title: Differential placental methylation and expression of VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR genes in human term and preterm preeclampsia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication of placental origin is associated with altered expression of angiogenic factors and their receptors. Recently, there is considerable interest in understanding the role of adverse intrauterine conditions in placental dysfunction and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Since we have observed changes in placental global DNA methylation levels in preeclampsia, this study was undertaken to examine gene promoter CpG methylation and expression of several angiogenic genes.We recruited 139 women comprising, 46 normotensive women with term delivery (≥37 weeks), 45 women with preeclampsia delivering preterm (<37 weeks) and 48 women with preeclampsia delivering at term. Expression levels and promoter CpG methylation of VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR genes in placentae from respective groups were determined by Taqman-based quantitative real time PCR and by the Sequenom® EpiTYPER™ technology respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed several differentially methylated CpG sites in the promoter regions of VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR between the normotensive and preeclampsia groups. We specifically observed hypomethylated CpGs in the promoter region and an increased expression of VEGF gene between term and preterm preeclampsia. However, mean promoter CpG methylation could not account for the higher expression of FLT-1 and KDR in preterm preeclampsia as compared to normotensive group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicates altered DNA methylation patterns in the VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR genes in preeclampsia as compared to the normotensive group, which could be involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Hypomethylation of VEGF promoter and consequent upregulation of VEGF mRNA levels could be a compensatory mechanism to restore normal angiogenesis and blood flow in preterm preeclampsia. This study suggests a role of altered DNA methylation in placental angiogenesis and in determining adverse pregnancy outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, 411043, India.
authors.forename: Deepali P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Sundrani
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Hyderabad, 500007, India.
authors.forename: Umakar S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, 411043, India.
authors.forename: Asmita A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bharati Medical College and Hospital, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, 411043, India.
authors.forename: Savita S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mehendale
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, 411043, India.
authors.forename: Preeti M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Chavan-Gautam
authors.affiliation: Diabetes and Islet-biology Group, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
authors.forename: Anandwardhan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Hardikar
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Hyderabad, 500007, India.
authors.forename: Giriraj R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Chandak
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, 411043, India.
authors.forename: Sadhana R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Joshi