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. 2013 Apr 26;5(1):6.
doi: 10.1186/1868-7083-5-6.

Differential placental methylation and expression of VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR genes in human term and preterm preeclampsia

Deepali P Sundrani #  1 , Umakar S Reddy #  2 , Asmita A Joshi  1 , Savita S Mehendale  3 , Preeti M Chavan-Gautam  1 , Anandwardhan A Hardikar  4 , Giriraj R Chandak  2 , Sadhana R Joshi  1
Affiliations

Differential placental methylation and expression of VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR genes in human term and preterm preeclampsia

Deepali P Sundrani et al. Clin Epigenetics. .

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication of placental origin is associated with altered expression of angiogenic factors and their receptors. Recently, there is considerable interest in understanding the role of adverse intrauterine conditions in placental dysfunction and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Since we have observed changes in placental global DNA methylation levels in preeclampsia, this study was undertaken to examine gene promoter CpG methylation and expression of several angiogenic genes.We recruited 139 women comprising, 46 normotensive women with term delivery (≥37 weeks), 45 women with preeclampsia delivering preterm (<37 weeks) and 48 women with preeclampsia delivering at term. Expression levels and promoter CpG methylation of VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR genes in placentae from respective groups were determined by Taqman-based quantitative real time PCR and by the Sequenom® EpiTYPER™ technology respectively.

Results: We observed several differentially methylated CpG sites in the promoter regions of VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR between the normotensive and preeclampsia groups. We specifically observed hypomethylated CpGs in the promoter region and an increased expression of VEGF gene between term and preterm preeclampsia. However, mean promoter CpG methylation could not account for the higher expression of FLT-1 and KDR in preterm preeclampsia as compared to normotensive group.

Conclusions: Our data indicates altered DNA methylation patterns in the VEGF, FLT-1 and KDR genes in preeclampsia as compared to the normotensive group, which could be involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Hypomethylation of VEGF promoter and consequent upregulation of VEGF mRNA levels could be a compensatory mechanism to restore normal angiogenesis and blood flow in preterm preeclampsia. This study suggests a role of altered DNA methylation in placental angiogenesis and in determining adverse pregnancy outcomes.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean promoter methylation levels and differentially methylated sites in the VEGF promoter: (A) VEGF Mean Promoter; (B) VEGF CpG site 6.7; (C) VEGF CpG site 8; (D) VEGF CpG site 14. *P <0.05 compared to normotensive group. PE, preeclampsia.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean promoter methylation levels and differentially methylated sites in the FLT-1 promoter: (A) FLT-1 Mean Promoter; (B) FLT-1 CpG site 16; (C) FLT-1 CpG site 17; (D) FLT-1 CpG site 24. *P <0.05 and **P <0.01 compared to normotensive group; @P <0.05 compared to the term PE group. PE, preeclampsia.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean promoter methylation levels and differentially methylated sites in the KDR promoter: (A) KDR CpG site 12.13; (B) KDR Mean Promoter. *P <0.05 and **P <0.01 as compared to normotensive group. PE, preeclampsia.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Gene expression levels in normotensive and preeclamptic groups: (A) VEGF Gene Expression; (B) FLT-1 Gene Expression; (C) KDR Gene Expression. *P <0.05 and **P <0.01 when compared to normotensive group; @P <0.05 and @@P <0.01 when compared to the Term PE group. PE, preeclampsia.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Promoter sequences selected for analysis of CpG methylation of (A) VEGF (B) FLT-1 and (C) KDR genes. Sequences highlighted in dark gray indicate primers. Sequences highlighted in light gray indicate CpG sites analyzed.
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