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VEGF and VEGFR1 levels in different regions of the normal and preeclampsia placentae

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Abstract

Altered placental angiogenesis is implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. We have earlier reported placental regional differences in oxidative stress markers and neurotrophins. Oxidative stress and neurotrophins are reported to regulate angiogenesis. This study aims to examine protein and mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) in four regions [central maternal (CM), central fetal (CF), peripheral maternal (PM), and peripheral fetal (PF)] of the placenta in normotensive control (NC) women (n = 51) and women with preeclampsia (PE) (n = 43) [18 delivered at term (T-PE) and 25 delivered preterm (PT-PE)]. In all groups, CF region reported highest VEGF protein levels compared to all other regions. VEGF mRNA level was higher in CF region as compared to CM region in PE group (p < 0.05). VEGF levels were lower in all regions of PE, T-PE, and PT-PE groups (p < 0.05) as compared to their respective regions in NC group. VEGFR1 levels were lower in CF (p < 0.05) and PF (p < 0.01) regions as compared to CM region only in control. However, VEGFR1 levels were higher in CF (p < 0.05) and PF (p < 0.01) regions of PT-PE group as compared to control. VEGFR1 mRNA level was higher in PM region of PE group and T-PE group (p < 0.05 for both) as compared to control. VEGF levels in the PF region were positively associated with birth weight and placental weight. This study describes placental regional changes in angiogenic factors particularly highlighting increased VEGF in CF region possibly in response to hypoxic conditions prevailing in placenta.

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Abbreviations

CM:

Central maternal

CF:

Central fetal

PM:

Peripheral maternal

PF:

Peripheral fetal

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India for funding this study. Author AS thanks the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India for providing her the ‘INSPIRE fellowship’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutritional Medicine, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, 411043, India

    Akriti S. Sahay, Anjali T. Jadhav, Deepali P. Sundrani, Preeti Chavan-Gautam & Sadhana R. Joshi

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bharati Medical College and Hospital, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India

    Girija N. Wagh & Savita S. Mehendale

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  1. Akriti S. Sahay
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  2. Anjali T. Jadhav
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  3. Deepali P. Sundrani
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Correspondence to Sadhana R. Joshi.

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Sahay, A.S., Jadhav, A.T., Sundrani, D.P. et al. VEGF and VEGFR1 levels in different regions of the normal and preeclampsia placentae. Mol Cell Biochem 438, 141–152 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-017-3121-y

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