Labour-associated changes in adrenomedullin content in human placenta and fetal membranes

2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. AL-GHAFRA ◽  
N. M. GUDE ◽  
S. P. BRENNECKE ◽  
R. G. KING
Keyword(s):  
Human Placenta ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Fetal Membrane ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Tissue Extracts ◽  
Human Labour ◽  
Labour Group

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of labour and mode of delivery on human placental and fetal membrane content of adrenomedullin (AdM). Placentas and fetal membranes were collected either at term or pre-term gestation from women either in labour or not in labour, and AdM was measured in tissue extracts by specific RIA. There were significant increases in AdM concentrations in amnion and choriodecidua for the in-labour group compared with the not-in-labour group for both pre-term and term gestations. There was no difference in AdM concentration in placental tissue between labour groups. This study provides evidence that fetal membrane AdM is increased in amniotic and choriodecidual tissues in response to labour, and suggests that it may play a role during human labour.

Expression of adrenomedullin mRNA is altered with gestation and labour in human placenta and fetal membranes

2006 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfia Al-Ghafra ◽  
Shaun P. Brennecke ◽  
Roger G. King ◽  
Neil M. Gude
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Northern Blot Analysis ◽  
Fetal Membrane ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Tissue Extracts ◽  
Human Labour ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Labour Group

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether placental and fetal membrane AdM (adrenomedullin) mRNA expression changes with gestation and human labour, as we have previously found labour-associated changes in AdM content in fetal membranes [Al-Ghafra, Gude, Brennecke and King (2003) Clin. Sci. 105, 419–423]. Placentas and fetal membranes were collected either at term or pre-term from women either in-labour or not-in-labour, and AdM mRNA abundance was measured in tissue extracts by Northern blot analysis. Increases were found in the relative abundance of amniotic tissue AdM mRNA in both in-labour and not-in-labour groups at term compared with those at pre-term, and there were positive correlations with gestational age. Relative abundance of choriodecidual tissue AdM mRNA was also significantly elevated in the not-in-labour groups between pre-term and term tissues, although there was no significant correlation with gestational age. However, placental AdM mRNA expression was neither significantly increased at term (compared with pre-term) nor correlated with gestational age. In addition, there were significant increases in AdM mRNA in amnion and choriodecidua in the in-labour group compared with the not-in-labour group for both pre-term and term gestations. There was no difference in AdM mRNA in placental tissues between labour groups. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that AdM production by fetal membranes is increased in amniotic and choriodecidual tissues at term, compared with pre-term, and in response to labour.

scholarly journals Localisation and temporal changes in prostaglandin G/H synthase-1 and -2 content in ovine intrauterine tissues in relation to glucocorticoid-induced and spontaneous labour

2000 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
WJ McLaren ◽  
IR Young ◽  
GE Rice
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Tissue Extracts ◽  
Term Labour ◽  
Labour Onset

Parturition in the ewe is preceded by an increase in the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) by gestational tissues. To establish the uterine source of these PGs, placental cotyledons, fetal membranes and maternal uterine tissues were collected from ewes (n=6) at spontaneous parturition. Solubilised tissue extracts were prepared and analysed by Western blots using polyclonal antibodies to PG G/H synthase-1 and -2 (PGHS-1 and PGHS-2). PGHS-1 was expressed by all intrauterine tissues at term labour. Densitometric analysis of Western blot autoradiographs showed that the fetal membranes and maternal cervix contained the largest amounts of PGHS-1. PGHS-1 enzyme content of ovine amnion was significantly greater than that of either chorion or allantois (P<0.05). PGHS-1 protein content of myometrial, endometrial and cotyledonary tissue extracts was minimal. Formation of the PGHS-2 isozyme was confined to placental tissue at term labour. PGHS-2 protein levels in sheep placenta were significantly higher than those of PGHS-1 in all intrauterine tissues examined. This result supports the hypothesis that PGHS-2 is a major contributor to PG formation at term labour. To elucidate the developmental changes in PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 relative to labour onset, an experimental paradigm of glucocorticoid-induced delivery was used. Previous characterisation and validation of this labour model demonstrated that direct, transabdominal, intrafetal injection of the synthetic glucocorticoid betamethasone (5.7 mg in 1 ml aqueous vehicle) on day 131 of gestation induced labour onset in 56.6+/-0.8 h (mean+/-s.e.m.). As the latent period to induced-labour was known, the time course of enzyme formation could be ascertained. Sheep (n=20) were killed by barbiturate injection at various time intervals post-injection (0, 14, 28, 42 and 56 h). Tissue extracts collected at post-mortem examination were prepared and analysed by Western blots. PGHS-2 was induced in ovine cotyledon in a time-dependent fashion following glucocorticoid injection (P<0.05). There was a 12-fold increase in abundance between the time of betamethasone administration (0 h) and established labour (56 h). The PGHS-2 isozyme was not detected in any of the other tissues examined. In contrast, formation of the PGHS-1 isozyme did not change in relation to induced-labour in any of the intrauterine tissues. This finding is consistent with constitutive formation of PGHS-1. Previous studies have demonstrated a rise in PG production in association with glucocorticoid-induced labour and spontaneous delivery. The results of the present study indicate that this rise in PG production is due to increased formation of the PGHS-2 isozyme in ovine cotyledon. PGHS-2 appears to be induced by exogenous glucocorticoid administration and/or the mechanisms controlling ovine parturition. The role of PG formation by the fetal membranes is yet to be elucidated.

