Differential gene expression of somatotrophic and growth factors in response to in vivo hypoxia in human placenta

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 197; no. 6; pp. 601.e1 - 601.e6
• Main Authors: Trollmann, Regina, MD, Klingmüller, Karin, Schild, Ralf L., MD, Rascher, Wolfgang, MD, Dötsch, Jörg, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Mosby, Inc 01-12-2007; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Gene Expression; ghrelin; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; human placenta; Humans; Hypoxia - etiology; Hypoxia - genetics; hypoxic ischemia; Infant, Newborn; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II - genetics; insulin-like growth factors; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Ischemia - complications; Ischemia - genetics; leptin; Leptin - genetics; Medical sciences; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Placenta - blood supply; Placenta - physiology; ghrelin; hypoxic ischemia; insulin-like growth factors; leptin; human placenta; Pregnancy; Human; In vivo; Oxygen; Placenta; Gynecology; Hypoxia; Gene expression; Obstetrics; Growth factor
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2007.04.008

Objective Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) have been characterized as the most important regulators of O2 -dependent gene transcription. We investigated expression of HIF-dependent growth factors and HIF-independent somatotrophic factors in term placenta in response to hypoxic ischemia. Study Design Our cross-sectional in vivo analysis included term placentas of gestations complicated by the following: (1) birth asphyxia (n = 22); (2) chronic hypoxic ischemia (n = 22); and (3) controls (n = 28). Gene expression of leptin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF-2, ghrelin, and human placental growth hormone (hPGH) were measured by TaqMan reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Results Acute and chronic hypoxia significantly increased leptin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels, compared with controls ( P < .001). Augmented IGF-2 mRNA levels were present in chronic hypoxia ( P < .001) but not in birth asphyxia. IGF-1, ghrelin, and hPGH mRNA levels did not change in relation to hypoxia. Conclusion IGF-2 and leptin are suggested to be involved in adaptive response to hypoxic ischemia in term placenta with differential transcriptional regulation related to the duration of hypoxia.