Expression of cellular prion protein in the placentas of women with normal and preeclamptic pregnancies

Abstract

Objective. The aim of our study was to determine the difference of cellular prion protein (PrPC) expression in the placentas of women with normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Design. Retrospective study using banked placental tissue samples. Setting. University hospital. Population. Twenty women with severe preeclampsia (preeclampsia group) and 20 gestational age-matched normotensive women (normal group). Samples. Placental tissue from each woman collected at the time of cesarean section. Methods. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining for mRNA expression, quantification and tissue localization of PrPC in each placenta. Main outcome measures. Increased expression of PrPC in preeclamptic placenta. Results. Compared with the normal group, PrPC and its mRNA were highly expressed in preeclampsia (each, p < 0.001). In immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining, PrPC was present at the syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast, endothelial cell, stroma, and decidua of all placentas. When the PrPC immunoreactivity in each tissue was compared, PrPC in endothelial cell, stroma, and deciduas was weakly expressed, and there was no difference of its expression between two groups. But, the intensity of PrPC expression in syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast was much higher in preeclampsia than normal. Conclusions. The increased expression of PrPC in preeclamptic placenta may be a compensatory phenomenon for preeclampsia related conditions. Furthermore, this change in preeclamptic placenta may give an explanation for placental response to overcome the preeclamptic conditions. © 2010 Informa Healthcare.