Phytochemical Composition, Anti-Inflammatory Property, and Anti-Atopic Effect of Chaetomorpha linum Extract.

Utilizing plant-based resources, particularly their by-products, aligns with sustainability principles and circular bioeconomy, contributing to environmental preservation. The therapeutic potential of plant extracts is garnering increasing interest, and this study aimed to demonstrate promising outcomes from an extract obtained from an underutilized plant waste. Chaetomorpha linum, an invasive macroalga found in the Orbetello Lagoon, thrives in eutrophic conditions, forming persistent mats covering approximately 400 hectares since 2005. The biomass of C. linum undergoes mechanical harvesting and is treated as waste, requiring significant human efforts and economic resources-A critical concern for municipalities. Despite posing challenges to local ecosystems, the study identified C. linum as a natural source of bioactive metabolites. Phytochemical characterization revealed lipids, amino acids, and other compounds with potential anti-inflammatory activity in C. linum extract. In vitro assays with LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 and TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells showed the extract inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) productions, and reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expressions via NF-κB nuclear translocation, in RAW 264.7 cells. It also reduced chemokines (TARC/CCL17, RANTES/CCL5, MCP-1/CCL2, and IL-8) and the cytokine IL-1ß production in HaCaT cells, suggesting potential as a therapeutic candidate for chronic diseases like atopic dermatitis. Finally, in silico studies indicated palmitic acid as a significant contributor to the observed effect. This research not only uncovered the untapped potential of C. linum but also laid the foundation for its integration into the circular bioeconomy, promoting sustainable practices, and innovative applications across various industries.

Pharmacological Chaperones and Protein Conformational Diseases: Approaches of Computational Structural Biology.

Whenever a protein fails to fold into its native structure, a profound detrimental effect is likely to occur, and a disease is often developed. Protein conformational disorders arise when proteins adopt abnormal conformations due to a pathological gene variant that turns into gain/loss of function or improper localization/degradation. Pharmacological chaperones are small molecules restoring the correct folding of a protein suitable for treating conformational diseases. Small molecules like these bind poorly folded proteins similarly to physiological chaperones, bridging non-covalent interactions (hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions, and van der Waals contacts) loosened or lost due to mutations. Pharmacological chaperone development involves, among other things, structural biology investigation of the target protein and its misfolding and refolding. Such research can take advantage of computational methods at many stages. Here, we present an up-to-date review of the computational structural biology tools and approaches regarding protein stability evaluation, binding pocket discovery and druggability, drug repurposing, and virtual ligand screening. The tools are presented as organized in an ideal workflow oriented at pharmacological chaperones' rational design, also with the treatment of rare diseases in mind.

An improved NMR approach for metabolomics of intact serum samples.

NMR metabolomics has inherent capabilities for studying biofluids, such as reproducibility, minimal sample preparation, non-destructiveness, and molecular structure elucidation; however, reliable quantitation of metabolites is still a challenge because of the complex matrix of the samples. The serum is one of the most common samples in clinical studies but possibly the most difficult for NMR analysis because of the high content of proteins, which hampers the detection and quantification of metabolites. Different processes for protein removal, such as ultrafiltration and precipitation, have been proposed, but require sample manipulation, increase time and cost, and possibly lead to loss of information in the metabolic profile. Alternative methods that rely on filtering protein signals by NMR pulse sequencing are commonly used, but standardisation of acquisition parameters and spectra calibration is far from being reached. The present technical note is a critical assessment of the sparsely suggested calibrants, pulse sequences and acquisition parameters toward an optimised combination of the three for accurate and reproducible quantification of metabolites in intact serum.

Untargeted NMR Metabolomics Reveals Alternative Biomarkers and Pathways in Alkaptonuria.

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is an ultra-rare metabolic disease caused by the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA), an intermediate product of phenylalanine and tyrosine degradation. AKU patients carry variants within the gene coding for homogentisate-1,2-dioxygenase (HGD), which are responsible for reducing the enzyme catalytic activity and the consequent accumulation of HGA and formation of a dark pigment called the ochronotic pigment. In individuals with alkaptonuria, ochronotic pigmentation of connective tissues occurs, leading to inflammation, degeneration, and eventually osteoarthritis. The molecular mechanisms underlying the multisystemic development of the disease severity are still not fully understood and are mostly limited to the metabolic pathway segment involving HGA. In this view, untargeted metabolomics of biofluids in metabolic diseases allows the direct investigation of molecular species involved in pathways alterations and their interplay. Here, we present the untargeted metabolomics study of AKU through the nuclear magnetic resonance of urine from a cohort of Italian patients; the study aims to unravel molecular species and mechanisms underlying the AKU metabolic disorder. Dysregulation of metabolic pathways other than the HGD route and new potential biomarkers beyond homogentisate are suggested, contributing to a more comprehensive molecular signature definition for AKU and the development of future adjuvant treatment.

Alteration of the Nucleotide Excision Repair (NER) Pathway in Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Clinical responses to anticancer therapies in advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are unluckily restricted to a small subgroup of patients. Much of the inter-individual variability in treatment efficacy is as result of polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins involved in drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The nucleotide excision repair (NER) system is the main defense mechanism for repairing DNA damage caused by carcinogens and chemotherapy drugs. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NER pathway key genes, altering mRNA expression or protein activity, can be significantly associated with response to chemotherapy, toxicities, tumor relapse or risk of developing cancer. In the present study, in a cohort of STS patients, we performed DNA extraction and genotyping by SNP assay, RNA extraction and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qPCR), a molecular dynamics simulation in order to characterize the NER pathway in STS. We observed a severe deregulation of the NER pathway and we describe for the first time the effect of SNP rs1047768 in the ERCC5 structure, suggesting a role in modulating single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding. Our results evidenced, for the first time, the correlation between a specific genotype profile of ERCC genes and proficiency of the NER pathway in STS.

Phase IIa trial of fingolimod for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis demonstrates acceptable acute safety and tolerability.

INTRODUCTION: Immune activation has been implicated in progression of amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Oral fingolimod reduces circulating lymphocytes. The objective of this phase IIa, randomized, controlled trial was to test the short-term safety, tolerability, and target engagement of fingolimod in ALS. METHODS: Randomization was 2:1 (fingolimod:placebo). Treatment duration was 4 weeks. Primary outcomes were safety and tolerability. Secondary outcomes included circulating lymphocytes and whole-blood gene expression. RESULTS: Thirty participants were randomized; 28 were administered a drug (fingolimod 18, placebo 10). No serious adverse events occurred. Adverse events were similar by treatment arm, as was study discontinuation (2 fingolimod vs. 0 placebo, with no statistical difference). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ) and FEV1 /slow vital capacity changes were similar in the fingolimod and placebo arms. Circulating lymphocytes decreased significantly in the fingolimod arm (P < 0.001). Nine immune-related genes were significantly downregulated in the fingolimod arm, including forkhead box P3 (P < 0.001) and CD40 ligand (P = 0.003). DISCUSSION: Fingolimod is safe and well-tolerated and can reduce circulating lymphocytes in ALS patients. Muscle Nerve 56: 1077-1084, 2017.

Hypercaloric enteral nutrition in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with few therapeutic options. Mild obesity is associated with greater survival in patients with the disease, and calorie-dense diets increased survival in a mouse model. We aimed to assess the safety and tolerability of two hypercaloric diets in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis receiving enteral nutrition. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised phase 2 clinical trial, we enrolled adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from participating centres in the USA. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older with no history of diabetes or liver or cardiovascular disease, and who were already receiving percutaneous enteral nutrition. We randomly assigned participants (1:1:1) using a computer-generated list of random numbers to one of three dietary interventions: replacement calories using an isocaloric tube-fed diet (control), a high-carbohydrate hypercaloric tube-fed diet (HC/HC), or a high-fat hypercaloric tube-fed diet (HF/HC). Participants received the intervention diets for 4 months and were followed up for 5 months. The primary outcomes were safety and tolerability, analysed in all patients who began their study diet. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00983983. FINDINGS: Between Dec 14, 2009, and Nov 2, 2012, we enrolled 24 participants, of whom 20 started their study diet (six in the control group, eight in the HC/HC group, and six in the HF/HC group). One patient in the control group, one in the HC/HC group, and two in the HF/HC group withdrew consent before receiving the intervention. Participants who received the HC/HC diet had a smaller total number of adverse events than did those in the other groups (23 in the HC/HC group vs 42 in the control group vs 48 in the HF/HC group; overall, p=0.06; HC/HC vs control, p=0.06) and significantly fewer serious adverse events than did those on the control diet (none vs nine; p=0.0005). Fewer patients in the HC/HC group discontinued their study diet due to adverse events (none [0%] of eight in the HC/HC group vs three [50%] of six in the control group). During the 5 month follow-up, no deaths occurred in the nine patients assigned to the HC/HC diet compared with three deaths (43%) in the seven patients assigned to the control diet (log-rank p=0.03). Adverse events, tolerability, deaths, and disease progression did not differ significantly between the HF/HC group and the control group. INTERPRETATION: Our results provide preliminary evidence that hypercaloric enteral nutrition is safe and tolerable in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and support the study of nutritional interventions in larger randomised controlled trials at earlier stages of the disease. FUNDING: Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, and Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center.

Castleman disease: a rare case in a young woman.

Castleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by benign enlargement of lymph nodes. It is divided into unicentric disease, which involves a single enlarged lymph node, and multicentric disease, which affects multiple lymph node stations. In this report, we describe a rare case of a 28-year-old female patient with an unicentric Castleman disease. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-circumscribed large mass in the left neck, characterized by intense homogenous enhancement and suspected for a malignant disease. The patient underwent an excisional biopsy for definitive diagnosis of unicentric Castleman disease and ruled out malignant conditions.

Twig-like middle cerebral artery in a case of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with multisystemic involvement, affecting central nervous system, skin, bone system and vessels, with a very heterogeneous clinical presentation. Vascular abnormalities are typically recognized in neurofibromatosis type 1 affecting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. The incidence of circle of Willis anomalies in children with NF1 is twofold higher than in general population. In this paper, we report of 19-years-old female with NF1 and twig-like middle cerebral artery.

Proposed BioRepository platform solution for the ALS research community.

ALS is a rare disorder whose cause and pathogenesis is largely unknown ( 1 ). There is a recognized need to develop biomarkers for ALS to better understand the disease, expedite diagnosis and to facilitate therapy development. Collaboration is essential to obtain a sufficient number of samples to allow statistically meaningful studies. The availability of high quality biological specimens for research purposes requires the development of standardized methods for collection, long-term storage, retrieval and distribution of specimens. The value of biological samples to scientists and clinicians correlates with the completeness and relevance of phenotypical and clinical information associated with the samples ( 2 , 3 ). While developing a secure Web-based system to manage an inventory of multi-site BioRepositories, algorithms were implemented to facilitate ad hoc parametric searches across heterogeneous data sources that contain data from clinical trials and research studies. A flexible schema for a barcode label was introduced to allow association of samples to these data. The ALSBank™ BioRepository platform solution for managing biological samples and associated data is currently deployed by the Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS). The NEALS Consortium and the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Neurology Clinical Trials Unit (NCTU) support a network of multiple BioBanks, thus allowing researchers to take advantage of a larger specimen collection than they might have at an individual institution. Standard operating procedures are utilized at all collection sites to promote common practices for biological sample integrity, quality control and associated clinical data. Utilizing this platform, we have created one of the largest virtual collections of ALS-related specimens available to investigators studying ALS.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy related inflammation: A little known but not to be underestimated disease.

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy related inflammation (CAA-ri) is a rare encephalopathy resulting from perivascular inflammation after ß-ßamyloid (A) deposition in cerebral vessels leading to progressive dementia, focal neurological signs, seizures and intracerebral hemorrhages. This condition is characterized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by patchy or confluent T2/fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensities in the cortex and subcortical white matter located mainly in the same areas of pre-existing multiple microhemorrhages. In this report of 2 cases of "probable" CAA-ri women aged 71 and 68, we propose a review on the pathophysiological, clinical, radiological, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of this little-known and poor outcome condition. Even though an apparently favorable initial evolution after steroid and/or immunosuppressive treatment, CAA-ri course is unpredictable and often associated with low survival rates. We suggest the importance of timely and proper clinico-radiological evaluation in suspected CAA-ri cases, in order to start an appropriate treatment even without the brain biopsy.

Clinical significance in the change of decline in ALSFRS-R.

Our objective was to survey ALS clinicians and researchers regarding what percentage reduction in the ALSFRS-R (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale - Revised) slope they would consider clinically meaningful. A nine-question survey was provided to 65 members of the Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS). They were asked to rate the clinical relevance of 10-50% changes in decline of the ALSFRS-R slope on a seven-point scale (1-7), where 1='not at all clinically meaningful', 4='somewhat clinically meaningful', and 7='very clinically meaningful'. Ninety per cent of participants rated a 20% change in the decline of the ALSFRS-R score as the percentage in which a somewhat clinically significant change starts to be noted (i.e. score of 4 or higher). All participants endorsed a 25% or higher change in the ALSFRS-R score as at least somewhat clinically meaningful (score of 4 or higher). Ninety-three per cent of the participants viewed a 50% change in decline as very clinically meaningful (score of 7). This survey demonstrated that the majority of clinicians and clinical researchers surveyed believe that a therapy that resulted in a change of 20% or greater in the slope of the ALSFRS-R would be clinically meaningful.

Balò's concentric sclerosis in a case of cocaine-levamisole abuse.

Baló's concentric sclerosis is a rare variant of multiple sclerosis. It belongs to the group of primary inflammatory central nervous system demyelinating diseases having no clear etiology. Peculiar radiological findings on magnetic resonance imaging are alternating rings of demyelinated and myelinated axons resembling an "onion bulb." We report on a case of a patient with cocaine abuse who presented with Balò's-like acute multifocal leukoencephalopathy supported by histological and radiological findings. The abuse of cocaine and its most frequent adulterant, levamisole, may induce ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and metabolic or multifocal inflammatory leukoencephalopathy. Only a few studies described levamisole-induced leukoencephalopathy mimicking Balò round lesions. Nevertheless, it has not yet been established the correlation between them; it might also be possible that the cocaine/levamisole addiction represents just a coincidence in some of those patients affected by Balò sclerosis disease.

Loss of Swallow Tail Sign on Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging in Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

We assessed nigral dorsolateral hyperintensity (swallow tail sign) at susceptibility-weighted imaging using 3T-MRI in 15 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), 11 Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 8 frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients and 10 subjects with subjective memory complaint (SMC). More DLB patients lacked nigral hyperintesity (p < 0.05). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DLB diagnosis were, respectively: 80%, 64%, and 73% versus AD; 80%, 75%, and 78% versus FTD; and 80%, 90%, and 84% versus SMC. Considering bilateral loss, sensitivity decreased (53%) but specificity increased (82-100%). Swallow tail sign loss, especially if bilateral, can be useful for DLB diagnosis.

Pilot trial of inosine to elevate urate levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the safety, tolerability, and urate-elevating capability of the urate precursor inosine taken orally or by feeding tube in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: This was a pilot, open-label trial in 25 participants with ALS. Treatment duration was 12 weeks. The dose of inosine was titrated at pre-specified time points to elevate serum urate levels to 7-8 mg/dL. Primary outcomes were safety (as assessed by the occurrence of adverse events [AEs]) and tolerability (defined as the ability to complete the 12-week study on study drug). Secondary outcomes included biomarkers of oxidative stress and damage. As an exploratory analysis, observed outcomes were compared with a virtual control arm built using prediction algorithms to estimate ALSFRS-R scores. RESULTS: Twenty-four out of 25 participants (96%) completed 12 weeks of study drug treatment. One participant was unable to comply with study visits and was lost to follow-up. Serum urate rose to target levels in 6 weeks. No serious AEs attributed to study drug and no AEs of special concern, such as urolithiasis and gout, occurred. Selected biomarkers of oxidative stress and damage had significant changes during the study period. Observed changes in ALSFRS-R did not differ from baseline predictions. INTERPRETATION: Inosine appeared safe, well tolerated, and effective in raising serum urate levels in people with ALS. These findings, together with epidemiological observations and preclinical data supporting a neuroprotective role of urate in ALS models, provide the rationale for larger clinical trials testing inosine as a potential disease-modifying therapy for ALS.

DIDECMO: a new polymethylpentene oxygenator for pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

We reviewed the performance of a new polymethylpentene oxygenator (DIDECMO, Dideco, Mirandola, Italy) in terms of clinical safety and efficiency in priming, oxygenation, and oxygenator resistance in neonatal and pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients. Between March 2005 and January 2006, 14 patients required ECMO in the San Vincenzo Hospital. Of these, 8 (median age, 9 days; range, 3 days to 15 months) received normothermic ECMO for postcardiotomy heart failure after surgery for congenital heart disease. The DIDECMO oxygenator was used in all patients (median weight, 2.4 kg; range, 2 to 7 kg). According to our previous experience, all patients received the same anticoagulation management. DIDECMO is a new phosphorylcholine-coated, polymethylpentene hollow-fiber oxygenator recommended for a maximum blood flow of 2300 ml/min with a membrane surface area of 0.67 m2 and validated to be used up to 5 days. Static priming was 100 ml and mean support time 05 hours (range, 36 to 198 hours). No oxygenators were changed during support. Median pressure drop during overall assistance was 24 mm Hg. Carbon dioxide elimination was obtained with a 1:1 blood flow/air flow ratio. Neither oxygenator-related major nor minor adverse events occurred during support. In our initial experience, the new polymethylpentene DIDECMO oxygenator provided adequate gas exchange and offered technical advantages in terms of low priming volume and acceptable hemodynamic resistance despite pulsatile flow regimen. Also, we used this device for more than 8 days without any technical problems.

