Paediatrics Publications
Title
IUGR Is Associated With Marked Hyperphosphorylation of Decidual and Maternal Plasma IGFBP-1.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2019
Journal
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Volume
104
Issue
2
First Page
408
Last Page
422
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-00820
Abstract
Context:
The mechanisms underpinning intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), as a result of placental insufficiency, remain poorly understood, no specific treatment is available, and clinically useful biomarkers for early detection are lacking.
Objective:
We hypothesized that human IUGR is associated with inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and activation of amino acid response (AAR) signaling, increased protein kinase casein kinase-2 (CK2) activity, and increased insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) expression and phosphorylation in decidua and that maternal plasma IGFBP-1 hyperphosphorylation in the first trimester predicts later development of IUGR.
Design,
Setting, and Participants: Decidua [n = 16 appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA); n = 16 IUGR] and maternal plasma (n = 13 AGA; n = 13 IUGR) were collected at delivery from two different cohorts. In addition, maternal plasma was obtained in the late first trimester from a third cohort of women (n = 7) who later delivered an AGA or IUGR infant.
Main Outcome Measures:
Total IGFBP-1 expression and phosphorylation (Ser101/Ser119/Ser169), mTOR, AAR, and CK2 activity in decidua and IGFBP-1 concentration and phosphorylation in maternal plasma.
Results:
We show that decidual IGFBP-1 expression and phosphorylation are increased, mTOR is markedly inhibited, and AAR and CK2 are activated in IUGR. Moreover, IGFBP-1 hyperphosphorylation in first-trimester maternal plasma is associated with the development of IUGR.
Conclusions:
These data are consistent with the possibility that the decidua functions as a nutrient sensor linking limited oxygen and nutrient availability to increased IGFBP-1 phosphorylation, possibly mediated by mTOR and AAR signaling. IGFBP-1 hyperphosphorylation in first-trimester maternal plasma may serve as a predictive IUGR biomarker, allowing early intervention.