Effect of hypoxia-inducible factor-2? on VEGF expression in villous explants under hypoxia / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in villous explants, and the effect of hypoxia-inducible factor 2? (HIF-2?) on the VEGF expression. Methods The villous were obtained from women who underwent suction and curettage for termination at 6-8 gestational weeks. Four groups were divided normoxia group; hypoxia group; sense HIF-2? oligonucleotide group and anti-sense HIF-2? oligonucleotide group. All villous were cultured in vitro. In anti-sense and sense group, villous were incubated under hypoxia with HIF-2? oligonucleotide. The villous explants were collected after 48 h of cultivation. The protein level of HIF-2? was detected by Western blot and the mRNA of HIF-2? and VEGF were examined by real-time PCR. Results The expression of HIF-2? mRNA and VEGF mRNA as well as the protein level of HIF-2? were increased in hypoxic group comparing with the normoxia group. Compared with the sense group, the expression of HIF-2? protein and HIF-2?, VEGF mRNA showed significant decrease in anti-sense group. Conclusions Hypoxia may result in the increased expression of VEGF in villous explants during the early trimester, which might be mediated by HIF-2?.