Decreased Levels of Folate Receptor-beta and Reduced Numbers of Fetal Macrophages (Hofbauer Cells) in Placentas from Pregnancies with Severe Pre-Eclampsia

作者：Tang Zhonghua; Buhimschi Irina A; Buhimschi Catalin S; Tadesse Serkalem; Norwitz Errol; Niven Fairchild Tracy; Huang Se Te J; Guller Seth^*

来源：American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2013, 70(2): 104-115.

DOI：10.1111/aji.12112

• fetal macrophages
• folate receptor
• Hofbauer cells
• placenta

Problem
Pre-eclampsia (PE), a pregnancy complication of unknown etiology, is a major cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Previous studies have described placental genes that are up-regulated in expression in PE, but few studies have addressed placental gene suppression in this syndrome.
Method of study
Gene profiling and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRTPCR) analyses were used to identify genes down-regulated in placentas from women with severe preterm PE compared with gestational age-matched normotensive controls with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate levels and patterns of cell type-specific protein expression in PE and sPTB group placentas.
Results
Levels of macrophage marker [folate receptor (FR)-, CD163, and CD68] mRNA and FR- protein were significantly down-regulated in PE group placentas compared with the sPTB group. Numbers of Hofbauer cells (HBCs, fetal macrophages) and FR- protein in these cells were reduced in PE group placentas.
Conclusion
Severe PE is associated with decreased placental expression of FR- and a reduction in the number of HBCs. Reduced placental macrophage function is likely to play a key role in the pathophysiology of PE.

• 出版日期2013-8