title: Placental gene expression of the placental growth factor (PlGF) in intrauterine growth restriction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We analyzed changes in gene expression of placental growth factor (PIGF) in human placental samples obtained postpartum from pregnancies with IUGR.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a twelve-month study period representing the calendar year of 2012 placental samples from 101 pregnancies with IUGR and from 140 normal pregnancies were obtained for analysis of a potential difference in PIGF gene expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in gene activity of the PIGF gene between the IUGR versus normal pregnancy groups (Ln2α: 0.92; p < 0.06). Within the IUGR group, no fetal gender-dependent differences were seen in placental PIGF gene expression (Ln2α: 0.72; p = 0.05). Placental PIGF gene activity was significantly lower in fetuses with more severe IUGR versus less severe cases (Ln2α: -1.49; p < 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no difference in gene expression of PIGF in placental samples obtained from IUGR pregnancies versus normal pregnancy suggesting the absence of a direct role of PIGF gene activity in the development of defective angiogenesis in IUGR during the later stages of gestation. However, in more severe cases of intrauterine growth restriction PIGF expression does show a significant decrease indicating its potential role in the profound defect in angiogenesis in these cases.
authors.affiliation: a First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University , Budapest , Hungary.
authors.forename: József Gábor
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Joó
authors.affiliation: b Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University , Budapest , Hungary , and.
authors.forename: János
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rigó
authors.affiliation: b Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University , Budapest , Hungary , and.
authors.forename: Balázs
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Börzsönyi
authors.affiliation: b Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University , Budapest , Hungary , and.
authors.forename: Csaba
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Demendi
authors.affiliation: c Szent István and Szent László Hospitals Budapest , Budapest , Hungary.
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kornya
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor
keywords: PIGF; gene expression; intrauterine growth restriction; placenta; placental growth factor