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Rationale Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and its family members adrenomedullin (ADM) and adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2; also known as intermedin) support vascular adaptions in rat pregnancy. Objective This study aimed to assess the relaxation response of uterine artery (UA) for CGRP, ADM, and ADM2 in nonpregnant and pregnant women and identify the involved mechanisms. Findings (1) Segments of UA from nonpregnant women that were precontracted with U46619 (1μM) in vitro are insensitive to the hypotensive effects of CGRP, ADM, and ADM2; (2) CGRP, ADM, and ADM2 (0.1-100nM) dose dependently relax UA segments from pregnant women with efficacy for CGRP > ADM = ADM2; (3) the relaxation responses to CGRP, ADM, and ADM2 are differentially affected by the inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (L-NAME), adenylyl cyclase (SQ22536), apamin, and charybdotoxin; (4) UA smooth muscle cells (UASMC) express mRNA for calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP)1 and RAMP2 but not RAMP3; (5) receptor heterodimer comprising CRLR/RAMP1 and CRLR/RAMP2 but not CRLR/RAMP3 is present in UA; (6) soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFLT-1) and TNF-α treatment decrease the expression of RAMP1 mRNA (P Conclusions Relaxation sensitivity of UA for CGRP, ADM, and ADM2 is increased during pregnancy via peptide-specific involvement of NO system and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors; vascular disruptors such as sFLT-1 and TNFα adversely impact their receptor system in UASMC.

Introduction: Biomedical waste has a higher potential for infections and injuries. With an endeavor to reduce health problems, it is essential to have safe and reliable method of segregation and disposal of hospital waste. With this background the present study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of biomedical waste management among health care personal in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (DRPGMC) Tanda, Himachal Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire based survey containing 30 questions to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices on biomedical waste management. Results: The mean knowledge, attitude score were higher as compared to practices. Significant differences exist in relation to educational qualification of respondent in knowledge and practice score. Conclusion: The present study revealed that knowledge and attitude regarding biomedical waste management among health personal and students of the institute was higher as compare to practice. Keywords: Biomedical waste management.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CALCB), adrenomedullin (ADM), and adrenomedullin2 (ADM2) are hypotensive peptides that belong to CALCB family of peptides. Goal of this study was to identify the effect of fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFLT-1) and angiotensin2 (Ang2) on the function of these peptides in OA smooth muscle cells (OASMC) and assess the sensitivity of OA for these peptides in preeclampsia (PE) and normotensive pregnancy. Methods: Peptide function was assessed by Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assays and wire myograph; mRNA expression by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and protein-protein interaction by proximity ligation assay and co-immunoprecipitation. Findings: All three peptides increased cAMP synthesis in the order of efficacy CALCB > ADM = ADM2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in OASMC (P < 0.05); sFLT-1 mediated decrease in cAMP synthesis (P < 0.05) is differentially rescued by all three CALCB family peptides in OASMC (P < 0.005); sFLT-1 decreased receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP)1 and RAMP2 mRNA expression (P < 0.05); Ang2 decreased the expression of calcitonin-receptor-like receptor and RAMP1 mRNA and desensitized CALCB and ADM2 receptors in OASMC (P < 0.05); sFLT-1 increased RAMP1and Ang2 type 1 receptor (AT1R) interaction in OASMC which is inhibited in presence of all three peptides; and all three peptides relax OA in PE with enhanced ADM2 response (P < 0.05). Conclusion: sFLT-1 and Ang2 impair OASMC mediated functional responses of CALCB family peptides which can be inhibited by respective peptide treatment. The sensitivity of OA for CALCB, ADM, and ADM2-mediated relaxation is retained in PE.

Context Defective pancreatic β-cell adaptation in pregnancy plays an important role in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the molecular basis remains unclear. Objectives of this study were to determine if circulating levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) in women with GDM are elevated and to assess the effects of ADM on insulin synthesis and secretion by human pancreatic β-cells. Design A stable gene product of ADM precursor, midregional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), was measured in plasma of pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 10) or GDM (n = 11). The β-Lox5 cell line, derived from human pancreatic β-cells, was transduced with homeodomain transcription factor pancreatic-duodenal homeobox (PDX) factor 1 (PDX1) encoding lentiviral vector and treated with different doses of ADM. mRNA for insulin, ADM, and its receptor components in β-Lox5 cells and insulin in media were measured. Results Plasma MR-proADM levels were significantly higher in GDM compared with patients with NGT. Pancreatic β-Lox5 cells express mRNA for insulin, ADM, and its receptor components. PDX1 transduction and cell-cell contact synergistically promote β-Lox5 cells insulin mRNA and secretion. Furthermore, ADM dose-dependently inhibited mRNA and secretion of insulin in β-Lox5 cell aggregates. These inhibitory effects were blocked by ADM antagonist ADM22-52, cAMP-dependent protein kinase A inhibitor KT5720, and Erk inhibitor PD98059, but not by PI-3K the inhibitor wortmannin. Conclusions Circulating ADM concentrations were elevated in pregnant women with GDM. ADM suppresses insulin synthesis and secretion by pancreatic β-cells in vitro. Thus, increased circulating ADM may contribute to the defective adaptation of β-cells in diabetic pregnancies, and blockade of ADM actions with its antagonists may improve β-cell functions.

Context Impaired maternal lipid metabolism in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has detrimental effects on maternal health and fetal growth. We previously reported the excessive expression of adrenomedullin (ADM) and its receptors in GDM adipose tissues compared with normal glucose-tolerant pregnancies. In the present study, we determined the mechanisms underlying enhanced expression of ADM and its receptors. Design Omental adipose tissue (OAT) samples were collected from women during cesarian section of term pregnancy with nonoverweight (NOW; n = 9), overweight (OW; n = 8), obese (OBS; n = 10), and GDM (n = 10) status. Results The expression of ADM and its receptors was greater in OATs from GDM than from women who were NOW, OW, and OBS. The expression of adipokines, leptin, and resistin were significantly increased, but adiponectin was decreased in OATs from patients with GDM compared with those without GDM. Macrophage infiltration and TNF-α expression were greater in OAT from pregnant women with GDM than in pregnant women without GDM. Furthermore, TNF-α dose dependently increased mRNA for ADM and its receptor components calcitonin receptor-like receptor and receptor activity-modifying proteins 2 and 3 in OAT explants from women who were NOW. Human adipocytes treated with ADM significantly increased glycerol release in culture medium, and the increases of glycerol in culture medium of OAT from women with GDM were attenuated by ADM antagonists, ADM22-52. Conclusions Increased macrophage infiltration and TNF-α expression in adipose tissue from GDM, but not from OBS, tissues stimulate ADM and its receptor overexpression, leading to enhanced lipolysis and hyperlipidemia. This might contribute to fetal macrosomia and adiposity in diabetic pregnancies.

