Dataset Information

Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endocrine gland derived-VEGF, and VEGF receptors in human placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

ABSTRACT: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent regulator of placental vascular function. Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor associated with preeclampsia. In this study, we examined expression of VEGF, endocrine gland-derived VEGF (EG-VEGF), VEGF receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2), and neuropilin-1 and -2 (NP-1 and NP-2) in human placentas from women with normal and preeclamptic (PE) pregnancies using quantitative or semiquantitative PCR. We found that total VEGF mRNA expression was increased 2.8-fold (P < 0.05), along with increases in mRNA expression of VEGF121, 165, and 189 (P < 0.05; 1.7-, 1.9-, and 1.8-fold, respectively) in PE vs. normal placentas. Expression of VEGFR-1 mRNA, but not EG-VEGF and the other three VEGF receptors studied, was elevated (P < 0.05) 2.7-fold in PE vs. normal placentas. Protein expression of VEGF and its four receptors was determined using Western blot analysis. For VEGF, two major isoforms (VEGF165 and 189) were detected. For VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, NP-1, and NP-2, one major band was observed at 180, 235, 130, and 130 kDa, respectively. All of these bands were corresponding to their positive controls. Of these five proteins studied, only VEGFR-1 levels were increased (P < 0.05; 1.7-fold) in PE placentas. The expression of VEGF and the four VEGF receptors was confirmed using immunohistochemistry. They were primarily present in syncytiotrophoblasts and endothelial cells of villous capillaries and large vessels. Thus, together with previous reports that VEGFR-1 mediates trophoblast function and inhibits VEGF-induced angiogenesis and endothelium-dependent vasodilation, these data suggest that the increased VEGFR-1 expression may alter VEGF- mediated function on trophoblast and endothelial cells in PE placentas.

SUBMITTER: Chung JY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3282114 | biostudies-literature | 2004 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endocrine gland derived-VEGF, and VEGF receptors in human placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Chung Jin-Young JY Song Yang Y Wang Yuping Y Magness Ronald R RR Zheng Jing J

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 20040501 5

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent regulator of placental vascular function. Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor associated with preeclampsia. In this study, we examined expression of VEGF, endocrine gland-derived VEGF (EG-VEGF), VEGF receptors 1 and 2 (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2), and neuropilin-1 and -2 (NP-1 and NP-2) in human placentas from women with normal and preeclamptic (PE) pregnancies using quantitative or semiquantitative PCR. We found that total VEGF mRNA expression ...[more]

PMID: 15126581

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundAlthough preeclampsia has long been recognized as a condition affecting late pregnancy, little is known of its pathogenesis or treatment. The placenta releases a number of hormones and molecules that influence the course of pregnancy, one of which is chromogranin A, a soluble protein secreted mainly from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. Its role in pregnancy and pregnancy-related disorders remains unclear. Therefore, the main aim of the proposed study is to determine whether chromogranin A is related with the occurrence of preeclampsia.MethodsPlacental samples were collected from 102 preeclamptic patients and 103 healthy controls, and Chromogranin A gene (CHGA) expression was measured using real-time RT-PCR, The RT-PCR results were verified on the protein level using ELISA. The normal distribution of the data was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The clinical and personal characteristics of the groups were compared using the Student's t-test for normally-distributed data, and the χ2 test for categorical variables. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for non-normally distributed data. As the log- transformation was not suitable for the given outcomes, the Box- Cox Transformation was used to normalize data from ELISA tests and CHGA expression. Values of P < .05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsChromogranin A gene expression was found to be significantly higher in the study group than in controls. Protein analyses showed that although the CgA concentration in placental samples did not differ significantly, the catestatin (CST) level was significantly lower in samples obtained from women with preeclampsia, according to the controls.Conclusions for practiceThis study for the first time reveals that chromogranin A gene expression level is associated with preeclampsia. Moreover, the depletion in catestatin level, which plays a protective role in hypertension development, might be a marker of developing preeclampsia. Further studies may unravel role of Chromogranin A in the discussed disease.

Project description:Vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) is an endothelial-cell-specific mitogen; as such, its role in angiogenesis has been studied extensively. VEGF/VPF may also serve as a local, endogenous regulator of large-vessel endothelial cell integrity. Surprisingly, however, VEGF/VPF expression in normal and/or atherosclerotic vessels has not been previously characterized. Accordingly, we studied normal human arteries and veins as well as atherosclerotic and restenotic human coronary arteries for evidence of VEGF/VPF expression. VEGF/VPF was detected immunohistochemically in sections of normal human aorta, mammary artery, and saphenous vein. Moreover, VEGF/ VPF expression was identified in 32 (97%) of 33 pathological coronary arterial specimens; the extent of VEGF/VPF staining was graded as moderate to strong in 21 of the 32 (66%) positive specimens. VEGF/VPF double immunostaining and in situ hybridization demonstrated that smooth muscle cells constitute the principal cellular source of VEGF/VPF. VEGF/VPF immunostaining among primary atherosclerotic lesions localized predominantly to the extracellular matrix. In restenotic specimens, VEGF/VPF immunostaining was more prominently cellular, particularly among proliferating smooth muscle cells. Although VEGF/VPF expression was observed in areas of macrophage infiltration, double immunostaining failed to localize VEGF/VPF to macrophages in these foci; instead, double immunostaining clearly identified CD45RO-positive cells as responsible for VEGF/VPF expression in such areas. No correlation could be demonstrated between VEGF/VPF immunostaining and extent of vasa vasorum. These findings thus establish that postnatal VEGF/VPF expression is a feature of normal human arteries and veins and is often extensively expressed in arteries narrowed by atherosclerotic plaque. VEGF/VPF expression in the wall and/or plaque of medium to large vessels suggests a role for VEGF/VPF other than promoting angiogenesis. This role may involve maintenance and repair of luminal endothelium.

Dataset Information

Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endocrine gland derived-VEGF, and VEGF receptors in human placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Publications

Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endocrine gland derived-VEGF, and VEGF receptors in human placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets