Meryam Sugulle

Cytochrome P450 Subfamily 2J Polypeptide 2 Expression and Circulating Epoxyeicosatrienoic Metabolites in Preeclampsia

Background —Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy, originating in the placenta. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent eicosanoids regulate vascular function, inflammation, and angiogenesis that are mechanistically important in preeclampsia. Methods and Results —We performed microarray screening of placenta and decidua (maternal placenta) from 25 preeclamptic women and 23 controls. The CYP subfamily 2J polypeptide 2 (CYP2J2) was upregulated in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. RT-PCR confirmed the upregulation and immunohistochemistry localized CYP2J2 in trophoblastic villi and deciduas at 12 weeks and term. The CYP2J2 metabolites, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET), 14,15-EET, and the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHET), were elevated in preeclamptic women compared to controls in the latter two-thirds of pregnancy and after delivery. Stimulating a trophoblast-derived cell line with the preeclampsia-associated cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α enhanced CYP2J2 gene and protein expression. In two independent rat models of preeclampsia, reduced uterine-perfusion rat and the transgenic Ang II rat, we observed elevated EET, DHET, and preeclamptic features that were ameliorated by the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor, MsPPOH. Uterine arterial rings of these rats also dilated in response to MsPPOH. Furthermore, 5,6-EET could be metabolized to a thromboxane analog. In a bioassay, 5,6-EET increased the beating rate of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Blocking thromboxane synthesis reversed that finding and also normalized large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa1.1) activity. Conclusions —Our data implicate CYP2J2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and as a potential candidate for the disturbed uteroplacental remodeling, leading to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.Background— Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy, originating in the placenta. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent eicosanoids regulate vascular function, inflammation, and angiogenesis, which are mechanistically important in preeclampsia. Methods and Results— We performed microarray screening of placenta and decidua (maternal placenta) from 25 preeclamptic women and 23 control subjects. The CYP subfamily 2J polypeptide 2 (CYP2J2) was upregulated in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmed the upregulation, and immunohistochemistry localized CYP2J2 in trophoblastic villi and deciduas at 12 weeks and term. The CYP2J2 metabolites, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), 14,15-EET, and the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids, were elevated in preeclamptic women compared with controls in the latter two thirds of pregnancy and after delivery. Stimulating a trophoblast-derived cell line with the preeclampsia-associated cytokine tumor necrosis factor-&agr; enhanced CYP2J2 gene and protein expression. In 2 independent rat models of preeclampsia, reduced uterine-perfusion rat and the transgenic angiotensin II rat, we observed elevated EET, dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, and preeclamptic features that were ameliorated by the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-(2-propynyloxy)-benzenehexanamide (MsPPOH). Uterine arterial rings of these rats also dilated in response to MsPPOH. Furthermore, 5,6-EET could be metabolized to a thromboxane analog. In a bioassay, 5,6-EET increased the beating rate of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Blocking thromboxane synthesis reversed that finding and also normalized large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activity. Conclusions— Our data implicate CYP2J2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and as a potential candidate for the disturbed uteroplacental remodeling, leading to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.

Circulating and Placental Growth-Differentiation Factor 15 in Preeclampsia and in Pregnancy Complicated by Diabetes Mellitus

