OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare VEGF protein expression in placentae and serum from women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. METHODS: We have performed western blot analysis for VEGF using placental tissue homogenates. We also measured the serum VEGF concentration in both groups with competitive enzyme immunoassay (CEIA). RESULTS: Two distinct bands were obtained on Western blots. The molecular weight of the weak bands appears to correspond to that of the human recombinant VEGF 165 homodimers (42 kDa) under non-reducing conditions and the other strong bands represent alternative post-translational modification of the VEGF 165. The relative intensities of the two bands demonstrated no significant difference in placentae from preeclampsia and normal pregnancy group (p=0.130, p=0.154, respectively). On the contrary, the serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in the preeclampsia group (median 18.2 ng/ml, range 4.6-101.6 ng/ml) than the control group (median 4.9ng/ml, range 2.3-9.1 ng/ml, p<0.005). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that placenta may not be not the origin of the increased circulating VEGF in preeclampsia and there may be other potential site of VEGF synthesis in preeclampsia.
Blotting, Western ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Molecular Weight ; Placenta ; Pre-Eclampsia* ; Pregnancy ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*