scholarly journals Activin A and activin receptors in gestational tissue from preeclamptic pregnancies

2001 ◽  
Vol 171 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
U Manuelpillai ◽  
M Schneider-Kolsky ◽  
A Dole ◽  
EM Wallace

Maternal serum activin A levels are elevated in women with preeclampsia. To explore whether this could be due, at least in part, to increased production by the gestational tissues, we have measured activin A in the serum of women with (n=23) or without preeclampsia (n=62) at 29-40 weeks of gestation and in placenta and fetal membranes from preterm preeclamptic (PT-PE, n=8), term preeclamptic (T-PE, n=10) and healthy term controls (T-C, n=10). We have also explored if there are associated changes in activin receptor Alk2, ActRII and ActRIIB in these tissues. The relative amounts of receptor proteins were measured by densitometry on Western blots and receptors and activin beta(A) subunit localised by immunohistochemistry in PT-PE, T-PE and T-C gestational tissues (n=8-10/group). Maternal serum activin A levels were significantly elevated in women with preeclampsia (multiples of the normal median (MoM)=3.5, P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test) compared with healthy women (median MoM=1.0). Compared with control tissues, the activin A content was significantly higher in preeclamptic placentae (P=0.001 and P=0.0005 for PT-PE and T-PE respectively, Mann-Whitney U test), but significantly lower in the amnion (P=0.005 and P=0.014 for PT-PE and T-PE respectively) and choriodecidua (P=0.009 for T-PE). The maternal serum activin A level in women with preeclampsia was significantly correlated with elevated placental production (P=0.01, Pearson's correlation). Receptor Alk2 protein levels were significantly elevated in T-PE placentae (P=0.0006, Mann-Whitney U test), ActRIIB levels were significantly lower in PT-PE placentae (P=0.01) and ActRII levels were significantly lower in PT-PE choriodecidua (P=0.0002) compared with controls. There were no apparent differences in the distribution of the beta(A) subunit and receptors Alk2, ActRII and ActRIIB between control and preeclamptic tissues. These findings suggest that elevated levels of activin A in the maternal circulation in association with preeclampsia are due, at least in part, to increased placental production, and that the regulation of activin synthesis in placenta and fetal membranes is differentially regulated. Further, the differences in activin receptor protein levels between preeclamptic and control placenta and choriodecidua suggest that activin A-induced regulation may be altered in preeclampsia.

2000 ◽  
Vol 165 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
WJ McLaren ◽  
IR Young ◽  
GE Rice

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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Bassem Refaat ◽  
Adel Galal El-Shemi ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Ashshi ◽  
Elaf Wael Mahamid ◽  
Noha Mohammed Al-Qadi

Aims. To measure the expression of activinβA-subunit, activin IIA and IIB receptors, Smad4, Smad7, and follistatin in the liver and the liver and serum concentrations of mature activin-A and follistatin in normal rat following treatment with pegylated interferon-α(Peg-INF-α) and ribavirin (RBV).Materials and Methods. 40 male Wistar rats were divided equally into 4 groups: “control,” “Peg-only” receiving 4 injections of Peg-INF-α(6 µg/rat/week), “RBV-only” receiving ribavirin (4 mg/rat/day) orally, and “Peg & RBV” group receiving both drugs. The expression of candidate molecules in liver was measured by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. The concentrations of mature proteins in serum and liver homogenate samples were measured using ELISA.Results. Peg-INF-α  ± RBV altered the expression of all candidate molecules in the liver at the gene and protein levelsP<0.05and decreased activin-A and increased follistatin in serum and liver homogenates compared with the other groupsP<0.05. There were also significant correlations between serum and liver activin-A and follistatin.Conclusion. Peg-INF-αmodulates the hepatic production of activin-A and follistatin, which can be detected in serum. Further studies are needed to explore the role of Peg-INF-αon the production of activins and follistatin by the liver and immune cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramkumar Menon ◽  
Morgan R Peltier

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.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2639
Author(s):  
Frauke Stanke ◽  
Sabina Janciauskiene ◽  
Stephanie Tamm ◽  
Sabine Wrenger ◽  
Ellen Luise Raddatz ◽  
...  

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene is influenced by the fundamental cellular processes like epithelial differentiation/polarization, regeneration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Defects in CFTR protein levels and/or function lead to decreased airway surface liquid layer facilitating microbial colonization and inflammation. The SERPINA1 gene, encoding alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) protein, is one of the genes implicated in CF, however it remains unknown whether AAT has any influence on CFTR levels. In this study we assessed CFTR protein levels in primary human lung epithelial cells grown at the air-liquid-interface (ALI) alone or pre-incubated with AAT by Western blots and immunohistochemistry. Histological analysis of ALI inserts revealed CFTR- and AAT-positive cells but no AAT-CFTR co-localization. When 0.5 mg/mL of AAT was added to apical or basolateral compartments of pro-inflammatory activated ALI cultures, CFTR levels increased relative to activated ALIs. This finding suggests that AAT is CFTR-modulating protein, albeit its effects may depend on the concentration and the route of administration. Human lung epithelial ALI cultures provide a useful tool for studies in detail how AAT or other pharmaceuticals affect the levels and activity of CFTR.


2007 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 947-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Gyrup ◽  
Michael Christiansen ◽  
Claus Oxvig

Abstract Background: Maternal serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A, pappalysin-1, EC 3.4.24.79) are used to predict the occurrence of Down syndrome. In pregnancy, PAPP-A primarily circulates as a covalent 2:2 complex with the proform of eosinophil major basic protein (proMBP), which inhibits the proteolytic activity of PAPP-A. At term, however, ∼1% of PAPP-A exists as an active, uncomplexed dimer with proteolytic activity directed specifically toward insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-4 and IGFBP-5. No assays have been developed that allow quantification of PAPP-A proteolytic activity. Methods: We developed a sensitive and specific immunocapture assay for PAPP-A activity based on intramolecular quenched fluorescence. We used a 26-residue synthetic peptide derived from IGFBP-4 in which specific positions on each side of the PAPP-A cleavage site were substituted with 3-nitrotyrosine and o-aminobenzoic acid. Results: The assay detected the activity of recombinant PAPP-A as well as PAPP-A in serum samples from pregnant women. The limit of detection (mean signal of blank plus 3 SD) of the active PAPP-A subunit was 13 pmol/L, and the intra- and interassay CVs were &lt;10% and &lt;15%, respectively. Interestingly, the fraction of active PAPP-A decreased gradually from week 7 to week 19 of pregnancy. Conclusions: This method allows the measurement of PAPP-A enzymatic activity and because of its specificity it is relevant to the study of the biological function of PAPP-A. The method may also be useful in the diagnosis of pregnancy disorders.


2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (5) ◽  
pp. F522-F532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Vedovelli ◽  
John T. Rothermel ◽  
Karin E. Finberg ◽  
Carsten A. Wagner ◽  
Anie Azroyan ◽  
...  

Unlike human patients with mutations in the 56-kDa B1 subunit isoform of the vacuolar proton-pumping ATPase (V-ATPase), B1-deficient mice (Atp6v1b1−/−) do not develop metabolic acidosis under baseline conditions. This is due to the insertion of V-ATPases containing the alternative B2 subunit isoform into the apical membrane of renal medullary collecting duct intercalated cells (ICs). We previously reported that quantitative Western blots (WBs) from whole kidneys showed similar B2 protein levels in Atp6v1b1−/− and wild-type mice (Păunescu TG, Russo LM, Da Silva N, Kovacikova J, Mohebbi N, Van Hoek AN, McKee M, Wagner CA, Breton S, Brown D. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 293: F1915–F1926, 2007). However, WBs from renal medulla (including outer and inner medulla) membrane and cytosol fractions reveal a decrease in the levels of the ubiquitous V-ATPase E1 subunit. To compare V-ATPase expression specifically in ICs from wild-type and Atp6v1b1−/− mice, we crossed mice in which EGFP expression is driven by the B1 subunit promoter (EGFP-B1+/+ mice) with Atp6v1b1−/− mice to generate novel EGFP-B1−/− mice. We isolated pure IC populations by fluorescence-assisted cell sorting from EGFP-B1+/+ and EGFP-B1−/− mice to compare their V-ATPase subunit protein levels. We report that V-ATPase A, E1, and H subunits are all significantly downregulated in EGFP-B1−/− mice, while the B2 protein level is considerably increased in these animals. We conclude that under baseline conditions B2 upregulation compensates for the lack of B1 and is sufficient to maintain basal acid-base homeostasis, even when other V-ATPase subunits are downregulated.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeon Ho Yoo ◽  
Dae Won Kim ◽  
Bai Hui Chen ◽  
Hyejin Sim ◽  
Bora Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Aging is one of major causes triggering neurophysiological changes in many brain substructures, including the hippocampus, which has a major role in learning and memory. Thioredoxin (Trx) is a class of small redox proteins. Among the Trx family, Trx2 plays an important role in the regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential and is controlled by TrxR2. Hitherto, age-dependent alterations in Trx2 and TrxR2 in aged hippocampi have been poorly investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine changes in Trx2 and TrxR2 in mouse and rat hippocampi by age and to compare their differences between mice and rats. Results Trx2 and TrxR2 levels using Western blots in mice were the highest at young age and gradually reduced with time, showing that no significant differences in the levels were found between the two subfields. In rats, however, their expression levels were the lowest at young age and gradually increased with time. Nevertheless, there were no differences in cellular distribution and morphology in their hippocampi when it was observed by cresyl violet staining. In addition, both Trx2 and TrxR2 immunoreactivities in the CA1-3 fields were mainly shown in pyramidal cells (principal cells), showing that their immunoreactivities were altered like changes in their protein levels. Conclusions Our current findings suggest that Trx2 and TrxR2 expressions in the brain may be different according to brain regions, age and species. Therefore, further studies are needed to examine the reasons of the differences of Trx2 and TrxR2 expressions in the hippocampus between mice and rats.


Active immunity to Brucella abortus was induced in adult female rabbits. They were mated a week after the last injection of antigen and were killed and the yolk-sac contents of the embryos tested for agglutinins 8½ days after copulation. Specific agglutinins were found to be present in the yolk-sac contents in all cases. The titre varied significantly from embryo to embryo in the same litter, and was in some as high as that in the maternal serum at the time of killing. Passive immunity to Br. abortus was imparted to female rabbits 7 to 9 days pregnant by intravenous injection of immune serum of high titre. The rabbits were killed and the yolk-sac fluid of the embryos tested for agglutinins 10 to 17 hr. after injection. Specific agglutinins were present in most of the embryos from five of the six rabbits injected before 8 days post-coitum. All the embryos in the sixth rabbit were regressing. Specific agglutinins were not found in any of the embryos from two rabbits injected after 9 days post-coitum, by which time the yolk-sac fluid has ceased to increase in volume. Positive results were obtained both when rabbit and bovine immune sera were used. Active immunity to Br. abortus was induced in pregnant rabbits by injections beginning after the 15th day post-coitum. The serum of the newborn young, removed from their immune mothers before they had suckled, was tested and specific agglutinins were found to be present with a titre corresponding to that of the maternal serum. It was concluded that agglutinins, whether actively or passively acquired, pass freely from the maternal circulation into the yolk-sacs of 7- and 8-day rabbit embryos. This constitutes a delicate test of the passage of protein without alteration through the yolk-sac wall. The yolk-sac wall does not appear to be selective, since it is at least as permeable to foreign proteins as it is to those of maternal origin. Agglutinins pass from the maternal circulation into the embryo after the disappearance of the bilaminar wall of the yolk-sac also, either by way of the yolk-sac splanchnopleur or the allantochorionic placenta or both. The bearing of these results on current theories of placental permeability are discussed.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonny Rockette-Wagner ◽  
Claudia Holzman ◽  
Bertha L Bullen ◽  
Andrew D Althouse ◽  
Janet M Catov

