Deregulation of c-Src tyrosine kinase and its downstream targets in pre-eclamptic placenta.

Aim: Pre-eclampsia is a serious pregnancy disorder characterized by the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria in the second trimester of pregnancy. The determination of a key signaling regulatory mechanism involved in placental functions is critical to understanding the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study was to examine the activity of c-Src and its downstream targets, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 and Jun N-terminal kinase, as well as nuclear factor (NF)-ĸB in placental tissues collected from women with pre-eclampsia.