title: Analysis of gene expression and preliminary study of methylation about 11β-HSD2 gene in placentas of Chinese pre-eclampsia patients of Han ethnicity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the promoter methylation status of type 2 isoform of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD2) and its regulatory correlation with 11β-HSD2 gene expression in placentas of pre-eclampsia (PE) patients of Chinese Han ethnicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pathological features of placental tissues were studied using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining. The 11β-HSD2 mRNA and protein expressions were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The methylation of the 11β-HSD2 promoter sequence was examined by bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Trophoblast hyperplasia and discontinuous syncytial layer were observed in the PE group, and the 11β-HSD2 was distributed irregularly and its immunoreactivity was weakened distinctly. The expressions of 11β-HSD2 mRNA and protein decreased significantly in the PE group compared with the control group. Unexpectedly, almost no 11β-HSD2 methylation was detected in PE placental tissue (two fragments, 0.6% vs 0%) or normal placental tissue (1% vs 0.6%). No significant difference in 11β-HSD2 promoter methylation was found between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 11β-HSD2 expression decreased in PE women of Chinese Han ethnicity, but was not interrelated with the promoter methylation status.
authors.affiliation: Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wensheng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Hanzhi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hefeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043209:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2
keywords: 11β-HSD2; gene expression; methylation; placenta; pre-eclampsia