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Early pregnancy blood gene expression in women destined to deliver preterm
Author(s) -
Enquobahrie Daniel A.,
Qiu Chunfang,
Muhie Seid,
SlentzKesler Kimberley,
Williams Michelle A.
Publication year - 2009
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.23.1_supplement.1006.11
Subject(s) - gene , gene expression , biology , pregnancy , gene expression profiling , immune system , bioinformatics , genetics , immunology , computational biology
Objective We investigated early pregnancy whole blood global gene expression and risk of preterm delivery (PTD). Methods Ribonucleic acid was extracted from blood samples (collected at 16 weeks gestational age) from 14 women who had a PTD and 16 women who delivered at term. Gene expressions were measured using the GeneChip® Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array. Students T‐test and fold change analysis were used to identify differentially expressed genes. We used cluster and principle components analysis to characterize signature gene expressions. Functions and functional relationships as well as regulatory regions of differentially expressed genes were investigated. Results A total of 209 genes, including potential candidate genes (e.g. PTGDS, prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), were differentially expressed. A set of these genes achieved accurate pre‐diagnostic separation of cases and controls. These genes participate in functions related to immune system, inflammation, tissue development and cell signaling. Promoter sequences for binding sites of putative transcription factors (e.g. EGR1, early growth response 1) were identified. Conclusion Maternal early pregnancy blood gene expression signatures may be useful for PTD risk prediction. Our results provide evidence for better understanding the pathophysiology of PTD; and may yield novel prognostic, preventative and therapeutic opportunities.