Epidermal growth factor receptors in placentae and fetal membranes from hypertension-complicated pregnancies

Epidermal growth factor receptor concentrations (EGFR) in placentae and fetal membranes from 25 normal and 25 hypertension-complicated pregnancies were analysed by a radioreceptor technique. Higher EGFR concentrations were found in placentae from hypertension-complicated pregnancies than in those from normal pregnancies (median 125.0 fmol/mg protein, range: 33.4-190.7 versus median 50.3 fmol/mg protein, range 21.4-184.0) (P = 0.0002). EGFR concentrations were significantly lower in fetal membranes than in placental tissue, both in normal membranes (median 31.7, range 4.8-92.0 versus median 50.3, range 21.4-184.0) (P = 0.0004) and in hypertension-complicated pregnancies (median 65.0, range 16.8-125.0 versus median 125.0, range 33.4-190.7) (P = 0.0001). A statistically significant inverse correlation between EGFR concentrations and gestational age was found in placentae (r = 0.53, P = 0.0061) and fetal membranes (r = 0.56, P = 0.0032) from hypertension-complicated pregnancies. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that hypertensive disease is more closely associated with EGFR concentrations than gestational age and fetal weight in placental tissue and fetal membranes. Our findings suggest that hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are associated with elevated EGFR concentrations in both the placenta and fetal membranes.