Adhesion molecules expression in the placental bed of pregnancies with pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To compare the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and E-selectin in placental bed biopsies (endothelium of spiral arteries as well as trophoblastic cells) from normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting: 1. First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, Greece. 2. Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Laikon Hospital, University of Athens.

Population: Sixteen placental bed biopsies from women with pre-eclampsia were compared with 20 placental bed biopsies from uncomplicated normotensive women.

Main Outcome Measures: Immunocytochemical staining of the placental bed biopsies for ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1 and E-selectin.

Results: No statistically significant differences were found in the expression of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1 and E-selectin in the endothelium of the spiral arteries and the trophoblastic cells of the placental bed of the two studied groups.

Conclusions: Adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, but not E-selectin, are expressed in the placental bed of normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies, but there are no differences between the two groups of women. It seems that the above molecules are not likely to be implicated in the aetiology of pre-eclampsia.