Growth-differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a stress-responsive transforming growth factor-&bgr;-related cytokine, is emerging as a new risk marker in patients with cardiovascular disease. We explored GDF-15 in preeclampsia and in diabetic pregnancies, because these conditions are associated with augmented risk for cardiovascular disease, both in mother and in offspring. Plasma from pregnant women (n=267; controls: n=59, preeclampsia: n=85, diabetes mellitus: n=112, and superimposed preeclampsia in diabetes mellitus: n=11), fetal plasma (n=72), and amniotic fluid (n=99) were analyzed by immunoassay for GDF-15. Placental GDF-15 mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblots in 78 and 18 pregnancies, respectively. Conditioned media from preeclamptic (n=6) and control (n=6) villous placenta explants were analyzed by immunoassay for GDF-15. Median maternal GDF-15 concentration was elevated in those with diabetes mellitus, as compared with controls (91 549 versus 79 875 ng/L; P=0.02). Median GDF-15 concentration was higher in patients with preeclampsia than in controls in term maternal blood samples (127 061 versus 80 319 ng/L; P<0.001). In the fetal circulation and amniotic fluid, GDF-15 was elevated in preeclampsia and superimposed preeclampsia in diabetes mellitus, as compared with controls. GDF-15 placental mRNA expression was elevated in preeclampsia, as compared with controls (P=0.002). Placenta immunoblots confirmed a single GDF-15 protein band, and a time-dependent increase in GDF-15 protein was detected in the conditioned media. Our study is the first to show that GDF-15 is dysregulated, both in preeclampsia and in diabetic pregnancies. The mechanisms and diagnostic implications of these findings remain to be explored.

Placental miR-1301 is dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia and inversely correlated with maternal circulating leptin.

INTRODUCTION miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs important for the regulation of mRNA in many organs including placenta. Adipokines and specifically leptin are known to be dysregulated in preeclampsia, but little is known regarding their regulation by miRNAs during pregnancy. METHODS We performed high-throughput sequencing of small RNAs in placenta from 72 well-defined patients: 23 early-onset preeclampsia (PE), 26 late-onset PE and 23 controls. The regulation of some miRNAs was confirmed on qRT-PCR. Maternal circulating levels and placental mRNA of leptin, resistin and adiponectin were measured using Bio-Plex and qRT-PCR. RESULTS We found that miR-1301, miR-223 and miR-224 expression was downregulated in early-onset PE, but not in late-onset PE, compared to controls. In silico analysis predicted the leptin gene (LEP) to be a target for all three miRNAs. Indeed, we found significant correlation between maternal circulating levels of leptin and placental LEP expression. In addition, we found a significant inverse correlation between maternal circulating leptin/placental LEP expression and placental miR-1301 expression levels. Interestingly, placental expression of miR-1301 was also correlated with newborn weight percentile and inversely correlated with both maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure prior to delivery. DISCUSSION Our results confirm that placenta is a major site of LEP expression during pregnancy. It further suggests that miR-1301 could be involved in the regulation of leptin during pregnancy and may play a role in early-onset PE. CONCLUSIONS miR-1301 is dysregulated in early-onset preeclampsia and could possibly play a role in the regulation of leptin during pregnancy.

Cardiovascular Biomarker Midregional Proatrial Natriuretic Peptide During and After Preeclamptic Pregnancies

Preeclampsia is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), a precursor of the atrial natriuretic peptide, is a biomarker for cardiovascular disease. We obtained plasma from 184 pregnant women in gestational weeks 24 to 42 (normotensive pregnancies: n=77, preeclampsia: n=107), from 25 of these women at 5 to 8 years after index pregnancy (normotensive pregnancies: n=11, preeclampsia: n=14), and from 49 normotensive, nonpregnant women and analyzed them by immunoassay for MR-proANP. To investigate potential sources, placental and decidual atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA expression levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR in 21 normotensive and 23 preeclamptic pregnancies, as well as in human heart and kidney samples. For further confirmation, we measured circulating MR-proANP and performed expression studies in a transgenic rat model for preeclampsia. MR-proANP was significantly elevated in maternal plasma in preeclampsia compared with normotensive pregnancies (135 versus 56 pmol/L; P<0.001). However, 5 to 8 years after pregnancy, there was no difference (formerly preeclamptic women versus formerly normotensive in pregnancy: 53 versus 49 pmol/L; P=0.5). Our preeclamptic rat model confirmed the acute MR-proANP differences between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies (10.9±1.9 versus 4.3±0.3 pmol/L; P=0.05). Atrial natriuretic peptide expression was high in the heart but negligible in the uteroplacental unit in both normotensive humans and rats, whereas expression in maternal and fetal hearts in the preeclamptic rats was significantly increased, compared with controls. MR-proANP is a serviceable biomarker in preeclampsia, both in humans and a rat model, probably reflecting cardiovascular hemodynamic stress.

