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Alpha-hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) in hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and fetal death

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Cell Stress and Chaperones Aims and scope

Abstract

Objective

Alpha hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species in various cells, including erythrocytes. Reduced AHSP can mean reduced protection from stressors. Our objective was to investigate whether AHSP is involved in the response to stress in pregnancy.

Study design

Placentas were collected from normal term pregnancies (n = 10) and pregnancies complicated by HELLP (n = 10), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR; n = 10) or fetal death (IUFD; n = 6). AHSP messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were determined using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, respectively. All statistical analyses were performed by using the GraphPad Prism Software. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05.

Results

Placental AHSP mRNA level in HELLP (4.16E10−4 ± 1.77) and IUFD (4.19E10−4 ± 3.37) were significantly decreased compared with controls (28.47E10−4 ± 14.86; p < 0.01), whereas levels in the IUGR group (7.55E10−4 ± 6.4) showed a trend toward being lower but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Western blot analysis results indicate a no significant increase of ASHP protein in the HELLP syndrome group and a significant decrease in the IUFD group compared with controls. There was no significant difference between the IUGR and control groups.

Conclusion

ASHP mRNA expression in the placenta is decreased in complicated pregnancies, and it may be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms leading to the adverse pregnancy outcome.

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Acknowledgment

We are indebted to Dr. Mitchell Weiss (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) for providing AHSP antibody. This work was supported by the Italian Ministry for University and Scientific Research through PRIN 2004-068971-007.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Biotecnologie Biochimiche, Università Politecnica Marche, 65 Via Ranieri, 60131, Ancona, AN, Italy

    Monica Emanuelli, Davide Sartini, Valentina Rossi & Claudia Regina Vianna

  2. Istituto di Scienze Materno-Infantili, Università Politecnica Marche, Ancona, Italy

    Alessandra Corradetti, Beatrice Landi, Stefano Giannubilo & Andrea Luigi Tranquilli

Authors
  1. Monica Emanuelli
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  2. Davide Sartini
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  3. Valentina Rossi
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  4. Alessandra Corradetti
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  5. Beatrice Landi
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  6. Claudia Regina Vianna
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  7. Stefano Giannubilo
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  8. Andrea Luigi Tranquilli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Monica Emanuelli.

Additional information

Monica Emanuelli and Davide Sartini contributed equally to this paper.

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Emanuelli, M., Sartini, D., Rossi, V. et al. Alpha-hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) in hemolysis, elevated liver enzyme, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and fetal death. Cell Stress and Chaperones 13, 67–71 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12192-008-0009-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12192-008-0009-5

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