Expression of Liver X Receptors in Pregnancies Complicated by Preeclampsia

Gene expression of LXRα and LXRβ in placenta, decidua and adipose tissue in healthy subjects. Gene expression was analyzed on total RNA extracted from controls using qRT-PCR normalized to the average of GAPDH, TBP and 18S. The results are presented as mean fold change ± standard error of the mean (SEM) relative to controls.

Gene expression of LXRα and LXRβ in preeclampsia in placenta, decidua and fat compared to controls. The expression of LXRα and LXRβ were analyzed in total RNA extracted from preeclamptic (PE) and control tissues, using qRT-PCR normalized to YWHAZ for placenta and decidua and TBP for adipose tissue. A) Placenta B) Decidua C) Adipose tissue. The results are presented as mean fold change ± SEM relative to controls. P-values * <0.05 and ** <0.01. D) Placental protein levels of LXRα and LXRβ in preeclampsia compared to controls. 50 μg total proteins isolated from six patients in the control group (C1-C6) and six patients in the preeclampsia group (PE1-PE6) were subjected to SDS-PAGE and blotted using anti-LXRα, anti-LXRβ or anti-β-actin antibodies as indicated. The control lane (C) contains exogenously expressed human LXRα/LXRβ in a human hepatoma cell line and is used for positive control. Arrow points at LXRα, LXRβ or β-actin proteins.

Correlation between expression of LXRβ and concentrations of FFA. Linear regression between placental LXRβ expression and placental concentrations of FFA. Preeclamptic group alone, r² = 0.237, P-value < 0.05.