Urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 are expressed by the human placenta, deciduas, and fetal membranes

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Alberto ImperatoreF Petraglia

Abstract

Urocortin 2 (UCN2) and urocortin 3 (UCN 3) are recently identified neuropeptides showing homology to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). In the present study, we evaluated their expression and localization in gestational tissues (placenta, decidua, fetal membranes), and their effect on placental adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion. The study was performed in a tertiary clinical care center. Tissues were obtained at first (n = 8; 8-11 weeks of pregnancy) and third (n = 8; 38-40 gestational weeks) trimester. The mRNA expression was evaluated by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); the cellular localization by immunohistochemistry; ACTH levels were measured in media collected from cultured placental villi. All tissues analyzed expressed UCN2 and UCN3 mRNA. UCN2 and UCN3 were localized in cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells; UCN2 was present in maternal and fetal vessels and in amniotic cells, while UCN3 was absent. Finally, UCN2 and UCN3 did not stimulate ACTH secretion. Gestational tissues differentially express UCN2 and UCN3 and, despite their homology to CRF, they did not stimulate placental ACTH secretion.

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Citations

Sep 9, 2008·Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics·C IavazzoA Malamitsi-Puchner
Jun 8, 2012·International Journal of Endocrinology·Kazuhiro Takahashi
May 13, 2009·Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E·Binhai CongXin Ni
Apr 3, 2007·The Journal of Endocrinology·Michal A ZmijewskiAndrzej T Slominski
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Feb 23, 2010·Regulatory Peptides·Kazunori KageyamaToshihiro Suda
Mar 4, 2009·Regulatory Peptides·Kazunori KageyamaToshihiro Suda
Nov 7, 2006·Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology·Eva M Fekete, Eric P Zorrilla
Mar 8, 2012·Gynecological Endocrinology : the Official Journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·Maria De BonisFelice Petraglia
Mar 4, 2015·Neuroscience Bulletin·Phillipe Leff GelmanJuan Pablo Reyes Grajeda
Apr 11, 2009·Placenta·P P L M PepelsC G J Sweep
Apr 21, 2011·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Caterina SquillaciotiNicola Mirabella
May 26, 2016·Journal of Molecular Endocrinology·João C R CardosoDan Larhammar
Jul 10, 2010·Reproductive Sciences·Alberto ImperatoreIsabella Caniggia
Jul 16, 2010·Endocrine Reviews·Felice PetragliaJohn R G Challis
Nov 27, 2014·Endocrinology·Chiara VoltoliniJane E Norman
Nov 26, 2010·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism·Michela TorricelliFelice Petraglia
Oct 6, 2019·Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica·Caterina SquillaciotiNicola Mirabella
Jul 28, 2016·World Journal of Clinical Cases·Salvatore Giovanni VitaleDiego Rossetti
Jan 16, 2020·Biomolecules·Ker Woon ChoyHock-Kean Liew
Mar 30, 2017·Stress : the International Journal on the Biology of Stress·Pearl La Marca-GhaemmaghamiUlrike Ehlert

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