Cardiovascular risk markers in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus or preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE To explore biomarkers indicating cardiovascular disease in pregnant women with diabetes or preeclampsia, since these women are at increased risk for future cardiovascular disease. STUDY DESIGN EDTA-plasma from 262 women in gestational week 24-42 (healthy pregnancies n=71, preeclampsia n=105, type 2 diabetes n=17, gestational diabetes n=61, diabetes with preeclampsia n=8) was analyzed by immunoassay for neopterin, midregional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and C-terminal pro-arginine vasopressin (CT-proAVP). The diabetes groups were also analyzed for midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), and compared to previously reported MR-proANP concentrations for healthy, normotensive and preeclamptic patients. RESULTS In contrast to preeclampsia, median plasma MR-proANP was not increased in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, but in fact lower, compared to healthy pregnancies. Neopterin was increased in diabetic pregnancies and in late onset preeclampsia, compared to healthy pregnancies. Median plasma MR-proADM was increased in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, compared to healthy pregnancies. Median plasma MR-proANP was increased in diabetic pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia compared to pregnant women with diabetes only. CONCLUSION Women with pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus or preeclampsia are at risk for future cardiovascular disease, but differ in circulating cardiovascular biomarker profile. A cardiovascular biomarker profiling during pregnancy might prove helpful in identifying women at risk for future cardiovascular disease, thus enabling targeted prophylactic interventions and follow-up.

Plasma calprotectin as inflammation marker in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus and superimposed preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus with or without preeclampsia show an elevated systemic inflammatory response evaluated by the inflammation markers calprotectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). STUDY DESIGN Third trimester EDTA plasma and serum from 138 women with diabetes mellitus (type 1, n=53; type 2, n=11; gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), n=63; diabetes mellitus with preeclampsia, n=11) were analyzed for calprotectin and hsCRP and compared to previously published results from 37 healthy and 27 preeclamptic pregnancies. RESULTS Median plasma calprotectin concentration was intermediate in women with GDM as compared to healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies (729 vs 552 and 1081μg/L, P=.006 and P=.001, respectively). In diabetic pregnancies with preeclampsia, median plasma calprotectin concentration was elevated as compared to controls, but not different from women with preeclampsia alone (969 vs 552 and 1081μg/L, P=.01 and P=.1, respectively). hsCRP was only elevated in type 2 diabetic pregnancies as compared to healthy pregnancies (6.6 vs 3.8mg/L, P=.02). CONCLUSION Elevated plasma calprotectin concentrations in GDM may reflect an accentuated inflammatory process, possibly contributing to the augmented preeclampsia risk. Increased plasma calprotectin in diabetic pregnancies with preeclampsia may originate from the excess systemic inflammatory response associated with preeclampsia.

CYP2J2 Expression and Circulating Epoxyeicosatrienoic Metabolites in Preeclampsia

Background —Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy, originating in the placenta. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent eicosanoids regulate vascular function, inflammation, and angiogenesis that are mechanistically important in preeclampsia. Methods and Results —We performed microarray screening of placenta and decidua (maternal placenta) from 25 preeclamptic women and 23 controls. The CYP subfamily 2J polypeptide 2 (CYP2J2) was upregulated in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. RT-PCR confirmed the upregulation and immunohistochemistry localized CYP2J2 in trophoblastic villi and deciduas at 12 weeks and term. The CYP2J2 metabolites, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET), 14,15-EET, and the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHET), were elevated in preeclamptic women compared to controls in the latter two-thirds of pregnancy and after delivery. Stimulating a trophoblast-derived cell line with the preeclampsia-associated cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α enhanced CYP2J2 gene and protein expression. In two independent rat models of preeclampsia, reduced uterine-perfusion rat and the transgenic Ang II rat, we observed elevated EET, DHET, and preeclamptic features that were ameliorated by the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor, MsPPOH. Uterine arterial rings of these rats also dilated in response to MsPPOH. Furthermore, 5,6-EET could be metabolized to a thromboxane analog. In a bioassay, 5,6-EET increased the beating rate of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Blocking thromboxane synthesis reversed that finding and also normalized large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa1.1) activity. Conclusions —Our data implicate CYP2J2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and as a potential candidate for the disturbed uteroplacental remodeling, leading to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.Background— Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy, originating in the placenta. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent eicosanoids regulate vascular function, inflammation, and angiogenesis, which are mechanistically important in preeclampsia. Methods and Results— We performed microarray screening of placenta and decidua (maternal placenta) from 25 preeclamptic women and 23 control subjects. The CYP subfamily 2J polypeptide 2 (CYP2J2) was upregulated in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmed the upregulation, and immunohistochemistry localized CYP2J2 in trophoblastic villi and deciduas at 12 weeks and term. The CYP2J2 metabolites, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), 14,15-EET, and the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids, were elevated in preeclamptic women compared with controls in the latter two thirds of pregnancy and after delivery. Stimulating a trophoblast-derived cell line with the preeclampsia-associated cytokine tumor necrosis factor-&agr; enhanced CYP2J2 gene and protein expression. In 2 independent rat models of preeclampsia, reduced uterine-perfusion rat and the transgenic angiotensin II rat, we observed elevated EET, dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, and preeclamptic features that were ameliorated by the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-(2-propynyloxy)-benzenehexanamide (MsPPOH). Uterine arterial rings of these rats also dilated in response to MsPPOH. Furthermore, 5,6-EET could be metabolized to a thromboxane analog. In a bioassay, 5,6-EET increased the beating rate of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Blocking thromboxane synthesis reversed that finding and also normalized large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activity. Conclusions— Our data implicate CYP2J2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and as a potential candidate for the disturbed uteroplacental remodeling, leading to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.

Auto-antibodies against the angiotensin II type I receptor in women with uteroplacental acute atherosis and preeclampsia at delivery and several years postpartum

BACKGROUND Uteroplacental acute atherosis is a pregnancy-specific lesion resembling early stages of atherosclerosis found frequently in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk for future maternal atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The renin-angiotensin-system plays a role both in atherosclerosis and in preeclampsia. Circulating agonistic autoantibodies at the angiotensin-II type 1 receptor (AT1-AA) are increased in preeclampsia. We hypothesized an association between AT1-AA at delivery and postpartum with acute atherosis in pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Maternal serum and decidua basalis tissue was collected at elective cesarean section (n = 41; 24 preeclampsia, 17 normotensive controls). Circulating AT1-AA were detected by a bioassay using spontaneously beating rat cardiomyocytes at delivery (n = 41) and 5-8 years postpartum in a subgroup (n = 10). Decidual acute atherosis was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Significantly less normotensive controls (18%; 3/17) than women with preeclampsia (58%; 14/24) were AT1-AA positive at delivery, p<0.01. Uteroplacental acute atherosis and circulating AT1-AA at delivery were not significantly correlated. Postpartum, 2 prior preeclamptic women had circulating AT1-AA, both without acute atherosis in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that circulating AT1-AA are present significantly more often in preeclampsia than in normotensive pregnancy, however without association to acute atherosis. Whether circulating maternal AT1-AA or acute atherosis target young women at increased long-term cardiovascular risk warrants further investigations.

OP008. Different dysregulation of placental mirnas in early- and late-onset preeclampsia.

