Role of Progesterone Membrane Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Preeclampsia, Preeclampsia Complications. Basic parameters: 18 years — 45 years · Female.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Turkey (Türkiye)
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Investigation of Progesterone Membrane Receptor Expression in Placental Tissue of Women With Preeclampsia and Their Potential Role in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia
Overview
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder and remains a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although abnormal placentation, impaired trophoblast invasion, endothelial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation have been implicated in its pathogenesis, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Progesterone plays a critical role in the maintenance of pregnancy through both classical nuclear receptors and membrane-associated progesterone receptors. Emerging evidence suggests that progesterone membrane receptors, including progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1), progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2), and members of the progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family, may regulate trophoblast invasion, placental development, and inflammatory responses. This study aims to compare the placental expression levels of PGRMC1, PGRMC2, and PAQR family receptors between women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant controls and to investigate their potential role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
Detailed description
Preeclampsia affects approximately 3-8% of pregnancies and is characterized by new-onset hypertension and multisystem involvement after 20 weeks of gestation. Despite extensive research, its molecular pathogenesis remains incompletely understood.
Progesterone is essential for successful pregnancy maintenance and contributes to uterine quiescence, trophoblast function, and maternal-fetal immune tolerance. In addition to classical genomic signaling pathways, progesterone exerts rapid non-genomic effects through membrane-associated receptors, including PGRMC1, PGRMC2, and PAQR family members.
Recent studies have demonstrated that these receptors are involved in trophoblast invasion, angiogenesis, endothelial function, and inflammatory regulation. Alterations in their expression may contribute to abnormal placentation and endothelial dysfunction observed in preeclampsia.
The present study will evaluate placental expression levels of PGRMC1, PGRMC2, and selected PAQR family receptors in women with preeclampsia and healthy controls. Placental tissue obtained after delivery will undergo immunohistochemical and mRNA expression analyses. The findings may improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying preeclampsia and identify potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
Primary outcome measures
- Placental expression levels of progesterone membrane receptors (PGRMC1, PGRMC2, and PAQR family receptors) [Time frame: At delivery]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
Preeclampsia Group Women aged 18-45 years Singleton pregnancy Diagnosis of preeclampsia according to ACOG criteria Delivery at the study center Written informed consent Control Group Women aged 18-45 years Singleton pregnancy Normotensive healthy pregnancy Delivery at the study center Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Age <18 or >45 years Multiple gestation Fetal structural or chromosomal anomalies Chronic hypertension Pre-existing diabetes mellitus Autoimmune diseases Renal disease Other major systemic disorders
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Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
Study locations
Turkey (Türkiye) · 1 center
- Samsun University Faculty of Medicine Samsun Training and Research Hospital — Samsun
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07745036 · OMUK2025/311