Abstract
Objective: A novel human endogenous retroviral element, designated as syncytin, has been suggested
as a contributor to normal placental architecture, especially in the fusion processes
of cytotrophoblasts to syncytiotrophoblasts. We tested the hypothesis of whether the
gene expression of syncytin may be altered in cases with placental dysfunction such
as preeclampsia or HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome.
Study Design: We included 30 women with normal pregnancies, 16 with preeclampsia, and 6 with HELLP
syndrome. After delivery, messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNA) of syncytin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
dehydrogenase and β-actin were analyzed in placental villi with use of quantitative
real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: In placental villi, syncytin mRNA/β-actin mRNA and syncytin mRNA/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
dehydrogenase mRNA ratios were lower in patients with preeclampsia (P <.05) or HELLP syndrome than in healthy control subjects. Conclusion: A reduced placental expression of syncytin may contribute to altered cell fusion
processes in placentogenesis and disturbed placental function in hypertensive disorders
of pregnancy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:210-3.)
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 20,
2001
Received:
February 2,
2001
Footnotes
☆Reprint requests: Wolfgang Rascher, MD, Klinik mit Poliklinik für Kinder und Jugendliche, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loschgestrasse 15, Erlangen, Germany D-91054. E-mail: [email protected]
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
