[Expression of fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 1 in placenta of pre-eclampsia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 1 (Flt-1) in placentas of pre-eclampsia. METHODS: The expression of Flt-1 mRNA in the placentas from 20 pre-eclampsia patients and 20 pregnant women with normal blood pressure was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of Flt-1 was analyzed using western blot in 18 pre-eclampsia patients and 18 normotensive pregnant women. RESULTS: Placental Flt-1 mRNA level in pre-eclampsia was 2.25 +/- 0.19 (intensity ratios of Flt-1 mRNA to beta-actin mRNA), significantly higher than in normotensive pregnant women 1.23 +/- 0.29 (P < 0.05). Western blot showed that Flt-1 protein level in pre-eclamptic placenta was 2.67 +/- 1.19 [western blot signal intensity ratios of Flt-1 to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH)], significantly higher than in pregnant women with normal blood pressure 0.94 +/- 0.51 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased Flt-1 expression in pre-eclamptic placenta may be involved in pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

[Alteration and potential role of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 1 in preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the alteration of serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 1 (sFlt-1) and the possible source in preeclampsia, and the relationship between sFlt-1 and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS: (1) Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to detect the level of sFlt-1 mRNA in placental tissue of 10 preeclampsia (preeclampsia group) and 10 normotensive pregnancies (normotensive pregnancy group). (2) Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum level of sFlt-1 in peripheral venous blood in preeclampsia group 1 (n = 35) and normotensive pregnancies group 1 (n = 35); the serum level of sFlt-1 of uterine vein blood in preeclampsia group 2 (n = 20) and normotensive pregnancies group 2 (n = 20); and the volume of peripheral venous blood sFlt-1 in 10 early (early pregnancy group) and 10 middle pregnancies (middle pregnancy group). RESULTS: (1) sFlt-1 mRNA of placental tissue was significantly higher in preeclampsia group (0.95 +/- 0.04) than that in normal pregnancy group (0.64 +/- 0.15). (2) The serum level of sFlt-1 of peripheral vein in preeclampsia group 1 (5640 +/- 3191) ng/L was higher than that in normal pregnancy group 1 (2194 +/- 635) ng/L. (3) The serum sFlt-1 of uterine vein in preeclampsia group 2 (7673 +/- 2296) ng/L was higher than that in normotensive pregnancy group 2 (3057 +/- 785) ng/L, indicating that the volume of sFlt-1 of uterine vein blood was significantly higher than that of peripheral venous blood (P < 0.01). (4) The serum levels of sFlt-1 in early and middle pregnancy groups were (32 +/- 20) ng/L and (994 +/- 302) ng/L, respectively, showing that the level of sFlt-1 in peripheral venous blood increasingly elevated with the development of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The placenta may be the major source of elevated sFlt-1. (2) The serum level of sFlt-1 is related with the development of pregnancy. The alteration of sFlt-1 may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.