Prokineticin-1: a novel mediator of the inflammatory response in third-trimester human placenta

Prokineticin-1 (PK1) is a recently described protein with a wide range of functions, including tissue-specific angiogenesis, modulation of inflammatory responses, and regulation of hemopoiesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the localization and expression of PK1 and PK receptor-1 (PKR1), their signaling pathways, and the effect of PK1 on expression of the inflammatory mediators cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and IL-8 in third-trimester placenta. PK1 and PKR1 were highly expressed in term placenta and immunolocalized to syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, fetal endothelium, and macrophages. PK1 induced a time-dependent increase in expression of IL-8 and COX-2, which was significantly reduced by inhibitors of Gq, cSrc, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and MAPK kinase. Treatment of third-trimester placenta with 40 nm PK1 induced a rapid phosphorylation of cSrc, EGFR, and ERK1/2. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in response to PK1 was dependent on sequential phosphorylation of cSrc and EGFR. Using double-immunofluorescent immunohistochemistry, PKR1 colocalized with IL-8 and COX-2 in placenta. These data suggest that PK1 may have a novel role as a mediator of the inflammatory response in placenta.