Relationship between nulliparity and preeclampsia may be explained by altered circulating soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that the risk of preeclampsia in nulliparous women may be due to an anti-angiogenic state.

Methods: Maternal serum samples obtained in the third trimester from nulliparous (n = 86) and multiparous (n = 165) singleton uncomplicated pregnancies were analyzed for levels of angiogenic factors - soluble fms like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: For nulliparous and multiparous pregnancies, serum sFlt1 levels were 12 732 ± 832 and 10 162 ± 666 (p = 0.

Modeling of human cytomegalovirus maternal-fetal transmission in a novel decidual organ culture.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital infection, associated with severe birth defects and intrauterine growth retardation. The mechanism of HCMV transmission via the maternal-fetal interface is largely unknown, and there are no animal models for HCMV. The initial stages of infection are believed to occur in the maternal decidua.

Local retention versus systemic release of soluble VEGF receptor-1 are mediated by heparin-binding and regulated by heparanase.

Rationale: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) decoy receptor soluble VEGF-R1 (sVEGF-R1) is thought to protect the cells that produce it from adverse VEGF signaling. To accomplish this role, a mechanism for pericellular retention of sVEGF-R1 is required. Local retention may also prevent the accumulation of high circulating levels of sVEGF-R1 and resulting interference with homeostatic VEGF functions in remote organs.

Inhibitory NK receptor recognition of HLA-G: regulation by contact residues and by cell specific expression at the fetal-maternal interface.

The non-classical HLA-G protein is distinguished from the classical MHC class I molecules by its expression pattern, low polymorphism and its ability to form complexes on the cell surface. The special role of HLA-G in the maternal-fetal interface has been attributed to its ability to interact with specific receptors found on maternal immune cells. However this interaction is restricted to a limited number of receptors.

A novel human-specific soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1: cell-type-specific splicing and implications to vascular endothelial growth factor homeostasis and preeclampsia.

A human-specific splicing variant of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 1 (Flt1) was discovered, producing a soluble receptor (designated sFlt1-14) that is qualitatively different from the previously described soluble receptor (sFlt1) and functioning as a potent VEGF inhibitor. sFlt1-14 is generated in a cell type-specific fashion, primarily in nonendothelial cells. Notably, in vascular smooth muscle cells, all Flt1 messenger RNA is converted to sFlt1-14, whereas endothelial cells of the same human vessel express sFlt1.

FGF 10 and Sprouty 2 modulate trophoblast invasion and branching morphogenesis.

Branching morphogenesis (BM) of the chorionic villous tree is a crucial component of early placental formation. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), their receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and negative regulators like Sprouty (Spry) proteins are pivotal factors in the development of diverse branching organ systems. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of FGF10 and Sprouty 2 on BM of the chorionic villi in vitro.

Decidual NK cells regulate key developmental processes at the human fetal-maternal interface.

Human CD56(bright) NK cells accumulate in the maternal decidua during pregnancy and are found in direct contact with fetal trophoblasts. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the inability of NK cells to kill the semiallogeneic fetal cells. However, the actual functions of decidual NK (dNK) cells during pregnancy are mostly unknown.

Expression and regulation of Sprouty-2 in the granulosa-lutein cells of the corpus luteum.

Growth factor signalling has important modulatory roles in the process of human follicular growth, oocyte maturation and corpus luteum (CL) formation. Recently, Sprouty-2, an inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signalling pathway was advocated as a marker of oocyte competence in the bovine ovary. We sought to study Sprouty-2 expression and regulation in the human ovary.

Fibroblast growth factor-10 and fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-4: expression and peptide localization in human decidua and placenta.

The development of the chorionic villous tree into a complex and organized ramified tubular network can be termed branching morphogenesis. Studying the molecular mechanisms involved in this process may contribute to the understanding of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. We hypothesized that fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10) and fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-4 (FGFR 1-4) are expressed in human decidual and placental tissues.

Spatiotemporal expression of heparanase during human and rodent ovarian folliculogenesis.

Heparanase (HPSE) is an endoglycosidase that cleaves heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), major components of the basement membrane (BM) and extracellular matrix (ECM). Heparanase activity results in release of HSPG-bound molecules, including basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). Structural and functional development of the corpus luteum (CL) involves tissue remodeling, active angiogenesis, and steroid production.