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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Decorin expression is decreased in human idiopathic fetal growth restriction

B. C. Swan A D E F G , P. Murthi A B F , G. Rajaraman A B , N. A. Pathirage A B , J. M. Said A B , V. Ignjatovic C D E , P. T. Monagle D E and S. P. Brennecke A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Perinatal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.

B Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.

C Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.

D Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia.

E Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia.

F These authors contributed equally to this work.

G Corresponding author. Email: padma@unimelb.edu.au

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22(6) 949-955 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD09240
Submitted: 18 September 2009  Accepted: 8 January 2010   Published: 25 May 2010

Abstract

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a clinically significant pregnancy disorder in which the fetus fails to achieve its full growth potential in utero. Most cases of FGR are idiopathic and are associated with placental thrombosis. Previous studies suggest that proteoglycans, such as decorin, that contain the glycosaminoglycan dermatan sulfate are the principal anticoagulants in the normal placenta. The present study investigated decorin expression in placentas from pregnancies complicated by idiopathic FGR (n = 26) and gestation-matched controls (n = 27). Real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated significantly reduced decorin mRNA expression in FGR compared with control (1.52 ± 0.14 v. 2.21 ± 0.22, respectively; P < 0.01). Immunoblotting revealed decreased decorin protein (40 kDa) expression in FGR compared with controls (420.8 ± 39.0 v. 690.1 ± 42.2, respectively; n = 12 in each group; P = 0.0007). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of immunoreactive decorin protein in the placental villous stroma surrounding the fetal capillaries and a significant decrease in decorin protein presence in FGR compared with control (1.75 ± 0.66 v. 2.98 ± 1.12, respectively; n = 6 in each group; P < 0.01, t-test). This is the first study to demonstrate reduced decorin in idiopathic FGR, indicating a potentially significant role for decorin in the aetiology of placental thrombosis in idiopathic FGR.

Additional keywords: placenta, proteoglycan, thrombosis.


Acknowledgements

The authors thank Clinical Research Midwife Ms Susan Nisbet for specimen collection and other staff in the Department of Perinatal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre at The Royal Women’s Hospital. The authors also thank the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research Foundation for the Glyn White Scholarship and Campbell Edwards Trust for the Philanthropic Grant, which provided funding support for this project. The authors also thank the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia for awarding their scholarship to B.C.S.


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