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Profiling Gene Expression in Human Placentae of Different Gestational Ages: An OPRU Network and UW SCOR Study

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Abstract

We used the whole-genome approach to identify major functional categories of genes whose expression depends on gestational age. Using microarray analysis, we compared gene expression profiles in the villous tissues of first (45–59 days) and second trimester (109–115 days) placentae with C-section term placentae. We found that in first trimester placentae, genes related to cell cycle, DNA, amino acids, and carbohydrate metabolism were significantly overrepresented, while genes related to signal transduction were underrepresented. Among genes involved in organism defense, we identified genes involved in chemical response, metabolism, and transport. Analysis of signal transduction pathways suggested, and subsequently confirmed independently, that the Wnt pathway was changed with gestational age leading to inhibition of β-catenin protein expression. Our study will serve as a reference database to gain insight into the regulation of gene expression in the developing placentae and to compare with gene expression in placentae from complicated pregnancies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pharmaceutics, Box 357610, 98195, Seattle, WA, United States

    Andrei M. Mikheev PhD, Tomohiro Nabekura PhD, Amal Kaddoumi PhD, Rajgopal Govindarajan PhD & Jashvant D. Unadkat PhD

  2. Departments of Pharmacy, Box 357610, 98195, Seattle, WA, United States

    Mary F. Hebert PharmD

  3. Departments of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Box 357610, 98195, Seattle, WA, United States

    Theo K. Bammler PhD

Authors
  1. Andrei M. Mikheev PhD
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  2. Tomohiro Nabekura PhD
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  3. Amal Kaddoumi PhD
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  4. Theo K. Bammler PhD
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  5. Rajgopal Govindarajan PhD
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  6. Mary F. Hebert PharmD
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  7. Jashvant D. Unadkat PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jashvant D. Unadkat PhD.

Additional information

Obstetrics-Fetal Pharmacology Research Unit

University of Washington Specialized Center of Research

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Mikheev, A.M., Nabekura, T., Kaddoumi, A. et al. Profiling Gene Expression in Human Placentae of Different Gestational Ages: An OPRU Network and UW SCOR Study. Reprod. Sci. 15, 866–877 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719108322425

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719108322425

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