Placental thrombomodulin expression in recurrent miscarriage

Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2010 Jan 5:8:1. doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-8-1.

Abstract

Background: Early pregnancy loss can be associated with trophoblast insufficiency and coagulation defects. Thrombomodulin is an endothelial-associated anticoagulant protein involved in the control of hemostasis and inflammation at the vascular beds and it's also a cofactor of the protein C anticoagulant pathway.

Discussion: We evaluate the Thrombomodulin expression in placental tissue from spontaneous recurrent miscarriage and voluntary abortion as controls. Thrombomodulin mRNA was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Reduced expression levels of thrombomodulin were found in recurrent miscarriage group compared to controls (1.82-fold of reduction), that corresponds to a reduction of 45% (from control group Delta CT) of thrombomodulin expression in spontaneous miscarriage group respect the control groups.

Summary: We cannot state at present the exact meaning of a reduced expression of Thrombomodulin in placental tissue. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biological pathway of this important factor in the physiopathology of the trophoblast and in reproductive biology.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / genetics*
  • Abortion, Habitual / metabolism
  • Abortion, Habitual / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Placenta / pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Thrombomodulin / genetics*
  • Thrombomodulin / metabolism

Substances

  • THBD protein, human
  • Thrombomodulin