title: The expression of heparanase in normal and preeclamptic placentas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Heparanase plays a central role in processes of placentation. Abnormal placentation may result in inadequate uteroplacental blood flow, leading to unsuccessful pregnancy outcome and preeclampsia. We aimed to evaluate heparanase expression in placentas of preeclamptic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Placental tissue samples were collected immediately after delivery from 9 preeclamptic patients and 3 healthy controls at term, and were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and real-time PCR, with regard to the presence of heparanase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemistry staining for heparanase did not differ between normal and preeclamptic placental sections. On the other hand, western blot analysis revealed increased expression of heparanase in preeclpamptic placentas compared to controls, p = 0.001. Similarly, RT-PCR analysis showed also an increased expression of heparanase m-RNA compared to health controls, p = 0.005.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heparanase is over expressed in preeclamptic placentas compared to normal healthy controls, suggesting its role in the development of preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Holon and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Edith Wolfson Medical Center , Tel-Aviv , Israel .
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ginath
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lurie
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golan
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amsterdam
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sandbank
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sadan
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kovo
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000099175:Heparanase
chemical_list: D005966:Glucuronidase; D000099175:Heparanase
keywords: Heparanase; placenta; preeclampsia; proteoglycan