Abstract P254: Apolipoprotein Expression Changes in the Dahl Salt Sensitive Rat Model of Spontaneous Superimposed Preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial pregnancy-specific syndrome with the main characteristic feature of the mother developing hypertension and systemic organ dysfunction after 20 weeks of gestation. Worldwide, PE accounts for up to 8% of pregnancy complications and is considered to be a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is little progress in developing treatments for PE, nor are there robust biomarkers for early detection. Using the Dahl salt sensitive (S) rat, a model of spontaneous superimposed preeclampsia, and the Sprague Dawley (SD) rat, normal pregnancy control, we previously performed a microarray study (Affymetrix Rat 2.0ST GeneChip) on gestational day 14 placental samples which identified several genes in the apolipoprotein family to be temporarily dysregulated between the Dahl S and SD rats. The goal of the current study was to validate these microarray findings and determine if these changes persist through late pregnancy. We performed quantitative real-time-PCR analysis (BioRad PrimePCR Custom Array) and confirmed significant increases in expression of various isoforms of apolipoproteins in the Dahl S rat compared to that of the SD on gestational day 14 (Table). However, there were no significant differences between the two strains on gestational day 20, indicating a potential role of these apolipoproteins earlier in PE development. Our data are consistent with patient studies suggesting apolipoproteins may be involved in PE, serve as potential biomarkers for early detection, and be a target for therapeutic interventions.