[Relationship between expression of vimentin, type IV collagen and fibronectin in human placenta and pregnancy induced hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the possible relationship between pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome (PIH) and expression of vimentin, type IV collagen and fibronectin in human placenta.


METHODS
Nineteen pregnant women (PIH group) and 15 normal pregnant women (control group) matched for age and gestation were recruited. The expression of vimentin, type IV collagen and fibronectin in the placenta of PIH patients and normal subjects was investigated using immunohistochemical perioxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining technique combined with an analysis through a computer-aided microphotographic system and compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
The average grey value difference (GVD) which indicated positive staining of vimentin was 30 +/- 7 in section images of the moderate and severe PIH group, significantly lower than that of normal control group, 42 +/- 6 and mild PIH group, 42 +/- 9 (P < 0.01). The average GVD of type IV collagen in moderate and severe PIH group was 70 +/- 6, significantly higher than 29 +/- 4 of control group and 30 +/- 5 of mild PIH group (P < 0.001). The average GVD of fibronectin in moderate and severe PIH group was 37 +/- 4, significantly higher than that in control group, 31 +/- 4 and mild PIH group, 32 +/- 6 (P < 0. 05).


CONCLUSIONS
There is tight relationship between abnormal expression of placental vimentin, type IV collagen, fibronectin and pathogenesis of PIH. Furthermore, the severity of PIH is positively correlated with the abnormal expression levels of those proteins.
Hu
Zhi-ying
ZY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Integrited Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Fang
Ma-rong
MR
Shen
Zhong-fei
ZF
Wang
Yi-ping
YP
Wu
Lin-zhen
LZ
Chen
Li
L
Li
Ji-cheng
JC
D000328:Adult; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014746:Vimentin / Q000378:metabolism*
D024141:Collagen Type IV; D005353:Fibronectins; D014746:Vimentin