Clinical Investigation

Evaluation of VEGF, EGF-R AND TGF-α in placenta of pregnancies with preeclampsia by immunohistochemistry

  • Teksin Çırpan
  • Fuat Akercan
  • Mustafa Coşan Terek
  • Hasan Tayfun Özçakır
  • Gülşen Giray
  • Sermet Sağol
  • Nedim Karadadaş

Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2008;5(1):40-45

OBJECTIVE:

The ai m of the study is to determine VEGF, EGFR and TGF- α with the immunohistochemical staining in placenta biopsies of patients with preeclampsia.

Design:

Prospective case control study.

MATERIALS-METHODS:

Biopsies from the placenta were obtained from ten patients with preeclapmsia and ten patients of control group during the cesarean section. Placenta biopsies were examined for VEGF, EGF-R and TGF- α distribution with avidin-biotinperoxidase immunohistochemistry. The staining intensities were graded semi-quantitatively by the two histologists who were blinded to the groups and the H-score was calculated by light microscopic examination.

RESULTS:

The VEGF, EGFR and TGF- α expression was significantly higher in placenta biopsies of preeclamptic patient compared to controls (271.2±22.65 versus 201.9±12.33, p=0.000; 186.3±4.98 versus 150.3±5.7, p=0.000; 185.1±7.48 versus 169.2±6.19, p=0.000; respectively).

Conclusion:

Immunos taining of VEGF, EGF-R and TGF- α is signif icantly higher i n plac enta biopsi es in patie nts with preeclampsia.

Keywords: EGF-R, placenta, preeclampsia, TGF-ALFA, VEGF