title: Placental gene transfer: transgene screening in mice for trophic effects on the placenta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We hypothesized that gene transfer of select growth factors to the placenta may enhance placental and fetal growth. Thus, we examined the effect of 8 growth factor transgenes on murine placenta.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adenoviral-mediated site-specific intraplacental gene transfer of 8 different growth factor transgenes at embryonic day (e) 14 was performed. Transgenes included angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), placenta growth hormone, platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B), and vascular endothelial growth factor(121). Fetuses and placentas were harvested at e17 and assessed for survival, gene transfer efficiency, placenta area, and fetal and placental weights.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Efficient gene transfer to the placenta was detected with minimal dissemination to the fetus. Overexpression of IGF-1, PDGF-B, and Ang-2 resulted in an increase in placenta cross-sectional area. Only Ang-2 gene transfer resulted in increased fetal weight, and only Ang-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor resulted in a change in placental weight.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Site-specific placental gene transfer results in efficient gene transfer with minimal dissemination to the fetus. Adenoviral-mediated IGF-1, adenoviral-mediated PDGF-B, and adenoviral-mediated Ang-2 significantly increase placenta growth.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Fetal Therapy, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Anna B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Sundeep G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Keswani
authors.forename: Mounira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Habli
authors.forename: Foong Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Philip W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Zoltick
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Midrio
authors.forename: Elliot D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Kozin
authors.forename: Meenhard
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herlyn
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Crombleholme
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010920:Placenta; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins