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. 2010 Apr 22:5:24.
doi: 10.1186/1746-1596-5-24.

Intrauterine growth restriction and placental angiogenesis

Figen Barut  1 , Aykut Barut, Banu Dogan Gun, Nilufer Onak Kandemir, Mehmet Ibrahim Harma, Muge Harma, Erol Aktunc, Sukru Oguz Ozdamar
Affiliations

Intrauterine growth restriction and placental angiogenesis

Figen Barut et al. Diagn Pathol. .

Abstract

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are factors that take part in placental angiogenesis. They are highly expressed during embryonic and fetal development, especially in the first trimester. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of placental angiogenesis in the development of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) by comparing the levels of expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS in normal-term pregnancy and IUGR placentas.

Methods: The expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS was studied using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method in placental tissues diagnosed as normal (n = 55) and IUGR (n = 55). Results were evaluated in a semi-quantitative manner.

Results: The expression of all the markers was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, extravillous trophoblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, chorionic villous stromal cells, and villous vascular endothelial cells of the IUGR placentas when compared with those collected from normal-term pregnancies.

Conclusion: Increased expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS may be the result of inadequate uteroplacental perfusion, supporting the proposal that abnormal angiogenesis plays a role in the pathophysiology of IUGR.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Histopathologic appearances of placental tissues A; Normal placental tissue B; Increased syncytial knots and villous vascular structures in IUGR placental tissue (H&E A; B; ×200).
Figure 2
Figure 2
VEGF expression in placental tissues, A; Weak VEGF expression in cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts in normal pregnancy placenta, B; Strong immune reaction with VEGF in IUGR placental tissue (B-SA peroxidase, DAB, A; B; ×200).
Figure 3
Figure 3
b-FGF expression in placental tissues, A; Normal placental villous displaying weak b-FGF immune reaction, B; Strong b-FGF expression in IUGR placenta (B-SA peroxidase, DAB, A; B; ×200).
Figure 4
Figure 4
eNOS expression in placental tissues, A; Weak eNOS expression in normal pregnancy placenta, B; Strong immune reaction with eNOS in IUGR placenta (B-SA peroxidase, DAB, A; B; ×200). The English in this document has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English. For a certificate, please see: http://www.textcheck.com/certificate/muDdOz
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