The relationship between circulating tissue transglutaminase, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, soluble endoglin and vascular endothelial growth factor in pre-eclampsia

IL-6 Polymorphism as a Predisposing Genetic Factor for Gestational Diabetes or Preeclampsia Development in Pregnancy with Obesity in Relation to VEGF and VEGFF Receptor Gene Expression Modalities

The increased prevalence of obesity worldwide has been implicated in the alarming rise of the incidence of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, which are both considered threatening conditions for both mother and fetus. We studied gene polymorphisms of the proinflammatory cytokine Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and the gene expression levels of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and VEGF-R (endothelial growth factor receptor), all known to be involved in pregnancy complications, aiming to identify possible predisposing risk factors in pregnancies with obesity. The G allele of IL-6 was found to correspond with an increased risk for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia occurrence. Furthermore, in obese pregnant mothers with either gestational diabetes or pre-existing type 2 diabetes and those who developed preeclampsia, it was confirmed that gene expression levels of VEGF were reduced while they were increased for VEGF receptors. We conclude that the genetic profile of an obese pregnant woman shares a common background with that of a patient with pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus, and therefore predisposes them to complications in pregnancy.

Soyghurt Potentially Controls the Level of sFlt1 and PLGF in Preeclampsia Maternal Serum-Induced Placental Trophoblast Cell in vitro

Purpose

To observe the effect of soya yoghurt (Soyghurt), which is high in flavonoid substance, on the expression of preeclampsia biomarkers (sFLT-1 and PLGF) on preeclampsia serum-induced trophoblast primary cell culture isolated from placental tissue.

Methods

The trophoblast primary culture was induced by preeclampsia serum (10%). The Soyghurt treatment was performed with 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% Soyghurt supernatant concentrations in culture media. The expression of preeclampsia markers, sFLT-1 and PLGF, were evaluated using ELISA.

Results

Expression of sFLT-1 on preeclampsia-induced cell culture treated with Soyghurt was significantly lowered compared to the untreated group (p<0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in the PLGF levels of all groups induced by preeclampsia serum (p>0.05).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential effect of Soyghurt's in balancing preeclampsia marker expression by inhibiting the expression of sFLT-1 in preeclampsia serum -induced trophoblast cells.

Tissue transglutaminase: a multifunctional and multisite regulator in health and disease

Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a widely distributed multifunctional protein involved in a broad range of cellular and metabolic functions carried out in a variety of cellular compartments. In addition to transamidation, TG2 also functions as a Gα signaling protein, a protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), a protein kinase, and a scaffolding protein. In the nucleus, TG2 modifies histones and transcription factors. The PDI function catalyzes the trimerization and activation of heat shock factor-1 in the nucleus and regulates the oxidation state of several mitochondrial complexes. Cytosolic TG2 modifies proteins by the addition of serotonin or other primary amines and in this way affects cell signaling. Modification of protein-bound glutamines reduces ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. At the cell membrane, TG2 is associated with G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), where it functions in transmembrane signaling. TG2 is also found in the extracellular space, where it functions in protein cross-linking and extracellular matrix stabilization. Of particular importance in transglutaminase research are recent findings concerning the role of TG2 in gene expression, protein homeostasis, cell signaling, autoimmunity, inflammation, and hypoxia. Thus, TG2 performs a multitude of functions in multiple cellular compartments, making it one of the most versatile cellular proteins. Additional evidence links TG2 with multiple human diseases including preeclampsia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, organ fibrosis, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and celiac disease. In conclusion, TG2 provides a multifunctional and multisite response to physiological stress.

Study on lipid nanomicelles targeting placenta for the treatment of preeclampsia

In view of the serious clinical harm of preeclampsia and the lack of effective treatment methods, a PEG-modified lipid hybrid micelle was designed with folic acid molecule on the surface, containing siRNA, targeted delivery to the placenta, interfering the expression of sFlt-1 and treating preeclampsia. In this paper, the preparation and characterization of lipid hybrid micelles were investigated in detail, the cytology in vitro and in vivo distribution, pharmacodynamics, safety and action mechanism of the preparation were studied, which laid a foundation for gene therapy of preeclampsia.

