title: Increased placental expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 in preeclampsia: an observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in female reproduction, including implantation, decidualization and placentation. In the present study, we aimed to analyze cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), CB2 and fatty acid amid hydrolase (FAAH) expressions and localization in normal and preeclamptic placenta, in order to determine whether placental endocannabinoid expression pattern differs between normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen preeclamptic patients and 18 normotensive, healthy pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies were involved in our case-control study. We determined CB1, CB2 and FAAH expressions by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in placental samples collected directly after Cesarean section.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CB1 expression semi-quantified by Western blotting was significantly higher in preeclamptic placenta, and these findings were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. CB1 immunoreactivity was markedly stronger in syncytiotrophoblasts, the mesenchymal core, decidua, villous capillary endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as well as in the amnion in preeclamptic samples compared to normal pregnancies. However, we did not find significant differences between preeclamptic and normal placenta in terms of CB2 and FAAH expressions and immunoreactivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed markedly higher expression of CB1 protein in preeclamptic placental tissue. Increased CB1 expression might cause abnormal decidualization and impair trophoblast invasion, thus being involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Nevertheless, we did not find significant differences between preeclamptic and normal placental tissue regarding CB2 and FAAH expressions. While the detailed pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still unclear, the endocannabinoid system could play a role in the development of the disease.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Baross utca 27, Budapest, H-1088, Hungary. gergely.fugedi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fügedi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. molnar.miklos_g@med.semmelweis-univ.hu.
authors.forename: Miklós
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molnár
authors.affiliation: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Baross utca 27, Budapest, H-1088, Hungary. rigo.janos@noi1.sote.hu.
authors.forename: János
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rigó
authors.affiliation: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Baross utca 27, Budapest, H-1088, Hungary. schonleber.julianna@jahndelpest.hu.
authors.forename: Júlia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schönléber
authors.affiliation: First Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. koval@korb1.sote.hu.
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kovalszky
authors.affiliation: First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Baross utca 27, Budapest, H-1088, Hungary. molvarec@freemail.hu.
authors.forename: Attila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molvarec
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases
chemical_list: D000581:Amidohydrolases; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; D000099252:Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolases