Immunoexpression of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), HGF-receptor (c-met) and STAT3 on placental tissues from malformed fetuses
M. Trovato1, M. Grosso1, E. Vitarelli1, S. Benvenga2, F. Trimarchi2 and G. Barresi1
1Dipartimento di Patologia Umana, Padiglione D, Policlinico
Universitario, Messina, Italy and
2Sezione di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento Clinico-Sperimentale
di Medicina e Farmacologia, Policlinico Universitario, Messina,
Italy
Offprint requests to: Gaetano Barresi, MD, Dipartimento di Patologia Umana, Padiglione D, Policlinico Universitario G. Martino, 98125 Messina, Italy. Fax: +39-090-2212523. e-mail: barresi@unime.it
Summary. To characterize the possible relationship between
the expression of the HGF/HGF-R system with transcription factor
STAT3, responsible for morphogenetic response of HGF stimulation,
and the embryonic development alterations, we investigated, by
immunohistochemistry, the expression of HGF, c-met and STAT3 in
9 placentas from malformed fetuses and 9 control placentas from
non-malformed fetuses.
The major and distinct patterns of expression characterizing the
placentas from malformed fetuses were a higher percentage mean
of stromal cells stained for HGF, c-met and STAT3 antibodies (60%,
66% and 54%, respectively on fibroblast cells and 44%, 57% and
42%, respectively on myofibroblast cells) and a lower percentage
mean of cytotrophoblast cells stained for the same antibodies
(2%, 2% and 1%, respectively), than in control placentas. In fact,
in this latter group, the stromal fibroblast cells were stained
in a percentage mean of 27%, 22% and 7%, respectively; the stromal
myofibroblast cells in a percentage mean of 5%, 6% and 2%, respectively
and the cytotrophoblast cells in a percentage mean of 25%, 34%
and 18%, respectively.
The expression of each antibody on stromal cells in both groups
suggests an alternative role of the HGF/HGF-R system activating
the via STAT3 transdution and operating on placental tissues,
overall in organogenesis alteration conditions.
This immunohistochemical approach could be used in the diagnostic
practice of pathologists on chorionic villi biopsy when genetic
alterations are absent and ultrasound aspects are doubtful for
malformations. Histol-Histopathol. 17, 691-698 (2002)
Key words: HGF, c-met, STAT, Placenta, Immunohistochemistry
DOI: 10.14670/HH-17.691