Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the expression levels of neuropilin 1 (NRP1) and vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF) in the placentas of women with pre-eclampsia (PE), determine
whether homocysteine (Hcy) contributes to the development of PE in mice, and detect
alterations in placental NRP1 and VEGF in Hcy-treated mice.
Study design
Placental tissue samples were obtained from 16 patients with and without PE. Using
reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis,
the expression levels of NRP1 and VEGF in PE and control placental tissues were examined.
Immunohistochemical (IHC) assay was used to detect the localization of NRP1 and VEGF
proteins. Pregnant mice were treated with DL-Hcy on embryonic day 7.5. The symptoms
of the treated mice were examined. The expression levels of Ddah1, Ddah2, eNos, Cbs and Cse were determined by quantitative RT-PCR to study the possible mechanism of hyperhomocysteinemia
(HHcy). Nrp1 and Vegf expression levels in the placentas of treated mice were measured by quantitative
RT-PCR, western blot analysis and IHC.
Results
NRP1 and VEGF were expressed at lower levels in women with PE compared with control
women. The immunoreactivity of NRP1 was detected in villous trophoblast cells and
villous capillary endothelial cells (ECs). Immunoreactive VEGF was observed mainly
in vascular ECs within the villi. The pregnant mice treated with DL-Hcy showed PE-like
symptoms such as higher systolic blood pressure and proteinuria in late pregnancy.
Compared with the control mice, Ddah1, Ddah2 and eNos mRNA were expressed at lower levels, and Cbs and Cse mRNA were expressed at significantly higher levels in the placentas of the Hcy-treated
group. Expression levels of Nrp1 and Vegf in mice placentas were decreased in the Hcy-treated group.
Conclusions
DL-Hcy can induce PE-like symptoms in mice. Both placental NRP1 and VEGF were expressed
at lower levels in women with PE and Hcy-treated mice, which may contribute to endothelial
damage.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 24, 2015
Accepted:
November 19,
2015
Received in revised form:
June 20,
2015
Received:
February 4,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
