#2550 THE ANTI-AGING FACTOR, α-KLOTHO EXPRESSION DURING HUMAN PREGNANCY AND ITS COMPLICATIONS: PREECLAMPSIA AND SMALL-FOR-GESTATIONAL-AGE NEONATE

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Pre-eclampsia (PE) is defined as arterial hypertension associated with proteinuria and may cause dysfunction of vital organs as kidney, liver, brain and other organs. PE is consider as the leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity worldwide [1,2]. IUGR definition is abnormal fetal growth compared with growth potential of a specific infant. α-Klotho (αKL) protein has three isoforms: a single transmembrane (mKL) form, a shed soluble form, and a secreted soluble circulating protein (sKL). mKL is expressed in the kidney and placenta. Nowadays, αKL levels correlation to pregnancy or pregnancy's complications, such as preeclampsia (PE) or intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) is not clear. The research goals were to monitor αKL concentrations during pregnancy and to investigate its expression alterations in correlation to pregnancy complication [3,4,5]. Method The research included 49 participants, recruited at the Baruch Padeh Poriya medical center, Obstetric Department. The participants were divided into two groups: healthy and complicated pregnancy (PE, IUGR or both). Blood and urine samples were collected during pregnancy and post-delivery (PD). Placental samples were subjected to biochemical (WB) and Elisa), morphological (H&E) histological (IHC) staining and genetic analysis (qPCR). αKL activity was assessed using specific assigned Elisa kit. Results sKL during pregnancy show constant concentration that was similar in both healthy and complicated pregnancy. Significant decrease was measured in PE in sKL concentration at PD compared to its level during pregnancy. αKL activity was dramatically reduced in complicated pregnancies compared with healthy pregnancy during and PD. Placental tissue section staining presents decrease in mKL level in the placenta of complicated pregnancy group compared with healthy group. Additionally, we found significant decline in the expression of mRNA of mKL in PE/IUGR placentas compared with healthy group. Conclusion 1. sKL level was similar in both healthy and complicated pregnancy, our results suggest low activity of sKL in complicated pregnancy compared with control. 2. Complicated pregnancy is manifested in decline in mKL, also with low activity of sKL compared with control, and gene expression between healthy and complicated pregnancy. 3. A dramatic and significant decline in NO molecules concentration in urine of complicated pregnancy compared with healthy pregnancy.