Overproduction of the follistatin-related gene protein in the placenta and maternal serum of women with pre-eclampsia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To characterise the follistatin-related gene (FLRG) in pre-eclampsia, one of the differentially expressed genes in pre-eclamptic placenta.

DESIGN AND METHODS:

We examined and compared the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of FLRG in placentas and maternal sera from women with uncomplicated pregnancy, and those with pre-eclampsia using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

SETTING:

Antenatal clinics in a teaching hospital.

POPULATION:

Women with uncomplicated pregnancy (n = 21) and those with pre-eclampsia (n = 21).

RESULTS:

FLRG mRNA is overexpressed in pre-eclamptic placental tissues (P < 0.01). Upregulated FLRG protein consists of both an immature 28-kDa cellular product and a mature 33-kDa secretory form, which are differentially glycosylated. FLRG is normally produced at its highest levels in endothelial cells and at moderate amounts in syncytiotrophoblast cells, but in pre-eclampsia, the syncytiotrophoblast FLRG levels are dramatically increased. We also determined the maternal serum concentrations of FLRG in our uncomplicated pregnancy subjects and in our pre-eclamptic groups, and found that they are significantly elevated in pre-eclampsia in a similar manner to activin A and inhibin A. However, the increase in FLRG in these cases is independent of activin A or inhibin A, and is associated with low-birthweight outcomes.

CONCLUSION:

Our current data show the placental and secretory changes of FLRG protein in pre-eclampsia, and also indicate the potential usefulness of FLRG as an additional diagnostic marker for pre-eclampsia.

• Authors: K Pryor-Koishi, H Nishizawa, T Kato, H Kogo, T Murakami, K Tsuchida, H Kurahashi, Y Udagawa
• Journal: BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology (BJOG) Vol. 114 Issue 9 Pg. 1128-37 (Sep 2007) ISSN: 1471-0528 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 17617189 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Follistatin
• Follistatin-Related Proteins
• RNA, Messenger

Topics

• Adult
• Blotting, Western
• Case-Control Studies
• Female
• Follistatin (metabolism)
• Follistatin-Related Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Placenta (metabolism)
• Pre-Eclampsia (blood, metabolism)
• Pregnancy
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (methods)
• Trophoblasts (metabolism)
• Up-Regulation