIH gestations.


CONCLUSIONS
Differential expression of Fas-related proteins in fetal membranes, decidua, and placentas from PIH-affected gestations is consistent with increased apoptosis, and suggests activation of the Fas/FasL pathway in a tissue-specific manner.
Koenig
J M
JM
Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. koenijm@peds.ufl.edu
Chegini
N
N
D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
C494826:BAX protein, human; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D019014:fas Receptor; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases