Increased levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 in the serum of pre-eclamptic patients

Haruki Nishizawa, Kanako Pryor-Koishi, Machiko Suzuki, Takema Kato, Hiroshi Kogo, Takao Sekiya, Hiroki Kurahashi, Yasuhiro Udagawa

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60 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and -A2 (PAPP-A and -A2) are proteases that cleave insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs), resulting in local activation of IGF signaling pathways. Here, we examined PAPP-A and -A2 mRNA and protein levels in placenta and maternal sera from women with pre-eclampsia and compared them with samples from uncomplicated pregnancy. PAPP-A2 but not PAPP-A mRNA and protein were elevated in pre-eclamptic placenta (P < 0.01). PAPP-A2 is normally produced in placental syncytiotrophoblast cells and maternal decidua. PAPP-A2 in syncytiotrophoblast cells was dramatically increased in pre-eclampsia. Maternal serum concentrations of PAPP-A2 but not PAPP-A were also significantly elevated in pre-eclampsia as compared with uncomplicated pregnancy. mRNA levels of IGFBP5, a specific substrate for PAPP-A2 protease activity, were also significantly increased, suggesting a potential role for IGFBP5 in fetal and placental growth suppression during pre-eclampsia. However, IGFBP5 protein levels were not increased in placenta from pre-eclampsia, possibly due to cleavage by up-regulated PAPP-A2. These data might imply that PAPP-A2 may be up-regulated in pre-eclamptic pregnancy to compensate for IGFBP5-mediated suppression of the IGF pathway, although final birthweights are still low in pre-eclamptic pregnancy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)595-602
Number of pages8
JournalMolecular Human Reproduction
Volume14
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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