Dual specificity protein phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia

Objectives: Preeclampsia is best described as a pregnancy-specific syndrome of reduced organ perfusion secondary to vasospasm and endothelial activation. It is severe and clinically important manifestations of placental insufficiency. Our purpose was to study DUSP1 expression in normal human pregnancy and preeclampsia. Study design: We used ELISA, RT-PCR and Immuno-histochemistry to characterize DUSP1 gene expression and protein levels in different ages of the first trimester pregnancy, late pregnancy and in severe preeclampsia. DUSP1 protein was detected in venous of every patient and villi of the first trimester pregnancy, placentas of normal pregnancy and preeclampsia pregnancy. Villi was gained from those women who terminated their pregnancy during the first trimester and the placenta was gained from normal and preeclampsia pregnancy during the cesarean. Results: DUSP1 protein was significantly lower in severe preeclamptic placentas compared to normal pregnancy (P<0.05). The express of DUSP1 was varied from different ages of pregnancy. There was a trend that DUSP1 level decreased in villi of first trimester with the gestational age increased. Conclusion: DUSP1 protein levels were significantly suppressed in severe preeclampsia. This suppression was the reason or result of preeclampsia, is still not clear. The express of DUSP1 was varied from different ages of pregnancy. So our study demonstrated that the level of DUSP1 protein and mRNA could be a factor of PE.