Showing papers by "Isabella Caniggia published in 2005"

Molecular Evidence of Placental Hypoxia in Preeclampsia

Abstract: Background: Oxygen plays a central role in human placental pathologies including preeclampsia, a leading cause of fetal and maternal death and morbidity. Insufficient uteroplacental oxygenation in preeclampsia is believed to be responsible for the molecular events leading to the clinical manifestations of this disease. Design: Using high-throughput functional genomics, we determined the global gene expression profiles of placentae from high altitude pregnancies, a natural in vivo model of chronic hypoxia, as well as that of first-trimester explants under 3 and 20% oxygen, an in vitro organ culture model. We next compared the genomic profile from these two models with that obtained from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Microarray data were analyzed using the binary tree-structured vector quantization algorithm, which generates global gene expression maps. Results: Our results highlight a striking global gene expression similarity between 3% O2-treated explants, high-altitude placentae, and importan...

A novel Mtd splice isoform is responsible for trophoblast cell death in pre-eclampsia.

Abstract: Pre-eclampsia is a serious disorder of human pregnancy, characterized by decreased utero-placental perfusion and increased trophoblast cell death. Presently, the mechanisms regulating trophoblast cell death in pre-eclampsia are not fully elucidated. Herein, we have identified a novel Mtd/Bok splice isoform (Mtd-P) resulting from exon-II skipping. Mtd-P expression was unique to early-onset severe pre-eclamptic placentae as assessed by quantitative real-time-PCR and immunoblotting. Mtd-P overexpression in cell lines (BeWo: cytotrophoblast-derived; and CHO: ovary-derived) resulted in increased apoptotic cell death as assessed by caspase-3 cleavage, internucleosomal DNA laddering and mitochondrial depolarization. Moreover, Mtd-P expression increased under conditions of low oxygenation/oxidative stress in human villous explants. Antisense knockdown of Mtd under conditions of oxidative stress resulted in decreased caspase-3 cleavage. We conclude that under conditions of reduced oxygenation/oxidative stress, Mtd-P causes trophoblast cell death in pre-eclampsia and hence may contribute to the molecular events leading to the clinical manifestations of this disease.

Molecular mechanisms of trophoblast survival: from implantation to birth.

Abstract: Fetal development depends upon a coordinated series of events in both the embryo and in the supporting placenta. The initial event in placentation is appropriate lineage allocation of stem cells followed by the formation of a spheroidal trophoblastic shell surrounding the embryo, facilitating implantation into the uterine stroma and exclusion of oxygenated maternal blood. In mammals, cellular proliferation, differentiation, and death accompany early placental development. Programmed cell death is a critical driving force behind organ sculpturing and eliminating abnormal, misplaced, nonfunctional, or harmful cells in the embryo proper, although very little is known about its physiological function during placental development. This review summarizes current knowledge of the cell death patterns and molecular pathways governing the survival of cells within the blastocyst, with a focus on the trophoblast lineage prior to and after implantation. Particular emphasis is given to human placental development in the context of normal and pathological conditions. As molecular pathways in humans are poorly elucidated, we have also included an overview of pertinent genetic animal models displaying defects in trophoblast survival.

Polynucleotides and polypeptides associated with trophoblast cell death, differentiation, invasion, and/or cell fusion and turnover

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides and polynucleotides associated with trophoblast cell death, differentiation, invasion, and/or cell fusion and turnover, and uses of same in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions requiring regulation of trophoblast cell death, differentiation, invasion, and/or cell fusion and turnover. In particular aspects, diagnostic methods are disclosed for evaluating conditions such as preeclampsia utilizing matador polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding same.

Method for diagnosing increased risk of preeclampsia

Abstract: Methods are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with increased risk of preeclampsia. The methods involve measuring levels of TGF-beta 3, receptors of cytokines of the TG beta family, or HIF-1 alpha.