Platelet and Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression in Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia

Objective: Despite the fact that preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most important health problems which affect pregnant women, the etiopathogenetic factors which lead to the illness are still yet to be known. Hereby in this study, we have aimed to investigate the expression levels of the platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule, PECAM-1, in the healthy placentas of preeclamptic and control group patients. Methods: The placental tissue samples have been obtained from the patients diagnosed with PE and from the postnatal placentas of the healthy pregnant women; and analyzed through immunohistochemical methods for the expression levels of the adhesion molecule, PECAM-1. Results: In the placentas of the control group, a weak involvement of PECAM-1 has been observed in the endothelial cells covering the vein walls of the placental villus; yet in the placentas of the PE group, the involvement level has been observed to be high. Conclusion: Due to the increase in the expression levels of PECAM-1 in preeclamptic placenta, the functional roles of these adhesion molecules are thought to be present in the pathophysiology of PE. And with this fact being known, decent treatment approaches will emerge in the future in order to avoid PE symptoms.