Placental growth by the estrogen-dependent angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, throughout gestation.
Angiogenesis is essential for the development and growth of the human placenta throughout gestation, under the influence of enriched estrogen. This prompted us to study the clinical implications of estrogen-dependent angiogenic factors derived from the human placenta. Fifty-eight women ranging from 6 to 41 weeks' gestational age (25 in the first trimester, 12 in the second trimester and 21 in the third trimester) underwent abortion and delivery. The levels of angiogenic factors in the placenta were determined by enzyme immunoassay, and the mRNA and protein of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) variants were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. The levels of VEGF, especially VEGF165, and bFGF correlated with placental weights throughout gestation. Estrogen-dependent VEGF, especially VEGF165, and bFGF might work on growth via angiogenesis in the human placenta throughout all trimesters of gestation.
Nakagawa
Y
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.
Fujimoto
J
J
Tamaya
T
T
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry*; D010929:Placentation; D011247:Pregnancy; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D004967:Estrogens; D007378:Interleukins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2