Expression of kallikrein, bradykinin b2 receptor, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in placenta in normal gestation, preeclampsia, and placenta accreta

Endocrine. 2006 Jun;29(3):491-9. doi: 10.1385/ENDO:29:3:491.

Abstract

In an effort to define the varied expression of three vasoactive markers in the clinical models of normal placenta/ normal invasion (n = 11), preeclampsia/restricted trophoblast invasion (n = 15), and placenta accreta/exaggerated invasion (n = 6), we performed semiquantitative immunohistochemistry for kallikrein, bradykinin B2 receptor, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In the floating villi, the syncytiotrophoblast expressed more kallikrein in placenta accreta (p < 0.05), than in normal and preeclamptic placentas, while the bradykinin B2 receptor and eNOS were similarly expressed in all groups; in the fetal endothelium, the bradykinin B2 receptor was enhanced in placenta accreta (p < 0.005), but kallikrein and eNOS were similarly expressed in the other two groups. In the extravillous trophoblast, both kallikrein and eNOS expression were higher in placenta accreta (p < 0.001), while the bradykinin B2 receptor signal was only enhanced in preeclampsia (p < 0.05). The presence and localization of kallikrein, the bradykinin B2 receptor, and eNOS in the fetomaternal interface in the three study conditions supports a local role for interrelated vasodilatory/antiaggregating systems. This first report of the variations observed in kallikrein and eNOS in a condition of exaggerated trophoblast invasion supports the participation of vasodilatation in trophoblast migration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chorionic Villi / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fetus / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Kallikreins / metabolism*
  • Kallikreins / urine
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Models, Biological
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism*
  • Placenta / blood supply
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Placenta Accreta / metabolism*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / metabolism
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Receptor, Bradykinin B2 / metabolism*
  • Trophoblasts / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptor, Bradykinin B2
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Kallikreins