Abstract
A human isoform of Collapsin Response Mediator Protein (CRMP) family proteins, CRMP-1, has been identified as a novel invasion suppressor. The aim of this study was to determine CRMP-1 expression pattern in placentas during normal pregnancy and elucidate the clinical significance of CRMP-1 expression in the placentas of women with early-onset preeclamptic pregnancies. We recruited 66 normal healthy pregnant Chinese women and 60 Chinese patients with preeclampsia [early-onset prereclampsia(ePE), n = 30 and late-onset preeclampsia(lPE) n = 30]. Gestational age-matched normal healthy pregnant women were used as controls of early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia, which were 23-33 + 6 weeks, n = 18 and control B: 34-40 weeks, n = 20). Quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expressions of CRMP-1 in placentas. Expression of CRMP-1 was detected in syncytio- and cytotrophoblasts of all groups using immunohistochemistry. CRMP-1 was most abundantly expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts, moderately in cytotrophoblasts and the intermediate trophoblasts especially in the first trimester. The placental expression of CRMP-1 is particularly striking in the first trimester and decreases throughout pregnancy. There is a significant increase in CRMP-1 expression in the placenta of ePE but not of lPE, as compared to gestational-matched controls. The aberrant upregulation of CRMP-1 expression may link to the mechanism of developing ePE.