Participation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia-related placental ischemia and its potential as a marker for preeclampsia

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is important for placental development. This study aims to determine whether the increased level and expression of HIF could be used to demonstrate failed placentation in women with preeclampsia. The study included 20 pregnant females [10 with and 10 without preeclampsia (the control group)]. Placental tissues were collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemical studies for evaluating the expression of HIF-1α by these tissues were then performed. The results demonstrated that placental tissues collected from mothers with preeclampsia showed a variety of histomorphological changes. All the cytotrophoblasts rimming the placental villi in mothers with preeclampsia demonstrated a strong and uniform nuclear staining with HIF-1α. The study results indicated that cytotrophoblasts respond to an ischemic environment by their nuclear expression of HIF-1α, and thus we conclude that this transcription factor has a significant potential as a marker for preeclampsia.