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Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Receptors Expression in the Placenta – Correlation with Maternal Blood Hemoglobin Level and Pregnancy Outcome
Author(s) -
Szukiewicz Dariusz,
Stangret Aleksandra,
Watroba Mateusz
Publication year - 2015
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.29.1_supplement.639.7
Subject(s) - vascular endothelial growth factor , placenta , angiogenesis , hemoglobin , medicine , endocrinology , pregnancy , andrology , placental growth factor , fetus , biology , vegf receptors , genetics
Insufficient tissue oxygenation may be caused by lowered hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in blood. Therefore, anemia during pregnancy may stimulate angiogenesis in the placental tissues. Here we examined correlations between mean placental vascular density, local expressions of PlGF and VEGF receptors (flk‐1, flt‐1), and the birth weight and maternal Hb level. After normal full‐term deliveries ending pregnancies with maternal anemia (Group I; N = 23) and normal Hb level (Group II; N = 23), tissue samples were collected from the maternal side of each placenta (3 samples per each placenta). The mean expressions of immunostained flk‐1 and flt‐1 were analyzed by quantitative morphometry in the paraffin sections. The mean vascular/extravascular tissular index (V/EVTI) was examined as a morphometric parameter which reflects intensity of vascularization by assessing a total vascular area within standardized visual fields. Nonparametric Mann‐Whitney U‐test and Spearman's correlation were used for comparative analysis of the studied groups. Among gravidas with lowered Hb level, the local expression of flt‐1 was significantly increased (p < 0.05) and positively correlated with the mean birth weight. The same association was denoted for V/EVTI. Thus, compensatory changes in the vascular system of the human placenta evoked by low maternal Hb concentration include increased angiogenesis to maintain normal growth of the fetus. Up‐regulation of flt‐1 may play a key role. WUM grant: 2M2‐W1‐14