Expression and Relationship of Nf–κb and Hif-1α in Placenta of Preeclampsia

PURPOSES: To evaluate the expression of NF–κB and HIF-1αin placenta during the course of preeclampsia(PE),and explore the potential role of NF–κB and HIF-1αas well as their relationship during the course of PE. METHODS: 35 PE women were divided into mild PE group(n=15) and severe PE group (n=20).The normal control group were 20 healthy normotensive pregnancy. The expression of NF–κB p65 and HIF-1αmRNA in placenta were qualitative and semiquantitative analysised with reverse transcription polymerase chain rection(RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was employed to show the location, distribution,quantity and interaction of NF–κB p65 and HIF-1α.RESULTS:1.①RT-PCR showed that the expression of NF–κB p65 mRNA in placenta of preeclampsia were not stronger than that of control group(p>0.05).②RT-PCR showed that the expression of HIF-1αmRNA in parallel with what immunohistochemistry showed.2. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of both NF–κB p65 and HIF-1αwere mainly located in placental syncytiotrophoblasts, in vascular endothelial cells and a few in the stromal cells,and the expression of NF–κB p65 and HIF-1αwere stronger expression in placental of preeclampsia than that of control group(P<0.05),and there were stronger expression in severe preeclampsia than that in mild preeclampsia (P<0.05).There was correlation between the activity of NF–κB and the expression of HIF-1α,the correlation coefficient was 0.9117(severe PE group)and 0.9293(mild PE group).CONCLUSION: It suggests that NF–κB and HIF-1αparticipate in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.Increasing NF–κB activity in placenta induces HIF-1αexpression,which leads to futher pathophysiological changes.