[Expression of Fas antigen and ligand, placental growth factor in placenta of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of Fas antigen (Fas) and ligand (FasL), placental growth factor (PlGF) in placenta of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

Expressions of Fas, FasL and PlGF of placenta were determined by immunohistological streptavidin-peroxidase-biotin (SP) method and compared between normal late pregnancy (24 cases) and mild pre-eclampsia (24 cases) and severe pre-eclampsia (24 cases) groups.

RESULTS

Different expression of levels Fas, FasL and PlGF were observed in the trophoblasts of most placentae. Positive immunostain of Fas, FasL and PlGF was mainly located in the cytoplasm and membrane of syncytiotrophoblast. FasL and PlGF expressions (63 +/- 4, 81 +/- 6 and 42 +/- 6, 65 +/- 6) were significantly less (P < 0.01), and Fas expression (51 +/- 4, 67 +/- 6) significantly greater in the study subjects compared with controls (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Altered expression of Fas and FasL in trophoblasts of placenta may influence pathogenesis or sequelate of pre-eclampsia.