Open AccessRegulation of progesterone receptor A and B expression in human preterm, term, and postterm placental villi
Author(s) -
ZIYAN JIANG,
HUAIBIN REN,
XIAOTIAN MA,
GUANGTONG SHE,
XIAOQING CHEN,
ZIJIANG DONG,
ZIYUE JIANG,
WE DE,
LIZHOU SUN
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016341003623761
Subject(s) - myometrium , medicine , progesterone receptor , receptor , population , andrology , endocrinology , uterus , estrogen receptor , cancer , breast cancer , environmental health
Objective. The progesterone receptor (PR)‐A/B ratio in the myometrium is reported to be closely related to labor onset. This might represent a potential target for therapeutic interventions for postterm and preterm deliveries, though the mechanisms currently remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation mechanism of PR‐A and B expression in human preterm, term, and postterm placental villi. Design. Experimental study. Setting. People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province, China. Population. Singleton women of preterm (PRNIL, not in labor, n = 10), term (TNIL, not in labor, n = 10; TIL, in labor, n = 10), and postterm (PONIL, not in labor, n = 10) cesarean deliveries. Methods. The PR‐A/PR‐B mRNA and protein ratios were analyzed using real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blots in villi from preterm, term, postterm groups. PONIL and PRNIL villi were incubated with prostaglandin F 2α (PG) and indomethacin for 72 hours, respectively, and the PR‐A/PR‐B mRNA and protein ratios and p38 signaling pathway were explored. Results. The PR‐A/PR‐B ratio was highest in TIL, followed by PRNIL, PONIL and TNIL. Indomethacin significantly up‐regulated PR‐B expression, thereby decreasing the PR‐A/PR‐B ratio ( p < 0.05). Meanwhile, PG reduced the expression of PR‐B and increased PR‐A, leading to a significant increase in the PR‐A/PR‐B ratio ( p < 0.05). We also determined that the PR‐A/PR‐B ratio was mediated through the activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase. Conclusion. These results demonstrate that the PR‐A/PR‐B ratio plays a key role in the mechanisms regulating preterm, term, and postterm deliveries.