Extracellular matrix changes in the umbilical arteries of growth-restricted fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to determine whether the expression of extracellular matrix components (ECM) is altered in the umbilical arteries from preterm fetal growth-restricted (FGR) pregnancies.


METHODS
Preterm pregnancies with FGR were compared with appropriately grown preterm pregnancies. Umbilical artery messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for fibrillar collagens I and III, nonfibrillar collagen XIV, and decorin were determined by using relative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The mRNA expression was compared between cases and controls by using the Student t test. P < or = .05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
Eight FGR cases and 5 control pregnancies were analyzed. Mean counts per minute (cpm) +/- SEM for collagen I and collagen III were increased in FGR pregnancies. There were no differences in mRNA expression of collagen XIV or decorin.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased mRNA expression of collagen I and III, but not collagen XIV or decorin, is found in the umbilical arteries of preterm FGR pregnancies.
Kinzler
Wendy L
WL
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, UMDNJ-RWJ Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Smulian
John C
JC
Kistler
C Andrew
CA
Hahn
Rita A
RA
Zhou
Peihong
P
Gordon
Marion K
MK
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D024061:Collagen Type III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D024041:Non-Fibrillar Collagens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D024042:Collagen Type I; D024061:Collagen Type III; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005819:Genetic Markers; D024041:Non-Fibrillar Collagens; D012333:RNA, Messenger