CD31 and Factor VIII in angiogenesis of normal and pre-eclamptic human placentas

We aimed to evaluate normal and pre-eclamptic placental vasculature by using CD31 and Factor VIII. We evaluated placentas of 37 pre-eclamptic women by using immunohistochemical staining with CD31 and Factor VIII antibodies. Individual microvessels in the placental tissues were counted at × 100 and × 400 magnification. Microvessel counts were lower in placentas of pre-eclamptic patients compared with healthy controls after staining with CD31 (26.5 ± 5.7 vs 103.9 ± 8.2, p < 0.001) and Factor VIII (24.8 ± 6.7 vs 98.7 ± 10.3, p < 0.001). Balance between proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors seems to be shifted in favour of anti-angiogenic factors in pre-eclampsia.