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Original Article
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Korean J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;49(9):1844-1854. Published online September 1, 2006.
- Comparison of placental endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression under hypoxic condition between normal versus preeclamptic pregnancy.
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Yong Won Park, Ja Young Kwon, Young Han Kim, Yuri Kim, Jae Hak Lim, Muong Hwa Kang
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1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jaykwon@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
2Institute of Women's Life Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Abstract
- OBJECTIVE
To evaluate endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in the villous explants from normal and preeclamptic (PE) placentae under hypoxic condition. METHODS: Villous explants from normal (n=5) and PE (n=4) placentae were obtained. To obtain hypoxic culture condition, villous explants were cultured in hypoxic chamber or treated with deferoxamine (DFO). ET-1 mRNA expressions in villous explants were evaluated by RT-PCR following 0, 24, and 48 h of culture in hypoxic chamber, and 0, 2, 4, 6 h following DFO treatment. ET-1 protein levels in media were measured by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: After 24 and 48 hours of incubation of villous explants from normal and PE placentae in hypoxic chamber, ET-1 mRNA and protein levels were increased in both groups, however, ET-1 production seemed to be more exaggerated in the villous explants from PE placentae. During 6 h of DFO exposure, ET-1 mRNA level was increased in the villous explants from PE placenta comparing to those from normal placentae (p<0.05). Interestingly, the increase of ET-1 mRNA expression in the villous explants from PE placentae was more exaggerated than those from normal placentae. Concordantly, increments of protein level between 0 to 2 h and 2 to 4 h were significantly higher in villous explants from PE placentae (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: ET-1 mRNA and protein were increased in villous explants from PE placentae compared to those from normal placentae under hypoxic condition. Furthermore, villous explants from PE placentae showed upregulated ET-1 expression upon hypoxic stimulation. This enhanced sensitivity to hypoxia may contribute to ET-1 overexpression in PE placenta in vivo and it needs further investigation for clarification.
Keywords :Preeclampsia;Endothelin-1;Hypoxia
