[Expression and significance of Rho-associated protein kinase II in preeclamptic placenta and umbilical artery].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and significance of Rho-associated protein kinase II (Rock II) in preeclamptic placenta and umbilical artery.


METHODS
Semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the expression of Rock II mRNA and Rock II protein in placenta and umbilical artery from 35 women with moderate preeclampsia (MPE group), 38 women with severe preeclampsia (SPE group) and 45 normal third trimester pregnant women (control group), the S/D value of umbilical artery was examined by ultrasound.


RESULTS
(1) The expression of Rock II mRNA of placenta in MPE group (0.82+/-0.14) and SPE group (0.93+/-0.13) were significantly higher than that in control group (0.70+/-0.12, P<0.01). The expression of Rock II protein of placenta in MPE group (0.79+/-0.15) and SPE group (0.92+/-0.12) were significantly higher compared with control group (0.68+/-0.11, P<0.01). The expression of Rock II mRNA and protein of placenta in SPE group were higher compared with MPE group (P<0.01). (2) The expression of Rock II mRNA of umbilical artery in MPE group (0.69+/-0.13) and SPE group (0.55+/-0.12) were significantly lower than that in control group (0.76+/-0.10, P<0.01). The expression of Rock II protein of umbilical artery in MPE group (0.68+/-0.10) and SPE group (0.51+/-0.12) were lower compared with control group (0.75+/-0.13, P<0.01). The expression of Rock II mRNA and protein of umbilical artery in SPE group were significantly lower compared with MPE group (P<0.01). (3) There were no correlations between the expression of Rock II mRNA and protein in placenta and umbilical artery and the S/D value and birth weight (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The upregulated expression of Rock II in placentas and downregulated expression in umbilical artery may be a compensation in preeclampsia.
Yang
Sheng-mei
SM
Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College, Qingdao 266003, China.
Peng
Wei
W
Ye
Yuan-hua
YH
Zhan
Ying
Y
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases