Placental expression of AChE, α7nAChR and NF-κB in patients with preeclampsia

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate placental expression of AChE, alpha 7nAChR and NF-kappa B in patients with preeclampsia and discuss about its clinical significance. Material and methods: mRNA expression levels of acetylcholine (AChE), alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7nAChR) and nuclear factor-kB (NF-kappa B) in placenta were detected by qRT-PCR, and protein levels were determined by immunohistological analysis and Western Blot in 35 women with preeclampsia (including 20 cases of mild preeclampsia and 15 cases of severe preeclampsia) and 30 cases in control group, respectively. Results: The expression of AChE mRNA and protein in placenta increased significantly in patients with preeclampsia compared with the control group (p < 0.01). It was lower in patients with severe preeclampsia than in patients with mild preeclampsia (p < 0.05). The expression of alpha 7nAChR mRNA and protein in placenta decreased significantly in patients with preeclampsia compared with the control group (p <0.01). However, the expression of alpha 7nAChR mRNA and protein in patients with severe preeclampsia was higher than that in patients with mild preeclampsia, without significant difference (p > 0.05). The expression of NF-kappa B protein in placenta decreased significantly in patients with preeclampsia compared with the control group (p < 0.01). It was higher in patients with severe preeclampsia than in patients with mild preeclampsia (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between preeclampsia group and control group in the expression of NF-kappa B mRNA in placenta (p > 0.05). The results of Western blotting assay were consistent with those of immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: Abnormal expression of AChE, alpha 7nAChR and NF-kappa B in placenta may be associated with preeclampsia. Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.