Expression and significance of transforming growth factor beta1 in placenta of preeclampsia

Objective:To study the expression and significance of transforming growth factor beta1(TGF-β1) in placentas of preeclampsia.Methods:Immunohistochemistry(SABC) was used to determine the distribution and intensity of TGF-beta1 staining in placentas of 36 cases of preeclampsia patients(16 and 20 mild and severe cases respectively) and 14 cases of non-complication pregnancies at term.Results:TGF-beta1 was found mainly in trophoblasts.The expression of TGF-beta1 in placental trophoblasts was significantly increased in preeclampsia compared with those in normal group(P0.01).In the preeclampsia group,the expression of TGF-beta1 from mild group to severe group were elevated significantly(P0.05).The expression was increased with the progress of preeclampsia.Conclusion:(1) The elevated expression of TGF-beta1 leads to insufficient trophoblasts infiltration and might be one of the pathogenesis of preeclampsia,and one of the reasons to pathophysical changes in preeclampsia.(2) The elevated level of TGF-beta1 is related with severity of preeclampsia.