title: Whole-genome microarray and targeted analysis of angiogenesis-regulating gene expression (ENG, FLT1, VEGF, PlGF) in placentas from pre-eclamptic and small-for-gestational-age pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the placental pathology associated with pre-eclampsia (PE) and/or fetal growth restriction, the transcriptomes of placental tissues from PE and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) pregnancies were explored. In addition, a targeted analysis of angiogenesis-regulating gene expression was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Whole-genome microarray analysis was performed on placental tissue from gestational age-matched PE (n = 10), SGA (n = 8) and PE + SGA (n = 10) pregnancies. The expression of genes regulating angiogenesis (endoglin (ENG), fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF)) was analyzed by quantitative real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Microarray analysis did not reveal any significant differences between groups. However, an increased expression of ENG and FLT1 was detected by qRT-PCR in the PE + SGA group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The placental transcriptome did not differ between groups, although an increased anti-angiogenic gene expression in PE + SGA was observed with qRT-PCR analysis. Based on this, we conclude that although microarray technology may represent a powerful tool in generating new hypothesis in complex fields, it may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Johanne Holm
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Toft
authors.forename: Ingrid Alsos
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Lian
authors.forename: Adi Laurentiu
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Tarca
authors.forename: Offer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erez
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Espinoza
authors.forename: Irina Poliakova
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Eide
authors.forename: Line
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bjørge
authors.forename: Sorin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Draghici
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Rigmor
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Austgulen
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000071063:Endoglin; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000235:genetics*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000235:genetics*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; C501162:FLT1 protein, human; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1