Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Disruption of the Mouse Blood-Brain Barrier by Small Extracellular Vesicles from Hypoxic Human Placentas
Published on: January 26, 2024
[Expression and activity change of angiotensin converting enzyme in the placenta of preeclampsia]
Ling Yu1, Yu-ping Ma, Yi-ling Ding
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 42 pregnant women in the following categories: 30 cases of preeclampsia (mild preeclampsia, n=15; severe preeclampsia, n=15), and normal pregnancy (control group,n=12). The expression and localization of ACE mRNA in the placenta of the 3 groups were respectively examined by in situ hybridization. Ultraviolet radiation colorimetry was used to detect the activity of ACE in the placenta tissue homogenate and the mothers' serum in the 3 groups.
Results:
The expression of ACE mRNA was found in the endothelial cells of villus and trophoblasts in the placenta. The positive index of ACE mRNA in the placenta of preeclampsia(3.12+/-0.94) was higher than that in the normal pregnancies(1.65+/-0.67) (P<0.05), and there was significant difference between severe preeclampsia and mild preeclampsia (P<0.05). The levels of ACE activity in the placenta tissue homogenate and the maternal serum of preeclampsia were higher than those in the normal pregnancies (P<0.05), and there was significant difference between severe preeclampsia and mild preeclampsia (P<0.05). The placenta tissue homogenate ACE activity was correlated with ACE activity of the maternal serum (r=0.781,P<0.05).
Conclusion:
The expression and activity of local ACE in the placenta tissue may play an important role in preeclampsia and contribute to the development of preeclampsia.
Related Concept Videos
Hormonal Regulation
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
Teratogenicity
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