Paeoniflorin alleviates endothelial dysfunction caused by overexpression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 and soluble endoglin in preeclampsia via VEGFA upregulation

This study assessed the protective effects of paeoniflorin against preeclampsia-related endothelial damage (ED). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) isolated from healthy puerperae were identified by immunofluorescence assay. After paeoniflorin treatment, HUVECs were induced by soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng) to establish ED. Cell viability, migration, invasion, tube formation, and apoptosis were assessed by (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) tetrazolium MTT assay, Scratch assay, Transwell assay, tube formation assay, and flow cytometry. VEGFA expression in HUVECs was analyzed by Western blot. HUVECs were successfully isolated and identified as Von Willebrand factor (vWF) positive. Individual treatment or cotreatment of sFlt-1 and sEng inhibited migration, invasion and tube formation, enhanced apoptosis, and decreased VEGFA expression in HUVECs. Paeoniflorin pretreatment partially reversed the effects delivered by cotreatment of sFlt-1 and sEng in HUVECs. Paeoniflorin alleviated preeclampsia-related ED caused by overexpression of sFlt-1 and sEng by upregulating VEGFA.

Tissue Transglutaminase Impairs HTR-8/SVneo Trophoblast Cell Invasion via the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVES

The pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) is associated with impaired trophoblast invasion, which results in placental insufficiency. Our earlier studies demonstrated that tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is highly expressed in human PE serum. However, whether tTG participates in trophoblast invasion remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the role and mechanism of tTG in regulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/MMP-9 expression to reduce trophoblast invasiveness in PE.

METHODS

HTR-8/SVneo cells were transfected with a lentivirus vector and small interfering RNA targeting tTG. The protein level was detected by Western blotting. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by MTS and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Cell invasion was investigated by Transwell assay. In addition, the influence of tTG on PI3K and AKT mRNA levels in HTR-8/SVneo cells was evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

tTG-overexpression inhibited HTR-8/SVneo cell proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis. In addition, upregulation of tTG induced an increase of PI3K and phosphorylated AKT and a decrease of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. tTG-knockdown significantly promoted the proliferation and invasion of HTR-8/SVneo cells and inhibited the apoptosis. Furthermore, the PI3K expression level was reduced, and the MMP-2/MMP-9 protein levels were increased.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the present study demonstrated that tTG-overexpression inhibited HTR-8/SVneo cell invasion via reducing the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which may lead to the occurrence or development of PE. The present data provide new insights into modulation of tTG expression as a potential therapeutic target for PE.

A risk factor-based predictive model for new-onset hypertension during pregnancy in Chinese Han women

BACKGROUND

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality, increasing the long-term incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension are the major components of HDP. The aim of our study is to establish a prediction model for pregnant women with new-onset hypertension during pregnancy (increased blood pressure after gestational age > 20 weeks), thus to guide the clinical prediction and treatment of de novo hypertension.

METHODS

A total of 117 pregnant women with de novo hypertension who were admitted to our hospital's obstetrics department were selected as the case group and 199 healthy pregnant women were selected as the control group from January 2017 to June 2018. Maternal clinical parameters such as age, family history and the biomarkers such as homocysteine, cystatin C, uric acid, total bile acid and glomerular filtration rate were collected at a mean gestational age in 16 to 20 weeks. The prediction model was established by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Eleven indicators have statistically significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05). These 11 factors were substituted into the logistic regression equation and 7 independent predictors were obtained. The equation expressed including 7 factors. The calculated area under the curve was 0.884(95% confidence interval: 0.848-0.921), the sensitivity and specificity were 88.0 and 75.0%. A scoring system was established to classify pregnant women with scores ≤15.5 as low-risk pregnancy group and those with scores > 15.5 as high-risk pregnancy group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our regression equation provides a feasible and reliable means of predicting de novo hypertension after pregnancy. Risk stratification of new-onset hypertension was performed to early treatment interventions in high-risk populations.