Expression and significance of Parkinson disease protein 7 in placental, serum and umbilical cord blood in preeclampsia.

Objectives: To study the role of changes in the expression of human Parkinson’s disease protein 7 (PARK7/DJ-1) in preeclampsia. Material and methods: We selected 120 gravidas, including 60 cases of severe preeclampsia group and control group, and divided into early onset preeclampsia group (< 34 weeks), late onset preeclampsia group (≥ 34 weeks) and control group according to the onset of pregnancy. The expression level of DJ-1 was detected by ELISA. The expression level of DJ-1 in placenta tissue of gravidas was detected by Western-blot and RT-PCR. Results: The level of DJ-1 in serum and cord blood of preeclampsia group was higher than that of control group. The relative level of DJ-1 protein and DJ-1 mRNA in placenta tissue of preeclampsia group was higher than that of control group. Conclusions: The expression level of DJ-1 in serum, umbilical cord blood and placenta tissue increased in preeclampsia patients, suggesting that DJ-1 may take part in the pathophysiology process of preeclampsia.