Inhibin-betaC subunit expression in normal and pathological human placental tissues.
Inhibins and activins are important regulators of the female reproductive system. Recently, a novel inhibin betaC subunit has been identified. However, only limited data on the expression of this novel inhibin-betaC subunit in normal and pathological human placentas exist. Tissue specimens of normal, preeclamptic, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies (n=24) were obtained at the conclusion of a cesarean section. Normal and pathological placental tissues were analyzed by an immunohistochemical staining reaction with a specific antibody against this novel inhibin-betaC subunit. Overall, expression of the inhibin-betaC subunit could be demonstrated in normal and pathological placental tissue. The immunoreactive score (IRS) for inhibin-betaC did not show any significant differences between normal, preeclamptic, HELLP, and IUGR tissue in extravillous trophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells. Immunolabelling of this novel inhibin-βC protein in normal and pathological placental tissue was demonstrated, although no differences in the staining intensity could be observed. Therefore, the inhibin-βC isoform might not primarily be involved in the pathogenesis of these pregnancy-associated disorders. The functional role of this novel inhibin-betaC subunit in normal and pathological human placenta is still quite unclear and should thus be further investigated.
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany. ioannis.mylonas@med.uni-muenchen.de
Ioannis
I
Mylonas
Josef
J
Makovitzky
Susanne
S
Kunze
Ansgar
A
Brüning
Franz
F
Kainer
Barbara
B
Schiessl
D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism*
D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits