Placenta growth factor: Potential role in pregnancy

PROBLEM: In spite of the known requirement for adequate vascularity during placentation, little is known regarding the regulation of angiogenic growth factor production by trophoblast. Placenta growth factor (P1GF) is a recen tly discovered angiogenic growth Factor whose expression is relatively limi ted to trophoblast. METHOD OF STUDY: Current literature of P1GF was reviewed, with emphasis on its expression, regulation, role in angiogenesis, and potential function(s) at the maternal-fetal interface. RESULTS: P1GF is abundantly expressed by trophoblast, which implies that it could act in a paracrine manner to modulate vascular development, stabilit y, and/or function within the decidua and placental villi. In addition, exp ression of the P1GF receptor, fms-like tyrosine kinase (flt-1) receptor, on trophoblast raises the potential for an autocrine role of P1GF in regulati ng trophoblast growth and/or function. CONCLUSIONS: The potential for P1GF to influence both vascular endothelial cells and trophoblast suggests that aberrant trophoblast production of PlGF could compromise cellular function during gestation and contribute to the vascular and placental pathologies noted in many obstetric complications.