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Differential expression of HSP90α and heme oxygenase in cord blood RBC during preeclampsia
Padmini Ekambaram1, Tharani Jayachandran, Lavanya Dhakshinamoorthy
1Associate Professor, P.G. Department of Biochemistry, Bharathi Women's College, Affiliated to University of Madras , Chennai-600108, Tamilnadu, India. dstpadmini@rediffmail.com
Insights
Preeclampsia elevates stress markers and HSP90α while decreasing HO-2 in fetal red blood cells (RBCs). These changes, including increased nucleated RBCs, suggest a protective response against oxidative stress in preeclampsia.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Hematology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication affecting mother and fetus.
- Fetal red blood cell (RBC) changes can indicate the fetus's response to preeclampsia.
- Understanding molecular changes in fetal RBCs is crucial for managing preeclampsia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regulatory relationship between Heat Shock Protein 90 alpha (HSP90α) and heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) in fetal RBCs from preeclamptic pregnancies.
- To assess oxidative and nitrative stress markers in fetal RBCs during preeclampsia.
- To evaluate the impact of preeclampsia on RBC membrane integrity and cellular composition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) as stress markers in cord blood RBCs.
- Measurement of membrane-bound enzymes and assessment of RBC structural changes.
- Quantification of HSP90α using ELISA and HO-2 expression via immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated LHP, 3-NT, and HSP90α levels in preeclamptic fetal RBCs (p < 0.01 for LHP and HSP90α; p < 0.05 for 3-NT).
- Reduced HO-2 expression observed in preeclamptic fetal RBCs (p < 0.05).
- Increased RBC membrane damage (41.7%) and a higher number of nucleated RBCs in preeclamptic samples.
Conclusions:
- Elevated HSP90α and decreased HO-2 expression in fetal RBCs during preeclampsia may represent a protective mechanism against hypoxic and oxidative stress.
- Increased nucleated RBCs and membrane damage highlight the cellular stress experienced by fetuses with preeclampsia.
- Further research into HSP90α and HO-2 roles could offer therapeutic targets for preeclampsia.
Abstract:
Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder with profound implications on both mother and fetus. Analysis of umbilical cord blood red blood cell (RBC) changes shall depict the fetal response to pregnancy-specific complications like preeclampsia. This study aims to analyze the regulation relationship between HSP90α and heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) in cord blood RBC during preeclampsia. The lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) levels were measured as stress markers in cord blood RBC of both subjects. The impact of stress on RBC was assessed by measuring the level of membrane bound enzymes and assessing the changes in cord blood RBC. The expression of HSP90α and HO-2 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry analysis, respectively. There was significant increase in the level of LHP (p < 0.01), 3-NT (p < 0.05), HSP90α (p < 0.01) with decrease in the expression of HO-2 (p < 0.05) in cord blood RBC of preeclamptic subjects compared to normotensive subjects. Similarly, the membrane damage in preeclamptic RBC was assessed by spectrophotometrically and found to be increased by 41.7%, along with increase in number of nucleated RBC. The antiproliferative effect of carbon monoxide under stress might decrease the expression of HO-2 under conditions when there is an increasing need for RBC. The role of HSP90α level in cord blood RBC is discussed with reference to nitrative stress in preeclampsia. This study concludes the increased expression of nucleated RBC, HSP90α and corresponding decreased expression of HO-2 in such hypoxic condition may play a protective role; to prevent cord blood RBC against stress induced damage during preeclampsia.
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