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Neuregulin-1, the fetal endothelium, and brain damage in preterm newborns.

Authors :: Hoffmann I
Bueter W
Zscheppang K
Brinkhaus MJ
Liese A
Riemke S
Dörk T
Dammann O
Dammann CE
Source :: Brain, behavior, and immunity [Brain Behav Immun] 2010 Jul; Vol. 24 (5), pp. 784-91. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Sep 04.
Publication Year :: 2010
Abstract: Objective: To assess the potential role for Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) as a systemic endogenous protector in the setting of perinatal inflammatory brain damage.<br />Methods: We measured NRG1-protein and mRNA levels in human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) of different gestational ages at various durations of exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In parallel, we genotyped the donor individuals for SNP8NRG221533, a disease-related single nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' region upstream of the NRG1 sequence. Intracellular NRG1 localization was visualized by confocal microscopy. Furthermore we analyzed the relationship between SNP8NRG221533 genotype and neurodevelopmental outcome in children born preterm.<br />Results: We observed a positive dose-response-relationship between NRG1-mRNA and intracellular protein levels with both advancing gestational age and duration of LPS exposure in HUVECs. The presence of allele C at the SNP8NRG221533 locus was associated with an increased cellular production of NRG1 in HUVECs, and with a significantly reduced risk for cerebral palsy and developmental delay in children born preterm.<br />Interpretation: In conclusion, our data indicate that gestational age, duration of LPS exposure, and the SNP8NRG221533 genotype affect NRG1 levels. Our results support the hypothesis that NRG1 may qualify as an endogenous protector during fetal development.<br /> (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)