Abstract Aim: To search a specific gene expression profile in women with ICP and to evaluate the maternal and foetal outcome. Methods: We consecutively enrolled 12 women with ICP and 12 healthy pregnant controls. The gene expression profile was assayed with the microarray technique including a panel of 5541 human genes. Microarray data was validated by real-time PCR technique. Results: Caesarean delivery was performed in 8 patients with ICP vs 3 controls (p=0.05). ICP women delivered at earlier gestational age than control (p< 0.001). Foetal distress was recorded in 2 babies, but we failed to find any correlation between bile salt concentration and foetal distress. 20 genes potentially correlated with ICP were found differentially expressed (p<0.05). Among these, three belong to genetic classes involved in pathogenic mechanisms of ICP: 1) pathophysiology of pruritus (GABRA2, cases vs controls=2, up-regulated gene); 2) lipid metabolism and bile composition (PLTP, cases vs controls=0.6, down-regulated gene); 3) protein trafficking and cytoskeleton arrangement (KIFC3, cases vs controls=0.5, down-regulated gene). Conclusions: Different gene expression may contribute to the complex pathogenesis of ICP. An up-regulation of GABRA2 receptor may indicate that GABA may play a role in the pathogenesis of pruritus in this condition.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: new insights into its pathogenesis

FLOREANI, ANNAROSA;LAZZARI, ROBERTA;
2013

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To search a specific gene expression profile in women with ICP and to evaluate the maternal and foetal outcome. Methods: We consecutively enrolled 12 women with ICP and 12 healthy pregnant controls. The gene expression profile was assayed with the microarray technique including a panel of 5541 human genes. Microarray data was validated by real-time PCR technique. Results: Caesarean delivery was performed in 8 patients with ICP vs 3 controls (p=0.05). ICP women delivered at earlier gestational age than control (p< 0.001). Foetal distress was recorded in 2 babies, but we failed to find any correlation between bile salt concentration and foetal distress. 20 genes potentially correlated with ICP were found differentially expressed (p<0.05). Among these, three belong to genetic classes involved in pathogenic mechanisms of ICP: 1) pathophysiology of pruritus (GABRA2, cases vs controls=2, up-regulated gene); 2) lipid metabolism and bile composition (PLTP, cases vs controls=0.6, down-regulated gene); 3) protein trafficking and cytoskeleton arrangement (KIFC3, cases vs controls=0.5, down-regulated gene). Conclusions: Different gene expression may contribute to the complex pathogenesis of ICP. An up-regulation of GABRA2 receptor may indicate that GABA may play a role in the pathogenesis of pruritus in this condition.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/2577891
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