Placental klotho protein in preeclampsia: A possible link to long term outcomes.

Introduction An aging-suppressor gene, klotho, is a candidate factor for vascular disease because its deficiency leads to impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation and impaired angiogenesis. Although klotho protein is predominantly expressed in the kidney, it is detected in a limited number of other tissues, such as the placenta, ovary, prostate gland, and small intestine. This protein is involved in several metabolic pathways such as calcium and phosphate homeostasis, the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), apoptosis, angiotensin-II-induced events in the kidney and oxidative stress. Objectives The aim was to assess the expression of the klotho gene in the placenta from pregnancies affected by severe preeclampsia. Methods Placentas were collected from normal pregnancies (n = 12) and pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia (n = 12), matched for gestational age. Klotho mRNA and protein were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Results Real-Time PCR analyses demonstrated a significant (p = 0.005) 83% down-regulation of Klotho in patients with Preeclampsia versus Controls. Results of Western Blot agreed with those from Real-Time PCR. Conclusion Klotho mRNA expression in the placenta is decreased in preeclamptic pregnancies. Given its role in cardiovascular disease in aging, it may link preeclamptic mothers and their offsprings to long term cardiovascular outcomes.