Differential Expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Different Regions of Normal and Preeclampsia Placentae

ABSTRACT

Background: Our recent study indicates differential protein levels of neurotrophins and angiogenic factors in various regions of the normotensive and preeclampsia (PE) placenta. These changes may be in a response to differential mRNA expression of neurotrophins.

Methods: This study examines the mRNA levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in different regions of the placenta in normotensive control (NC) women and women with PE. Thirty NC women and forty one women with PE (18 delivered at term [T-PE] and 23 delivered preterm [PT-PE]) were included in the study. Placental samples were taken from four regions: central basal (CM), central chorionic (CF), peripheral basal (PM), and peripheral chorionic (PF). The mRNA levels of neurotrophins were measured by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results: The BDNF mRNA levels were higher in peripheral fetal region as compared to peripheral basal region in NC (p < 0.05) group, PE group (p < 0.05) and term PE group (p < 0.01). The BDNF mRNA levels were lower in the central basal region of preterm PE group (p < 0.05) as compared to the NC group.

Conclusion: The present study indicates that NGF and BDNF are expressed differentially across various regions of the placenta. This has implications for selection of the sampling site in the placenta while carrying out placental studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Placenta
• pregnancy
• preeclampsia
• neurotrophins
• sampling site

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India (No. 5/7/1011/2013-RCH). Author AS received the ‘INSPIRE fellowship’ from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Conflict of interest

None

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research.