Gene expression in first trimester preeclampsia placenta.
BACKGROUND
The goal of this study was to further validate eight candidate genes identified in a microarray analysis of first trimester placentas in preeclampsia.


METHODS
Surplus chorionic villus sampling (CVS) specimens of 4 women subsequently diagnosed with preeclampsia (PE) and 8 control women (C) without preeclampsia analyzed previously by microarray and 24 independent additional control samples (AS) were submitted for confirmatory studies by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).


RESULTS
Downregulation was significant in FSTL3 in PE as compared to C and AS (p = .04). PAEP was downregulated, but the difference was only significant between C and AS (p = .002) rather than between PE and either of the control groups. Expression levels for CFH, EPAS1, IGFBP1, MMP12, and SEMA3C were not statistically different among groups, but trends were consistent with microarray results; there was no anti-correlation. S100A8 was not measurable in all samples, probably because different probes and primers were needed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study corroborates reduced FSTL3 expression in the first trimester of preeclampsia. Nonsignificant trends in the other genes may require follow-up in studies powered for medium or medium/large effect sizes. qRT-PCR verification of the prior microarray of CVS may support the placental origins of preeclampsia hypothesis. Replication is needed for the candidate genes as potential biomarkers of susceptibility, early detection, and/or individualized care of maternal-infant preeclampsia.
Department of Health Promotion and Development, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. foundss@pitt.edu
Sandra A
SA
Founds
Lauren A
LA
Terhorst
Kirk P
KP
Conrad
W Allen
WA
Hogge
Arun
A
Jeyabalan
Yvette P
YP
Conley
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction