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ARS Home » Plains Area » Grand Forks, North Dakota » Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center » Healthy Body Weight Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #247935
Title: Placenta Copper Transport Proteins in Preeclampsia

Author
item ISEMINGER, CHRISTINE - University Of North Dakota
item ANDERSON, CINDY - University Of North Dakota
item Johnson, William

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2009
Publication Date: 4/24/2010
Citation: Iseminger, C.V., Anderson, C.M., Johnson, W.T. 2010. Placenta Copper Transport Proteins in Preeclampsia. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 24:609.5.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Placental insufficiency underlying preeclampsia (PE) is associated with impaired placental angiogenesis. As copper (Cu) is essential to angiogenesis, we investigated differences in the expression of placental Cu transporters Menkes (ATP7A), Wilsons (ATP7B) and the Cu chaperone (CCS) for superoxide dismutase (SOD) in normal pregnancy (NP) and pregnancy complicated by PE. Cu content was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Women pregnant with their first child were enrolled in the first trimester. Serum samples were collected to determine copper status. Dietary and supplemental Cu intakes were determined using a food frequency questionnaire. Placenta samples were collected and frozen for analysis of protein expression by Western blot. In the first trimester, maternal Cu intake (dietary and supplemental) was adequate. There were no significant differences in serum Cu, ceruloplasmin or SOD3 between NP and PE groups. There were no significant differences in placental Cu content between groups. Expression of ATP7A was significantly decreased in PE placentas compared to NP (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of ATP7B or CCS between groups. Our findings indicate that while maternal Cu status was adequate based on serum markers, impaired placental Cu trafficking may be associated with the development of preeclampsia. Funded by UND New Faculty Scholar Award and USDA/ARS.