Osteopontin is down-regulated in hydatidiform mole

Objective. Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix that can bind to different types of receptors including integrins and CD44 receptors. Multiple binding affinity enables OPN to play a role in many physiological and pathological processes. OPN contributes to tumorigenesis in several types of cancers. OPN is also expressed by the endometrium and by trophoblast cells of the chorionic villus in human placenta, where OPN may regulate implantation and placentation in early pregnancies by promoting cell-cell interactions, adhesion, spreading, and migration of trophoblast. Our purpose was to determine the expression of OPN mRNA and protein in hydatidiform mole and in normal placenta of comparable gestational age. Methods. A total of 13 fresh tissues from complete hydatidiform moles, 2 from partial hydatidiform moles, and 9 from normal placentas were analyzed by performing quantitative real-time PCR on microdissected trophoblast cells and immunohistochemistry on frozen sections of tissue. Results. Our results showed significantly lower expression of OPN mRNA and protein in hydatidiform mole, and in particular complete mole (P = 0.001 by real-time PCR and P < 0.001 by immunohistochemistry) as compared to nermal placenta. Conclusion. Although precise molecular mechanisms of gestational trophoblastic diseases have not yet been determined, down-regulation of osteopontin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of molar pregnancy. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.