OBJECTIVE: Placental tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cell signaling protein. During pregnancy, TNF-α induces synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which allows cytotrophoblasts to reach the spiral arteries deeper within the uterine decidua. TNF-α also augments apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells surrounding these arteries. In this study, chorionic villi TNF-α protein expression throughout normal human gestation were investigated. METHODS: Placental chorionic villi tissues obtained from elective surgical terminations of pregnancy and from uncomplicated term births were assayed using EIA kits (Cayman Chemicals, Ann Arbor, MI, Item # 589201). RESULTS: The median, 25th percentile and 75th percentile values in the first (N = 99), second (N = 58) and third trimester (N = 42) were: 36.46, 27.25, 45.90 pg/100 mg tissue; 55.43, 40.09, 110.88 pg/100 mg tissue; and 16.63, 9.32, 31.92 pg/100 mg tissue, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in placental TNF-α protein expression noted at different trimesters may suggest gestational age specific roles for the cytokine. The increase in TNF-α protein expression observed in the second trimester may be involved in upregulating synthesis of MMP and in augmenting apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells of the spiral arteries. A failure in this second trimester increase in TNF-α protein could contribute to gestational compromise.
OBJECTIVE: Placental tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cell signaling protein. During pregnancy, TNF-α induces synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which allows cytotrophoblasts to reach the spiral arteries deeper within the uterine decidua. TNF-α also augments apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells surrounding these arteries. In this study, chorionic villi TNF-α protein expression throughout normal human gestation were investigated. METHODS: Placental chorionic villi tissues obtained from elective surgical terminations of pregnancy and from uncomplicated term births were assayed using EIA kits (Cayman Chemicals, Ann Arbor, MI, Item # 589201). RESULTS: The median, 25th percentile and 75th percentile values in the first (N = 99), second (N = 58) and third trimester (N = 42) were: 36.46, 27.25, 45.90 pg/100 mg tissue; 55.43, 40.09, 110.88 pg/100 mg tissue; and 16.63, 9.32, 31.92 pg/100 mg tissue, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in placental TNF-α protein expression noted at different trimesters may suggest gestational age specific roles for the cytokine. The increase in TNF-α protein expression observed in the second trimester may be involved in upregulating synthesis of MMP and in augmenting apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells of the spiral arteries. A failure in this second trimester increase in TNF-α protein could contribute to gestational compromise.
Authors: Richard B Parad; Janis L Breeze; Norma Terrin; Lynette K Rogers; Carolyn M Salafia; Anne Greenough; Jonathan M Davis Journal: Pediatr Pulmonol Date: 2021-08-26
Authors: Lilja Hardardottir; Maria Victoria Bazzano; Laura Glau; Luca Gattinoni; Angela Köninger; Eva Tolosa; Maria Emilia Solano Journal: Front Immunol Date: 2021-11-16 Impact factor: 7.561