Adrenomedullin, a new hypotensive peptide is expressed in maternal decidual cells and fetal cells in first trimester of pregnancy

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

12-1-1997

Journal

Acta Diabetologica Latina

Volume

176

Issue

1 PART II

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine if Adrenomedullin (AM), a multi-functional regulator)' peptide present in second trimester amniotic fluid, was also found in first trimester human pregnano, and to determine the site of expression of this potent hormone. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective descriptive studb design was utilized alter approval by the Institutional Review Board. Maternal dccidual cells and fetal cells were obtained at the time of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) from three ongoing pregnancies. Maternal tissue was dissected from the fetal specimen; this tissue is normally discarded to avoid maternal cell contamination of the fetal specimen. Both maternal and fetal cells were cultured and evaluated for AM expression using Immunocvtochemistry, Reverse-Transcriptase Polvmerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and /// bitu RT-PCR. RESULTS: Three CVS specimens were analyzed. AM was expressed at high levels by both the maternal decidual cells and by the fetal chorionic villus cells. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenomedullin is found in human maternal decidual cells, and in fetal cells in the iirst trimester ot pregnancb. CurrentK, the function of adrenomedullin in human pregnancb is not known. Further analysis of AM expression by maternal cells and placental tissue mav help to identift the biologic function of this peptide.

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