RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Using an analogy with renin gene overexpression, low-renin hypertension animal models, we wished to test the hypothesis that renin gene expression is increased in decidua basalis in human gestation with preeclampsia. METHODS: Human placentas were obtained immediately after delivery from 11 control (C) and 11 preeclamptics (PE). Tissue samples were microdissected and renin gene expression in decidua basalis (DB), chorionic villi (CV), and decidua vera (DV) was measured using dot-blot hybridization. RESULTS: Overall renin gene expression is highest in decidua basalis (mean +/- SEM, 2.66 +/- 0.69 densitometry area units) compared to chorionic villi (mean +/- SEM, 1.85 +/- 0.5) or compared to decidua vera (mean +/- SEM, 1.63 +/- 0.9) (both t-tests p = 0.001 two-tailed and analysis of variance p = 0.0001). Renin gene expression in DB and in CV was similar in both preeclamptic and normal pregnancies (DB mean +/- SEM C 2.79 +/- 0.96 versus PE 2.54 +/- 1.04, and CV mean +/- SEM C 2.11 +/- 0.91 versus PE, 1.59 +/- 0. 44). Renin gene expression in DV was approximately threefold higher in tissues from preeclamptics compared to control (mean +/- SEM PE 2. 44 +/- 1.76 versus C 0.82 +/- 0.42). Using the median value of 0.5 units for DV as cutoff, the preeclamptics displayed higher renin gene expression (chi square p = 0.033, two tailed). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that renin gene expression is increased in preeclampsia in decidua vera. This may explain previously reported increased renin secretion in uterine circulation in preeclampsia.