Adiponectin induced placental cell apoptosis could be mediated via the ADIPOR1-receptor in pre-eclampsia with IUGR.
OBJECTIVE
Adiponectin and leptin are members of the adipocytokine family. Adiponectin promotes and leptin inhibits apoptosis and both are regulators of angiogenesis. Adipocytokines and their receptors are expressed in the placenta, and in the pre-eclamptic (PE) mother the serum levels of both are higher than in healthy ones. Our aim was to study the expression of adiponectin, leptin, their receptor genes and apoptosis in severely PE and normal placentas.


METHODS
The study group comprised 13 PE mothers and their 16 healthy controls. Placental biopsies were taken during cesarean section, the RNA was extracted and micro-array study was performed, followed by PCR and apoptosis studies.


RESULTS
The placental expression level of the leptin and adiponectin receptor 1 genes was significantly higher in PE mothers than in controls. No significant changes were observed in the levels of the adiponectin, adiponectin receptor 2 and Leptin receptor genes. The expression of the Adiponectin gene was low. The rate of apoptosis was higher in the PE placentas.


CONCLUSIONS
The activity of placental adipocytokines and their receptor genes in severe PE may suggest an important role in placental angiogenesis. Placental apoptosis induced by adiponectin could be mediated via the ADIPOR1-receptor.
Jarvenpaa
Jouko
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Finland. jouko.jarvenpaa@ppshp.fi
Vuoristo
Jussi T
JT
Santaniemi
Merja
M
Ukkola
Olavi
O
Savolainen
Eeva-Riitta
ER
Jääskeläinen
Minna
M
Tapanainen
Juha S
JS
Kesäniemi
Antero
A
Ryynanen
Markku
M
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D054419:Receptors, Adiponectin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; C475418:ADIPOR1 protein, human; C475420:ADIPOR2 protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D020738:Leptin; D054419:Receptors, Adiponectin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin