Haplotypes of heparin-binding epidermal-growth-factor-like growth factor gene are associated with pre-eclampsia

GATA3 and TGF-β in normal placenta and pre-eclampsia

GATA3 plays critical roles in the development and function of various tissues and organs throughout the body. Likewise, TGF-β signaling is critical for placental development and can interact with GATA3. We aimed to investigate the involvement of the multifunctional cytokine and transcription factor in trophoblast development. By using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the localization and expression level of GATA3 and TGF-β in placentas at term of normal pregnancy and with pre-eclampsia. Up-regulation of both GATA3 and TGF-β was observed in pathological placentas, with localization in the villus epithelium (syncytiotrophoblast) stroma and decidua. Our data show altered expression of TGF-β and GATA3, which downstream could lead to a cascade of events that negatively influence trophoblast development and contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

The epidermal growth factor receptor in healthy pregnancy and preeclampsia

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed robustly in the placenta, and critical processes of pregnancy such as placental growth and trophoblast fusion are dependent on EGFR function. However, the role that aberrant EGFR signaling might play in the etiology and/or maintenance of preeclampsia (PE) remains largely unexplored. Recently, we have shown that overexpression of EGFR in cultured uterine artery endothelial cells (UAEC), which express little endogenous EGFR, remaps responsiveness away from vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling and toward EGFR, suggesting that endothelial EGFR expression may be kept low to preserve VEGFR control of angiogenesis. Here we will consider the evidence for the possibility that the endothelial dysfunction observed in PE might in some cases result from elevation of endothelial EGFR. During pregnancy, trophoblasts are known to synthesize large amounts of EGFR protein, and the placenta regularly releases syncytiotrophoblast-derived exosomes and microparticles into the maternal circulation. Although there are no reports of elevated EGFR gene expression in preeclamptic endothelial cells, the ongoing shedding of placental vesicles into the vascular system raises the possibility that EGFR-rich vesicles might fuse with endothelium, thereby contributing to the symptoms of PE by interrupting angiogenesis and blocking pregnancy-adapted vasodilatory function.

Novel associations of SNPs MYLIP rs3757354 and ABCA1 2230806 gene with early-onset-preeclampsia: A case-control candidate genetic study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between MYLIP rs3757354 and ABCA1 2230806 single nucleotide polymorphisms in women with preeclampsia in China.

STUDY DESIGN

The case-control study involved 205 patients with preeclampsia and 145 controls. All women with preeclampsia were divided into two groups: 78 patients with early-onset preeclampsia and 127 with late-onset preeclampsia.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

MYLIP rs3757354 and ABCA1 rs2230806 SNPs were analyzed through multiplex PCR for targeted next-generation sequencing technology. A secondary outcome was lipid profile changes and liver function in women with PE.

RESULTS

Maternal age (OR: 1.073, 95% CI = 1.006-1.145), BMI (OR: 1.118, 95% CI = 1.040-1.201), TG/HDL-C (OR: 1.536, 95% CI = 1.080-2.183), and TT genotype of SNP rs3757354 (OR: 3.238, 95% CI = 1.313-7.990) were associated with EOPE risk. Our study found that patients with TT genotype of ABCA1 rs2230806 had more severe hepatic dysfunction and higher HDL levels in the EOPE group compared with CC/CT genotype. There was no association between rs2230806 and the risk of PE.

CONCLUSION

The polymorphisms of rs3757354 are associated with the risk of EOPE in Chinese pregnant women. The TT genotype in ABCA1 rs2230806 is a strong predictive risk for elevated aminotransferase levels in pregnant women with EOPE.

Association of Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor Polymorphisms With Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) protects the intestines from injury in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We hypothesized that polymorphisms in the HB-EGF gene lead to low HB-EGF production in peripheral blood and increased risk of NEC in the Chinese Han population. To test this hypothesis, 30 NEC patients and 80 control subjects were selected. Five HB-EGF single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and its plasma levels were measured by genotyping and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Only 1 out of the 5 SNPs showed a notable result. The notable SNP (rs4912711) was associated with NEC in its minor allele frequency and its "G/T" genotype distribution. In addition, plasma HB-EGF levels were reduced especially the "G/T" genotype in NEC patients. Our data suggest that if validated in larger studies screening for HB-EGF SNPs/genotypes and plasma levels may be useful as a risk factor for NEC in the future.

Reduced expression of the epidermal growth factor signaling system in preeclampsia

INTRODUCTION

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling system regulates trophoblast differentiation, and its disruption could contribute to perinatal disease. We hypothesized that this pathway is altered in preeclampsia, a disorder associated with trophoblast apoptosis and failure to invade and remodel the uterine spiral arteries.

METHODS

Six EGF family peptides and a truncated EGF receptor splice variant (p110/EGFR) were examined using immunohistochemistry in the trophoblast of placentas (N = 76) from women with preeclampsia, and compared to placentas from women of similar gestational age (GA) with preterm labor (PTL) or small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses, as well as normal term placentas. EGF, transforming growth factor-α (TGFA), and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HBEGF) were evaluated using ELISA in maternal plasma from another 20 pregnancies with or without preeclampsia. Cell death was evaluated in the HTR-8/SVneo human cytotrophoblast cell line using TUNEL to evaluate the protective effects of EGF peptides.

RESULTS

Trophoblast HBEGF, TGFA, and EGF were significantly reduced in preeclampsia compared to PTL and SGA, while p110/EGFR accumulated significantly on the surface of the chorionic villi (p < 0.05). Plasma EGF levels were significantly decreased in preeclamptic patients, compared to non-preeclamptic patients (p < 0.05). HBEGF, EGF, TGFA, epiregulin, and betacellulin each blocked cytotrophoblast cell death in vitro (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

Three members of the EGF family are dysregulated in placentas with preeclampsia, whereas p110/EGFR, a potential EGF receptor antagonist, is overexpressed. These findings are consistent with the concept that disruption of the EGF signaling system contributes to aberrant trophoblast development associated with preeclampsia.