Proteome Differences in Placenta and Endometrium between Normal and Intrauterine Growth Restricted Pig Fetuses

PLoS One. 2015 Nov 10;10(11):e0142396. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142396. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Uteroplacental tissue plays a key role in substance exchanges between maternal and fetal circulation, and, therefore, in the growth and development of fetuses. In this study, proteomics and western blotting were applied to investigate the changes of proteome in the placenta and endometrium of normal and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) porcine fetuses during mid to late pregnancy (D60, 90, and 110 of gestation). Our results showed that proteins participating in cell structure, energy metabolism, stress response, cell turnover, as well as transport and metabolism of nutrients were differentially expressed in placenta and endometrium between normal and IUGR fetuses. Analysis of functions of these proteins suggests reductions in ATP production and nutrients transport, increases in oxidative stress and apoptosis, and impairment of cell metabolism in IUGR fetuses. Collectively, our findings aid in understanding of the mechanisms responsible for uteroplacental dysfunction in IUGR fetus, and are expected to provide new strategies to reduce fetal growth restriction in pigs and other mammals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Birth Weight
  • Endometrium / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / metabolism*
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Proteome*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Swine / embryology*

Substances

  • Proteome

Grants and funding

This study was supported by fundings from National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 30810103902, 31272449, and 31422052). URL of National Natural Science Foundation of China: http://www.nsfc.gov.cn. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.