Objective: To investigate the mRNA expression of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and iron regulatory protein 1 (IRP1) in the full-term placenta from different maternal iron status, and explore the mechanism of placental iron transport and regulation.
Methods: The mRNA level of TfR1 and IRP1 in full-term placentae was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in normal group (N), iron deficiency group (ID) and iron deficiency anemia group (IDA).
Results: (1) The expression of TfR1 mRNA in N group was 0.4813 +/- 0.1891, in ID group was 0. 6647 +/- 0.2788, and in IDA group was 0.9767 +/- 0.2858. There was significant difference between IDA group and N group or ID group (t = 0.002, P < 0.01 or t = 0.028, P < 0.05), and was no difference between ID group and N group (t = 0.117, P > 0.05). (2) The expression of IRP1 mRNA in N group was 0.2616 +/- 0.0785, in ID group was 0.3696 +/- 0.1801, and in IDA group was 0.3971 +/- 0.0902 and was no difference among the three groups (F = 1.845, P = 0.179).
Conclusions: The expression of TfR1 mRNA is increased when maternal iron deficiency progressed while there is no change in the expression of IRP1 mRNA in the placentae of TfR1 mRNA indicated that IRP1 takes part in the regulation of placenta iron transport.