title: Maternal growth factor regulation of human placental development and fetal growth.
abstract: Normal development and function of the placenta is critical to achieving a successful pregnancy, as normal fetal growth depends directly on the transfer of nutrients from mother to fetus via this organ. Recently, it has become apparent from both animal and human studies that growth factors within the maternal circulation, for example the IGFs, are important regulators of placental development and function. Although these factors act via distinct receptors to exert their effects, the downstream molecules activated upon ligand/receptor interaction are common to many growth factors. The expression of numerous signaling molecules is altered in the placentas from pregnancies affected by the fetal growth complications, fetal growth restriction, and macrosomia. Thus, targeting these molecules may lead to more effective treatments for complications of pregnancy associated with altered placental development. Here, we review the maternal growth factors required for placental development and discuss their mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Westwood
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D010929:Placentation / Q000502:physiology*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000502:physiology; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D013002:Somatomedins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases