This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mock, P. Articles by Bidart, J.-M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mock, P. Articles by Bidart, J.-M.

Expression of Pro-EPIL Peptides Encoded by the Insulin-Like 4 (INSL4) Gene in Chromosomally Abnormal Pregnancies

Abstract

The recent development of a specific immunoassay based on monoclonal antibodies directed to chain C and chain A of early placenta insulin-like peptide (EPIL) encoded by the INSL4 gene, has made it possible to demonstrate pro-EPIL peptide expression during normal pregnancy. In the present study, we report on the expression of pro-EPIL peptides in chromosomally abnormal pregnancies, namely trisomy 21 and 18. EPIL peptide levels were measured in amniotic fluid (AF) and maternal serum (MS) from pregnancies with trisomy 21 (n = 6) or 18 (n = 14) and compared to levels detected in AF and MS from 33 chromosomally normal pregnancies between 12 and 32 weeks of gestation. Pro-EPIL peptide levels were significantly higher in amniotic fluids from T21 than in AF from chromosomally normal pregnancies (mean pro-EPIL levels ± SEM, 449 ± 129.2 ng/mL vs 137 ± 29.6 ng/mL, P = 0.0195), whereas there was only a trend towards an increase in pro-EPIL peptide levels in maternal serum. In a limited matched gestational age range (15 to 17 weeks), it was confirmed that pro-EPIL peptide levels were significantly higher in AF from T21 pregnancies (644.0 ± 155.9 ng/mL, n = 11) than in AF from normal pregnancies (177.8 ± 39.0 ng/mL, n = 12; P < 0.0001). Interestingly, the expression patterns of pro-EPIL peptides, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its free subunits were parallel in T21 pregnancies as recently observed in normal pregnancies. These results are in line with previous observations suggesting that the biosynthesis of both hCG and EPIL follows common regulation pathways.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. Ferretti, L. Bruni, V. Dangles-Marie, A.P. Pecking, and D. Bellet Molecular circuits shared by placental and cancer cells, and their implications in the proliferative, invasive and migratory capacities of trophoblasts Hum. Reprod. Update, March 1, 2007; 13(2): 121 - 141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Millar, N. Streiner, L. Webster, S. Yamamoto, R. Okabe, T. Kawamata, J. Shimoda, E. Bullesbach, C. Schwabe, and G. Bryant-Greenwood Early Placental Insulin-Like Protein (INSL4 or EPIL) in Placental and Fetal Membrane Growth Biol Reprod, October 1, 2005; 73(4): 695 - 702. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Brandt, A. Roetger, J.-M. Bidart, J. Packeisen, K. Schier, J.-H. Mikesch, D. Kemming, W. Boecker, D. Yu, and H. Buerger Early Placenta Insulin-like Growth Factor (pro-EPIL) Is Overexpressed and Secreted by c-erbB-2-positive Cells with High Invasion Potential Cancer Res., February 1, 2002; 62(4): 1020 - 1024. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]