[Relationship between expression of vimentin, type IV collagen and fibronectin in human placenta and pregnancy induced hypertension]
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the possible relationship between pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome (PIH) and expression of vimentin, type IV collagen and fibronectin in human placenta. METHODS: Nineteen pregnant women (PIH group) and 15 normal pregnant women (control group) matched for age and gestation were recruited. The expression of vimentin, type IV collagen and fibronectin in the placenta of PIH patients and normal subjects was investigated using immunohistochemical perioxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining technique combined with an analysis through a computer-aided microphotographic system and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The average grey value difference (GVD) which indicated positive staining of vimentin was 30 +/- 7 in section images of the moderate and severe PIH group, significantly lower than that of normal control group, 42 +/- 6 and mild PIH group, 42 +/- 9 (P
