An immunopathological study on the placenta in pre-eclampsia.

An investigation was done to clarify the pathological background of pre-eclampsia. Thirty four placentae were studied immunopathologically in comparison to control cases. The results showed slightly positive stains of hCG containing alpha- and beta-subunits in syncytiocytotrophoblastic layers especially in severe pre-eclampsia cases. The placentae in mild pre-eclampsia showed only weakly and partly positive by those stains. Other control cases were negative except earlier abortion ones. No any positive stains of hCG series could be seen in two placentas from mothers with spontaneous hypertension. Stains by hPL and SP 1 were all positive and increased gradually in their staining pattern and degree from early pregnancy toward term. It supports the findings that maternal serum hCG series increased slightly in pre-eclampsia and that those changes might occur before clinical onset of pre-eclampsia. Then, the placenta has an important role in developing pre-eclampsia.