A comprehensive understanding of the control of amniotic fluid volume is of major clinical importance and has prompted much research into the mechanism of its regulation. The present application proposes to elucidate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in promoting angiogenesis and permeability of amniotic, chorionic and cotyledonary blood vessels and examine its role in regulation of amniotic fluid volume and composition. Using the pregnant sheep as the animal model, and combining molecular with physiological approaches, five specific aims are proposed.
Aim 1 will characterize the tissue distribution and abundance of VEGF protein and mRNA in fetal amnion, chorion and placental cotyledons by immunohistochemistry, immunoassay, in situ hybridization, Northern blot analysis and competitive RT-PCR. The hypothesis is that VEGF expression is present in cells adjacent to the amniotic, chorionic and placental blood vessels at levels higher than that in other cell types.
Aim 2 will determine the cellular distribution and expression of VEGF receptor mRNA in fetal membranes and placenta. The hypothesis is that VEGF receptors are expressed in vascular endothelial cells of these tissues.
Aim 3 will investigate the regulation of VEGF gene expression in fetal membranes and placenta by hypoxia and fetal esophageal ligation. The hypothesis is that fetal hypoxia or esophageal occlusion induces VEGF gene expression.
Aim 4 will determine the biological function of VEGF in fetal membranes and placenta. Vascular angiogenesis will be evaluated by morphometric analysis, and vascular permeability estimated by permeability to radioactive albumin, sodium and urea. The hypothesis is that VEGF has both angiogenic and permeability properties in these tissues.
Aim 5 will utilize a transgenic mouse model carrying a dominant-negative mutant of the VEGF receptor which renders the receptor ineffective. The hypothesis is that the lack of a functional VEGF receptor results in abnormal amniotic fluid volume and composition during pregnancy due to reduction in microvessel density and permeability in the membranes. The proposed studies will provide important information on the regulation of the microvascular network which perfuses the fetal membranes and fetal surface of the placenta. This information will significantly improve the understanding of amniotic fluid volume regulation during pregnancy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD033054-02
Application #
2403516
Study Section
Human Embryology and Development Subcommittee 1 (HED)
Project Start
1996-09-01
Project End
1999-08-31
Budget Start
1997-09-01
Budget End
1998-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
077758407
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
Cheung, Cecilia Y; Li, Sumin; Chen, Dongbao et al. (2010) Regulation of caveolin-1 expression and phosphorylation by VEGF in ovine amnion cells. Reprod Sci 17:1112-9
Cheung, Cecilia Y; Brace, Robert A (2008) Hypoxia modulation of caveolin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in ovine fetal membranes. Reprod Sci 15:469-76
Brace, Robert A; Cheung, Cecilia Y (2005) Pre-delivery changes in amniotic fluid volume and composition in sheep. J Soc Gynecol Investig 12:396-401
Adams, Elizabeth A; Choi, Hyung Min; Cheung, Cecilia Y et al. (2005) Comparison of amniotic and intramembranous unidirectional permeabilities in late-gestation sheep. Am J Obstet Gynecol 193:247-55
Cheung, Cecilia Y (2004) Vascular endothelial growth factor activation of intramembranous absorption: a critical pathway for amniotic fluid volume regulation. J Soc Gynecol Investig 11:63-74
Brace, Robert A; Cheung, Cecilia Y (2004) Amniotic fluid volume responses to amnio-infusion of amniotic fluid versus lactated Ringer's solution in fetal sheep. J Soc Gynecol Investig 11:363-8
Cheung, Cecilia Y; Bogic, Ljubica; Gagnon, Robert et al. (2004) Morphologic alterations in ovine placenta and fetal liver following induced severe placental insufficiency. J Soc Gynecol Investig 11:521-8
Daneshmand, Sean S; Cheung, Cecilia Y; Brace, Robert A (2003) Regulation of amniotic fluid volume by intramembranous absorption in sheep: role of passive permeability and vascular endothelial growth factor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 188:786-93
Matsumoto, Larry C; Bogic, Ljubica; Brace, Robert A et al. (2002) Prolonged hypoxia upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor messenger RNA expression in ovine fetal membranes and placenta. Am J Obstet Gynecol 186:303-10
Bogic, L V; Brace, R A; Cheung, C Y (2001) Developmental expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors and VEGF binding in ovine placenta and fetal membranes. Placenta 22:265-75

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