INCREASE IN THE RELATIVE LEVEL OF TYPE-V COLLAGEN IN THE PLACENTAE OFPATIENTS WITH PREECLAMPSIA

To obtain some insight into the extracellular matrix in the human plac enta, we investigated the composition of collagens purified from the p lacentae of patients with pre-eclampsia and compared it with normal pl acentae. Collagen was extracted from the placentae of both normal and pre-eclampsia pregnancies during the third trimester. The relative amo unts of various collagens were evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-po lyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The ratio of the intensity of the ba nd corresponding to the alpha 1(lll) chain with that of the alpha 1(I) chain in placentae of pre-eclampsia was significantly lower than in n ormal placentae (P <0.05). In contrast, the ratio of the intensity of the band corresponding to the alpha 1(V) chain with that of the alpha 1(I) chain in placentae of pre-eclampsia was significantly higher than in normal placentae (P <0.05). The results suggest that an increased level of type V collagen relative to type I collagen in the placentae of pre-eclampsia might be closely associated with the disturbance to t rophoblastic cell functions and the supply of nutrients to the develop ing fetus necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy.