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Apicella C, Ruano CSM, Méhats C, Miralles F, Vaiman D. The Role of Epigenetics in Placental Development and the Etiology of Preeclampsia. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112837. [PMID: 31212604 PMCID: PMC6600551 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we comprehensively present the function of epigenetic regulations in normal placental development as well as in a prominent disease of placental origin, preeclampsia (PE). We describe current progress concerning the impact of DNA methylation, non-coding RNA (with a special emphasis on long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and microRNA (miRNA)) and more marginally histone post-translational modifications, in the processes leading to normal and abnormal placental function. We also explore the potential use of epigenetic marks circulating in the maternal blood flow as putative biomarkers able to prognosticate the onset of PE, as well as classifying it according to its severity. The correlation between epigenetic marks and impacts on gene expression is systematically evaluated for the different epigenetic marks analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Apicella
- Institut Cochin, U1016 INSERM, UMR8104 CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, 24 rue du faubourg St Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Camino S M Ruano
- Institut Cochin, U1016 INSERM, UMR8104 CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, 24 rue du faubourg St Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Céline Méhats
- Institut Cochin, U1016 INSERM, UMR8104 CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, 24 rue du faubourg St Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Francisco Miralles
- Institut Cochin, U1016 INSERM, UMR8104 CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, 24 rue du faubourg St Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
| | - Daniel Vaiman
- Institut Cochin, U1016 INSERM, UMR8104 CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, 24 rue du faubourg St Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
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Increased methylation and decreased expression of homeobox genes TLX1, HOXA10 and DLX5 in human placenta are associated with trophoblast differentiation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4523. [PMID: 28674422 PMCID: PMC5495813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04776-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Homeobox genes regulate embryonic and placental development, and are widely expressed in the human placenta, but their regulatory control by DNA methylation is unclear. DNA methylation analysis was performed on human placentae from first, second and third trimesters to determine methylation patterns of homeobox gene promoters across gestation. Most homeobox genes were hypo-methylated throughout gestation, suggesting that DNA methylation is not the primary mechanism involved in regulating HOX genes expression in the placenta. Nevertheless, several genes showed variable methylation patterns across gestation, with a general trend towards an increase in methylation over gestation. Three genes (TLX1, HOXA10 and DLX5) showed inverse gains of methylation with decreasing mRNA expression throughout pregnancy, supporting a role for DNA methylation in their regulation. Proteins encoded by these genes were primarily localised to the syncytiotrophoblast layer, and showed decreased expression later in gestation. siRNA mediated downregulation of DLX5, TLX1 and HOXA10 in primary term villous cytotrophoblast resulted in decreased proliferation and increased expression of differentiation markers, including ERVW-1. Our data suggest that loss of DLX5, TLX1 and HOXA10 expression in late gestation is required for proper placental differentiation and function.
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Pansa A, Sirchia SM, Melis S, Giacchetta D, Castiglioni M, Colapietro P, Fiori S, Falcone R, Paganini L, Bonaparte E, Colpi G, Miozzo M, Tabano S. ESX1 mRNA expression in seminal fluid is an indicator of residual spermatogenesis in non-obstructive azoospermic men. Hum Reprod 2014; 29:2620-7. [PMID: 25316452 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deu261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is the presence of ESX1 mRNA in seminal fluid (SF) an indicator of residual spermatogenesis in men with non-obstructive azoospermic (NOA)? SUMMARY ANSWER ESX1 mRNA in SF is a suitable molecular marker for predicting the presence of residual spermatogenesis in testis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ESX1 is an X-linked homeobox gene whose expression in testis is restricted to germ cells. We previously reported, in the testicular biopsies from azoospermic men, a positive correlation between the presence of ESX1 mRNA and residual spermatogenesis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We investigated ESX1 mRNA expression in 70 testicular fragments (TF) and 56 (SF) of 70 NOA men. As controls, we analyzed 8 TF from men with obstructive azoospermic (OA) and 9 SF from normozoospermic men. For all patients we considered the histological classification of testis biopsies and the recovery of spermatozoa by surgical procedures. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Relative ESX1 mRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR using the ΔΔCt method. The results were compared with the recovery of spermatozoa at surgery. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In TF from NOA patients we found that: (i) ESX1 mRNA level was significantly decreased as the severity of spermatogenic defects increased (P < 0.0001, one-way analysis of variance); (ii) the presence of ESX1 mRNA can predict the success of sperm retrieval (sensitivity: 80%). In SF from NOA patients we found that: (i) ESX1 mRNA was present in 78.5% of NOA men; (ii) the presence of ESX1 mRNA could predict the success of sperm retrieval (sensitivity: 84%). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Spermatozoa were recovered at surgery in 5 out of 12 patients whose SF was negative for ESX1 mRNA expression. We think that discrepancies between molecular and clinical results could be reduced by analyzing more than one ejaculate from each man. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The data confirm that the ESX1 transcript in the semen of men with NOA is a suitable molecular marker for predicting the presence of residual foci of spermatogenesis in the testis. The implication of these results is that some patients 'with azoospermia', although having a severe impairment of spermatogenesis, could still maintain residual foci of spermatogenesis in limited areas of the testes, not always recovered by surgery. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by the Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico: Ricerca Corrente [grant number RC2014/519-02] to M.M. and from ASM onlus 2010-2011 to M.M. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pansa
- Medical Genetics, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia M Sirchia
- Medical Genetics, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Melis
- Urology II Unit - Andrology and Assisted Reproduction, San Paolo Hospital - Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
| | - Daniela Giacchetta
- Urology II Unit - Andrology and Assisted Reproduction, San Paolo Hospital - Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
| | - Mirco Castiglioni
- Urology II Unit - Andrology and Assisted Reproduction, San Paolo Hospital - Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
| | - Patrizia Colapietro
- Medical Genetics, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Fiori
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Rossella Falcone
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Leda Paganini
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Bonaparte
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Colpi
- Urology II Unit - Andrology and Assisted Reproduction, San Paolo Hospital - Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
| | - Monica Miozzo
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20122, Italy
| | - Silvia Tabano
- Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20122, Italy
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Murthi P, Kalionis B, Cocquebert M, Rajaraman G, Chui A, Keogh RJ, Evain-Brion D, Fournier T. Homeobox genes and down-stream transcription factor PPARγ in normal and pathological human placental development. Placenta 2013; 34:299-309. [PMID: 23484914 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The placenta provides critical transport functions between the maternal and fetal circulations during intrauterine development. Formation of this interface is controlled by nuclear transcription factors including homeobox genes. Here we summarize current knowledge regarding the expression and function of homeobox genes in the placenta. We also describe the identification of target transcription factors including PPARγ, biological pathways regulated by homeobox genes and their role in placental development. The role of the nuclear receptor PPARγ, ligands and target genes in human placental development is also discussed. A better understanding of these pathways will improve our knowledge of placental cell biology and has the potential to reveal new molecular targets for the early detection and diagnosis of pregnancy complications including human fetal growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Murthi
- Department of Perinatal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre, Australia
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Serman L, Dodig D. Impact of DNA methylation on trophoblast function. Clin Epigenetics 2011; 3:7. [PMID: 22414254 PMCID: PMC3303467 DOI: 10.1186/1868-7083-3-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 11/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of epigenetics is evident in many fields of medicine today. This is also true in placentology, where versatile epigenetic mechanisms that regulate expression of genes have shown to have important influence on trophoblast implantation and placentation. Such gene regulation can be established in different ways and on different molecular levels, the most common being the DNA methylation. DNA methylation has been shown today as an important predictive component in assessing clinical prognosis of certain malignant tumors; in addition, it opens up new possibilities for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis utilizing cell-free fetal DNA methods. By using a well known demethylating agent 5-azacytidine in pregnant rat model, we have been able to change gene expression and, consequently, the processes of trophoblast differentiation and placental development. In this review, we describe how changes in gene methylation effect trophoblast development and placentation and offer our perspective on use of trophoblast epigenetic research for better understanding of not only placenta development but cancer cell growth and invasion as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Serman
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Bonaparte E, Moretti M, Colpi GM, Nerva F, Contalbi G, Vaccalluzzo L, Tabano S, Grati FR, Gazzano G, Sirchia SM, Simoni G, Gallina A, Miozzo M. ESX1 gene expression as a robust marker of residual spermatogenesis in azoospermic men. Hum Reprod 2010; 25:1398-403. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deq074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Miozzo M, Selmi C, Gentilin B, Grati FR, Sirchia S, Oertelt S, Zuin M, Gershwin ME, Podda M, Invernizzi P. Preferential X chromosome loss but random inactivation characterize primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatology 2007; 46:456-62. [PMID: 17659578 DOI: 10.1002/hep.21696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Recent work has demonstrated enhanced X monosomy in women with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) as well as two other female-predominant autoimmune diseases, systemic sclerosis and autoimmune thyroid disease. To further our understanding of these events, we have investigated the mechanisms of X chromosome loss and X chromosome inactivation (XCI) in 166 women with PBC and 226 rigorously age-matched healthy and liver disease controls. X chromosome analysis and determination of loss pattern was performed by quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) with 4 X-linked short tandem repeats. Further definition of the XCI was based on analysis of methylation-sensitive restriction sites. Importantly, in PBC the X chromosome loss occurs not only more frequently but also in a preferential fashion. This observation supports our thesis that the enhanced X monosomy involves only one parentally derived chromosome and is not secondary to a constitutive non random pattern of XCI. In fact, in the presence of monosomy, the lost X chromosome is necessarily the inactive homologue. CONCLUSION The finding that the X chromosome loss is preferential suggests the critical involvement of X chromosome gene products in the female predisposition to PBC and also emphasizes the need to determine the parental origin of the maintained chromosome to investigate the role of imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Miozzo
- Medical Genetics Unit, San Paolo Hospital School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Wang X, Zhang J. Rapid evolution of primate ESX1, an X-linked placenta- and testis-expressed homeobox gene. Hum Mol Genet 2007; 16:2053-60. [PMID: 17588961 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddm153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox genes encode transcription factors that play important roles in various developmental processes and are usually evolutionarily conserved. Here we report a case of rapid evolution of a homeobox gene in humans and non-human primates. ESX1 is an X-linked homeobox gene primarily expressed in the placenta and testis, with physiological functions in placenta/fetus development and spermatogenesis. ESX1 is paternally imprinted in mice, but is not imprinted in humans. We provide evidence for a significantly higher non-synonymous substitution rate than synonymous rate in ESX1 between humans and chimps as well as among a total of 15 primate species. Population genetic data also show signals of recent selective sweeps within humans. Positive selection appears to be concentrated in the C-terminal non-homeodomain region, which has been implicated in regulating human male germ cell division by prohibiting the degradation of cyclins. In contrast, mouse Esx1 has a substantively different C-terminal region subject to strong purifying selection. These and other results suggest that even the fundamental process of spermatogenesis has been targeted by positive selection in primate and human evolution and that mouse may not be a suitable model for studying human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Wang
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Similar to the majority of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, systemic sclerosis is characterized by a striking female predominance superimposed on a predisposing genetic background. At least two genetic mechanisms have been proposed that play a role in susceptibility to systemic sclerosis; firstly the maintenance of immune tolerance via genes on the X chromosomes and, secondly, fetal microchimerism. Based on these lines of evidence, experimental efforts have been most recently dedicated to investigating the role of X chromosome abnormalities (i.e. monosomy rates and inactivation patterns) in autoimmunity. We will review herein the most recent data on the role of the X chromosome in systemic sclerosis onset and discuss the potential implications. RECENT FINDINGS Women with systemic sclerosis manifest an enhanced rate of X monosomic cells in peripheral blood compared with healthy age-matched women. Furthermore, a severely skewed X chromosome inactivation pattern is found in women with systemic sclerosis. SUMMARY These observations, reproduced in other female-predominant autoimmune diseases, strongly support the role of the X chromosome in conferring susceptibility to tolerance breakdown and open novel scenarios to emphasize the unknown etiopathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. The implications of these findings will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Selmi
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
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Kaiser-Rogers KA, McFadden DE, Livasy CA, Dansereau J, Jiang R, Knops JF, Lefebvre L, Rao KW, Robinson WP. Androgenetic/biparental mosaicism causes placental mesenchymal dysplasia. J Med Genet 2005; 43:187-92. [PMID: 15908568 PMCID: PMC2564642 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2005.033571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placental mesenchymal dysplasia (PMD) is a distinct syndrome of unknown aetiology that is associated with significant fetal morbidity and mortality. Intrauterine growth restriction is common, yet, paradoxically, many of the associated fetuses/newborns have been diagnosed with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS). METHODS We report two cases of PMD with high levels of androgenetic (complete paternal uniparental isodisomy) cells in the placenta and document, in one case, a likely androgenetic contribution to the fetus as well. RESULTS The same haploid paternal complement found in the androgenetic cells was present in coexisting biparental cells, suggesting origin from a single fertilisation event. CONCLUSIONS Preferential allocation of the normal cells into the trophoblast explains the absence of trophoblast overgrowth, a key feature of this syndrome. Interestingly, the distribution of androgenetic cells appears to differ from that reported for artificially created androgenetic mouse chimeras. Androgenetic mosaicism for the first time provides an aetiology for PMD, and may be a novel mechanism for BWS and unexplained intrauterine growth restriction.
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Abstract
Recent studies have revealed mechanistic parallels between imprinted X-chromosome inactivation and autosomal imprinting. We suggest that neither mechanism was present in ancestral egg-laying mammals, and that both arose when the evolution of the placenta exerted selective pressure to imprint growth-related genes. We also propose that non-coding RNAs and histone modifications were adopted for the imprinting of growth suppressors on the X chromosome and on autosomes. This provides a unified hypothesis for the evolution of X-chromosome inactivation and imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolf Reik
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics and Imprinting, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB2 4AT, United Kingdom.
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Figueiredo ALS, Salles MGF, Albano RM, Porto LC. Molecular and morphologic analyses of expression of ESX1L in different stages of human placental development. J Cell Mol Med 2005; 8:545-50. [PMID: 15601583 PMCID: PMC6740265 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2004.tb00479.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The mRNA expression of the ESX1L gene was analyzed by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization in human normal cytogenetically placentas, of different gestational ages. Our RT-PCR analysis showed that ESX1L mRNA is expressed from 5 weeks of gestation until term, suggesting a role not only in trophoblast differentiation but also in the maintenance of the villi and microvasculature. We also observed, by in situ hybridization, that ESX1L mRNA is expressed by cytotrophoblast from chorionic plate, syncytiotrophoblast and stromal cells of all terminal, intermediate and stem villi of term placentas. ESX1L mRNA expression was more pronounced in trophoblast cells of terminal villi than in intermediate and stem villi. In conclusion, ESX1L is expressed during all stages of placental development and is localized to sparse areas of trophoblast in terminal villi in association with cytotrophoblastic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L S Figueiredo
- Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 20551-170 - Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, Brasil
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Guan H, Dy J, Richardson B, Yang K. Identification of two novel allelic variants of ESX1L in the human placenta: lack of an association with intrauterine growth restriction. Placenta 2004; 26:766-72. [PMID: 16226127 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2004.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2004] [Revised: 08/06/2004] [Accepted: 10/05/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although epidemiological studies implicate an important role for genetic factors in determining birth weight, few candidate genes for IUGR have been identified. ESX1L, the orthologue of Esx1, is an X chromosome-linked human homeobox gene expressed in the placenta and testis. The present study was undertaken to determine if aberrations in the ESX1L gene were associated with idiopathic IUGR because targeted deletion of Esx1 in the mouse leads to abnormal placental development and consequent IUGR. Genotyping analysis of ESX1L gene was performed on placental samples from 22 normal term and 12 IUGR term fetuses. Two allelic variants were identified, and they contain an insertion and a deletion, respectively, of the same 27 nucleotides in the highly repetitive region of exon-4 that encodes the previously identified 12 contiguous repeats of a unique 9-amino acid motif, PPMAP(V/L)PPG. Thus, the insertion and deletion variants were predicted to code for an aberrant ESX1L protein containing 13 and 11 contiguous repeats, respectively. However, both variants were detectable and evenly distributed in normal as well as IUGR placentae, indicating that these two variants of ESX1L do not contribute to genetic susceptibility to idiopathic IUGR. Furthermore, no single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified, and there was no difference in the level of ESX1L mRNA between control and IUGR placentae. Taken together, these findings provide the first evidence that two allelic variants of ESX1L exist in the human placenta but they are not associated with idiopathic IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Guan
- CIHR Group in Fetal and Neonatal Health and Development, Child Health Research Institute & Lawson Health Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Western Ontario, 800 Commissioners Rd. E., London, Ontario, Canada
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