The importance of MTHFR, MTR, MTRR and CSE expression levels in Caucasian women with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The studies suggest that both polymorphisms and changes of expression in genes encoding enzymes involved in the methionine and homocysteine metabolism (MHM), such as methylenetetrahydrofolate, reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE), could play a role in the development of hypertension during pregnancy. The aim of the study was to determine the expression level of MTHFR, MTR, MTRR and CSE genes in the development of PE in Caucasian women.

STUDY DESIGN: The control group consisted of 74 healthy pregnant women and 90 patients with diagnosed pre-eclampsia. Total RNA was isolated from placenta and the mRNA level of examined genes was to determine using real-time PCR.

RESULTS: The expression level of MTHFR gene showed no statistically significant difference in the study group as compared to the control group. An increase of mRNA levels for MTR and CTH was observed by 124.7% (p<0.0001) and 26.6% (p>0.05), respectively. However, a decrease of placental expression was noted for MTRR by 50% in preeclamptic women as compared to control group (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the elevated RNA expression of MTR in placenta of preeclamptic patients is probably results of a potential compensation mechanism of the MHM while elevated CSE expression indicates that homocysteine may be eliminated through the alternate transsulfuration pathway.