Evaluation of
expression pattern of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) in Preeclampsia
Ruikar Komal, Bargale Anil, Swetha G., Khode Vitthal and Neravi Asha
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(12); 241-246;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2012rjbt2410246; (2025)
Abstract
EGFR is vital for normal placental formation and development. Over the last two
decades, the understanding preeclampsia has increased greatly with the discovery
of the anti-angiogenic molecules soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) and
soluble endoglin (sEng). These factors are released at excessive levels from the
preeclamptic placenta and cause the widespread maternal endothelial dysfunction
that gives rise to the multi-organ injury that occurs in preeclampsia. However,
upstream mechanisms like EGFR regulating the release of these molecules are still
poorly described. In this study, we hypothesized that EGFR levels will differ in
spectrum of PE. We aimed at analyzing EGFR levels in mild to moderate and severe
PE by immunohistochemistry, western blotting and RT- PCR.
The study group consisted of placental bed biopsy tissues obtained from pregnancies
with mild to moderate preeclamsia (PE) (n = 40) and without (n = 30) PE. The expression
of EGFR in the placental villous tissue was evaluated quantitatively using immuno-histo-chemistry,
western blot and real time-PCR. Immuno-histo-chemistry, western blot and RT PCR
analysis illustrated the significant decrease in the expression of EGFR in PE group
irrespective of its severity compared with the normotensive control group (p<0.005).
This result suggests that altered expression EGFR proteins in placenta may be associated
with the pathogenesis of PE by affecting angiogenesis.
