Immunolocalization of αV, α3 and β1 integrins in the human placenta with pre-eclampsia

Summary of pre-eclampsia are considered to be caused by maternal endothelial dysfunction due to circulating factors of placental origin. Integrins are a large family of cell surface proteins that serve as receptors involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions during placentation. Therefore, low expression of integrins or the lack of it may be encountered during pre-eclampsia. In the present study, we investigated the immunolocalisation of integrins αV, α3 and β1 in placentas of normal and pre-eclamptic women. Thirty-two placentas from pre-eclamptic (n = 14) and normotensive (n = 18) women were used. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, using anti-αV, anti-α3 and anti-β1 antibodies and the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. A semi-quantitative grading system (HSCORE) was used to compare immunohistochemical staining intensities. Distribution patterns of αV, α3 and β1 integrins were detected in cytotrophoblasts and Hofbauer cells in normal and pre-eclamptic placentas. Immunostaining of αV and β1 integrins was slightly decreased in pre-eclamptic samples but α3 integrin immunostaining was similar in pre-eclamptic and normal placentas. Decreased immunostaining of integrins in the cytotrophoblasts may considered to be a structural basis for decreased placental perfusion in pre-eclampsia.