Rapidly growing population has resulted in exponential increase in the usage of the number of cars. As a practice of maintenance, the cars are washed periodically which draws enormous quantity of fresh water globally also the washing of cars bestows the pollutants like oil, grease, detergents, and dirt to the fresh water. This wastewater if untreated and directly mixes with the water stream, it causes pollution. World Health Organization reports that the quality of fresh water in earth is under constant pressure. This paper discloses importance of treatment of car wash wastewater by stating the environmental impacts of untreated car wash wastewater and also presents a global scenario which includes the quantity of water allocated to wash a car with the reclamation measures, regulations followed by them. This paper also states the quantity of water generally needed to wash a car, characteristics of water after washing, with a review on some of the works done so far to treat the car wash wastewater and also the challenges in reclamation of car wash wastewater.

Summary Spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy due to unknown reasons is a common problem. The excess complement activation and consequent placental inflammation and anti-angiogenic milieu is emerging as an important associated factor in many pregnancy-related complications. In the present study we sought to examine the expression of complement inhibitory proteins at the feto–maternal interface and levels of complement split products in the circulation to understand their role in spontaneous abortion. Consenting pregnant women who either underwent elective abortion due to non-clinical reasons (n = 13) or suffered miscarriage (n = 14) were recruited for the study. Systemic levels of complement factors C3a and C5a were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma C5 and C3 protein levels were examined by Western blot. Expressions of complement regulatory proteins such as CD46 and CD55 in the decidua were investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot. The median of plasma C3a level was 82·83 ng/ml and 66·17 ng/ml in elective and spontaneous abortion patients, respectively. Medians of plasma C5a levels in elective and spontaneous abortion patients were 0·96 ng/ml and 1·14 ng/ml, respectively. Only plasma C5a levels but not C3a levels showed significant elevation in spontaneous abortion patients compared to elective abortion patients. Further, there was a threefold decrease in the mRNA expressions of complement inhibitory proteins CD46 and CD55 in the decidua obtained from spontaneous abortion patients compared to that of elective abortion patients. These data suggested that dysregulated complement cascade may be associated with spontaneous abortion.

Background: Burns represent a serious problem around the world especially in low and middle income countries. The aim of this study was to determine epidemiological characteristics, causes and mortality rate of burn deaths in tertiary care hospital of N India as well as to guide future education and prevention programs. Methods: A one year cross-sectional study of all burn patients admitted in Dr. RPGMC Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India was conducted between January 2014-December 2014. Results: Our study revealed that type II (absence of sutural bones) was commoner than type I (presence of type I) asterion. Total of 210 burn injury patients were admitted majority were males[54.5%] and females were [45.5%] males sustained burn injuries mostly at their work place with electric burns whereas females sustained burn injuries at home with cooking appliances. Conclusions: Burn injuries can be reduced by bringing about regulations to develop safer cooking appliances, promoting less inflammable fabrics to be worn out at home and educating the community especially women.

Maternal vascular adaptations, implantation of embryo, and placental growth and development are crucial for overall well-being of the fetus and are controlled by a range of signals, including growth factors and steroid hormones. The calcitonin (CT)/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) family peptides have been the focus of emerging studies, and these peptides appear to mediate some of the critical functions during pregnancy. Three peptides of the CT/CGRP family, CGRP, adrenomedullin, and intermedin, working through their overlapping receptor components, exert significant positive effects on vascular adaptations during pregnancy, uteroplacental vascular functions, and fetal growth. Many of the effects of these peptides are regulated by sex steroid hormones. Use of peptide antagonist in animals, together with genetic animal models, strongly implicates the importance of these 3 peptides in human pregnancy and related complications. However, insights into the underlying mechanisms of their actions on fetal-placental growth are limited by the lack of specificity of currently available antagonists. Future studies with specific knockdown of receptor components and/or peptides should be helpful for better understanding of these mechanisms and for the development of target-specific therapies to prevent pregnancy complications.

Context: It is not known whether decreases in trophoblast invasion promoting the peptide, adrenomedullin2 (ADM2) system is associated with preeclampsia (PreE). Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the changes in ADM2 levels in plasma, placenta, and amniotic fluid (AF) and its receptor components in placenta from PreE pregnancy compared with the age-matched normal and study the effect of ADM2 on the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in trophoblast cells. Results: PreE is associated with a decreased expression of ADM2 in plasma and placenta (P < .05); ADM2 interacts with a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) in HTR-8/SVneo cells; placental expression of ADM2/CRLR complex is lower in PreE; mRNA for CRLR and receptor activity-modifying protein-3 are lower, whereas receptor activity-modifying protein-2 is higher in the PreE placenta (P < .05); ADM2 levels in the second trimester are lower in the AF from pregnant women who develop PreE later in gestation (P < .05); ADM2 is localized to the epithelium of the amnion and the ectoderm and mesoderm of the chorion in term fetal membranes; ADM2 increases NO production, eNOS, and MMP2/9-immunoreactivity, whereas ADM2 knockdown inhibits the expression of eNOS and MMP2/9 mRNA and S-nitrosylation in HTR-8/SVneo cells; and ADM2-induced increases in MMP2/9 activity is inhibited by L-nitro-arginine methyl ester in HTR-8SV/neo cells. Conclusion: Decreases in the ADM2 system in PreE at term, in AF from pregnant women during the second trimester who develop PreE later in gestation, and ADM2-induced increases in the NO and MMP-2/9 levels in trophoblast cells suggest a potential role for ADM2 via the NO-MMP system in the pathophysiology of PreE.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adrenomedullin (ADM), and adrenomedullin2 (ADM2)/intermedin are potent vasorelaxant peptides considered to play a role in the adaptive mechanisms in rat pregnancy through increased vasodilation in mesenteric and uterine artery.This study was designed to demonstrate the response of omental arteries (OA) to vasoactive peptides CGRP, ADM, and ADM2 in pregnancy complications such as fetal growth restriction (FGR), and assess the changes in the expression of their receptor components in segments of OA from FGR pregnancy compared to the control.The findings for this study are: 1) relaxation responses of OA were higher for bradykinin (78.55 ± 3.91 vs 52.67 ± 2.19; P.05) in pregnancy with FGR compared to the normal, 2) relaxation response of OA segments to CGRP was similar with no change in the expression of G-protein couple receptor-calcitonin receptor-like receptor complex in normal healthy pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by FGR, 3) maximal relaxation response of OA were significantly (P.05) lower for both ADM (18.2 ± 6.7 vs 38 ± 2.5) and ADM2 (26.9 ± 6.7 vs 48 ± 2.6) along with decreases in their respective ligand-receptor complex in FGR compared to the normal pregnancies, 4) expression of calcitonin receptor-like receptor mRNA was higher but its immunoreactivity was lower in OA from FGR pregnancy compared to the normal, and 5) mRNA and protein levels of RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3 were lower in OA isolated from FGR pregnancies compared to the normal.The current study demonstrates that FGR is associated with an increase in the sensitivity of OA to bradykinin and decreased sensitivity for ADM and ADM2 ligand-receptor system with no change in the response for CGRP compared to the normal healthy pregnancy, and suggests a potential role for ADM and ADM2 in the pathophysiology of maternal vasculature in FGR pregnancy.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CALCB), adrenomedullin (ADM), and ADM2/intermedin play critical roles in vascular adaptation during pregnancy through calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CALCRL) and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). This study was designed to assess the predominant RAMP that associates with CALCRL to form a functional receptor in the rat uterine artery smooth muscle (RUASM). We also determined if these receptor component associations are decreased by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and if CALCB, ADM, or ADM2 can rescue CALCRL/RAMP associations. Using proximity ligation assay in RUASM cells, this study shows that CALCRL predominantly associates with RAMP1 forming a CALCB receptor, and minimally with RAMP2 and RAMP3 that confer specificity for ADM and ADM2. However, knockdown of RAMP1 mRNA increases the interaction between CALCRL and RAMP3 without affecting the association of CALCRL and RAMP2. Furthermore, CALCB, ADM, and ADM2 have no effects on the associations of CALCRL with any of the RAMPs in RUASM cells. Interestingly, CALCB reverses the TNFalpha-induced decreases in CALCRL/RAMP1 associations. Furthermore, CALCB increases ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner in RUASM, and the protective effect of CALCB on TNFalpha-induced inhibition of CALCRL/RAMP1 associations was significantly blocked in presence of ERK inhibitor (PD98059). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that CALCRL predominantly associates with RAMP1 forming a CALCB-specific receptor complex in RUASM cells, which is dissociated by TNFalpha. Rescue of TNFalpha-induced dissociation of CALCRL/RAMP1 complex by CALCB in RUASM cells suggests a potential use of CALCB in developing therapeutic strategies for pregnancy-related complications that are vulnerable to abnormal levels of TNFalpha, such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia.

