A gel-free quantitative proteomics analysis of factors released from hypoxic-conditioned placentae

Characterizing the protein factors released from placentae during pathogenesis remains a key objective toward understanding preeclampsia and related pregnancy disorders. Gel-free proteomics technologies applied to placental explant-conditioned media offers the potential of identifying these factors. Relative quantification mass spectrometry using isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling was employed to compare the ''secretome'' between healthy term placental tissue cultured under both normoxic and hypoxic oxygen tensions. Of the 499 proteins identified, 45 were differentially expressed (P < .01 level), including interleukin 8 (IL-8) which was significantly upregulated under hypoxia. Global protein level changes are suggestive of decreased extracellular matrix remodeling under the same conditions. A significant enrichment of soluble liberated placental factors is achieved using this model system. Identifying these changes resulting from hypoxic conditioning is hypothesis generating and may provide new mechanistic insights into preeclampsia.