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Circulating RNA coding genes regulating apoptosis in maternal blood in severe early onset fetal growth restriction

C L Whitehead1, S P Walker, M Lappas

  • 1Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia. clarew@unimelb.edu.au

Journal of Perinatology : Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association
|February 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Severe preterm fetal growth restriction (FGR) and pre-eclampsia (PE) show increased intrinsic apoptosis gene expression in placenta and maternal blood. Circulating RNAs may serve as novel biomarkers for FGR.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Fetal growth restriction (FGR) and pre-eclampsia (PE) are major obstetric complications.
  • The intrinsic apoptosis pathway plays a role in placental development and function.
  • Understanding molecular changes in FGR and PE is crucial for identifying biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate differential expression of intrinsic apoptosis pathway genes in placenta and maternal blood in preterm FGR and PE.
  • To explore the potential of circulating RNA in maternal blood as biomarkers for FGR.

Main Methods:

  • Maternal blood and placental biopsies were collected from women with preterm FGR (n=20), PE without FGR (n=8), and controls (n=20).
  • Real-time PCR was used to analyze the expression of intrinsic apoptosis pathway genes.
  • Gene expression was stratified based on the severity of placental insufficiency.

Main Results:

  • Severe preterm FGR (with or without PE) showed increased expression of BCL2, BCL-XL, BIM, BAD, and Survivin in placenta and maternal blood (1.6-3.3 fold, P<0.05).
  • Preterm PE exhibited increased placental BCL-XL and BCL2 expression (1.6-2.5 fold, P<0.05), with only BCL2 significantly elevated in maternal blood (1.8 fold, P<0.05).
  • Increased gene expression correlated with FGR severity indicated by umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry.

Conclusions:

  • Severe early-onset FGR is characterized by upregulated intrinsic apoptosis genes in both placenta and maternal circulation.
  • Circulating RNAs involved in placental apoptosis present potential as novel, non-invasive biomarkers for FGR detection.
Abstract

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