403: A hypoxia gene signature in maternal blood detects fetal hypoxia in-utero in severe preterm growth restriction

Abstract

quantified by real-time RT-PCR. CB levels of sRAGE and esRAGE were determined by ELISA. Western blot with N-(extracellular) and C-(intracellular) terminus specific antibodies was used to detect sRAGE variants generated by and -secretases, respectively. RESULTS: 1) There was a significant difference in birthweight (P .001) but not GA among groups; 2) In all groups, the level of placental FL-RAGE mRNA was more abundant than that of esRAGE (P .001); 3) The expression levels of FL-RAGE and esRAGE were not affected by either sPE or IUGR; 4) ADAM-10 and PS-1&2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in IUGR fetuses independent of sPE (P .05 for all), implying low proteolytic activity; 5) CB total sRAGE, but not esRAGE, was significantly decreased in IUGR (P .006); 6) Multiple Nand C-terminus RAGE variants were seen in CB, with significant changes in banding pattern in IUGR and sPE, suggesting alternative cleavage sites in these conditions. CONCLUSION: A defective enzymatic processing of the RAGE receptor may explain the low levels of sRAGE in the CB of fetuses with IUGR.