Gene expression patterns of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) in human placenta from pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we describe changes in gene expression pattern of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A in human placenta obtained from pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction using placenta from normal pregnancies as control.


METHODS
We compared gene expression of VEGF-A in placental samples from Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies versus placenta obtained from normal pregnancies. Among potential confounders, important clinical informations were also analyzed.


RESULTS
In the IUGR group, the VEGF-A gene was overexpressed compared to the normal pregnancy group (Ln 2(α)β-actin: 1.32; Ln 2(α)GADPH: 1.56). There was no correlation between the degree of growth restriction and VEGF-A gene expression (Ln 2(α)(0-5)percentile: 0.58; Ln 2(α)(5-10)percentile: 0.64). Within the IUGR group, there was a trend toward a positive correlation between placental VEGF-A gene activity and gestational age at delivery (Ln 2(α)< 33 weeks: 1.09; Ln 2(α)33-37 weeks: 1.27; Ln 2(α)> 37 weeks: 1.35).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that the increase in placental expression of the VEGF-A gene and the resultant stimulation of angiogenesis are a response to hypoxic environment developing in the placental tissue in IUGR. Thus, it appears to be a secondary event rather than a primary factor in the development of IUGR There is a trend toward a positive correlation between gestational age and placental VEGF-A gene activity.
Praxis für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe und allgemeine Medizin, Wehingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Imre
I
Szentpéteri
Attila
A
Rab
László
L
Kornya
Péter
P
Kovács
József Gábor
JG
Joó
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000235:genetics; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology
C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A