Circulating levels of soluble alpha-Klotho are markedly elevated in human umbilical cord blood

Fetal serum levels of calcium and phosphate are higher than those in the maternal levels. Although α-Klotho is known to participate in calcium and phosphate metabolism in adults, its role in the perinatal period remains unknown.

This study aimed to determine the baseline levels of soluble α-Klotho in fetuses and compare them with those in neonates, mothers, and adults to clarify whether α-Klotho is involved in the fetal-specific regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism.

We conducted a cross-sectional evaluation of healthy babies (at birth and/or at 4 d after birth), their mothers, and adult volunteers at one hospital.

Twenty-one healthy mothers, their babies (23 in total, including two pairs of twins), and 25 adult volunteers participated in the study.

We measured the serum levels of soluble α-Klotho and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23).

In cord blood, the level of α-Klotho was markedly higher (3243 ± 1899 pg/ml) than levels in neonates at d 4 (582 ± 90 pg/ml), mothers (768 ± 261 pg/ml), and adult volunteers (681 ± 140 pg/ml) (P < 0.001), whereas the fetal level of FGF23 was lower than levels in the other subjects. The levels of soluble α-Klotho were negatively correlated with those of FGF23 in cord blood. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that α-Klotho was predominantly expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts in normal term placenta.

Levels of soluble α-Klotho are markedly elevated in cord blood and might be useful as a biomarker for mineral metabolism in the fetus.