BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the sex specific expression of histone protein modifications responsible for rapid gene expression in IUGR placentas. PATIENTS AND METHODS We screened for fetal sex-specific expression of the histone proteins H3K4me3 and H3K9ac in 23 IUGR and 40 control placentas via immunohistochemistry. The trophoblast-like cell line BeWo was used in order to analyze a potential effect of stimulation with prednisolone on H3K4me3 and H3K9ac in vitro. Calculating regression models with additional adjustment for potential confounders were used. RESULTS A significantly decreased level of H3K4me3 was detectable in female syncytiotrophoblasts, whereas H3K9ac was reduced predominantly in male extravillous throphoblast (EVT). No association to the gestational age existed. CONCLUSION Our data showed a reduced expression of the histone proteins H3K4me3 (female) and H3K9ac (male) in IUGR, furthermore elevated cortisol levels may lead to a sex-specific down-regulation of histone proteins in IUGR placentas.

中文翻译：

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性别特异性表观遗传基因激活谱在受宫内生长受限影响的人类胎盘中受到差异调节。

背景本研究的目的是调查负责 IUGR 胎盘中快速基因表达的组蛋白修饰的性别特异性表达。患者和方法 我们通过免疫组织化学筛选了 23 个 IUGR 和 40 个对照胎盘中组蛋白 H3K4me3 和 H3K9ac 的胎儿性别特异性表达。滋养层样细胞系 BeWo 用于分析泼尼松龙刺激对体外 H3K4me3 和 H3K9ac 的潜在影响。使用对潜在混杂因素进行额外调整的计算回归模型。结果 在女性合体滋养层细胞中可检测到 H3K4me3 水平显着降低，而 H3K9ac 主要在男性绒毛外滋养层细胞 (EVT) 中降低。与胎龄无关。