Analyses of placental gene expression in pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the changes in placental gene expression between women with preeclampsia and those with superimposed preeclampsia on chronic hypertension.


METHODS
In Taiwanese population, we compared gene expression between the placentas from preeclamptic patients and those with superimposed preeclampsia on chronic hypertension.


RESULTS
Although top-ranked activated genes between preeclampsia and superimposed preeclampsia on chronic hypertension were different, functional network analyses indicate that these genes are mainly involved in the regulation of cell death and apoptosis. These results suggest that apoptosis and other types of cell death in the placenta are common consequences of both diseases. However, placental endoglin (ENG) was expressed at a significantly higher level in preeclampsia than in superimposed preeclampsia. Results of functional network analysis indicated that ENG may play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia through its interference with the endothelial nitric oxide synthase-regulated vasodilation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the fact that ENG is the culprit for the development of preeclampsia. In addition, this study identifies several other genes in the placenta, which are transcriptionally regulated in pregnancy-related hypertensions.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Shuenn-Dyh
SD
Chang
An-Shine
AS
Chao
Hsiu-Huei
HH
Peng
Yao-Lung
YL
Chang
Chao-Ning
CN
Wang
Po-Jen
PJ
Cheng
Yun-Shien
YS
Lee
Angel
A
Chao
Tzu-Hao
TH
Wang
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000235:genetics*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013624:Taiwan; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics