Project description:IUGR (Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction) refers to a condition where the foetus does not reach its growth potential in utero. It is supposed to be often linked with placental dysfunction, especially of vascular origin. In this study, 4 pools of three placentas from human normal pregnancies and 4 pools of three placentas from IUGR human pregnancies, obtained after caesarean section near normal term , were used to prepare RNA. The cDNAs prepared from these RNA were hybridized to a Nimblegen expression array in order to detect differences in gene expression between normal and pathological placentas.
Project description:Introduction: To determine the miRNA expression profile in pregnancies complicated by Preeclampsia (PE) and compare it to uncomplicated pregnancies. Methods: Seventeen placentas from women with PE, [all of them being late onset PE (LOPE)], as well as 17 placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies were analyzed using miRNA NGS. For statistical analyses the MATLAB® simulation environment was applied. The expression of miR-99b and miR-23b were verified using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: Two miRNAs were found dysregulated in PE complicated placentas. Statistical analysis revealed that miR-99b and miR-23b were under-expressed in complicated placentas as compared to controls. Discussion: Since specific miRNAs can differentiate complicated from uncomplicated pregnancies, they may be considered as putative PE-specific biomarkers.
Project description:Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) represents a major obstetric challenge with perinatal complications and a risk factor of developing disease in adult life. Placental insufficiency is one of the common features accompanying IUGR. The aim of this study was to evaluate global placental gene expression profile in IUGR compared to normal pregnancies. Placental samples were collected by eight IUGR pregnancies with placental insufficiency ascertained by Doppler and eight healthy controls. A 30K Human Genome Survey Microarray v.2.0 (Applied Biosystems) was used to evaluate global gene expression profile. Principal component analysis showed good separation in terms of gene expression patterns between the groups. Pathway analysis with Bonferroni correction for multiple testing showed significant (p<0.05) up-regulation of inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathway in the IUGR placentas. Genes involved in metabolism of glucocorticoids (HSD11B1 and DHRS2) were found differentially expressed. We found no imprinted genes to be differentially expressed and only one gene involved in epigenetic modifications (MBD3) to be down-regulated in the IUGR placentas, indicating that IUGR due to placental insufficiency is not associated to placental imprinting. Subgroup analysis between pure IUGR and IUGR with preeclampsia placentas showed only 27 differentially expressed genes suggesting common pathophysiology. Eight placental samples from normal human placenta compared to eight human placental samples from patients with intrauterine growth restrictions due to placental insufficiency
Project description:Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) represents a major obstetric challenge with perinatal complications and a risk factor of developing disease in adult life. Placental insufficiency is one of the common features accompanying IUGR. The aim of this study was to evaluate global placental gene expression profile in IUGR compared to normal pregnancies. Placental samples were collected by eight IUGR pregnancies with placental insufficiency ascertained by Doppler and eight healthy controls. A 30K Human Genome Survey Microarray v.2.0 (Applied Biosystems) was used to evaluate global gene expression profile. Principal component analysis showed good separation in terms of gene expression patterns between the groups. Pathway analysis with Bonferroni correction for multiple testing showed significant (p<0.05) up-regulation of inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathway in the IUGR placentas. Genes involved in metabolism of glucocorticoids (HSD11B1 and DHRS2) were found differentially expressed. We found no imprinted genes to be differentially expressed and only one gene involved in epigenetic modifications (MBD3) to be down-regulated in the IUGR placentas, indicating that IUGR due to placental insufficiency is not associated to placental imprinting. Subgroup analysis between pure IUGR and IUGR with preeclampsia placentas showed only 27 differentially expressed genes suggesting common pathophysiology.
Project description:Introduction: To determine the miRNA expression profile in placentas complicated by Preeclampsia (PE) and compare it to uncomplicated pregnancies. Methods: Sixteen placentas from women with PE, including 11 with early onset PE (EOPE) and 5 with late onset PE (LOPE), as well as 8 from uncomplicated pregnancies were analyzed using miRNA microarrays. For statistical analyses the MATLAB® simulation environment was applied. The over-expression of miR-518a-5p was verified using Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: Overall, 44 miRNAs were found deregulateddysregulated in PE complicated placentas. Statistical analysis revealed that miR-431, miR-518a-5p and miR-124* were over-expressed in EOPE complicated placentas as compared to controls whereas miR-544 and miR-3942 were down-regulated in EOPE. When comparing the miRNA expression profile in cases with PE and PE- growth restricted fetuses (FGR), miR-431 and miR-518a-5p were found over-expressed in pregnancies complicated by FGR. Additionally, up- regulation of miR-124, miR-423-3p and miR-518a-5p was associated with proteinuria. Discussion: Specific miRNAs can differentiate EOPE and LOPE from uncomplicated pregnancies representing putative PE-specific diagnostic biomarkers. Among them, miR-518a-5p emerged as a potential diagnostic indicator for EOPE cases as well as for FGR and proteinuria associated PE complicated placentas designating its potential link to the severity of the disease.
Project description:Purpose: Identify differentially expressed genes in placental samples from early-onset (EO) IUGR, EO-PE, as well as pregnancies complicated by both EO-PE and EO-IUGR
Project description:Purpose: Identify differentially expressed miRNAs in placental samples from early-onset (EO) IUGR, EO-PE, as well as pregnancies complicated by both EO-PE and EO-IUGR
Project description:The placental microvasculature of the human fetus is essential for the efficient transfer of gases, nutrients and waste between the mother and fetus. Microvascular hypoplasia of the terminal villi is associated with the placental pathology observed in cases of severe Intra Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). We used novel methods to isolate a pure population of placental microvascular endothelial cells from control preterm placentas (n=3) and placenta complicated by severe IUGR (n=6) with superimposed preeclampsia (n=5). Distal placental villous tissue was collected to enrich for terminal villi. Tissue was minced, digested and placental microvascular endothelial cells (PlMEC) were positively selected using tocosylated magnetic Dynabeads labeled with Human Endothelial Antigen lectin. The purity of the PlMEC (95%) was assessed by CD31 immunocytochemistry. RNA was extracted from the PlMEC samples and also from 3 term placenta and subjected to Affymetrix microarray analysis (U133Plus2 array chips). Data from the 3 term placentas and 3 preterm PlMEC arrays was used to generate an endothelial cell specific gene profile. This profile was used to identify the endothelial genes differentially regulated in all 6 IUGR cases. BTNL9 and NTRK2 transcripts were upregulated and SAA1, GNAS and SLAMF1 transcripts were downregulated as relative to the preterm controls. These changes were validated by Real time PCR in the PlMEC samples. This novel study is the first to identify endothelial candidate genes that may play a role in the villous hypoplasia of severe IUGR. This work advances our understanding of the molecular defects in placental microvascular endothelial cells in normal and pathologic pregnancies.
Project description:Description of the global expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins in healthy human term placentas may increase our knowledge of molecular biological pathways that are important for normal fetal growth and development in term pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore the global expression of miRNAs and proteins, and to point out functions of importance in healthy term placentas. Placental samples (n = 19) were identified in a local biobank. All samples were from uncomplicated term pregnancies with vaginal births and healthy, normal weight newborns. Next-generation sequencing and nano-scale liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry were used to analyse miRNA and protein expression, respectively. A total of 895 mature miRNAs and 6,523 proteins were detected in the placentas, of which 123 miRNAs and 346 proteins were highly abundant. The miRNAs were in high degree mapped to chromosomes 19, 14 and X. Analysis of the highly abundant miRNAs and proteins showed several significantly predicted functions in common, including immune and inflammatory response, lipid metabolism and development of the nervous system. The predicted function inflammatory response may reflect normal vaginal delivery, while lipid metabolism and neurodevelopment may be important processes for the term fetus. The data presented in this study, including supplementary information with complete miRNA and protein findings, will enhance the knowledge base for future research in the field of placental function and pathology.