Placental gene expression of the placental growth factor (PlGF) in intrauterine growth restriction

Objective: We analyzed changes in gene expression of placental growth factor (PIGF) in human placental samples obtained postpartum from pregnancies with IUGR.

Methods: During a twelve-month study period representing the calendar year of 2012 placental samples from 101 pregnancies with IUGR and from 140 normal pregnancies were obtained for analysis of a potential difference in PIGF gene expression.

Results: There was no significant difference in gene activity of the PIGF gene between the IUGR versus normal pregnancy groups (Ln2^α: 0.92; p?α: 0.72; p?=?0.05). Placental PIGF gene activity was significantly lower in fetuses with more severe IUGR versus less severe cases (Ln2^α: ?1.49; p?Conclusion: We found no difference in gene expression of PIGF in placental samples obtained from IUGR pregnancies versus normal pregnancy suggesting the absence of a direct role of PIGF gene activity in the development of defective angiogenesis in IUGR during the later stages of gestation. However, in more severe cases of intrauterine growth restriction PIGF expression does show a significant decrease indicating its potential role in the profound defect in angiogenesis in these cases.     

Gene expression patterns of insulin-like growth factor 1, 2 (IGF-1, IGF-2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) in human placenta from preterm deliveries: influence of additional factors

Objective

To compare patterns of human placental gene expression of IGF from pregnancies that ended with preterm delivery vs. full term pregnancies as controls.

Study design

Real-time PCR was used to assess gene expression of IGF in human placental samples from 104 preterm and 140 full term pregnancies.

Results

In the preterm delivery group, the proportion of smokers was significantly higher than in the control group. A history of preterm delivery was more common in the preterm delivery group compared to the control group. In the preterm delivery group, placental samples showed an underexpression of the IGF-1 gene compared to controls. In cases of male fetal gender an overexpression of both the IGF-2 and the IGFBP-3 genes was observed.

Conclusion

Among environmental factors influencing preterm delivery, smoking was the most significant in our study. In the majority of cases, preterm delivery was induced by intrauterine infection leading to a decreased activity of the IGF system. This mechanism may also play a role in the development of neurological sequelae and in decreased tolerance to fetal distress. The overexpression of the IGF-2 gene observed in the placenta with male fetal gender can be explained by its physiological role in the development of the male phenotype.     

Placental gene expression patterns of endoglin (CD105) in intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we describe placental gene expression patterns of endoglin in pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compared to normal pregnancies.

Methods: Placental samples were obtained from 101 pregnancies with IUGR using 140 normal pregnancy cases as control. Gene expression patterns and protein levels of the endoglin were compared between the two groups. For the gene expression analysis real-time PCR was applied, while for the estimation of placental protein level we performed Western analysis.

Results: The placental endoglin gene was significantly overexpressed in the IUGR group versus the control group (Ln2^α: 1.69). The placental endoglin protein level proved to be significantly higher in case of IUGR (endoglin/β-actin ratio: 13.8?±?2.3) versus the control cases (5.3?±?1.1). The placental gene expression as well as the protein levels of endoglin showed no significant difference between female and male newborns. Concerning the placental gene expression and protein level, no significant difference was justified between the more (0–5 percentile) and less (5–10 percentile) severe cases of IUGR.

Conclusion: Increased placental gene expression of endoglin may result in vascular dysfunction leading to chronic fetal hypoxia, which may induce VEGF-A to stimulate angiogenesis. This can be explained as feed back response to restore fetal placental circulation.     

Serum levels and ApaI polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor 2 on intrauterine growth restriction infants

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate the IGF2 and IGF2R plasmatic level and IGF2-ApaI polymorphism on infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Materials and methods: A transversal study was conducted at the Neonatology Ward of the Gynecology Clinic I, Emergency Hospital Cluj-Napoca on neonates with IUGR who were discharged during June 2014 and June 2015. The serum levels of IGF2 and IGF2R were obtained by using ELISA method and IGF2-ApaI polymorphism by taking PCR-RFLP analysis.

Results: Forty infants with IUGR and 21 infants of appropriate gestational age (AGA) were evaluated. The serum levels of IGF2 proved higher on the A/G genotype when the IUGR group was compared with AGA (p value?=?.048). The G allele proved significantly more frequent in both the IUGR and the AGA group compared with the A allele (p?p value?>?.3). The A/G genotype proved significantly more frequent on term infants compared with preterm infants (p value?=?.039).

Conclusions: The infant with IUGR has a higher serum level of IGF2 if has A/G IGF2-ApaI genotype and higher values of IGF2R if it has the A/A genotype.     

Placental gene expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in small for gestational age newborns

Objective: The gene expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) in human placental samples obtained from pregnancies with small for gestational age fetuses (SGA) was compared to those of normal pregnancies.

Methods: In 2011 placental samples from 101 pregnancies with SGA and from 140 normal pregnancies were obtained for analysis of TGF-β1 gene expression. Several clinical parameters were also assessed for correlation between genetic and clinical parameters.

Results: There were no significant differences in gene activity of the TGF-β1 gene between the SGA versus normal pregnancy groups (Ln2^α: 0.16; p?=?0.07). Within the SGA group, no fetal gender-dependent differences were seen in TGF-β1 gene expression (Ln2^α: ?0.11; p?=?0.05). Similarly, no significant differences in gene activity were observed by the degree of severity of SGA as assessed by percentile fetal birth-weight (Ln2^α: 0.32; p?=?0.06).

Conclusion: We found no change in gene expression of TGF-β1 in placental samples obtained from SGA pregnancies versus normal pregnancy suggesting an absence of a direct role of the TGF-β1 gene in the development of SGA. However, the absence of increased gene expression of TGF-β1 in SGA can be conceptualized as a failure to mount a compensatory response in the SGA environment.     

Expression of von Willebrand factor and caldesmon in the placental tissues of pregnancies complicated with intrauterine growth restriction

Purpose: The decreased placental perfusion is the underlying reason for intrauterine growth restriction that in turn leads to reduced placental perfusion and ischemia. However, there are several issues to be understood in the pathophysiology of intrauterine growth restriction. We aimed to study whether any compensatory response in placental vascular bed occur in pregnancies complicated with intrauterine growth restriction by the immunohistochemical staining of von Willebrand factor and caldesmon in placental tissues.

Materials and methods: A total of 103 pregnant women was enrolled in the study including 50 patients who were complicated with IUGR and 50 uncomplicated control patients. The study was designed in a prospective manner. All placentas were also stained with von Willebrand factor and caldesmon monoclonal kits.

Results: The immunohistochemical staining of von Willebrand factor and caldesmon expressions in placental tissues were different between normal and intrauterine growth restriction group. The percentages of 2+ and 3+ von Willebrand factor expression were higher in the intrauterine growth restriction group comparing with the normal group, although the difference was not statistically significant. The intensity of caldesmon expression was significantly lower in the intrauterine growth restriction group in comparison with the normal group (p?Conclusion: Angiogenesis occurs as a placental response to intrauterine growth restriction which is a hypoxic condition. But newly formed vessels are immature and not strong enough. Our study is important to clarify the pathophysiology and placental compensatory responses in intrauterine growth restriction.     

妊娠高血压综合征患者胎盘表皮生长因子受体的表达

目的 探讨妊娠高血压综合征（妊高征）患者胎盘滋养细胞表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）的表达及意义。方法 采用免疫组织化学法观察30例妊高征患者（妊高征组）胎盘EGFR的表达及其与妊高征病情、胎盘重量及新生儿出生体重的关系,并与34例正常妊娠妇女（正常妊娠组）比较。结果 EGFR阳性颗粒位于合体滋养细胞的胞膜和胞浆内,少数细胞滋养细胞内也见阳性颗粒。与正常妊娠组比较,妊高征组胎盘EGFR表达显著降低（P＜0．05）,轻度、中度、重度妊高征患者胎盘EGFR表达,差异无显著性（P＞0．5）;妊高征组胎盘EGFR表达强度与胎盘重量、新生儿出生体重无显著相关性（P值均＞0．1）。结论 妊高征患者胎盘EGFR表达显著降低,可能与妊高征的发病有关。     

米非司酮对子宫肌瘤组织中表皮生长因子基因表达的影响

目的探讨米非司酮对子宫肌瘤组织中表皮生长因子（ＥＧＦ）基因表达的影响。方法２０例子宫肌瘤患者随机被分为对照组和观察组,观察组从月经周期第１～３天开始,每日服用１０ｍｇ米非司酮,连续服用３个月后行子宫全切术。对照组在不同月经周期行子宫全切术。用半定量反转录聚合酶链反应法测定子宫肌瘤组织和周围正常肌层组织中ＥＧＦｍＲＮＡ含量。结果对照组分泌期肌瘤组织中ＥＧＦｍＲＮＡ含量高于周围正常组织,而增生期肌瘤组织中ＥＧＦｍＲＮＡ含量与周围正常组织比较,差异无显著性。观察组子宫肌瘤组织ＥＧＦｍＲＮＡ含量低于对照组分泌期,而与对照组增生期比较,差异无显著性。结论米非司酮可能是通过阻断孕激素刺激肌瘤组织中ＥＧＦ基因的表达,使肌瘤细胞生长受到抑制。     

Different expression of placental pyruvate kinase in normal,preeclamptic and intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies

IntroductionPreeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are two diseases that affect pregnant women and their unborn children. These diseases cause low birth weight, pre-term delivery, and neurological and cardiovascular disorders in babies. Combined they account for 20% of preterm deliveries. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is a metabolism enzyme found in developing embryonic and cancer tissues. Our objective is to determine the expression of PKM2 in human PE and IUGR compared to normal pregnancies. Understanding expression of PKM2 in PE and IUGR could help us to better understand the mechanisms and find treatments for PE and IUGR.MethodsHuman placental tissues were obtained for PKM2 determination and analyzed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and a pyruvate assay. Placental samples were homogenized and cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins were extracted for Western blot analysis.ResultsPreeclampsia samples had elevated levels of p-PKM2, p-ERK, and ERK in the cytoplasm. Beta-catenin and lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) were also elevated in preeclampsia placenta samples.Discussion and conclusionWe conclude that PKM2 is expressed in normal, PE and IUGR pregnancies. Also, that this expression is increased in the PE placenta at delivery. These results suggest placental metabolism through PKM2 could play a role in human preeclampsia.     

The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and cyclooxygenase-2 in relation to human papilloma viral load and persistence of human papillomavirus after conization with negative margins

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between human papillomavirus (HPV) load and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and to identify biomarkers that may predict high-risk HPV clearance or persistence after conization with negative margins. The following samples were analyzed: 77 paraffin-embedded specimens from patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), including 27 CIN 2 conization specimens and 50 CIN 3 conization specimens. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with antibodies to VEGF, EGFR, MMP-2, and COX-2. Hybrid capture II testing was used to detect HPV DNA. VEGF expression was significantly associated with HPV load (rho = 0.27186, P = 0.0191), while COX-2 expression was significantly and inversely associated with HPV load (rho = -0.34309, P = 0.0028). In univariate analysis, HPV load (P = 0.0112) and VEGF expression (P = 0.0274) were significantly associated with high-risk HPV clearance or persistence after conization with negative margins. In multiple regression analysis, high viral load (relative light unit/positive control > 500) and positive VEGF expression were significantly associated with high-risk HPV persistence after conization with negative margins (odds ratio [OR]: 9.915, CI: 1.891-51.994; OR: 6.661, CI: 1.208-36.722, respectively). In conclusion, VEGF expression is related to HPV load, while COX-2 expression is inversely related to HPV load, and immunohistochemical analysis of VEGF expression and HPV viral load are a significant and an independent prognostic indicator of high-risk HPV persistence after conization with negative margins.     

60%氧暴露对早产大鼠肺血管内皮生长因子及其受体表达的影响

目的观察60％氧暴露对早产大鼠肺血管内皮生长因子（vascular endothelial growthfactor，VEGF）及其受体——胎肝激酶-1受体（fetal liver kinase-1，Flk-1）表达的影响，探讨其与新型支气管肺发育不良发病机制之间的关系。方法早产鼠生后6h内随机分为中浓度氧组（简称中氧组）和空气组，空气组置于常压空气中，中氧组置于氧体积分数为60％的氧舱中，两组动物均于生后1、4、7、11和14d各随机取8只，行HE染色，观察肺组织形态学结构，做辐射状肺泡计数（radial alveolar counts，RAC）；采用Western印迹和RT-PCR技术检测各组肺组织VEGF及其受体Flk-1蛋白及mRNA表达水平。结果（1）中氧组RAC在7d时为8．32±0．11，11d时为8．53±0．08，14d时为9．03±0．17，明显高于空气组相应时间点的RAC值；（2）中氧组VEGF及其受体Flk-1 mRNA表达水平在第7、11和14天均低于空气组相应时间点，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；（3）中氧组VEGF蛋白表达水平在第11、14天时低于空气组；受体Flk-1蛋白表达水平与其mRNA表达变化规律基本一致。结论60％氧暴露可引起早产大鼠肺部VEGF及其受体Flk-1表达下降，可能是引起肺微血管发育障碍及肺泡化进程受阻，进而导致新型BPD发生的重要因素。     

TROP-2 exhibits tumor suppressive functions in cervical cancer by dual inhibition of IGF-1R and ALK signaling

Objective

Inactivation of tumor suppressor genes promotes initiation and progression of cervical cancer. This study aims to investigate the tumor suppressive effects of TROP-2 in cervical cancer cells and to explain the underlying mechanisms.

Leptin induces tube formation in first-trimester extravillous trophoblast cells

Objectives

To study the roles of leptin on tube formation (as a measure of cellular angiogenesis) and expression of associated genes in first-trimester human extravillous trophoblast cells.

Study design

The effects of leptin on tube formation and fatty acid uptake in first trimester extravillous placental trophoblast cells, HTR8/SVneo, were investigated. We also investigated the effects of leptin on the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and lipid metabolism in these cells.

Results

Leptin at 25 ng/ml maximally stimulated tube formation in the first trimester placental trophoblast cells, HTR8/SVneo, by increasing tube length as well as numbers (10,100 ± 150 pixels) compared with those of control cells (2900 ± 50 pixels) p > 0.05. Leptin-induced tube formation was not inhibited by the selective inhibitor of VEGF, indicating that its action was independent of VEGF. Leptin, however, significantly increased the expression of genes those are involved in angiogenesis pathways such as PECAM1, JAG1, CDH5, IL8, NRP1, SPHK1, S1PR1, CXCL 1 and 6, FGF1, EFNA3 and AKT1, as determined by PCR array. Leptin did not, however, stimulate expression of the primary angiogenic factors known in placenta such as VEGF or ANGPTL4, as determined by both qRTPCR and PCR array assays. Leptin increased 7-fold expression of FABP4, which is known to be involved in VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in endothelial cells. In addition, leptin treatment resulted a 48% increase in the uptake of docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6n-3 (DHA) which also stimulates tube formation in these cells.

Conclusions

Leptin may play an important role in early placentation by stimulating several genes involved in angiogenic signalling pathway and fatty acid metabolism.