Placenta-specific protein 1 (PLAC1) expression is significantly down-regulated in preeclampsia via a hypoxia-mediated mechanism

Abstract

Objective: Examine a mechanism of PLAC1 regulation and its potential role in preeclampsia (PE). Materials and methods: Placental tissue samples and detailed clinical information were obtained through the University of Iowa Maternal Fetal Tissue Bank (IRB# 200910784) from gestational and maternal age-matched control (n = 17) and PE affected pregnancies (n = 12). PLAC1 and PLAC1 promoter-specific expression was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and differences were assessed via the standard ΔΔCt method. In addition, the role of hypoxia in PLAC1 transcription was investigated through the exposure of HTR8/SVneo human trophoblast cells to the hypoxia mimic dimethyloxaloylglycine (DMOG). Results: PLAC1 expression is seen to be 8.9-fold lower in human placentas affected by preeclampsia in comparison with controls (p