title: Urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 are expressed by the human placenta, deciduas, and fetal membranes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Urocortin 2 (UCN2) and urocortin 3 (UCN 3) are recently identified neuropeptides showing homology to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). In the present study, we evaluated their expression and localization in gestational tissues (placenta, decidua, fetal membranes), and their effect on placental adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed in a tertiary clinical care center. Tissues were obtained at first (n = 8; 8-11 weeks of pregnancy) and third (n = 8; 38-40 gestational weeks) trimester. The mRNA expression was evaluated by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); the cellular localization by immunohistochemistry; ACTH levels were measured in media collected from cultured placental villi.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All tissues analyzed expressed UCN2 and UCN3 mRNA. UCN2 and UCN3 were localized in cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells; UCN2 was present in maternal and fetal vessels and in amniotic cells, while UCN3 was absent. Finally, UCN2 and UCN3 did not stimulate ACTH secretion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gestational tissues differentially express UCN2 and UCN3 and, despite their homology to CRF, they did not stimulate placental ACTH secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Imperatore
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: Paulo B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torricelli
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galleri
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toti
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Occhini
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Picciolini
authors.forename: Wylie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vale
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D054832:Urocortins
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; C426705:UCN2 protein, human; C426704:UCN3 protein, human; D054832:Urocortins; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone