mRNA and protein expression of FGF-1, FGF-2 and their receptors in the porcine umbilical cord during pregnancy

• Main Authors: Chrusciel M, Rekawiecki R, Ziecik AJ, Andronowska A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Via Medica 2010-04-01
• Series: Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica
• Subjects: FGF; FGFR; umbilical cord; pig; pregnancy
• Online Access: http://www.fhc.viamedica.pl/darmowy_pdf.phtml?indeks=128&indeks_art=1289

The fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are multifunctional proteins that, among other roles, regulate structural reorganizationof uterine and placental vascular bed during pregnancy. Thus, we analyzed mRNA and protein expression andimmunohistochemical localization of FGF-1 and FGF-2, and their receptors (FGFR-1 and FGFR-2) in the developingumbilical cord (UC) on days 40, 60, 75 and 90 of pregnancy and after the physiological delivery in the pig (day 114). qPCRanalysis demonstrated an increase in FGF-1 and FGF-2 mRNA levels beginning on day 75 and on day 114 of pregnancy,respectively. In addition, significantly increased FGFR-1IIIc mRNA expression was also found on day 114. On the otherhand, no significant changes in FGFR-2IIIb mRNA expression were observed. Western Blot analysis revealed a decrease inFGF-1 and FGFR-2 protein expression after day 40. Beside an increased protein expression of FGF-2 on day 60, no significantchanges in FGFR-1 protein expression were detected. Immunohistochemical staining enabled detection of FGF-FGFRsystem, with different intensity of immunoreaction in endothelial and tunica media cells of the umbilical vessels and inallantoic duct and amniotic epithelium as well as in myofibroblasts. In conclusion, our results show that members of FGFFGFRsystem are expressed specifically in UC structures. Furthermore their day of pregnancy-related expression suggestthat they may be an important players during UC formation and development.