Increased placental XIAP and caspase 3 is associated with increased placental apoptosis in a baboon model of maternal nutrient reduction.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to determine signaling molecules and apoptosis rate in the term placenta of a baboon model of maternal nutrient reduction (MNR).


METHODS
Female baboons were fed ad libitum for controls (n = 7) or 70% of control baboon diet (MNR; n = 6) from 30-165 days of gestation with necropsy at 165 days of gestation. Placental tissues were collected and fixed for immunohistochemistry or snap frozen to measure extracellular signal-regulated kinases, protein kinase B, JUN NH(2)-terminal kinase, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, and caspase 3. Placental villous apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick-end labeling and cytokeratin 18 cleavage.


RESULTS
Compared with the control placentas, MNR placentas demonstrated reduced placental weight (P < .02), decreased phospho (p)-ERK (P < .04), increased placental villous apoptosis (P < .001), increased villous cytokeratin 18 cleavage, increased X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (P < .007), and increased active caspase 3 (P < .02).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that placental apoptosis is increased in this baboon model of MNR at term and that the increase in X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein may be a protective mechanism against this apoptosis.
Arroyo
Juan A
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA. juan.arroyo@ucdenver.edu
Li
Cun
C
Schlabritz-Loutsevitch
Natalia
N
McDonald
Tom
T
Nathanielsz
Peter
P
Galan
Henry L
HL
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053538:Keratin-18 / Q000378:metabolism; D023421:Models, Animal; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009929:Organ Size; D010215:Papio; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
D053538:Keratin-18; D051636:X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D053148:Caspase 3