Overproduction of the follistatin-related gene protein in the placenta and maternal serum of women with pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise the follistatin-related gene (FLRG) in pre-eclampsia, one of the differentially expressed genes in pre-eclamptic placenta.


METHODS
We examined and compared the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of FLRG in placentas and maternal sera from women with uncomplicated pregnancy, and those with pre-eclampsia using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


METHODS
Antenatal clinics in a teaching hospital.


METHODS
Women with uncomplicated pregnancy (n = 21) and those with pre-eclampsia (n = 21).


RESULTS
FLRG mRNA is overexpressed in pre-eclamptic placental tissues (P < 0.01). Upregulated FLRG protein consists of both an immature 28-kDa cellular product and a mature 33-kDa secretory form, which are differentially glycosylated. FLRG is normally produced at its highest levels in endothelial cells and at moderate amounts in syncytiotrophoblast cells, but in pre-eclampsia, the syncytiotrophoblast FLRG levels are dramatically increased. We also determined the maternal serum concentrations of FLRG in our uncomplicated pregnancy subjects and in our pre-eclamptic groups, and found that they are significantly elevated in pre-eclampsia in a similar manner to activin A and inhibin A. However, the increase in FLRG in these cases is independent of activin A or inhibin A, and is associated with low-birthweight outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Our current data show the placental and secretory changes of FLRG protein in pre-eclampsia, and also indicate the potential usefulness of FLRG as an additional diagnostic marker for pre-eclampsia.
Pryor-Koishi
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan.
Nishizawa
H
H
Kato
T
T
Kogo
H
H
Murakami
T
T
Tsuchida
K
K
Kurahashi
H
H
Udagawa
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D038681:Follistatin / Q000378:metabolism; D038702:Follistatin-Related Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
D038681:Follistatin; D038702:Follistatin-Related Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger