Pelle G Lindqvist1, Istwan Balogh, Björn Dahlbäck. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clintec, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden. Pelle.Lindqvist@ki.se
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Growth arrest specific protein 6 (GAS6) is a newly discovered antiapoptotic protein related to cell survival. We hypothesized that GAS6 might be involved in the fetal adaptation to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). DESIGN: A nested case-control study. SETTING: A retrospective study of 25 small-for-gestational age and 36 appropriate-for-gestational age pregnancies. SAMPLE: Frozen samples from cases and controls in a prospective cohort study. METHODS: GAS6 was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in umbilical cord plasma taken immediately after delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Differences in GAS6 levels between pregnancies with placental insufficiency and those without. RESULTS: GAS6 levels were significantly higher among newborns with abnormal umbilical cord Doppler tracings (19.5 +/- 5.3 vs. 15.0 +/- 3.2, p = 0.02). Among those with abnormal umbilical cord tracings (n = 9), the two with umbilical venous pulsations had significantly lower GAS6 levels (mean 14.4 vs. 21.1, p = 0.04) and one of them died after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: GAS6 levels are raised in IUGR fetuses and we speculate that GAS6 might be involved in the fetal adaptation to placental insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE:Growth arrest specific protein 6 (GAS6) is a newly discovered antiapoptotic protein related to cell survival. We hypothesized that GAS6 might be involved in the fetal adaptation to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). DESIGN: A nested case-control study. SETTING: A retrospective study of 25 small-for-gestational age and 36 appropriate-for-gestational age pregnancies. SAMPLE: Frozen samples from cases and controls in a prospective cohort study. METHODS:GAS6 was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in umbilical cord plasma taken immediately after delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Differences in GAS6 levels between pregnancies with placental insufficiency and those without. RESULTS:GAS6 levels were significantly higher among newborns with abnormal umbilical cord Doppler tracings (19.5 +/- 5.3 vs. 15.0 +/- 3.2, p = 0.02). Among those with abnormal umbilical cord tracings (n = 9), the two with umbilical venous pulsations had significantly lower GAS6 levels (mean 14.4 vs. 21.1, p = 0.04) and one of them died after delivery. CONCLUSIONS:GAS6 levels are raised in IUGR fetuses and we speculate that GAS6 might be involved in the fetal adaptation to placental insufficiency.