Effect of spontaneous term labour on the expression of the NR4A receptors nuclear receptor related 1 protein (Nurr1), neuron-derived clone 77 (Nur77) and neuron-derived orphan receptor 1 (NOR1) in human fetal membranes and myometrium

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Lappas
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Muramyl Dipeptide ◽  
Orphan Receptor ◽  
Diaminopimelic Acid ◽  
Fetal Membrane ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Membrane Rupture ◽  
Human Labour ◽  
Term Labour ◽  
Bacterial Products

Inflammation has been implicated in the mechanisms responsible for human labour. Emerging evidence indicates that nuclear receptor subfamily 4A (NR4A) receptors regulate the transcription of genes involved in inflammation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of spontaneous term labour, Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-containing (NOD) ligands on the expression of nuclear receptor related 1 protein (Nurr1), neuron-derived clone 77 (Nur77) and neuron-derived orphan receptor 1 (NOR1) in human fetal membranes and myometrium. Human fetal membranes and myometrium were collected from term non-labouring women and women after spontaneous labour onset. Tissue explants were used to determine the effect of the bacterial products lipopolysaccharide (LPS; TLR4 ligand), flagellin (TLR5 ligand), fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide (FSL-1) (TLR2 ligand), γ-D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP) (NOD1 ligand) or minimal peptidoglycan muramyl dipeptide (MDP; NOD2 ligand) on Nurr1, Nur77 and NOR1 expression. Term labour was associated with significantly higher Nurr1 and Nur77, but not NOR1, expression in fetal membranes and myometrium. LPS and MDP increased Nurr1, Nur77 and NOR in fetal membranes; flagellin increased Nurr1 in fetal membranes and the myometrium, as well as NOR1 in the myometrium; and FSL-1 increased Nurr1 expression in fetal membranes. In summary, human labour and bacterial products increase Nurr1, Nur77 and/or NOR1 expression in human fetal membranes and myometrium. This increase in NR4A receptors may contribute to the expression of proinflammatory and pro-labour genes associated with fetal membrane rupture and myometrial contractions.

METABOLISM OF 17α-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE-4-14C-17α-CAPROATE BY HOMOGENATES OF RAT LIVER AND HUMAN PLACENTA

1961 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Wiener ◽  
Charles I. Lupa ◽  
E. Jürgen Plotz
Keyword(s):  
Rat Liver ◽  
Human Placenta ◽  
Steric Hindrance ◽  
Placental Tissue ◽  
Caproic Acid ◽  
Major Product ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Prolonged Action ◽  
Long Acting

