The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate and compare MTA1 and MTA3 antigens expression in normal and preeclamptic placentas in order to demonstrate their possible functional relationship during pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: A series including 20 paraffin-embedded placentas, ten of which originated from normal patients and ten from preeclamptic patients, that were examined by immunohistochemistry using the polyclonal antibodies MTA1 and MTA3. Results: The results

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... f this study showed a positive nuclear staining reaction against MTA1 and MTA3 in both normal and preeclamptic placentas. However, in preeclamptic chorionic villi, cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells demonstrated increased expression of MTA1 and MTA3 than in normal ones. Conclusion: The present observations indicate a potential role for MTA1 and MTA3 for normal human placental function, playing an essential role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Nevertheless, the precise relationship between these antigens' expression and pathological pregnancies remains to be elucidated.