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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Mouse Models of Periventricular Leukomalacia
Published on: May 18, 2010
Altered gene expression in umbilical cord mononuclear cells in preterm infants with periventricular leukomalacia
Akihisa Okumura1, Toshiyuki Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Kidokoro
1Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Japan. okumura@juntendo.ac.jp
Insights
Umbilical cord blood analysis revealed distinct mRNA expression patterns in preterm infants who developed periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Up-regulated ribosomal proteins suggest potential lymphocyte activation, offering insights into PVL pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a significant cause of poor outcomes in preterm infants.
- The precise mechanisms leading to PVL are not fully understood, but inflammation is suspected.
- Identifying early biomarkers could aid in predicting and potentially preventing PVL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in mRNA expression in umbilical cord blood between preterm infants with and without PVL.
- To explore potential inflammatory or specific molecular pathways involved in PVL development.
Main Methods:
- Collected umbilical cord blood samples from 61 preterm infants (gestational age < 33 weeks).
- Analyzed RNA expression patterns using microarray technology.
- Diagnosed PVL using cranial ultrasonography and brain MRI, selecting 3 PVL cases and 5 controls.
Main Results:
- Identified 15 up-regulated genes, including those coding for ribosomal proteins and a translation elongation factor.
- Identified 7 down-regulated genes, with some related to immune response and inflammation.
- Observed distinct gene expression profiles associated with PVL development.
Conclusions:
- Up-regulation of ribosomal protein genes may indicate lymphocyte activation during the fetal period.
- These findings suggest a potential role for immune system activation in the pathogenesis of PVL.
- Further research into these molecular pathways could lead to novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
Aim:
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is one of the most important causes of adverse outcome of preterm infants. We hypothesized that inflammatory or some other specific pathways will have been activated at birth in preterm infants who later develop PVL. The aim of this study is to examine the difference in mRNA expression in umbilical cord blood according to the presence or absence of PVL.
Methods:
A total of 61 umbilical cord blood samples were collected from preterm infants with gestational age less than 33 weeks together with the patients' medical information during perinatal period. RNA expression patterns in the collected cord bloods were analyzed by microarray. On the basis of cranial ultrasonography and brain MRI examination, 3 infants (4.9%) were diagnosed as cystic PVL and selected as the subjects. Five patients who showed similar perinatal factors to those of infants with PVL but did not show PVL were selected as the normal control.
Results:
Five of the 15 up-regulated genes are coding ribosomal proteins, and another encodes a translation elongation factor. Three of the 7 down-regulated genes encode proteins that may be related to immune response and/or inflammation.
Conclusions:
Up-regulation of the ribosomal proteins may indicate an activation of lymphocytes during the fetal period.
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