Distribution of Relaxin-3 mRNA and Immunoreactivity and RXFP3-Binding Sites in the Brain of the Macaque, Macaca fascicularis
RELAXIN AND RELATED PEPTIDES: FIFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Authors: Ma, Sherie; Shen, Pei-Juan; Sang, Qian; Lanciego, Jose L.; Gundlach, Andrew L.
Abstract
This study examined the presence and distribution of relaxin-3 (RLN3) and its receptor, RXFP3, throughout the brain of Macaca fascicularis. In perfusion-fixed sections, RLN3 immunoreactivity (IR) was observed throughout the fore-, mid-, and hindbrain and was enriched in the septum, hippocampus, and interpeduncular and supramammillary nuclei. Neurons in the pontine central gray area contained RLN3-IR and RLN3 mRNA. The distribution of RXFP3 protein, mapped by autoradiography of [I-125]R3/I5-binding sites, correlated with the distribution of RLN3-IR. The broad distributions of RLN3-positive neuronal axons and terminals and of RXFP3 in the brain of Macaca fascicularis are consistent with findings in the rat and with an important role for RLN3 signaling in nonhuman primate and human brain.
Polymorphisms in the Promoter Region of Relaxin-2 and Preterm Birth: Involvement of Relaxin in the Etiology of Preterm Birth
IN VIVO
Authors: Vogel, Ida; Hollegaard, Mads Vilhelm; Hougaard, David Michael; Thorsen, Poul; Grove, Jakob
Abstract
Background: Circulating relaxin levels have repeatedly been associated with preterm birth (PTB). Our aim was to investigate if mothers carrying promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in one of the three relaxin genes (RLN1, RLN2, RLN3) are predisposed for PTB. Patients and Methods: Maternal DNA from 80 preterm cases (40 very preterm births (24-34 weeks) and 40 moderate preterm (34-36 weeks) and 40 controls (term delivery)) nested in the Danish National Birth Cohort were examined for nine SNPs. Results: Maternal homozygosity of the rarer allele in the relaxin 2 gene (RLN2, rs10115467 and rs4742076) had an increased risk of moderate PTB (odds ratio 4.1 [95% CI 1.4-12] and 8.8 195% CI 1.03-75] respectively). Only rs10115467 remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Conclusion: Women homozygous for prevalent SNPs in the RLN2 gene may have a genetic susceptibility for PTB.