Expression And Relationship Of P38MAPK And COX-2 In Placenta Of Preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the expression of p38MAPK and COX-2 in placenta during the course of preeclampsia(PE),and explore the potential role of p38MAPK and COX-2 as well as their relationship during the course of PE.METHODS:30 PE women were divided into mild PE group(n=12) and severe PE group(n=18).The normal control group were 30 healthy normotensive pregnancy. The expression of p38MAPK and COX-2 mRNA in placenta were qualitative and semiquantitative analysised with reverse reanscription polymerase chain rection(RT-PCR).Immunohistochemistry was employed to show the location, distribution,quantity and interaction of Phosphorylated p38MAPK and COX-2.RESULTS:1.①RT-PCR showed that the expression of p38MAPK mRNA in placental of preeclampsia were stronger than that of control group;but there were no significant difference between severe preeclampsia and mild preeclampsia.②RT-PCR showed that the expression of COX-2 mRNA in placental of preeclampsia were stronger than that of control group;and there were stronger expression in severe preeclampsia than that in mild preeclarnpsia(P＜0.05).2.①Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of Phosphorylated p38MAPK were mainly located in placental syncytiotrophoblasts,in vascular endothelial cells and a few in the stromal cells,and the expression of p-p38MAPK were stronger expression in placental of preeclampsia than that of control group(P＜0.05),and there were stronger expression in severe preeclampsia than that in mild preeclampsia(P＜0.05).②Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of COX-2 were mainly located in placental syncytiotrophoblasts,in vascular endothelial cells and a few in the stromal cells,and the expression of COX-2 were stronger expression in placental of preeclampsia than that of control group(P＜0.05),and there were stronger expression in severe preeclampsia than that in mild preeclampsia (P＜0.05).③There was correlation between the activity of p38MAPK and the expression of COX-2,the correlation coefficient was 0.728,P＜0.05(severe preeclampsia) and 0.838,P＜0.05(mild preeclampsia).CONCLUSION:In human placental of preeclampsia showed increased expression of p38MAPK and COX-2.Activing p38MAPK in placental induces COX-2 increased and oxidative stress enhanced,which leads to further pathophysiological changes.