Alteration of epidermal growth factor receptor in placental membranes of smokers: relationship with intrauterine growth retardation.

OBJECTIVE: The study of a possible alteration of epidermal growth factor receptor in placental membranes of smokers was performed. STUDY
DESIGN: We investigated the binding capacity and the autophosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor in membranes of 33 term placentas from smokers and nonsmokers with appropriate-for-gestational-age or small-for-gestational-age babies.
RESULTS: The binding capacity of epidermal growth factor receptor was similar in the four subgroups of placental membranes. In contrast, epidermal growth factor receptor autophosphorylation was impaired in the membranes from smokers relative to those from nonsmokers. This decrease was significant (p < 0.001) in the membranes from smokers with small-for-gestational-age babies. Insulin receptor phosphorylation was similar in the four groups.
CONCLUSION: Intrauterine growth retardation in women who smoke is associated with an alteration of placental epidermal growth factor receptor bioactivity and suggests that the regulatory role of epidermal growth factor in placental growth and differentiation is defective in this setting.