Differential expression and activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human placenta and fetal membranes from pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction.
OBJECTIVE
To study the expression and the function of the 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme 1 (11beta-HSD1) and 2 (11beta-HSD2) in placenta and the fetal membranes from pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and from controls.


METHODS
Amnion, chorion, decidua and cotyledon were separated from placenta; mRNA was analyzed by TaqMan real-time technology and proteins by Western blot; enzyme activities were measured by the conversion of 3H-cortisol to 3H-cortisone and vice versa.


RESULTS
Predominant mRNA expression (p < 0.001) was found for 11beta-HSD1 in chorion and for 11beta-HSD2 in decidua and cotyledon. In pregnancies with IUGR, 11beta-HSD1 was upregulated in chorion (mean DeltaCt 11beta-HSD:18S mRNA 193.5 vs. 103.0 in controls respectively, p < 0.05) and 11beta-HSD2 was downregulated in decidua (mean DeltaCt 11beta-HSD2:18S mRNA 0.18 vs. 15.88 in controls respectively, p < 0.05). 11beta-HSD1 protein levels were reduced in amnion and 11beta-HSD1 and 11beta-HSD2 oxidase activity in decidua and cotyledon were reduced from pregnancies with IUGR.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced synthesis or activity of 11beta-HSD1 or 2 in cases of IUGR is shown in some but not in all tissues. The local mRNA expression of 11beta-HSD1 in chorion may reflect a mechanism on the post-transcriptional gene regulation to stimulate the formation of cortisone in IUGR. To provoke increasing activity with oxidase stimulators could be a future therapy in cases of IUGR.
Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Regula
R
Wächter
Lukas
L
Masarik
Marc
M
Bürzle
Ajit
A
Mallik
Ursula
U
von Mandach
D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000201:enzymology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042842:11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases