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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Placental fibroblast growth factor 21 is not altered in late-onset preeclampsia

Authors: Marloes Dekker Nitert, Katherin Scholz-Romero, Marta H Kubala, H David McIntyre, Leonie K Callaway, Helen L Barrett

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with alterations of placental function. The incidence of PE is higher in insulin resistant states. Women with PE have high circulating levels of the metabolic regulator fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). FGF21 is synthesized in the placenta. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of FGF21, its receptors, downstream targets and transcriptional regulators in placental tissue from pregnancies with and without late-onset PE. Circulating FGF21 in maternal and cord blood was also studied.

Methods

mRNA expression was determined by semi-quantitative real-time PCR and normalized for cellular composition in 17 women with and 20 without PE. Protein expression was quantified by Western Blot. FGF21 levels were measured by ELISA in maternal and cord serum of ten mother-baby dyads per condition.

Results

Placental FGF21 mRNA and protein expression were similar in PE compared with control. Placental mRNA expression of the FGF receptors (1–4) and the co-receptor beta-Klotho was not different between the groups. There was no difference in the expression of the glucose transporters GLUT1, 3 or 4. PPAR-alpha but not PPAR-gamma expression was decreased in PE. Maternal FGF21 serum levels were not significantly different in PE. FGF21 was detected in cord blood of 6 infants (4 PE, 2 controls) but was undetectable in 14 infants.

Conclusions

Late-onset PE is not associated with major changes to the expression of FGF21, its receptors or metabolic targets.
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Metadata
Title
Placental fibroblast growth factor 21 is not altered in late-onset preeclampsia
Authors
Marloes Dekker Nitert
Katherin Scholz-Romero
Marta H Kubala
H David McIntyre
Leonie K Callaway
Helen L Barrett
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-015-0006-3

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