Figure 2

Expression of NKX3.1 downregulated in FGR pregnancies. (A) Quantification of NKX3.1 mRNA expression levels in placental tissues from gestation-matched control (n = 25) and FGR pregnancies (n = 25). 18S rRNA was used as an internal control. (B) Quantification of NKX3.1 mRNA expression levels in placental bed tissues. 18S rRNA was used as an internal control. (C) Representative immunoblot for NKX3.1 that compares gestation-matched control (n = 6) versus FGR placentae (n = 6). Coomassie-stained gel depicting total protein load. Quantification of the intensity of the bands is illustrated in (D). Results are reported as the mean ± SE mol/L from n = 3 independent experiments. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test (significant differences, *p < 0.05). Panel (E) reports NKX3.1 mRNA expression levels in BeWo cells that were incubated under normoxic or hypoxic conditions for 8 h, in the absence or presence of PROKR1 (PC7) or PROKR2 (PKRA505) antagonists. Both antagonists were used at 10 µmol/L. (significant differences, *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01).