Vatish Manu, Randeva Harpal S, Grammatopoulos Dimitris K
Endocrinology and Metabolism, Division of Clinical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
Trends Mol Med. 2006 May;12(5):223-33. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2006.03.003. Epub 2006 Apr 17.
The placenta is central to foetal growth and development in mammalian pregnancy. Compromised placental function (as found in pre-eclampsia) often results in life-threatening situations for both mother and foetus. The nitric-oxide (NO) signalling cascade is important for placental function, in particular for the development of the vascular network and for maintaining vascular tone. This pathway seems to be regulated by multiple hormonal signals. Emerging evidence suggests that pathogenic mechanisms that are involved in abnormal placental function target specific molecules, such as hormone receptors, that regulate NO release and have subsequent dramatic consequences. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of NO function in the placenta, its hormonal regulation in normal pregnancy and in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia, its potential pathogenic mechanisms and possible use as a therapeutic target.
胎盘在哺乳动物妊娠过程中对胎儿的生长发育至关重要。胎盘功能受损（如子痫前期所见）往往会给母亲和胎儿带来危及生命的情况。一氧化氮（NO）信号级联对于胎盘功能很重要，特别是对于血管网络的发育和维持血管张力。该途径似乎受多种激素信号调节。新出现的证据表明，参与胎盘功能异常的致病机制靶向特定分子，如调节NO释放并随后产生显著后果的激素受体。在此，我们讨论目前关于NO在胎盘中的功能、其在正常妊娠和子痫前期病理生理学中的激素调节、其潜在致病机制以及作为治疗靶点的可能用途的知识。
