[Change of HIF-1alpha protein expression in the placenta bed and concentration of vWF in maternal peripheral blood of pre-eclampsia].

Objective: To investigate the expression of HIF-1alpha protein in the placenta bed and the concentration of von Willrand factor (vWF) in maternal peripheral blood from pre-eclampsia and normal pregnancy, and to determine the effect of HIF-1alpha and vWF on the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Methods: Forty pre-eclampsia patients (20 mild and 20 severe) were recruited as 2 study groups, and another 20 normal pregnant women were served as a normal group.Western blot was used to detect the expression of HIF-1alpha protein in the placenta bed. ELISA was adopted to detect the concentration of vWF in the maternal peripheral blood.Correlation between HIF-1alpha protein expression and vWF level was analyzed by Spearman method.

Results: The expression of HIF-1alpha protein in the placenta bed was the highest in the severe pre-eclampsia patients among 3 groups, followed by the mild pre-eclampsia patients and the normal controls. There was significant difference among 3 groups (P<0.001). The concentration of vWF in the maternal peripheral blood was the highest in the severe pre-eclampsia patients, followed by the mild pre-eclampsia patients and the normal controls. There was significant difference among the 3 groups (P<0.05). Positive correlation was found between the expression of HIF-1alpha protein in the placenta bed and the concentration of vWF in the maternal peripheral blood in patients with pre-eclampsia (r1=0.65, P<0.001), and between the concentration of vWF in the maternal peripheral blood and the pathogenetic condition degree of pre-eclampsia (r(2)=0.61,P<0.001).

Conclusion: HIF-1alpha in coordination with vWF may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.