title: Prokineticin-1: a novel mediator of the inflammatory response in third-trimester human placenta.
abstract: Prokineticin-1 (PK1) is a recently described protein with a wide range of functions, including tissue-specific angiogenesis, modulation of inflammatory responses, and regulation of hemopoiesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the localization and expression of PK1 and PK receptor-1 (PKR1), their signaling pathways, and the effect of PK1 on expression of the inflammatory mediators cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and IL-8 in third-trimester placenta. PK1 and PKR1 were highly expressed in term placenta and immunolocalized to syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, fetal endothelium, and macrophages. PK1 induced a time-dependent increase in expression of IL-8 and COX-2, which was significantly reduced by inhibitors of Gq, cSrc, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and MAPK kinase. Treatment of third-trimester placenta with 40 nm PK1 induced a rapid phosphorylation of cSrc, EGFR, and ERK1/2. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in response to PK1 was dependent on sequential phosphorylation of cSrc and EGFR. Using double-immunofluorescent immunohistochemistry, PKR1 colocalized with IL-8 and COX-2 in placenta. These data suggest that PK1 may have a novel role as a mediator of the inflammatory response in placenta.
authors: Department of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Centre for Reproductive Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors: Fiona C
authors: FC
authors: Denison
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Battersby
authors: Anne E
authors: AE
authors: King
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Szuber
authors: Henry N
authors: HN
authors: Jabbour
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D007633:Keratins / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D042662:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D016209:Interleukin-8; D007633:Keratins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D042662:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Endocrine-Gland-Derived; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C470837:PROKR1 protein, human; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human