Adrenomedullin2 (ADM2), also referred to as Intermedin (IMD) is expressed in trophoblast cells in human placenta and enhances the invasion and migration of first trimester HTR-8/SV-neo cells. Recently we demonstrated that infusion of IMD antagonist in pregnant rats causes feto-placental growth restriction suggesting a role for IMD in maintaining a successful pregnancy. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess if IMD has a functional role in embryo implantation in a rat model. We show that IMD mRNA is expressed in rat implantation sites and its expression is significantly higher on day 15 in placenta compared to days 18 – 22. Infusion of IMD antagonist IMD17–47 from day 3 of pregnancy causes a significant decrease in the weights of day 9 implantation sites as well as serum levels of 17β-estradiol, progesterone, nitric oxide and serum MMP2 and MMP9 gelatinase activity. Further, expression of MMP2,MMP9, VEGF and PLGF protein levels are significantly downregulated in the implantation sites of IMD antagonist treated rats. This study suggests a potential involvement of IMD in regulating the factors that are critical for implantation and growth of the embryo and thus in establishment of normal rat pregnancy.

To determine the effects of fetal sex on aromatase and androgen receptor (AR) expression in the placenta of normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.Placentae from preeclamptic (five female and six male fetuses) and healthy pregnancies (seven female and seven male fetuses) were examined by immunofluorescence, western blotting and quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.Placental AR levels were significantly higher (P0.05) in placentae of both male and female fetuses compared with their respective sexes in normal pregnancies. The placental aromatase levels varied depending on fetal sex. If the fetus was female, aromatase levels were substantially higher (P0.05) in preeclamptic than in normal placentae. If the fetus was male, the aromatase levels were significantly lower (P0.05) in preeclamptic than in normal placentae. Placental aromatase levels were significantly higher (P0.05) in male- than in female-bearing normal placentae.Dysregulation in androgen production and signaling in preeclamptic placentae may contribute to placental abnormalities, increasing the frequency of maternal-fetal complications associated with preeclampsia.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intrinsic cardiac adrenergic (ICA) cells release calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), exerting synergistic adrenopeptidergic cardioprotection.In situ hybridization coupled with immunostaining demonstrated that ICA cells exclusively expressed CGRP mRNA and co-expressed CGRP and delta-opioid receptor in human and rat left ventricular (LV) myocardium. Radioimmunoassay detected constitutive CGRP release from ICA cells in human and rat hearts. The delta-opioid agonist [D-Pen(25)]-enkephalin (DPDPE) increased CGRP release from ICA cells in denervated rat heart. In an ischaemia/reperfusion rat model, pre-ischaemic treatment with DPDPE reduced infarct size (IS) by 51 +/- 16% (P0.01). Co-infusion of beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR) and CGRP receptor (CGRP-R) antagonists increased IS by 62 +/- 23% (P0.01) compared with saline and abolished DPDPE-initiated IS reduction. Pre-treatment of ICA cell-myocyte co-culture with the beta(2)-AR/CGRP-R antagonists increased myocyte death rate by 24 +/- 4% (P0.01) and abolished DPDPE-initiated myocyte protection against hypoxia/reoxygenation (re-O(2)). In the ICA cell-depleted myocyte culture, DPDPE did not confer myocyte protection. Supplementing ICA cell-depleted myocyte culture with beta(2)-AR/CGRP-R agonists reduced hypoxia/re-O(2)-induced myocyte death by 24 +/- 5% (P0.01), simulating endogenous neurohormonal effects of ICA cells. Western blot analysis showed that DPDPE markedly increased phosphorylated myocardial Akt levels. This effect was abolished in the presence of beta(2)-AR/CGRP-R blockade. Terminal dUTP nick-end labelling staining analysis of the LV infarct zone demonstrated that DPDPE reduced myocyte apoptosis by 58 +/- 19% (P0.05), an effect that was eliminated in the presence of beta(2)-AR/CGRP-R blockade. Finally, echocardiography showed that DPDPE increased LV contractility in a manner dependent on beta-AR/CGRP-R stimulation.ICA cells constitute a delta-opioid-regulated adrenopeptidergic paracrine system conferring robust cardioprotection through beta(2)-AR/CGRP-R co-signalling, resulting in the activation of an anti-apoptotic pathway during ischaemia/reperfusion.

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether immunoreactive (I) calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) content is decreased in plasma and mesenteric arteries (resistance arteries) in middle-aged rats and if so, whether sex steroid hormones enhance I-CGRP in middle-aged female rats. We also examined whether vascular CGRP receptor components, calcitonin receptor like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) are elevated by sex steroid hormones treatment in middle-aged female rats. Young adult (3 months old) and middle-aged (10–12 months old) ovariectomized rats were treated subcutaneously with estradiol-17β (E2; 2 mg), progesterone (P4; 5 mg), E2 +P4 (2 mg + 20 mg) or placebo (control). Radioimmunoassay and Western blot analysis were performed to measure I-CGRP content and CGRP receptor components in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), in resistance arteries and in plasma. Immunofluorescent staining methods were employed to determine cellular localization of CRLR, RAMP1 in resistance arteries. Our data demonstrated that I-CGRP content was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the plasma and resistance arteries of middle-aged female rats compared to young controls. Both RAMP1 and CRLR were concentrated in vascular endothelium and the underlying smooth muscle cells. RAMP1 but not CRLR appeared to be decreased in middle-aged rat vasculature. Chronic perfusion of sex steroid hormones to ovariectomized rats: (1) significantly (p < 0.05) elevated I-CGRP in the DRG and in the plasma, and (2) significantly elevated RAMP1 (p < 0.05) but did not alter CRLR in resistance arteries. These data suggest that female sex steroid treatment enhances I-CGRP and its receptors, and thus regulate the blood pressure in aged female rats.

Recent studies have shown that homozygous knockout of gene for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CALCA) receptor component, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CALCRL), led to extreme hydrops fetalis and embryonic death, underlining the critical role of CALCA in embryonic development and fetal growth. The present study was designed to determine the cellular localization of CALCA and its receptor components, CALCRL and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), at the human implantation site during early pregnancy; to assess whether CALCA regulates in vitro angiogenesis of human endothelial cells; and to examine whether CALCA can improve angiogenic imbalance in preeclamptic placental explants. Our studies demonstrated that both protein and mRNA for CALCA were expressed by the villous and extravillous trophoblasts and decidual cells in the first-trimester villous tissues. CALCA receptor components, CALCRL and RAMP1, were expressed by both villous and extravillous trophoblast cells, as well as vascular endothelial cells. CALCA induced both endothelial proliferation and migration in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and it promoted capillarylike tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on Matrigel. CALCA-induced angiogenesis of human endothelial cells was completely blocked by CALCA antagonist CALCA8–37. Further, conditioned medium from preeclamptic placental explants significantly inhibited HUVEC capillarylike tube formation compared with gestational age-matched controls, and conditioned medium from preeclamptic placental explants incubated with CALCA significantly improved capillarylike tube formation. We conclude that CALCA induces in vitro angiogenesis by stimulating endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and capillarylike tube formation; thus, CALCA at the human implantation site may constitute a potential autocrine or paracrine mechanism that could modify placental angiogenesis and neovascularization. angiogenesis, CALCA, decidua, placenta, trophoblast

Adrenomedullin-2 (ADM2), a novel calcitonin/calcitonin-gene-related peptide family peptide, is reported to reduce blood pressure in both normal and hypertensive rats. This study demonstrates gestational regulation of circulatory ADM2 in rat plasma. ADM2 dose-dependently reduces the mean arterial pressure in rats, whereas the hypotensive effect of ADM2 is significantly higher during pregnancy. In addition, immunoreactive ADM2 protein is distributed in perivascular fibers of rat mesenteric artery, and levels of pre-pro-ADM2 are significantly (P

CALCB, ADM, and ADM2 are potent vasodilators that share a seven-transmembrane GPCR, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CALCRL), whose ligand specificity is dictated by the presence of one of the three receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). We assessed the relative pharmacologic potency of these peptides in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and the specific RAMP that mediates the effect of ADM in VSMCs. VSMCs, with or without RAMP knockdown, were treated with CALCB, ADM, or ADM2 in the presence or absence of their antagonists, CALCB8-37, ADM22-52, and ADM217-47, respectively, to assess the relative effect of peptides on cAMP production and their pharmacologic potency. Proximity ligation assay was used to assess the specific RAMP that associates with CALCRL to mediate the actions of ADM in VSMCs. All three peptides induced cAMP generation in VSMCs and the order of their potency is CALCB > ADM > ADM2. Effects of CALCB were blocked by CALCB8-37, ADM effects were blocked by CALCB8-37 and ADM217-47 but not ADM22-52, and ADM2 effects were blocked by all three antagonists. Knockdown of RAMP2 was ineffective, whereas knockdown of RAMP3 inhibited ADM-induced cAMP production in VSMCs, suggesting involvement of RAMP3 with CALCRL to mediate ADM effects. Absence of both RAMP2 and RAMP3 further increased CALCB-induced cAMP synthesis compared to control (P < 0.05). ADM increased CALCRL and RAMP3 association and RAMP3 knockdown inhibited the interaction of ADM with CALCRL.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CALCB) and its family members adrenomedullin (ADM) and intermedin (ADM2) play important roles in maintaining vascular adaptations during pregnancy in animal models. The present study was designed to evaluate the responses of omental arteries to CALCB, ADM, and ADM2 in pregnant and nonpregnant women, and to determine the mechanisms involved. By using resistance omental arteries collected from nonpregnant women (n = 15) during laparotomy and from term pregnant women (n = 15) at cesarean delivery, this study shows that the receptor components--calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CALCRL) and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) 1, 2 and 3--are localized to endothelial and smooth muscle cells in omental arteries, with increased expressions of both mRNA and protein in pregnant compared with nonpregnant women. The myography study demonstrated that CALCB, ADM, and ADM2 (0.1-100 nM) dose dependently relax U46619 (1 muM) precontracted omental artery segments, and the maximum possible effects to CALCB and ADM2, but not to ADM, are significantly enhanced in pregnant compared with nonpregnant women. Further, the vasodilatory responses to CALCB, ADM, and ADM2 are reduced by inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (L-NAME), adenylyl cyclase (SQ22536), voltage-activated potassium channels (4-aminopyrodin and tetrabutylammonium), Ca(2+)-activated potassium channel (charybdotoxin), and cyclooxygenase (indomethacin). In conclusion, the CALCB family of peptides, CALCB and ADM2, increase human omental artery relaxation during pregnancy through diverse mechanisms, including NO, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs) and prostaglandins, and thus could contribute to the vascular adaptations during pregnancy in the human.

Association of an altered expression of placental mucin 1 (MUC1) with first-trimester spontaneous abortion and its regulation in placenta by an invasion-promoting peptide, adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2), is not known. The objective of this study was to assess 1) the association of MUC1 mRNA expression in the placental villi and decidua with first-trimester spontaneous abortion, 2) the effects of ADM2 on the expression of MUC1 in trophoblast cells in the presence or absence of hypoxia, 3) the effects of ADM2 on expression of MUC1 in decidual stromal cells (DSCs), and 4) if ADM2 regulates the expression of MUC1 and MMP2 protein in trophoblastic spheroids. Data demonstrate that 1) expression of MUC1 mRNA in villous tissue is higher in spontaneous abortion compared to age-matched electively terminated pregnancies (P > 0.05), 2) ADM2 decreases the expression of MUC1 mRNA and protein in trophoblast cells and spheroids with concomitant increases in MMP2 immunoreactivity in the spheroids, 3) ADM2 decreases hypoxia-induced increases in MUC1 immunoreactivity in trophoblast cells, 4) decidual MUC1 mRNA expression is lower in spontaneous compared to elective abortions (P < 0.05), and 5) DSCs express MUC1 mRNA and protein and ADM2 decreases the expression of MUC1 mRNA and protein in DSCs. Taken together, this study demonstrates that first-trimester spontaneous abortion is associated with increases in MUC1 expression in villi and decreases in the decidual tissues, and suggests that ADM2 may contribute to the physiology of embryo implantation and placental growth via increasing MMP2 and decreasing MUC1 expression to facilitate trophoblast invasion.

Adrenomedullin2 (ADM2) is reported to facilitate embryo implantation and placental development. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to identify if ADM2 has a functional role in ovary to facilitate its reproductive actions. This study shows that the expression of ADM2 is differentially regulated in rat estrous cycle and that ADM2 increases the synthesis and secretion of 17beta-estradiol accompanied with an increase in the expression of steroidogenic factor 1 (Sf1), estrogen receptor Esr1, and enzymes involved in steroidogenesis in equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG)-treated rat ovaries. In addition, inhibition of endogenous ADM2 function in eCG-treated immature rats caused impaired ovulation. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Adm2 and receptor activity modifying protein 3 is higher in the ovary on Day 18 compared to nonpregnant and pregnant rats on Day 22. ADM2-like immunoreactivity is localized in granulosa cells, blood vessels, oocytes, cumulous oophorus, and corpus luteum of pregnant ovaries, suggesting a potential role for ADM2 in the ovary. This is supported by the presence of ADM2-like immunoreactivity in the corpus luteum during pregnancy and a decline in aromatase immunoreactivity in corpus luteum on Day 9 of gestation in rats infused with ADM2 antagonist during implantation and decidualization phase. Taken together, this study suggests a potential involvement of ADM2 in the rat ovary in regulating synthesis of estradiol to support ovulation and facilitate efficient implantation and placental development for a successful pregnancy.

Adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2) is a recently discovered member of the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide family with an exon-intron structure similar to that of ADM. The mRNA of ADM2 is expressed in several tissues, including uterus and ovary. The present study was designed to assess the effects of ADM2 antagonist (ADM2 17–47 ) infusion to pregnant rats on fetal and placental growth. On Day 15 of gestation, rats were implanted s.c. with osmotic minipumps delivering 50 and 200 lg per rat per day of ADM2 17–47 and were killed on Gestational Day 18. In ADM2 17–47 -treated rats, placental weights were significantly inhibited in a dose-related manner, with an 11% % reduction in the group of rats receiving 200 lg/day, whereas the fetal weights were reduced by 17% % without significant differences between the two doses. 2 In ADM2 17–47 -infused rats, increased apoptosis was demonstrated in the labyrinth and junctional zones of rat placenta by the TUNEL method compared with the control animals. Western blot analysis demonstrated that in ADM2 17–47 treated rats Bcl-2, mitochondrial cytochrome c, and active caspase-9 and caspase-3 were significantly increased compared with the controls. No significant treatment-associated changes were observed in Bax, Bid, p53, and caspase-8 and caspase-10 proteins in the treated placentas. In addition, infusion of ADM217–47 caused a significant decline in the transcripts of nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) and NOS2. These findings show that ADM217–47 infusion in rats during midpregnancy cause fetoplacental growth restriction through the activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. This study demonstrates for the first time (to our knowledge) a potential role for ADM2 in placental functions during pregnancy. ADM, ADM2, apoptosis, fetus, placenta, pregnancy

Based on the favorable effects of female sex steroids in vascular functions and the potent hypotensive effects of adrenomedullin (AM), we hypothesized that AM-induced vasodilation is gender dependent, and female sex steroids enhance this effect. In endothelium-intact rat mesenteric artery, AM (1 nm-0.3 microM)-induced concentration-dependent relaxation was significantly (P0.05) higher in females [pD2(-log EC50 of the molar concentration), 7.05 +/- 0.10; maximal relaxation response (Emax), 69.2 +/- 3.46%] than males (pD2, 6.53 +/- 0.08; Emax, 53.28 +/- 4.86%). The increased relaxation was lost when the females were ovariectomized (OVX) (pD2, 6.14 +/- 0.24; Emax, 39.68 +/- 5.68%). The reduced relaxation response in OVX rats was reversed by administration of either progesterone (P4; pD2, 7.18 +/- 0.07; Emax, 72.4 +/- 2.76%) or 17beta-estradiol (E2; pD2, 7.00 +/- 0.14; Emax, 70.4 +/- 4.79%). AM mediates its effects through either AM(22-52)-sensitive AM1 receptors [composed of calcitonin receptor-like receptors (CLs) and receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP)2] or AM2 receptors (CL/RAMP3), which can be antagonized more potently by calcitonin gene-related peptide(8-37) than AM(22-52). Pharmacological characterization suggested the involvement of AM2 receptors in the increased vasodilatory effect of AM in both P4- and E2-treated animals as calcitonin gene-related peptide(8-37) (10 microM) was more potent in antagonizing the AM effects (Emax, P(4): 25.92 +/- 5.32%; E2: 29.11 +/- 7.41%) than AM(22-52) (100 microM). RT-PCR studies also supported the involvement of AM2 receptors because expression of mRNA levels encoding CL (previously reported) and RAMP3 were increased in P4- or E2-treated OVX rats. In conclusion, AM-induced vasodilation is gender-dependent and increased by female sex steroids by increased expression of AM2 receptor components.

Trinucleotide repeats are involved in a number of debilitating diseases such as myotonic dystrophy. Twelve to seventy-five base-long (CTG)n oligodeoxynucleotides were analysed using a combination of biophysical [UV-absorbance, circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)] and biochemical methods (non-denaturing gel electrophoresis and enzymatic footprinting). All oligomers formed stable intramolecular structures under near physiological conditions with a melting temperature that was only weakly dependent on oligomer length. Thermodynamic analysis of the denaturation process by UV-melting and calorimetric experiments revealed an unprecedented length-dependent discrepancy between the enthalpy values deduced from model-dependent (UV-melting) and model-independent (calorimetry) experiments. Evidence for non-zero molar heat capacity changes was also derived from the analysis of the Arrhenius plots and DSC profiles. Such behaviour is analysed in the framework of an intramolecular ‘branched-hairpin’ model, in which long CTG oligomers do not fold into a simple long hairpin–stem intramolecular structure, but allow the formation of several independent folding units of unequal stability. We demonstrate that, for sequences ranging from 12 to 25 CTG repeats, an intramolecular structure with two loops is formed which we will call ‘bis-hairpin’. Similar results were also found for CAG oligomers, suggesting that this observation may be extended to various trinucleotide repeats-containing sequences.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a potent vasodilatory peptide, and its concentration is increased in both maternal and fetal circulation during late pregnancy. The present study was designed to investigate the expression of CGRP receptor components, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), and the relaxation response to CGRP in fetoplacental vessels from normotensive pregnant women and women with preeclampsia. Results showed that: 1) mRNA for both CRLR and RAMP1 was expressed in fetoplacental vessels from normal pregnancies; however, these mRNA expressions were substantially reduced in the vessels from preeclamptic women; 2) CRLR and RAMP1 proteins were abundantly expressed in the endothelium and smooth muscle layer of the fetoplacental vessels, as well as the trophoblast cells in normal placentas. In contrast, both vascular tissues and trophoblasts showed decreased expressions for CRLR and RAMP1 proteins and declined CGRP binding sites in preeclamptic placentas; and 3) CGRP produced a dose-dependent relaxation of serotonin-induced contraction of umbilical and chorionic arteries from normal pregnancies, but the response to CGRP was significantly attenuated in the vessels from preeclampsia. We concluded that CGRP may contribute to the low fetoplacental vascular resistance in normal pregnancies; however, CGRP-dependent vascular relaxation appears to be compromised in preeclamptic pregnancies.

Calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) is a seven-transmembrane (7-TM) domain class B G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) which requires coexpression of different receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMP) to become a functional calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor or an adrenomedullin (AM) receptor. The N-terminal (Nt) extracellular region of class B GPCRs in ligand binding has been reported for receptors such as glucagon and parathyroid hormone. We hypothesize that the Nt-domain of CRLR (Nt-CRLR) is an autonomously folded unit possessing a well-defined structure and is involved in ligand binding and specificity. To obtain structural and functional information on the Nt-CRLR, we cloned and expressed the Nt-CRLR as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli. Overexpressed protein formed an inclusion body, which was refolded and purified, resulting in a soluble monomeric protein. Far-UV CD and fluorescence spectra of Nt-CRLR showed characteristics of a folded protein. The ability of Nt-CRLR to bind CGRP and AM independent of RAMPs was determined by studying inhibition of 1 2 5 I-CGRP and 1 2 5 I-AM binding to pregnant rat uterine membrane in the presence of Nt-CRLR protein. We observe that Nt-CRLR inhibits 1 2 5 I-CGRP and 1 2 5 I-AM binding to rat uterus in a dose-dependent fashion (IC 5 0 = 0.25 and 0.29 μM, respectively). Taken together, our data provide evidence that Nt-CRLR is structured and further that a significant part of the binding affinity comes from binding to the Nt-domain.

The vascular relaxation sensitivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is enhanced during pregnancy, compared with nonpregnant human and rat uterine arteries. In the rat uterine artery, two types of CGRP receptors have been shown to coexist, CGRP-A receptor, which is a complex of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity‐modifying protein (RAMP1) and CGRP-B receptor, which is different from CRLR. In the present study, we hypothesized that: 1) CGRP-induced vasorelaxation in rat uterine artery is mediated through CGRP-A receptor and 2) N-terminal (Nt) domain of CRLR (Nt-CRLR) has a major contribution in ligand binding and mediating CGRPinduced relaxation effects in rat uterine artery. Polyclonal antibodies against Nt-domain of CRLR and RAMP1 (Nt-RAMP1) were raised in rabbits and characterized for their specificity and were used to inhibit CGRP-induced vasorelaxation in rat uterine artery. For vascular relaxation studies, uterine arteries from Day 18 pregnant rats were isolated, and responsiveness of the vessels to CGRP was examined with a small vessel myograph. CGRP (10 210 to 10 27 M) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of norepinephrine-induced contractions in Day 18 pregnant rat uterine arteries. These effects were significantly (P , 0.05) inhibited when uterine arteries were incubated with the antibody raised against Nt-CRLR (PD2 5 6.75 6 0.20) and were totally abolished in presence of antibodies for both Nt-CRLR and Nt-RAMP1 (PD2 5 6.14 6 0.35). In contrast, a monoclonal antibody for CGRP-B receptor had no effect on CGRP-induced rat uterine artery relaxation. These studies suggest that CGRP effects in rat uterine artery are mediated through CGRP-A receptor and that Nt-domain of CRLR may play a predominant role in CGRP binding and thus in causing CGRP-induced uterine artery relaxation. neuropeptides, pregnancy, uterus

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), one of the most potent endogenous vasodilators known, has been implicated in vascular adaptations and placental function during pregnancy. The present study was aimed to investigate mRNA expression of CGRP-A receptor components, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP(1)) in the rat placenta. Immunohistochemical staining of rat placentas obtained on day 18 of pregnancy using polyclonal anti-CRLR and RAMP(1) antibodies revealed that labelling was specifically concentrated in the cytotrophoblast and syncytium in labyrinth, trophoblastic giant cells and basophilic cells in trophospongial cell layer, and endothelium and smooth muscle cells in fetal vessels. The intensity of staining was reduced in all these cells except in the syncytium in placentas obtained during labour. RT-PCR analysis showed that mRNA expression of CRLR and RAMP(1) was significantly higher in the rat placenta from gestation day 17 to day 22, than during labour. During pregnancy, 17beta-estradiol inhibits, while progesterone stimulates, placental mRNA and proteins for CRLR and RAMP(1). Antiestrogen, ICI 182780, increased, whereas antiprogesterone, RU 486, inhibited the expression of both CRLR and RAMP(1). In summary, we demonstrate the presence and cellular localization of CRLR and RAMP(1) in the rat placenta. Elevated placental CRLR and RAMP(1) may be involved in CGRP-related increases in blood flow and therefore fetal growth and decreases at term labour may help minimize the blood loss.

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Adrenomedullin2 (ADM2) is reported to facilitate embryo implantation and placental development. Therefore, the current study was undertaken to identify if ADM2 has a functional role in ovary to facilitate its reproductive actions. This study shows that the expression of ADM2 is differentially regulated in rat estrous cycle and that ADM2 increases the synthesis and secretion of 17beta-estradiol accompanied with an increase in the expression of steroidogenic factor 1 (Sf1), estrogen receptor Esr1, and enzymes involved in steroidogenesis in equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG)-treated rat ovaries. In addition, inhibition of endogenous ADM2 function in eCG-treated immature rats caused impaired ovulation. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of Adm2 and receptor activity modifying protein 3 is higher in the ovary on Day 18 compared to nonpregnant and pregnant rats on Day 22. ADM2-like immunoreactivity is localized in granulosa cells, blood vessels, oocytes, cumulous oophorus, and corpus luteum of pregnant ovaries, suggesting a potential role for ADM2 in the ovary. This is supported by the presence of ADM2-like immunoreactivity in the corpus luteum during pregnancy and a decline in aromatase immunoreactivity in corpus luteum on Day 9 of gestation in rats infused with ADM2 antagonist during implantation and decidualization phase. Taken together, this study suggests a potential involvement of ADM2 in the rat ovary in regulating synthesis of estradiol to support ovulation and facilitate efficient implantation and placental development for a successful pregnancy.

Synchronized molecular and cellular events occur between the uterus and the implanting embryo to facilitate successful pregnancy outcome. Nevertheless, the molecular signaling network that coordinates strategies for successful decidualization, placentation and fetal growth are not well understood. The discovery of calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptides (CT/CGRP) highlighted new signaling mediators in various physiological processes, including reproduction. It is known that CGRP family peptides including CGRP, adrenomedulin and intermedin play regulatory functions during implantation, trophoblast proliferation and invasion, and fetal organogenesis. In addition, all the CGRP family peptides and their receptor components are found to be expressed in decidual, placental and fetal tissues. Additionally, plasma levels of peptides of the CGRP family were found to fluctuate during normal gestation and to induce placental cellular differentiation, proliferation, and critical hormone signaling. Moreover, aberrant signaling of these CGRP family peptides during gestation has been associated with pregnancy disorders. It indicates the existence of a possible regulatory role for these molecules during decidualization and placentation processes, which are known to be particularly vulnerable. In this review, the influence of the CGRP family peptides in these critical processes is explored and discussed.

Synchronized molecular and cellular events occur between the uterus and the implanting embryo to facilitate successful pregnancy outcome. Nevertheless, the molecular signaling network that coordinates strategies for successful decidualization, placentation and fetal growth are not well understood. The discovery of calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptides (CT/CGRP) highlighted new signaling mediators in various physiological processes, including reproduction. It is known that CGRP family peptides including CGRP, adrenomedulin and intermedin play regulatory functions during implantation, trophoblast proliferation and invasion, and fetal organogenesis. In addition, all the CGRP family peptides and their receptor components are found to be expressed in decidual, placental and fetal tissues. Additionally, plasma levels of peptides of the CGRP family were found to fluctuate during normal gestation and to induce placental cellular differentiation, proliferation, and critical hormone signaling. Moreover, aberrant signaling of these CGRP family peptides during gestation has been associated with pregnancy disorders. It indicates the existence of a possible regulatory role for these molecules during decidualization and placentation processes, which are known to be particularly vulnerable. In this review, the influence of the CGRP family peptides in these critical processes is explored and discussed.

We welcome the comments by Hay et al.[1] about ourrecent review [2], but we believe that there is significantevidence in the literature to support the existence of a newcalcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) receptor andtherefore heterogeneity in CGRP receptors.CGRP (aand bisoforms) were isolated two decades agowith a molecular cloning strategy. Paradoxically, progresstoward the characterization of CGRP receptors has beenvery slow and challenging because of the difficulty ofcloning and the lack of selective receptor type-specificagonists and antagonists. However, exciting progress hasrecently been made towards biochemical characterizationof the receptors for CGRP and related peptides with thediscovery of receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMPs)[3] and receptor component protein (RCP) [4,5]. RAMPshave been implicated to work as a chaperone for thecalcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), whereas RCP isinvolved in signal transduction. The complete identity andmode of action of CGRP receptors still largely remains tobe investigated. Although the CGRP receptor hetero-geneity was introduced over a decade ago [6], the basis forthis was the differential affinity of the receptors to variousCGRP analogs. CGRP

Adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2), also referred to as intermedin (IMD), is expressed in trophoblast cells in human placenta and enhances the invasion and migration of first-trimester HTR-8SV/neo cells. Further infusion of ADM2 antagonist in pregnant rat causes fetoplacental growth restriction, suggesting a role for ADM2 in maintaining a successful pregnancy. This study was undertaken to assess whether ADM2 protein is present in decidual tissue and colocalized with HLA-G-positive cytotrophoblast cells and natural killer cells; to assess whether ADM2 regulates expression of HLA-G in trophoblast cells; and to identify whether mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is involved in ADM2-induced trophoblast cell invasion and migration. Using immunohistochemical methods and RT-PCR, this study shows that ADM2 protein is colocalized with HLA-G-expressing cytotrophoblast cells as well as with NCAM1 (CD56) immunoreactivity in human first-trimester decidual tissue, and that ADM2 mRNA is expressed in peripheral blood natural killer cells. Further, ADM2 dose dependently increases the expression of HLA-G antigen in HTR-8SV/neo cells as well as in term placental villi explants, suggesting involvement of ADM2 in the regulation of HLA-G in trophoblast cells. In addition, interference with the activity of RAF and MAPK3/1 by their inhibitors, manumycin and U0126, respectively, reduces ADM2-induced HTR-8SV/neo cell invasion and migration. In summary, this study suggests a potential involvement for ADM2 in regulating HLA-G antigen at the maternal-fetal interface in human pregnancy and facilitating trophoblast invasion and migration via MAPK3/1 phosphorylation.

Uterine arteries play a major role in regulating uteroplacental blood flow. Failure to maintain blood flow to the uteroplacental compartment during pregnancy often results in intrauterine growth retardation. Immunohistochemical staining of adrenomedullin (AM), an endogenous vasoactive peptide, in uterine artery was intense in pregnant compared to nonpregnant rats, but it is not known whether AM directly relaxes uterine artery or not. In this study, we elucidated the mechanisms of uterine artery relaxation by AM and its regulation by pregnancy and female sex steroids. AM was able to relax uterine artery, and this relaxation was influenced positively by pregnancy and estradiol as evidenced by the increased pD2 and Emax values of AM. Both pregnancy and estradiol treatment to ovariectomized rats amplified RAMP3 expression in uterine arteries while progesterone had no effect. AM-induced uterine artery relaxation is predominantly endothelium-dependent. The AM receptor antagonist CGRP8-37 is more potent than AM22-52 in inhibiting the AM relaxation, indicating the involvement of AM2 receptor subtype. Moreover, AM uses the classical nitric oxide-cGMP pathway along with KCa channels to mediate the vasodilatory effect in uterine artery. In conclusion, sensitivity of uterine artery to AM-induced relaxation is increased with pregnancy or estradiol treatment by increasing RAMP3 expression, suggesting an important role for AM in regulating the uterine hemodynamics, probably maintaining uterine blood flow during pregnancy and in pre- and postmenopausal cardiovascular adaptation differences.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CALCB), amylin, and adrenomedullin (ADM) belong to a unique group of calcitonin (CALCA)/CALCB family peptides that have overlapping biological effects owing to their structure and cross-reactivity between receptors. CALCB and ADM are expressed in fetoplacental tissues and are important in maintaining normal placental function. Recently, ADM 2 (ADM2)/intermedin was identified as a novel CALCA/CALCB family peptide that functions through CALCB and ADM receptors. ADM2 is expressed in the pituitary, digestive tract, and other organs of vertebrates and reduces blood pressure in both normal and hypertensive rats. We recently reported that the level of immunoreactive ADM2 is significantly upregulated in pregnant rats and that its hypotensive effects are also increased during rat pregnancy. Furthermore, infusion of ADM2 antagonist in pregnant rats causes fetoplacental growth restriction. The objective of this study was to analyze the expression and possible role of ADM2 in human placenta. We show that ADM2 mRNA is expressed in human placenta and that immunoreactive ADM2 is localized in syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, and endothelial cells throughout human pregnancy. This study also demonstrates that ADM2 enhances the invasion and migration of first-trimester HTR-8SV/neo cells. ADM2 increases the invasive index of HTR-8SV/neo cells by 2.2-fold compared with controls. Taken together, the findings from this study suggest that ADM2 may have a role in the physiology of human pregnancy via regulation of trophoblast invasion and migration.

Adrenomedullin 2 (ADM2) is a recently discovered member of the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide family with an exon-intron structure similar to that of ADM. The mRNA of ADM2 is expressed in several tissues, including uterus and ovary. The present study was designed to assess the effects of ADM2 antagonist (ADM2(17-47)) infusion to pregnant rats on fetal and placental growth. On Day 15 of gestation, rats were implanted s.c. with osmotic minipumps delivering 50 and 200 mug per rat per day of ADM2(17-47) and were killed on Gestational Day 18. In ADM2(17-47)-treated rats, placental weights were significantly inhibited in a dose-related manner, with an 11% reduction in the group of rats receiving 200 microg/day, whereas the fetal weights were reduced by 17% without significant differences between the two doses. 2 In ADM2(17-47)-infused rats, increased apoptosis was demonstrated in the labyrinth and junctional zones of rat placenta by the TUNEL method compared with the control animals. Western blot analysis demonstrated that in ADM2(17-47)-treated rats Bcl-2, mitochondrial cytochrome c, and active caspase-9 and caspase-3 were significantly increased compared with the controls. No significant treatment-associated changes were observed in Bax, Bid, p53, and caspase-8 and caspase-10 proteins in the treated placentas. In addition, infusion of ADM2(17-47) caused a significant decline in the transcripts of nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) and NOS2. These findings show that ADM2(17-47) infusion in rats during midpregnancy cause fetoplacental growth restriction through the activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. This study demonstrates for the first time (to our knowledge) a potential role for ADM2 in placental functions during pregnancy.

Objective The present study was designed to determine plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide concentration in both maternal and fetal circulations in normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies and investigate whether placenta is 1 of its origins. Study design Maternal blood, cord blood, and villous tissue were collected from women in normotensive pregnancies and complicated with pre-eclampsia. Calcitonin gene-related peptide concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Cellular localizations of calcitonin gene-related peptide messenger ribonucleic acid and protein expressions in placental villi were determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Results The following results were reached: (1) maternal plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide concentrations increased with advancing gestation but fell after delivery; (2) both maternal and cord plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide concentrations were positively correlated with the infant birth weights; (3) compared with normotensive pregnancies, calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in both maternal and cord plasma decreased in pregnancies with pre-eclampsia; (4) in normotensive pregnancies, the plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide of the umbilical vein was higher than the umbilical artery, but no significant differences between vein and artery in pre-eclampsia; (5) calcitonin gene-related peptide messenger ribonucleic acid and protein were expressed by syncytiotrophoblast cells and villous vascular endothelial cells in normotensive pregnancies, but only weak or absent staining was observed in pre-eclamptic placentas; and (6) calcitonin gene-related peptide is secreted by villous tissue in explant culture in a time-dependent manner, but less calcitonin gene-related peptide was produced by villous tissues from patients with pre-eclampsia. Conclusion Calcitonin gene-related peptide may play potential roles in maternal hemodynamic adaptation and fetal growth. Decreased circulating calcitonin gene-related peptide levels may be involved in maternal-fetal pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. It is novel that placenta villous tissues might be one of the potential sources of calcitonin gene-related peptide during pregnancy.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), one of the most potent endogenous vasodilators known, has been implicated in vascular adaptations and placental functions during pregnancy. The present study was designed to examine the existence of CGRP-A receptor components, the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), in the human placenta and the vasoactivity of CGRP in the fetoplacental circulation. Immunofluorescent staining of the human placenta in term labor using polyclonal anti-CRLR and RAMP1 antibodies revealed that labeling specifically concentrated in the vascular endothelium and the underlying smooth muscle cells in the umbilical artery/vein, chorionic artery/vein, and stem villous vessels as well as in the trophoblast layer of the placental villi. In vitro isometric force measurement showed that CGRP dose dependently relaxes the umbilical artery/vein, chorionic artery/vein, and stem villous vessels. Furthermore, CGRP-induced relaxation of placental vessels are inhibited by a CGRP receptor antagonist (CGRP8–37), ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel blocker (glybenclamide), and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A inhibitor (Rp-cAMPS) and partially inhibited by a nitric oxide inhibitor ( Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester). We propose that CGRP may play a role in the control of human fetoplacental vascular tone, and the vascular dilations in response to CGRP may involve activation of KATP channels, cAMP, and a nitric oxide pathway.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is the most potent vasodilator, and there is a growing body of evidence that this peptide might have multiple other functions. During pregnancy, circulating CGRP levels in rats increase up to the time of delivery, followed by a sharp decline at term and postpartum. In addition, the sensitivity of various vascular beds to CGRP in rats appears to increase with advancing pregnancy. This increased sensitivity might be involved in regulating uteroplacental blood flow, in addition to other vascular adaptations that occur during normal pregnancy. Furthermore, the uterine relaxation response to CGRP is elevated during pregnancy and decreased at term. Sex steroid hormones, estrogens and progesterone, regulate CGRP synthesis and its effects on both myometrial and uterine vascular tissues. These changes in smooth muscle relaxation sensitivity to CGRP appear to be a consequence of changes in CGRP-receptor levels in these tissues. There appear to be two receptors for CGRP: the CGRP-A receptor, a well-characterized receptor consisting of calcitonin receptor-like receptor and receptor activity modifying protein 1, and the CGRP-B receptor. The CGRP system might play a role in the maintenance of normal pregnancy, and a defect in this system might lead to complications.