The protein expression of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the human placenta, and effects of cigarette smoking and pre-eclampsia.
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Smoking during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight, premature delivery, neonatal morbidity, and mortality. However, smoking is associated with a reduced pre-eclampsia (PE) risk. This protective effect against PE may occur via action of nicotine on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Using western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC), this study investigated the protein expression of nine of the sixteen mammalian nAChR subunits (α2, α3, α4, α5, α7, α9, β1, β2 and δ) in the normal healthy human placenta (controls; n=8), and determined the effects of smoking (n=8) and PE (n=8). For the western blot data, when compared to the control group, α9 and δ were increased in both smoker and PE groups. An increase in α7 was seen in the PE group. For the IHC data, a change in α7 (decreased in smokers), α9 (decreased in PE), δ (increased in smokers), and β1 (increased in smokers) subunit expression was observed, yet differed according to cellular structure (villous, decidual or endothelial cells). Exogenous regulation of placental nAChRs by cigarette smoke exposure and endogenous regulation via ACh, are likely to alter nAChR subunit expression, and ultimately function, in the human placenta, impacting on infant outcomes. The protective mechanism(s) of smoking against PE may be via certain subunits (α7 and β1) thus offering therapeutic avenues of exogenously agonizing or antagonizing these subunits to reverse the effects.
Author: Emma Ghazavi
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2205945785