Markers of haemostasis and angiogenesis in placentae from gestational vascular complications: Impairment of mechanisms involved in maintaining intervillous blood flow☆
Received 3 June 2009; received in revised form 24 September 2009; accepted 25 September 2009.
Abstract
Introduction
Preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) are multifactorial diseases, whose pathogenesis is largely unknown. A significant relationship between haemostasis and angiogenesis in placentae from uneventful pregnancies was previously shown.
Materials and Methods
RNA expression of haemostasis (TF, TFPI, TFPI-2, PAI-2, Anx V, TM) and angiogenesis (Ang-1, Ang-2, PlGF, VEGF) markers in placentae from PE (n=12), PE+FGR (n=17) and FGR (n=20) in respect of placentae from uncomplicated pregnancies (n=21) were investigated.
Results
Placentae from complicated pregnancies showed a significant lower expression (p≤0.05 Mann-Whitney U test) of TF, TFPI, TFPI-2, Anx V, PAI-2 than those from in uncomplicated ones. VEGF and PlGF were not different in the considered groups; Ang-1 and Ang-2 were significantly higher (p≤0.05 Mann-Whitney U test) in the PE group.
Correlations between factors involved in haemostasis and those involved in angiogenesis, observed in placentae from uneventful pregnancies are lacking in those from complicated ones.
Conclusions
Haemostasis factors are reduced in placentae from complicated pregnancies. The relationship between haemostasis and angiogenesis observed in uncomplicated pregnancies is impaired in PE and FGR.
aAtherosclerosis and Thrombosis Unit, I.R.C.C.S. Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, S.Giovanni Rotondo, FOGGIA, ITALY
bMedical Genetics, University of Foggia, FOGGIA, ITALY
cObstetrics and Gynaecology, University Federico II, NAPLES, ITALY
dObstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Foggia, FOGGIA, ITALY
Corresponding author. Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis Unit, I.R.C.C.S. “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, Poliambulatorio Giovanni Paolo II, S. Giovanni Rotondo (FG), ITALY. Tel./fax: +39 0 882 416273.
☆ From the Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis Unit, I.R.C.C.S. Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, S.Giovanni Rotondo, FOGGIA, ITALY.