Vascular endothelial growth factor, fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (Flt-1) and soluble Flt-1 gene expressions in Korean pre-eclamptic placentas

Aim: To assess the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (Flt‐1), and soluble Flt‐1 (sFlt‐1) genes in healthy normotensive and pre‐eclamptic placentas of Korean women. Methods: We investigated 12 healthy normotensive pregnant women and 10 pre‐eclamptic pregnant women at Eulji University Hospital. The obtained placental tissues were analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The sFlt‐1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) level was elevated 2.6 times more in pre‐eclamptic placentas than in normal control placentas. However, the VEGF mRNA level of pre‐eclamptic placentas was decreased. There was no difference in the Flt‐1 mRNA level between control and pre‐eclamptic placentas. Conclusions: Our study showed that expressions of genes relating to angiogenesis were altered in Korean pre‐eclamptic placentas. These results suggest that the alteration in expressions of sFlt‐1 and VEGF genes might be associated with the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia.