title: Effect of corticosteroids and progesterone on adrenomedullin output and expression in human fetal membranes and placenta trophoblasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Plasma adrenomedullin (AM) concentrations are increased in fetal and maternal circulation in response to exogenous glucocorticoids administration. The role of corticosteroids and progesterone in regulating AM synthesis and secretion was investigated in amnion and chorion trophoblast cells of the fetal membranes and in placental trophoblast cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cells were treated with betamethasone, hydrocortisone, and progesterone. Changes in AM output were measured with radioimmunoassay. Protein expression was evaluated with Western blot and immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Betamethasone stimulated AM secretion and protein expression in placental trophoblast cells and in amnion cells of the fetal membranes. Hydrocortisone and progesterone did not induce any effect either on secretion or protein expression in placenta and fetal membranes cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Glucocorticoids regulate AM secretion and expression by human placenta thereby promoting increased AM concentration in maternal and fetal circulation in circumstances characterized by increased cortisol levels.
authors.affiliation: Center for Scientific Research, San Pietro Hospital, Fatebenefratelli, Via Nomentana 261, 00161 Rome, Italy. emanuelamarinoni@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marinoni
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sambuchini
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pacioni
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscarini
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Letizia
authors.forename: Romolo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Iorio
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D053607:Adrenomedullin; D011374:Progesterone; D001623:Betamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone