Intrauterine expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies

Abstract

Maternal hypertension, vasoconstriction and placental insufficiency are features of pre-eclampsia. Alterations in calcium homeostasis and in the production of calciotropic hormones and vasoactive agents have also been described in association with pre-eclampsia. Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is abundantly expressed in intrauterine tissues during normal pregnancy and has roles in fetal growth and calcium homeostasis, placental calcium transport and vascular tone regulation. Intrauterine PTHrP mRNA expression and tissue PTHrP content were determined by Northern blot analysis and radioimmunoassay, respectively, in preterm and term pre-eclamptic women. PTHrP mRNA expression and PTH..