Expression of DJ-1 proteins in placentas from women with severe preeclampsia

ObjectiveLately, DJ-1 has been identified as a novel mediator of hypoxia-induced cellular responses. The aim of this study was to determine the difference of DJ-1 expression in the placentas of women with normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.Study designDJ-1 mRNA expression was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Also, immnoperoxidase and immunofluorescent staining for DJ-1 was performed on 11 normal and 12 preeclamptic placental tissues.ResultsThe expression of mRNA of DJ-1 was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. The immunoreactivity was especially higher in the syncytiotrophoblast of preeclamptic placentas compared to the control group.ConclusionOverexpression of the DJ-1 protein in the placentas of severe PE patients is thought to be a causative or compensatory mechanism in response to hypoxia, and this finding might contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.