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Placental 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression: Correlations with birth weight and placental metal
C Mikelson1, M J Kovach1, J Troisi2
1Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, 615 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA.
Insights
Placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) expression correlates with fetal growth. Maternal trace metal status influences this placental enzyme, impacting fetal development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with adverse outcomes.
- Excess fetal cortisol exposure can restrict growth.
- Placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) protects the fetus by inactivating cortisol.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between placental 11β-HSD2 expression and fetal birth weight.
- To examine the relationship between placental metal concentrations and 11β-HSD2 expression.
Main Methods:
- Placental samples from 191 births were analyzed for 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression using qRT-PCR.
- Metal concentrations (18 elements) were quantified in placental tissue from 160 births using ICP-MS.
- Statistical analyses correlated 11β-HSD2 expression with birth weight parameters and metal levels.
Main Results:
- 11β-HSD2 expression positively correlated with birth weight centile and actual birth weight.
- Maternal age and gestational age showed a positive correlation.
- Four metals (Cobalt, Manganese, Nickel, Zinc) positively correlated with 11β-HSD2 expression.
- Sex-specific correlations were observed for several metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni) in male placentas.
Conclusions:
- Fetal growth potential is linked to placental 11β-HSD2 expression.
- Maternal trace metal status influences placental 11β-HSD2 expression, affecting fetal development.
Introduction:
Infants born below 2500 g are classified as low birth weight. Excess in utero exposure to cortisol has been linked to restricted fetal growth. Placental production of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) inactivates cortisol before passage into the fetus. The present study tested the hypothesis that placental 11β-HSD2 expression is positively correlated with an individualized birth weight centile and raw birth weight, and examines the relationship between metal concentrations in placental tissue and 11β-HSD2 expression.
Methods:
Placentae from 191 births were collected and samples preserved to maintain mRNA profile. Placental 11β-HSD2 expression was measured via qRT-PCR. Addition samples were collected from placental tissues and uniformly dried in order to quantify 18 metals via ICP-MS (n = 160).
Results:
A significant, positive correlation between 11β-HSD2 expression and individualized birth weight centile (p = 0.0321) and birth weight (p = 0.0243) was found. Additionally, maternal age and gestational age were positivity correlated with each other (p = 0.0321). Birth weight was significantly different with race, marital status, education and maternal tobacco use. Four metals (Co, Mn, Ni, Zn) demonstrated significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) with 11β-HSD2 expression. Sex specific differences were found; Co, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Ni were positively correlated with 11β-HSD2 expression in males only, no significant correlations were found in the female only sample.
Conclusion:
These data indicate that the growth potential of a fetus is related to the 11β-HSD2 expression in the placenta, and that 11β-HSD2 expression is related to the trace metals status of the mother.
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