INTRODUCTION miRNAs are small ∼22nt RNAs, important in the fine-tuning of mRNA in many organs including placenta. Preeclampsia (PE) is a heterogenous disease which may be divided into early-onset PE, which is a more severe form with assumed placental origin, and late-onset PE, with assumed maternal origin. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression of miRNAs in early and late-onset PE compared to controls using high throughput sequencing. METHODS Placentas were obtained from an ongoing biobank collection at Oslo University Hospital. 23 normotensive controls, 23 early-onset PE (delivery at gestational week <34) and 26 late-onset PE (week⩾34) samples were sequenced using Illumina sequencing technology. Differential expressed miRNAs were identified by the EdgeR package in R and predicted targets were estimated by miRWalk. RESULTS 3 placental miRNAs were differentially expressed between controls and late-onset PE, 4 miRNAs were differentially expressed between early- and late-onset PE and 51 miRNAs were differentially expressed between early-onset PE and controls. Combining with mRNA array data from a subgroup of the same patients, we identified predicted targets of some of these miRNAs with significant inverse correlation between the respective mRNAs/miRNAs. CONCLUSION These preliminary results suggest that miRNAs in placenta could be more important in the dysregulation of mRNAs in early-onset PE than in late-onset of the disease.

Cytochrome P450 Subfamily 2J Polypeptide 2 Expression and Circulating Epoxyeicosatrienoic Metabolites in PreeclampsiaClinical Perspective

Background —Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy, originating in the placenta. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent eicosanoids regulate vascular function, inflammation, and angiogenesis that are mechanistically important in preeclampsia. Methods and Results —We performed microarray screening of placenta and decidua (maternal placenta) from 25 preeclamptic women and 23 controls. The CYP subfamily 2J polypeptide 2 (CYP2J2) was upregulated in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. RT-PCR confirmed the upregulation and immunohistochemistry localized CYP2J2 in trophoblastic villi and deciduas at 12 weeks and term. The CYP2J2 metabolites, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET), 14,15-EET, and the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHET), were elevated in preeclamptic women compared to controls in the latter two-thirds of pregnancy and after delivery. Stimulating a trophoblast-derived cell line with the preeclampsia-associated cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α enhanced CYP2J2 gene and protein expression. In two independent rat models of preeclampsia, reduced uterine-perfusion rat and the transgenic Ang II rat, we observed elevated EET, DHET, and preeclamptic features that were ameliorated by the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor, MsPPOH. Uterine arterial rings of these rats also dilated in response to MsPPOH. Furthermore, 5,6-EET could be metabolized to a thromboxane analog. In a bioassay, 5,6-EET increased the beating rate of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Blocking thromboxane synthesis reversed that finding and also normalized large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa1.1) activity. Conclusions —Our data implicate CYP2J2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and as a potential candidate for the disturbed uteroplacental remodeling, leading to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.Background— Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy, originating in the placenta. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-dependent eicosanoids regulate vascular function, inflammation, and angiogenesis, which are mechanistically important in preeclampsia. Methods and Results— We performed microarray screening of placenta and decidua (maternal placenta) from 25 preeclamptic women and 23 control subjects. The CYP subfamily 2J polypeptide 2 (CYP2J2) was upregulated in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmed the upregulation, and immunohistochemistry localized CYP2J2 in trophoblastic villi and deciduas at 12 weeks and term. The CYP2J2 metabolites, 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), 14,15-EET, and the corresponding dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids, were elevated in preeclamptic women compared with controls in the latter two thirds of pregnancy and after delivery. Stimulating a trophoblast-derived cell line with the preeclampsia-associated cytokine tumor necrosis factor-&agr; enhanced CYP2J2 gene and protein expression. In 2 independent rat models of preeclampsia, reduced uterine-perfusion rat and the transgenic angiotensin II rat, we observed elevated EET, dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid, and preeclamptic features that were ameliorated by the CYP epoxygenase inhibitor N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-(2-propynyloxy)-benzenehexanamide (MsPPOH). Uterine arterial rings of these rats also dilated in response to MsPPOH. Furthermore, 5,6-EET could be metabolized to a thromboxane analog. In a bioassay, 5,6-EET increased the beating rate of neonatal cardiomyocytes. Blocking thromboxane synthesis reversed that finding and also normalized large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel activity. Conclusions— Our data implicate CYP2J2 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and as a potential candidate for the disturbed uteroplacental remodeling, leading to hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.