Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Placenta Growth Factor in Human Placenta1

Abstract

Normal development and function of the placenta requires invasion of the maternal decidua by trophoblasts, followed by abundant and organized vascular growth. Little is known of the significance and function of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, which includes VEGF, VEGF-B, and VEGF-C, and of placenta growth factor (PIGF) in these processes. In this study we have analyzed the expression of VEGF and PIGF mRNAs and their protein products in placental tissue obtained from noncomplicated pregnancies. Expression of VEGF and PIGF mRNA was observed by in situ hybridization in the chorionic mesenchyme and villous trophoblasts, respectively. Immunostaining localized the VEGF and PIGF proteins in the vascular endothelium, which was defined by staining for von Willebrand factor and for the Tie receptor tyrosine kinase, an early endothelial cell marker. VEGF-B and VEGF-C mRNAs were strongly expressed in human placenta as evidenced by Northern blot analysis. These data imply that VEGF and PIGF are produced by different cells but that both target the endothelial cells of normal human term placenta.

Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes Decreases Placenta Growth Factor (PIGF) Levels in Rat Placenta

“…PlGF mRNA was expressed in the trophoblast cells and its levels significantly increased as gestation advanced [7]. Vuorela et al [23] has showed that PlGF was expressed in the trophoblast cells of the human placenta, while this study focused on the expression of PlGF in placenta tissue of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat, where this study showed significant decreases in the expression levels of PlGF mRNA and protein.…”

“…It is well accepted that the angiogenic growth factors VEGF and PlGF exist in placenta and act as important factors for placental development and fetal growth [8,23]. PlGF is abundantly expressed in the trophoblast cells of pla- centa [4,13,23]. We previously reported the expression and distribution of PlGF mRNA in the rat placenta at various gestational phases [7].…”

The influence of adiponectin on the transcriptomic profile of porcine luteal cells

“…The main source of PGF during pregnancy is the placental trophoblast. It stimulates the proliferation, migration, and activation of endothelial cells (Vuorela et al 1997;Maglione et al 1991). Adiponectin is also reported to have angiogenic activity (Ouchi et al 2004) and therefore could be essential in the establishment of the vascular system in the ovary and potentially in the developing placenta, presumably by the stimulation of angiogenic factors, such as PGF.…”

Reproductive Performance in Diabetes Mice with a Special Reference to Uterine Natural Killer Cells and Placental Growth Factor

“…In addition, the uNK cells can produce several cytokines and growth factors including placental growth factor (PlGF) [5,15]. PlGF is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [2,5], having crucial roles not only in the differentiation and migration of both endothelial and trophoblast cells [16], but also in placental growth [4,25] and fetal development during mid-late pregnancy [3]. However, it is not known whether diabetes may affect or alter the role and function of uNK cells at the feto-maternal interface.…”

“…Prominent production of PlGF by trophoblast and the presence of Flt-1 receptors on trophoblast suggest that PlGF may act in an autocrine manner to modulate the trophoblast differentiation [23]. The uNK cells can also produce PlGF [3,4,24,25], suggesting that uNK cells may support the differentiation of endothelial cells together with VEGF. The present study also showed that PlGF protein did not change under diabetes condition, although PlGF mRNA expression was decreased.…”