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Inflammatory cytokines are elevated in intrauterine growth restricted offspring in response to placental insufficiency.
Author(s) -
Grigore Daniela,
Ojeda Norma B.,
LaMarca Babbette B.,
Alexander Barbara T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.923.6
Subject(s) - offspring , preeclampsia , endocrinology , medicine , placental insufficiency , cytokine , intrauterine growth restriction , pregnancy , gestation , inflammation , placenta , fetus , biology , genetics
Numerous epidemiological studies report a link between intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and hypertension. Our laboratory utilizes a unique model of IUGR by inducing placental insufficiency in the rat during late gestation. The response to placental ischemia in the pregnant rat is characterized by hypertension associated with endothelial dysfunction accompanied by increased inflammatory cytokines, mimicking the maternal syndrome of preeclampsia. Offspring born of the hypertensive dams exhibit IUGR and develop an increase in blood pressure (BP) by 4 weeks of age. We hypothesized that elevated inflammatory cytokines may be a contributing factor to the increased BP in IUGR offspring. We examined the circulating cytokine profile, via cytokine protein array analysis, in plasma of IUGR and control offspring at 4 weeks of age. Approximately 60% of all cytokines examined were significantly up‐regulated in IUGR offspring compared to control offspring. The increase in Interferon gamma, Interleukin‐1, and macrophage inflammatory protein are characteristic of endothelial dysfunction which could contribute to the development of the hypertension in the IUGR offspring. In conclusion, the circulating cytokine profile which is significantly altered in IUGR offspring compared to control offspring may be indicative of chronic inflammation associated with IUGR in response to placental insufficiency.