Increased CXCL12 expression in the placentae of women with pre-eclampsia

To investigate the expression pattern of CXC chemokine ligand-12 (CXCL12) in the placentae of normal and pre-eclamptic women.

Twenty-five women with severe pre-eclampsia and 30 normotensive women, matched for gestational age, were enrolled in the study. Placental tissue from each woman was collected following delivery by caesarean section. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed for mRNA expression, quantification and tissue localization of CXCL12 in each placenta.

CXCL12 expression was greater in pre-eclamptic placentae compared with normal placentae. CXCL12 was detected in most placental tissue cells by immunohistochemical staining. CXCL12 immunoreactivity was significantly greater in syncytiotrophoblasts of pre-eclamptic placentae compared with normal placentae. However, there was no significant difference in CXCL12 immunoreactivity in other tissues between the two groups.

CXCL12 expression is significantly greater in the placentae of pre-eclamptic women compared with normal women. This may represent part of a compensatory mechanism for pre-eclampsia.