Placental Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and NPY receptors expressions and serum NPY levels in preeclampsia

Abstract

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been reported as a vasoconstrictive substance that might be associated with preeclampsia. NPY mediates different effects via its specific NPY receptors. NPY action via Y1 receptor (Y1R) and/or Y5 receptor (Y5R) induces vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation while it is implicated in angiogenesis via Y2 receptor (Y2R) and/or Y5R. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare placental NPY, Y1 receptor (Y1R), Y2 receptor (Y2R), and Y5 receptor (Y5R) expressions between normal (NP) and preeclamptic (PE) pregnancies to determine whether gene expression of different NPY receptors are altered in the PE condition; (2) compare maternal serum NPY levels between NP and PE subjects; and (3) determine correlations between placental gene expressions as well as serum NPY levels with maternal and neonatal clinical parameters. There were 22 subjects each in the NP (gestational age 37-42 weeks) and PE (gestational age !34 weeks) groups. Clinical parameters and serum NPY levels were measured before delivery. NPY expression and serum NPY levels were comparable between NP and PE subjects. Y1R, Y2R, and Y5R expressions were significantly lower in PE than NP subjects. In all and NP subjects, placental Y2R showed the highest expression, tended to be higher than Y5R, and was significantly higher than Y1R. In PE subjects, placental Y2R was comparable to Y5R and both Y2R and Y5R were significantly higher than Y1R. The NPY receptor expression ratio between the PE/NP groups showed that it was lowest for Y2R (0.27) compared to Y1R (0.42) and Y5R (0.40) suggestive of decreased Y2R expression in PE subjects. In summary, a decrease in placental Y2R mRNA might be associated with abnormalities of placental angiogenesis which probably contributes to the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. The roles of NPY receptors mediating placental vascularization need to be further investigated.

G-Protein Coupled Receptor Dysregulation May Play Roles in Severe Preeclampsia—A Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis of Placental Gene Expression Profile

“…Systemic levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), a peptide that acts as a sympathetic activator and vasoconstrictor, were found to be elevated in preeclampsia patients as compared to the normal pregnancy population [ 23 , 24 ]. The authors posit that decreases in the expression of NPY receptors probably leads to decreased angiogenesis and vasodilation [ 25 ]. It is plausible that NPY may function through upregulated levels of the neuropeptide Y-4 receptor ( NPY4R ) to induce vasoconstriction, although future studies need to look into the actual expression of this receptor among preeclamptic patients.…”

Altered features of neurotransmitters: NPY, α-MSH, and AgRP in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension

“…19 Previous studies have shown that changes in NPY could cause some diseases with vascular lesions, promote angiogenesis, and cause HP. 20…”

“…19 Previous studies have shown that changes in NPY could cause some diseases with vascular lesions, promote angiogenesis, and cause HP. 20 Engstr€ om et al 21 reported a pivotal role for NPY-dependent signaling in mediating the rapid feed-inducing effect and the acute glucose regulatory function that is governed by AgRP neurons. In our study, plasma NPY was visibly higher in T2DM with HP compared with T2DM patients without HP and normal individuals.…”

Updated Role of Neuropeptide Y in Nicotine-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis

“…At least three receptors have been identified on ECs, namely, Y1R, Y2R, and Y5R ( Figure 1 ). NPY at the physiological concentrations of eNOS and VEGF, stimulated endothelial cell proliferation, germination, migration, and adhesion, and induced ischemic angiogenesis and intimal thickening ( 43 , 45 ), by binding to Y1R, Y2R, and Y5R ( 25 , 46 , 47 ). In AS, abnormal neovascularization in plaques not only accelerates plaque progression but also increases the risk of plaque rupture and hemorrhage ( 48 ).…”