ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy, characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. Here, we evaluated the role of aspirin triggered-lipoxin A(4) (ATL, 15-epi-LXA(4)) on the modulation of the adhesion of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to endothelial cells initiated by preeclamptic plasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma from preeclamptic, normotensive pregnant, and non-pregnant women were analyzed for factors involved in regulating angiogenesis, inflammation and lipid peroxidation. Plasma from preeclamptic women was added to human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and the adhesion of PMN (incubated with or without ATL) to cells was evaluated. RESULTS: Preeclampsia was associated with some augmented anti-angiogenic, oxidative and pro-inflammatory markers, as well as increasing human PMN-endothelial cell adhesion. This cell adhesion was reduced when human PMN were incubated with ATL prior to addition to endothelial monolayers. DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results are the starting point for further research on the efficacy and rational use of aspirin in preeclampsia.
Subject(s)
Aspirin/pharmacology , Cell Adhesion/drug effects , Lipoxins/metabolism , Neutrophils/cytology , Neutrophils/metabolism , Pre-Eclampsia/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Cells, Cultured , Female , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/cytology , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Humans , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Neutrophils/drug effects , Pregnancy , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Genomic imprinting is the epigenetic change that occurred differentially in the specific genes in spermatozoa and oocyte according to their paternal or maternal origin, thus allowing a monoallelic expression. This review is a critical analysis of the published information relating to the role of the male imprinting on the successful reproduction. METHODS: We performed a literature search on some of the components that regulate the male genomic imprinting and the possible role on reproductive events such as spermatogenesis, and placental and embryo development. RESULTS: The literature analysis allowed us to appreciate structural, genetic and epigenetic changes occurring during the formation of the male gamete that could have an impact on embryo development, mainly in the formation of extraembryonic tissues as the placenta. CONCLUSION: Alterations in the molecular mechanisms involved in the sperm DNA methylation during the spermatogenesis, could induce alterations in the normal pattern of expression required in the fetal-placental components development.