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The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
Published on: August 2, 2017
Proteome differences in the first- and third-trimester human placentas
Behrouz Gharesi-Fard1, Jaleh Zolghadri2, Eskandar Kamali-Sarvestani3
1Department of Immunology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Proteomics Laboratory, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz, Iran gharesifb@sums.ac.ir.
This study compared protein expression in first- and third-trimester placentas, identifying 11 differentially expressed proteins. Some altered placental proteins may indicate pregnancy complications.
Area of Science:
- Proteomics
- Human Placental Biology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- The placenta is a vital pregnancy organ supporting fetal development.
- Placental protein expression changes throughout gestation and can impact pregnancy outcomes.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for monitoring fetal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the proteome of normal first-trimester and third-trimester human placentas.
- To identify specific proteins with altered expression levels between these two crucial gestational stages.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) for protein separation.
- Employed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for protein identification.
- Analyzed differential protein spot intensity between first- and third-trimester placental samples.
Main Results:
- Identified 22 differentially expressed protein spots (P < .05) between the two trimesters.
- Successfully identified 11 distinct proteins with significant expression changes.
- Four proteins (protein disulfide isomerase, tropomyosin 4 isoform 2, enolase 1, 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein) were upregulated, while seven (actin γ1 propeptide, heat shock protein gp96, α1-antitrypsin, EF-hand domain family member D1, tubulin α1, glutathione S-transferase, vitamin D binding protein) were downregulated in the first trimester compared to the third.
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to compare the proteomes of first- and third-trimester human placentas.
- A set of 11 proteins exhibit altered expression during human pregnancy.
- These identified proteins may serve as potential biomarkers for pregnancy-related disorders.
