Hydrogen sulfide producing enzymes in pregnancy and preeclampsia

K M Holwerda; E M Bos; A Rajakumar; C Ris-Stalpers; M G van Pampus; A Timmer; J J H M Erwich; M M Faas; H van Goor; A T Lely

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2012.02.014

Hydrogen sulfide producing enzymes in pregnancy and preeclampsia

Placenta. 2012 Jun;33(6):518-21. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2012.02.014. Epub 2012 Mar 3.

Authors

K M Holwerda¹, E M Bos, A Rajakumar, C Ris-Stalpers, M G van Pampus, A Timmer, J J H M Erwich, M M Faas, H van Goor, A T Lely

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Division of Pathology, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, PO Box 30001, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands. k.m.holwerda@umcg.nl

PMID: 22391326
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2012.02.014

Abstract

Preeclampsia, a human pregnancy specific disorder is characterized by an anti-angiogenic state. As hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) has pro-angiogenic and anti-oxidative characteristics, we hypothesized that H(2)S levels could play a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and studied the placental expression of the H(2)S-producing enzymes cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS). CBS and CSE protein are expressed in the fetal-placental endothelium and CBS only in Hofbauer cells. CBS mRNA expression is decreased (p = 0.002) in early-onset preeclampsia, while CSE mRNA is unchanged. Thus, down regulation of CBS during early-onset preeclampsia may result in less H(2)S-production and may aid in the anti-angiogenic state.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Cystathionine beta-Synthase / biosynthesis*
Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / biosynthesis*
Down-Regulation
Female
Humans
Hydrogen Sulfide / metabolism*
Pre-Eclampsia / enzymology*
Pre-Eclampsia / etiology
Pregnancy / physiology*
RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

RNA, Messenger
Cystathionine beta-Synthase
Cystathionine gamma-Lyase
Hydrogen Sulfide