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Assessment of Maternal Vascular Remodeling During Pregnancy in the Mouse Uterus
Published on: December 5, 2015
Maternal serum vascular cell adhesion molecule concentration during pregnancy
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Maternal serum soluble VCAM-1 concentrations are higher in early pregnancy, decreasing as gestation progresses. This suggests soluble VCAM-1 plays a role in normal placentation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Immunology
- Vascular biology
Background:
- Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) is a glycoprotein involved in white blood cell adhesion and angiogenesis.
- VCAM-1 expression is stimulated by cytokines and modified lipoproteins.
- VCAM-1 is synthesized by various cells, including placental trophoblasts, and is crucial for early placental development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the normal concentration of soluble VCAM-1 in maternal serum throughout gestation.
- To investigate the correlation between soluble VCAM-1 levels and gestational age.
Main Methods:
- Maternal serum samples from healthy pregnant women were analyzed.
- Soluble VCAM-1 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- Soluble VCAM-1 concentrations ranged from 128.02 to 728.6 ng/mL across 5 to 39 weeks of gestation.
- A negative correlation was observed between soluble VCAM-1 levels and gestational age.
- Mean soluble VCAM-1 concentrations were significantly higher before 20 weeks (406.76 ng/mL) compared to after 20 weeks (346.04 ng/mL).
Conclusions:
- The observed changes in soluble VCAM-1 concentrations support its role in normal placentation during early pregnancy.
- VCAM-1 may be an important factor in the physiological processes of early pregnancy development.
