Document Detail


Human placenta and fetal membranes express follistatin-related gene mRNA and protein.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  14594115     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Activin A is a placental glycoprotein and possible biological actions during pregnancy, suggested by experimental data, are the modulation of cytotrophoblast differentiation, placental hormonogenesis and uterotonins secretion. Follistatin-related gene (FLRG) is a 70 amino acids protein which binds activin A with high affinity, and which modulates its biological effects on target tissues by preventing the activin A interaction with its receptors. The present study investigated whether trophoblast, decidua and fetal membranes express FLRG mRNA (by RT-PCR) and peptide (by immunohistochemistry). Tissue specimens were collected at first and third trimester of pregnancy, from patients undergoing voluntary pregnancy interruption (no.=6; from 8 to 12 gestational weeks) and elective caesarean section at term (no.=6; 39-40 weeks of pregnancy). FLRG mRNA was expressed by the various gestational tissues both at early gestation and at term pregnancy. Immunoreactive protein was found in the trophoblast cells, epithelial amniotic and chorionic cells and maternal decidua; nevertheless, the most intense FLRG stain was detected in the walls of decidual and placental blood vessels. In conclusion, FLRG mRNA and peptide are expressed by placenta and fetal membranes. Its different immunolocalization with respect to follistatin and activin A supports a different role for FLRG in modulating activin A actions into gestational tissues.
Authors:
P Ciarmela; P Florio; P Toti; A Franchini; V Maguer-Satta; C Ginanneschi; E Ottaviani; F Petraglia
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of endocrinological investigation     Volume:  26     ISSN:  0391-4097     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Endocrinol. Invest.     Publication Date:  2003 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-11-03     Completed Date:  2004-06-08     Revised Date:  2005-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7806594     Medline TA:  J Endocrinol Invest     Country:  Italy    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  641-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Italy.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Chorionic Villi / metabolism
Decidua / metabolism
Extraembryonic Membranes / metabolism*
Female
Follistatin-Related Proteins / biosynthesis*,  genetics*
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Placenta / metabolism*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis*
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Trophoblasts / metabolism
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Follistatin-Related Proteins; 0/RNA, Messenger

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