Placental IGF-I, Estrogen Receptor, and Progesterone Receptor Expression, and Maternal Anthropometry in Growth-Restricted Pregnancies in the Swedish Population

Abstract

Background/Aims: Fetal growth restriction is a complex problem of pregnancy arising from multiple etiologies. Key regulatory elements of growth are the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, and estrogen and progesterone receptors. The aims were to determine the relations of expression of IGF-I, estrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ, respectively), and progesterone receptor (PR), with maternal anthropometry, focusing on birth weight outcomes. Methods: Placental samples were obtained from 33 patients following delivery. mRNA expression was determined by a solution hybridization technique. Samples were divided into normal control (NC) and growth-restricted (GR) groups. Results: IGF-I expression was lower in the GR as compared to the NC group. PR levels correlated positively with IGF-I expression, infant anthropometry, and gestational age (GR). ERα correlated positively with PR expression (NC), and maternal BMI at delivery (GR). ERβ correlated positively with maternal delivery weight and gestational age (NC). Conclusion: The differences in placental expression of IGF-I emphasize its key role in birth weight outcomes. We further suggest the importance of PR expression in the pathogenesis of intrauterine growth restriction, as there were direct correlations of PR expression with both IGF-I expression and infant anthropometric parameters, as well as gestational age.

Placental Apoptosis in Small for Gestational Age Babies: A Comparison between Swedish and Pakistani Populations

“…P53 may thus act as an intrinsic initiator of apoptosis in higher risk pregnancies. We did not, however, find any p53 positive cells in our subgroups, suggesting that the placental activation of apoptosis is principally regulated through the extrinsic pathway, possibly through decreased expression of growth promoting factors, as has previously been described by us [11,21].…”

“…Twelve Swedish samples (7 growth restricted, and 5 normal controls/appropriate for gestational age, AGA), and 24 Pakistani samples (12 growth restricted, and 12 normal controls/AGA), were included for further analysis, as described below. Population demographics are as previously described [11,12]. Infant and maternal height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) at delivery were measured.…”

“…The study group consisted of samples from both the Swedish and Pakistani populations, as previously described [11]. In total, 24 Pakistani samples and 12 Swedish samples were included in the study ( Table 1).…”

Expression of Estrogen Receptors in Placentas Originating from Premature Deliveries Induced by Arterial Hypertension

“…However, our observation pertained the central portion of placenta. Akram et al [27] suggest the possible roles of ER and PR expression in the pathogenesis of both fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia, with lower levels contributing to higher likelihoods of disease outcome. ER- is known to play a significant role in proliferation processes.…”

Estrogen receptors (review). Part 2.

“…Кроме этого, эстромедины активируют паракринные факторы роста, а именно IGF-1, дополнительно способствующие росту. Шведские исследователи установили, что более низкие уровни РЭα и РЭβ (наряду с рецепторами прогестерона) в плаценте являются факторами, способствующими развитию осложнений беременности в виде задержки внутриутробного роста и развития плода [2]. Изменения уровней рецепторов стероидных гормонов при задержке роста и преэклампсии позволяют предположить их роль в патогенезе этих клинических проблем.…”