ABSTRACT 17α-hydroxyprogesterone-4-14C-17α-caproate (HPC), a long-acting progestational agent, was incubated with homogenates of rat liver and human placenta. The rat liver was found to reduce Ring A of HPC under anaerobic conditions to form allopregnane-3β,17α-diol-20-one-17α-caproate and pregnane-3β,17α-diol-20-one-17α-caproate, the allopregnane isomer being the major product. The caproic acid ester was neither removed nor altered during the incubation. Placental tissue did not attack HPC under conditions where the 20-ketone of progesterone was reduced. It is postulated that this absence of attack on the side chain is due to steric hindrance from the caproate ester, and that this may account for the prolonged action of HPC.

scholarly journals Novel Insights into the Regulatory Role of Nuclear Factor (Erythroid-Derived 2)-Like 2 in Oxidative Stress and Inflammation of Human Fetal Membranes

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramkumar Menon ◽  
Morgan R Peltier
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Heme Oxygenase ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Fetal Membrane ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
Nrf2 Expression

Fetal membrane dysfunction in response to oxidative stress (OS) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is one of the regulators of innate OS response. This study evaluated changes in Nrf2 expression and its downstream targets heme oxygenase (HO-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in fetal membranes during OS and infection in vitro. Furthermore, we tested the roles of sulforaphane (SFN; an extract from cruciferous vegetables) and trigonelline (TRN; an aromatic compound in coffee) in regulating Nrf2 and its targets. Fetal membranes (n = 6) collected at term were placed in an organ explant system were treated with water-soluble cigarette smoke extract (CSE), an OS inducer (1:10), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/mL). Nrf2 expression, expression, its enhancement by sulforaphane (SFN, 10 µM/mL) and down regulation by TRN (10uM/mL) was determined by western blots. Expression of Nrf2 response elements PPARγ (western) heme oxygenase (HO-1), and IL-6 were quantified by ELISA. CSE and LPS treatment of fetal membranes increased nrf2, but reduced HO-1 and PPARγ and increased IL-6. Co-treatment of SFN, but not with TRN, with CSE and LPS increased Nrf2 substantially, as well as increased HO-1 and PPARγ and reduced IL-6 expression. Risk factor-induced Nrf2 increase is insufficient to generate an antioxidant response in fetal membranes. Sulforaphane may enhance innate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity by increasing NRF-2 expression.

Metallothionein-like proteins in human placenta and fetal membranes

1984 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Waalkes ◽  
Alan M. Poisner ◽  
Gary W. Wood ◽  
Curtis D. Klaassen
Keyword(s):  
Human Placenta ◽  
Fetal Membranes

125I-human epidermal growth factor specific binding to placentas and fetal membranes from various pregnancy states

1988 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen E. Hofmann ◽  
Ch. V. Rao ◽  
Fred R. Carman ◽  
Tariq A. Siddiqi
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Age ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Fetal Membrane ◽  
Fetal Membranes ◽  
Intrauterine Growth ◽  
Class A ◽  
Appropriate For Gestational Age ◽  
Epidermal Growth ◽  
Twin Pregnancies

Abstract. Specific binding of 125I-human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) to homogenates of term human placentas and fetal membranes from normal and appropriate for gestational age (N = 20), intrauterine growth retarded (N = 9), twin (N = 11), White class A/B diabetic (N = 12), and large for gestational age (N = 13) pregnancies was measured. In all pregnancy states, placentas bound approximately four times more 125I-hEGF than did fetal membranes (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in 125I-hEGF binding to fetal membranes from the various pregnancy states (P > 0.05). 125I-hEGF specific binding to placentas from intrauterine growth retarded or twin pregnancies was significantly greater compared with placentas from normal and appropriate for gestational age pregnancies (P < 0.05). The binding to placentas from pregnancies complicated by White class A/B diabetes or large for gestational age infants, on the other hand, was not significantly different from that to placentas from normal and appropriate for gestational age pregnancies. 125I-hEGF specific binding did not differ between placentas from intrauterine growth retarded or twin pregnancies (P > 0.05). Placental and fetal membrane 125I-hEGF binding did not vary with fetal sex, maternal race, placental weight, or gestational age between 37 to 42 weeks (P > 0.05). Placental but not fetal membrane 125I-hEGF binding increased with increasing infant weight when appropriate for gestational age and large for gestational age infants were included (P < 0.05, r = 0.38, N = 32) but not for intrauterine growth retarded, appropriate for gestational age, or large for gestational age infants alone.

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