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.