Placental protein 13 (PP13) induces hypotension in rats. This study aims to evaluate PP13 effects on isolated uterine arteries from nonpregnant and mid-pregnant rats. Vessels were isolated, cannulated, and pressurized to 50 mmHg within an arteriograph, preconstricted and exposed to increasing PP13 concentrations (10-13-10-8 M). PP13 elicited 38-50% arterial vasodilation with half-maximum response (EC50) = 1 pM. The relaxation was mediated by activating the endothelial-signaling pathways of prostaglandin and nitric oxide (NO). Accordingly, these results encourage evaluation of PP13 as a possible therapy for gestational diseases characterized by insufficient uteroplacental blood flow and/or maternal hypertension.
Keywords: eNOS; endothelial layers; preeclampsia; prostacyclin (PGI2); uterine vasculature.