INCREASED LAMININ-1 EXPRESSION IN HYDATIDIFORM MOLE

To investigate the aetiology of hydatidiform mole, laminin-1 expressio n was determined in human villous tissues obtained from normal pregnan cies (n = 17) and complete hydatidiform moles (n = 10). Indirect immun ofluorescent staining was performed to detect laminin-l, and Northern blot analysis was performed to assess expression of laminin mRNA. Seru m concentrations of laminin P-1 were also measured. Immunohistochemica l analysis revealed stronger staining of the trophoblastic basement me mbrane in hydatidiform mole than in normal pregnancy. Northern blot an alysis revealed that villous expression of laminin mRNA was significan tly increased in hydatidiform mole compared with normal pregnancy (P < 0.05), The serum laminin P-1 concentration was also significantly hig her in those patients with hydatidiform mole than in normal pregnancy (P < 0.05). These results suggest that laminin-1 might play an importa nt role in determining the pathophysiology and structure of hydatidifo rm mole. In addition, measurement of serum laminin P-1 in combination with human chorionic gonadotrophin might be useful in the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole, to evaluate the prognosis, and to detect the prese nce of metastatic or recurrent disease.