[Placental expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in pregnancy induced hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in placenta from women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).


METHODS
EGFR of placenta was determined by immunohistological method and compared between normal pregnancies (34 cases) and pregnancies accompanied by PIH (30 cases).


RESULTS
Positive immunostain of EGFR was located on cytoplasm, and membrane of syncytiotrophoblast and a small part of cytotrophoblast. Compared with that of normal pregnancy, the expression of EGFR in placenta from pregnancies complicated with PIH decreased significantly (P < 0.05). No significant differences of EGFR expression in placenta were found among women with mild, moderate and severe PIH (P > 0.5). No significant correlation was found between expression of EGFR and neonatal birthweight, placental weight (P > 0.01, for both).


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased expression of placental EGFR was found in women with PIH, and that may play a role in the pathogenesis of PIH.
Dong
M
M
Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Wang
Z
Z
Chen
X
X
D000328:Adult; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000378:metabolism*
D066246:ErbB Receptors