Altered gene profile of placenta from women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the alterations in gene profile of placenta from pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and to enhance the insight of etiology and pathogenesis of ICP.

Methods: Ten pregnant women diagnosed ICP were recruited and 10 healthy pregnant women served as control. Four samples were taken from each placenta and RNA was isolated. Gene expression was analyzed with microarray and real time PCR was used to validate the differentially expressed genes.

Results: 392 genes were found differentially expressed. Among these differentially expressed genes, 280 were up-regulated and 112 were down-regulated. These differentially expressed genes involved 20 categories including genes involved in transportation, cell growth, apoptosis and immune response that were putatively participated the pathogenesis of ICP.

Conclusions: 293 differentially expressed genes of 20 categories were found in ICP placenta, suggesting the diversity of gene expression alteration and the complexity of etiology and pathogenesis of ICP.