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Neonatal and maternal iron status, but not serum folate, is related to placental expression of the proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT)
Author(s) -
Cao Chang,
Bemis Thomas,
Young Melissa,
McNanley Thomas,
Cooper Elizabeth,
Pressman Eva,
Westerman Mark,
Guillet Ronnie,
O'Brien Kimberly
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.641.14
Subject(s) - transferrin receptor , hemoglobin , andrology , umbilical cord , gestation , anemia , transporter , ferritin , placenta , transferrin , soluble transferrin receptor , pregnancy , western blot , cord blood , biology , medicine , fetus , iron deficiency , immunology , iron status , gene , biochemistry , genetics
The proton coupled folate transporter (PCFT) has been identified as a major tissue folate transporter but this protein also exhibits a low‐affinity for heme iron (Fe). This study aimed to characterize placental PCFT expression in relation to maternal and neonatal folate and Fe status in 104 pregnant adolescents (ages 13–18y) enrolled in a prospective study examining effects of maternal nutrition on neonatal health. Fe status indicators (hemoglobin, serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), total body Fe) were assessed at mid‐gestation (wks 23.4±3.4), delivery (wks 39.9±1.3) and in cord blood. Expression of PCFT, heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 and HO‐2 were assessed by Western blot in placental tissue collected at delivery. Placental PCFT was associated with neonatal sTfR (p=0.01, n=91, R 2 =0.07) and hepcidin (p=0.04, n=83, R 2 =0.05). Significant relationships were found between expression of PCFT with HO‐1 (p=0.009, n=55, R 2 =0.12) and HO‐ 2 (p=0.006, n=50, R 2 =0.15). Adolescents with depleted Fe stores (SF<12μg/L) at delivery had elevated PCFT expression compared to Fe sufficient adolescents (p=0.03, n=91). Placental PCFT was not related to folate levels in maternal mid‐gestation sera or in cord sera. A multivariate model that included neonatal sTfR and placental HO‐1 explained 20% variation in placental PCFT (n=48, p=0.0027). Placental PCFT expression was related to neonatal and maternal Fe status and placental HO‐1 expression, suggesting an involvement of PCFT in placental Fe utilization and transport. The lack of relationship of PCFT with maternal and cord serum folate suggests a folate‐independent regulation of PCFT expression in the human placenta. Funded by USDA: 2005‐35200 & 2008‐0857 Grant Funding Source : USDA