Glucocorticoid receptors α and β are modulated sex specifically in human placentas of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyze the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) subtypes GRα and GRβ in placentas affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

METHODS: We analyzed the sex-specific placental expression of GRα and GRβ in 23 IUGR and 40 control placentas using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The GR gene, also known as nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1), mRNA production in trophoblast-like cell line BeWo after stimulation with prednisolone was analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and on the protein level using western blot analysis.

RESULTS: GR subtypes showed a sex-specific upregulation in placentas from IUGR compared to control placentas. An increased expression of GRα was detectable in female placental tissue, whereas GRβ was increased in males.

CONCLUSION: Our data support previous findings suggesting that the glucocorticoid metabolism plays a role in the pathophysiology of IUGR. Furthermore, the data suggest that the underlying molecular mechanisms differ between male and female cases.