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Whole-genome microarray and targeted analysis of angiogenesis-regulating gene expression (ENG, FLT1, VEGF, PlGF) in placentas from pre-eclamptic and small-for-gestational-age pregnancies.

Toft JH, Lian IA, Tarca AL, Erez O, Espinoza J, Eide IP, Bjørge L, Draghici S, Romero R, Austgulen R

Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Objective. To compare the placental pathology associated with pre-eclampsia (PE) and/or fetal growth restriction, the transcriptomes of placental tissues from PE and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) pregnancies were explored. In addition, a targeted analysis of angiogenesis-regulating gene expression was performed. Methods. Whole-genome microarray analysis was performed on placental tissue from gestational age-matched PE (n = 10), SGA (n = 8) and PE + SGA (n = 10) pregnancies. The expression of genes regulating angiogenesis (endoglin (ENG), fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF)) was analyzed by quantitative real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results. Microarray analysis did not reveal any significant differences between groups. However, an increased expression of ENG and FLT1 was detected by qRT-PCR in the PE + SGA group. Conclusions. The placental transcriptome did not differ between groups, although an increased anti-angiogenic gene expression in PE + SGA was observed with qRT-PCR analysis. Based on this, we conclude that although microarray technology may represent a powerful tool in generating new hypothesis in complex fields, it may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in gene expression.

Published 11 March 2008 in J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 21(4): 267-73.
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