Connexin expression is not altered in omental resistance vessels from women with preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare connexin expression in omental resistance arteries from preeclamptic women and normal gravidas.


METHODS
Small arteries (approximately 200-400 microm i.d.) were dissected from omental fat biopsies, taken at cesarean delivery from normotensive and preeclamptic women. Vessels were frozen and homogenized, then connexin-43 protein was detected by Western blot and quantitated by comparison with alpha-actin.


RESULTS
Connexin-43 was detected in all specimens, primarily in its phosphorylated form. Abundance did not differ between vessels from preeclamptic and normotensive gravidas.


CONCLUSIONS
Phasic activity in omental resistance vessels from preeclamptic women likely depends on abnormal genesis of an oscillatory signal rather than on more extensive gap junctional communication between vascular cells.
Umans
J G
JG
Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. jgu@georgetown.edu
Lindheimer
M D
MD
Hack
B
B
Davidson-Garcia
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009852:Omentum / Q000098:blood supply*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
D018031:Connexin 43