Placenta growth factor: potential role in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
In spite of the known requirement for adequate vascularity during placentation, little is known regarding the regulation of angiogenic growth factor production by trophoblast. Placenta growth factor (PIGF) is a recently discovered angiogenic growth factor whose expression is relatively limited to trophoblast.


METHODS
Current literature of PIGF was reviewed, with emphasis on its expression, regulation, role in angiogenesis, and potential function(s) at the maternal-fetal interface.


RESULTS
PIGF is abundantly expressed by trophoblast, which implies that it could act in a paracrine manner to modulate vascular development, stability, and/or function within the decidua and placental villi. In addition, expression of the PIGF receptor, fms-like tyrosine kinase (flt-1) receptor, on trophoblast raises the potential for an autocrine role of PIGF in regulating trophoblast growth and/or function.


CONCLUSIONS
The potential for PIGF to influence both vascular endothelial cells and trophoblast suggests that aberrant trophoblast production of PIGF could compromise cellular function during gestation and contribute to the vascular and placental pathologies noted in many obstetric complications.
Torry
D S
DS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, USA.
Ahn
H
H
Barnes
E L
EL
Torry
R J
RJ
D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor