Effective protein extraction is essential especially in producing a well-resolved proteome on 2D gels. A well-resolved placental cotyledon proteome, with good reproducibility, have allowed researchers to study the proteins underlying the physiology and pathophysiology of pregnancy. The aim of this study is to determine the best protein extraction protocol for the extraction of protein from placental cotyledons tissues for a two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-GE). Based on widely used protein extraction strategies, 12 different extraction methodologies were carefully selected, which included one chemical extraction, two mechanical extraction coupled protein precipitations, and nine chemical extraction coupled protein precipitations. Extracted proteins were resolved in a one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and 2D-GE; then, it was compared with set criteria: extraction efficacy, protein resolution, reproducibility, and recovery efficiency. Our results revealed that a better profile was obtained by chemical extraction in comparison to mechanical extraction. We further compared chemical extraction coupled protein precipitation methodologies, where the DNase/lithium chloride-dense sucrose homogenization coupled dichloromethane-methanol precipitation (DNase/LiCl-DSH-D/MPE) method showed good protein extraction efficiency. This, however, was carried out with the best protein resolution and proteome reproducibility on 2D-gels. DNase/LiCl-DSH-D/MPE was efficient in the extraction of proteins from placental cotyledons tissues. In addition, this methodology could hypothetically allow the protein extraction of any tissue that contains highly abundant lipid and glycogen.
Biomarkers play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of patients with acute coronary syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the differences in level of several biomarkers, i.e. C-reactive protein, myeloperoxidase, soluble CD40 ligand and placental growth factor, between acute coronary syndrome and chronic stable angina patients. The relationship between these biomarkers in the coronary circulation and systemic circulation was also investigated.
Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) contribute in the development of preeclampsia and are suggested as prediction markers in healthy pregnant women but limited data is available in women with major preeclampsia risk factors. This study aimed to determine the role of sFlt-1 and PlGF in predicting preeclampsia among high risk pregnant women. This was a prospective study and samples were collected for a period of ten months. Blood samples were obtained from 84 pregnant women who had at least one risk factor for preeclampsia at 25 to 28 weeks and at 29 to 36 weeks of gestation. SFlt-1 and PlGF concentrations were determined by immunoassay method. There were significantly higher median sFlt-1 and sFlt-1:PlGF ratio at gestational interval 25 to 28 weeks and sFlt-1:PlGF ratio at 29 to 36 weeks in high risk women who developed preeclampsia. Significant lower median serum PlGF levels at 25 to 28 weeks and 29 to 36 weeks were observed in this group of women. In conclusion, the concentrations of these markers were altered in high risk preeclamptic women, a similar pattern seen in low risk preeclamptic women. However the predictive value of these markers could not be established clearly.
To establish baseline levels of maternal plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) among normotensive Malaysian mothers and to compare the marker levels between normotensives and mothers with gestational hypertension (GH).
Angiogenesis has been reported to be one of the contributory factors to the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. This study aims to compare the expression of different angiogenesis growth factors namely (1) the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) subfamily: A, B, C, D and placenta growth factor (PlGF); (2) nerve growth factor (NGF) and (3) von Willebrand factor (vWFr) in the skins of patients with psoriasis vulgaris and non-psoriatic volunteers.
Study site: Dermatology Department of Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur and Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital, Seremban, Malaysia