Effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress-responsive protein glucose-regulated protein 78, 94 and endoplasmic reticulum apoptosis factor caspase-12 in trophocyte on the pathogenesis of preeclampsia / 中华妇产科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the relationship between pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) and the ultrastructure change of the endoplasmic reticulum in trophocyte, mRNA and protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum molecular chaperone glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94), endoplasmic reticulum apoptosis factor cysteine protease protein 12 (caspase-12).Methods Sixty-five pregnant women who were hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2008 to January 2010, were selected as the subject. Thirty pregnancy women diagnosed with PE were divided into PE group and 35 normal pregnant women were used as control group.Electron Microscopy was used to measure ultrastructure change of the endoplasmic reticulum in placenta trophocyte. Reverse transcription(RT) PCR and western blot were used to investigute the expression levels of GRP78, GRP94, caspase-12 mRNA and protein in placenta. Results (1) In control group the volume of endoplasmic reticulum does not increase; no swelling and no expansion of endoplasmic reticulum was found.In PE group the edema number of endoplasmic reticulum was reduced; the volume of endoplasmic reticulum increased; expansion and vacuolation of cavity and degranulation of the endoplasmic reticulum was observed significantly. (2) The mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP78 in placenta of PE group (2.59 ± 0. 09 and 0. 81 ±0. 31) were significantly higher than those in placenta of control group (1. 16 ±0. 07 and 0. 40 ± 0. 10, P <0. 01). (3) The mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP94 in placenta of PE group (1.31 ± 0. 91 and 0. 55 ±0. 24) were significantly higher than those in placenta of control group (0. 63 ±0. 57 and 0. 22 ±0. 09, P < 0. 01). (4) The mRNA and protein expression levels of caspase-12 in placenta of PE group (4. 03 ± 0. 65 and 1.56 ± 0. 17) were significantly higher than those in placenta of control group (1.85 ± 0. 85 and 0. 91 ± 0. 69, P < 0. 01). Conclusion The obvious expansion of endoplasmic reticulum in trophocyte and the increased expression levels of GRP78, GRP94 and caspase-12 indicate that endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis may be involved in the pathophysiological processes of PE.