title: Expressions of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 in placentae from GDM pregnancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy, and has important health implications for mother and child. Changes in the fetoplacental vessels may predict those in the vasculature of the developing fetus, as these have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human GDM. This study aimed to determine the differences in the localization and expression level of VEGFA and VEGFR2 between placentas of women with GDM and placentas of normal pregnancies, which is the first step in elucidating the possible roles of VEGFA and VEGFR2 in the altered uteroplacental function resulting from maternal hyperglycaemia and ultimately in the manifestation of GDM.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expressions of VEGFA and VEGFR2 mRNA and protein in 20 samples from each group were analyzed by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The placental blood barrier and angiogenesis were observed by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in10 GDM samples and ten controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression levels of VEGFA and VEGFR2 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in the GDM group (P < 0.05 or 0.01). Immunohistochemical analysis showed the reduced expression of VEGFA and VEGFR2 protein in GDM-affected placental tissues, and the degenerative alterations of the terminal villi vascular.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expressions of VEGFA and VEGFR-2 mRNAs and protein were reduced in GDM-affected placental tissues, suggesting that maternal GDM affects the pathophysiological function of placentas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Lianyungang Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Lianyungang, China.|The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Lianyungang Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Xiucui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Lianyungang Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Yingping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Lianyungang Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Lianyungang, China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, 277 Fenghuang Xijie, Nanjing, 210036, China. 1325825613@qq.com.
authors.forename: Haoqin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China. cuiygnj@njmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yugui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C000588866:KDR protein, human; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
keywords: Fetal development; GDM; Placenta; Receptors; Vascular endothelial growth factor