OBJECTIVE: A novel human endogenous retroviral element, designated as syncytin, 
has been suggested as a contributor to normal placental architecture, especially 
in the fusion processes of cytotrophoblasts to syncytiotrophoblasts. We tested 
the hypothesis of whether the gene expression of syncytin may be altered in 
cases with placental dysfunction such as preeclampsia or HELLP (hemolysis, 
elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) syndrome.
STUDY DESIGN: We included 30 women with normal pregnancies, 16 with 
preeclampsia, and 6 with HELLP syndrome. After delivery, messenger ribonucleic 
acids (mRNA) of syncytin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and 
beta-actin were analyzed in placental villi with use of quantitative real-time 
polymerase chain reaction.
RESULTS: In placental villi, syncytin mRNA/beta-actin mRNA and syncytin 
mRNA/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA ratios were lower in patients 
with preeclampsia (P <.05) or HELLP syndrome than in healthy control subjects.
CONCLUSION: A reduced placental expression of syncytin may contribute to altered 
cell fusion processes in placentogenesis and disturbed placental function in 
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.