Abnormal cGMP-dependent protein kinase I-mediated decidualization in preeclampsia

Defective decidual function contributes to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. However, the precise mechanism of defective decidua during preeclampsia has not been characterized. During decidualization, endometrial stromal cells undergo phenotypic changes that are consistent with mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). cGMP-dependent kinase protein I (PKGI)/VASP signaling is important in cell motility proliferation, differentiation and cell adhesion. To investigate this aim, we analyzed PKGI levels, phosphorylated VASP protein levels, and eNOS and sGC protein expression levels during pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia, which indicated that PKGI/VASP signaling function is decreased by the condition. Moreover, we evaluated the differential expression of genes that regulate MET in the decidua resulting from preeclampsia and healthy pregnancies. We discovered that vimentin mRNA levels are decreased in the decidua of preeclampsia, which indicates that excessive MET occurs in the decidua of preeclampsia pregnancies. A fundamental developmental MET program occurred in response to signaling pathways. These results suggest the important role of decreased PKGI/VASP signaling during excessive MET in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.