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Increased cystatin C expression in the pre-eclamptic placenta.

Karl Kristensen·I Larsson·S R Hansson
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Abstract

Trophoblast invasion is regulated by proteinases and their inhibitors. Cystatin C inhibits cysteine proteinases. The serum concentration of cystatin C is increased in late pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. We aimed to investigate whether the expression of cystatin C is increased in the pre-eclamptic placenta and to investigate the expression pattern of cystatin C mRNA and protein in placental tissue. Tissue samples from the central part of the placenta from 13 normal and 22 pre-eclamptic pregnancies were included. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization for mRNA expression analysis and immunohistochemistry and Western blotting for protein expression analysis. RT-PCR showed a significantly higher expression of cystatin C mRNA in pre-eclampsia than in normal pregnancy, with the highest expression in cases with severe pre-eclampsia. In situ hybridization revealed a distinct pattern of high expression in the extravillous trophoblast cells of the basal plate and low expression in the syncytiotrophoblast covering villi. The cystatin C protein distribution matched the mRNA expression pattern. Western blot analysis revealed an increased protein expression in cases with severe pre-eclampsia and confirmed the presence of cystatin C in amniotic fluid samples. The high expression of cystatin C mRNA in the extravillous trophoblast cells of the basal plate suggests a role for cystatin C in the regulation of proteases in placentation. Placental expression and secretion of cystatin C could contribute to the elevated maternal plasma levels seen in pre-eclampsia.

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AdultBlotting, WesternCase-Control StudiesCystatin CCystatinsFemaleHumansImmunohistochemistryIn Situ HybridizationPlacentaPolymerase Chain ReactionPre-EclampsiaPregnancyRNA, MessengerSeverity of Illness IndexTrophoblastsUp-RegulationJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Karl Kristensen, I Larsson, S R Hansson. 2007-01-16. Increased cystatin C expression in the pre-eclamptic placenta.. https://doi.org/10.1093/molehr%2Fgal111

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