Introduction: Elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) can be a marker of disease activity involving inflammation, such as pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Systemically high levels of CRP in women, including during pregnancy, may indicate higher risk for CVD. It is unknown if CRP measured during the pro-inflammatory state of pregnancy correlates with concentrations assessed 7-13 years after delivery. Hypothesis: Concentrations of CRP assessed during pregnancy will be related to CRP measured several years after pregnancy, independent of weight gain. Methods: We studied the first 252 women enrolled in the follow-up of the Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health Study (POUCHmoms 2011-2013) with complete CRP data for the pregnancy (mean gestational age: 22.36 [2.22] weeks) and POUCHmoms visits (mean follow-up: 10.76 [1.38] years). The relative risk for high hsCRP (≥ 3.39 μg/ml) at the follow-up visit, related to quartiles of CRP during pregnancy, was examined using stepwise regression models. Results: Median (IQR) levels of pregnancy CRP and hsCRP at the follow-up visit were 5.68 [3.08, 9.76] and 3.39 [0.69, 9.73] μg/ml, respectively. Although absolute values of hsCRP at follow-up were generally lower than pregnancy CRP, 56% of women in the top and bottom quartiles of pregnancy CRP (71 of 126) were in the same quartile for hsCRP at follow-up (figure). The relative risk of having high hsCRP (≥ 3.39 μg/ml) at follow-up ranged from 2.7-5.2 for the 2 nd - 4 th quartiles of pregnancy CRP (vs. the 1st quartile). Controlling for pre-pregnancy BMI and follow-up weight change, the relative risk of having high hsCRP at follow-up was significantly higher for the 2 nd (1.15 [1.02-1.30]),3 rd (1.19 [1.05-1.35), and 4 th (1.22 [1.05-1.41]) quartiles of pregnancy CRP. Conclusions: Pregnancy CRP levels are related to hsCRP levels several years later in this cohort of women, even after adjusting for pre-pregnancy BMI and follow-up weight change. CRP assessed in pregnancy may reflect inflammatory status later in life.


2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (6) ◽  
pp. R2048-R2058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abram M. Madiehe ◽  
Ling Lin ◽  
Christy White ◽  
H. Doug Braymer ◽  
George A. Bray ◽  
...  

Removal of adrenal steroids by adrenalectomy (ADX) slows or reverses the development of many forms of obesity in rodents, including those that are leptin or leptin receptor deficient. Obesity is associated with hyperleptinemia and leptin resistance. We hypothesized that glucocorticoids impair leptin receptor signaling and that removal thereof would activate the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway. The inhibitory effect of leptin (2.5 μg icv) on food intake was enhanced in ADX rats. A combination of ribonuclease protection assays, RT-PCR, Western blots, and mobility shift assays was used to evaluate the leptin signaling pathway in whole hypothalami from sham-operated, ADX and corticosterone-replaced ADX (ADX-R) Sprague-Dawley rats that were treated acutely with either saline vehicle or leptin intracerebroventricularly. ADX increased the expression of leptin receptor mRNA, increased STAT-3 mRNA and protein levels, induced constitutive STAT-3 phosphorylation and DNA binding activity, and also reduced suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) mRNA and protein levels. ADX and leptin treatment increased STAT-3 phosphorylation, but with no concomitant increase in DNA binding activity. Leptin and ADX decreased NPY mRNA expression, but their combination did not further decrease NPY mRNA. Corticosterone supplementation of ADX rats partially reversed many of these effects. In conclusion, ADX through activation of STAT-3 and inhibition of SOCS-3 activates the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. These effects most probably explain the ability to prevent the development of obesity by removal of adrenal steroids.


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