Brain MR Contribution to the Differential Diagnosis of Parkinsonian Syndromes: An Update.

Brain magnetic resonance (MR) represents a useful and feasible tool for the differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Conventional MR may reveal secondary forms of parkinsonism and may show peculiar brain alterations of atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Furthermore, advanced MR techniques, such as morphometric-volumetric analyses, diffusion-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, tractography, proton MR spectroscopy, and iron-content sensitive imaging, have been used to obtain quantitative parameters useful to increase the diagnostic accuracy. Currently, many MR studies have provided both qualitative and quantitative findings, reflecting the underlying neuropathological pattern of the different degenerative parkinsonian syndromes. Although the variability in the methods and results across the studies limits the conclusion about which technique is the best, specific radiologic phenotypes may be identified. Qualitative/quantitative MR changes in the substantia nigra do not discriminate between different parkinsonisms. In the absence of extranigral abnormalities, the diagnosis of PD is more probable, whereas basal ganglia changes (mainly in the putamen) suggest the diagnosis of an atypical parkinsonian syndrome. In this context, changes in pons, middle cerebellar peduncles, and cerebellum suggest the diagnosis of MSA, in midbrain and superior cerebellar peduncles the diagnosis of PSP, and in whole cerebral hemispheres (mainly in frontoparietal cortex with asymmetric distribution) the diagnosis of Corticobasal Syndrome.

Sporadic Burkitt's lymphoma/acute B-cell leukaemia presenting with progressive proptosis and orbital mass in a child.

Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that is found predominantly in children, with the highest incidence occurring in Africa. The sporadic form occurs in non-endemic areas and typically involves the ileo-caecum and the bowel, whereas orbital and paranasal sinus involvement is rare. Here, we present an unusual case of sporadic BL in a Caucasian male child with rapidly progressive painful proptosis of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an oval-shaped, extraconal mass in the supero-lateral part of the right orbit that deformed and dislocated the eyeball antero-inferiorly. The patient underwent anterior orbitotomy, and a biopsy of the excised tissue revealed a starry-sky appearance characteristic of BL. Postoperative aggressive chemotherapy was initiated with a good response after one week.

Usefulness and role of magnetic resonance imaging in a case of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) is an X-linked, recessive disorder caused by mutations of the androgen receptor (AR), in which genetic males (46,XY) show female external genitalia. Individuals with CAIS have mostly normal external genitalia, lack of Müllerian structures (Fallopian tubes, uterus, proximal portion of the vagina) and undescended testes (intra-abdominal, inguinal, or labial). Management and diagnosis of CAIS should be undertaken by a multidisciplinary team of experts in sexual development disorders. Gonadectomy represents a standard therapeutic choice to prevent testicular malignancy in the prepubertal period, with subsequent hormonal replacement therapy, or in late adolescence, after completion of pubertal development. Imaging examinations play a pivotal role in the diagnosis, assessment, and detection of the gonads before surgical treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard to diagnose and locate the gonads, and to plan laparoscopic gonadectomy and gonadic surveillance, in particular in the increasingly large number of patients who decide to delay or ultimately not to undergo gonadectomy. We present a case of a 14-year-old female with primary amenorrhea.

Expression of betaglycan in pregnant tIssues throughout gestation.

BACKGROUND: Betaglycan is a membrane-anchored proteoglycan involved in mediating the passage of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), inhibin and activin activities into cells. TGF-beta and inhibin-related proteins are growth factors that are expressed by several tIssues and in pregnancy. They have a function in modulating the growth, differentiation and invasion of the placental trophoblast. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether betaglycan is expressed by intrauterine tissues throughout gestation. DESIGN AND METHODS: Expression of betaglycan mRNA and protein was evaluated (by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively) in trophoblast, decidua and fetal membranes collected during the first (n=6 elective terminations of pregnancy, between 8 and 12 gestational weeks) and third (n=6 elective caesarean sections, between 39 and 40 weeks) trimesters of pregnancy. RESULTS: Betaglycan mRNA was expressed by all gestational tIssues, independently of gestational age. Immunoreactive protein was found in decidual cells and in some chorionic, but not epithelial, amniotic cells. With respect to the placental localization, syncytiotrophoblast, but not cytotrophoblast, cells were intensively stained both in the placental bed and in the villous trophoblast, and in some cells within the stroma of terminal villi, of the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Immunoreactive betaglycan was demonstrated in the endothelial cells of decidual vessels in both the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, whereas endothelial cells of fetal blood vessels in the villous were clearly represented only in first trimester samples, not in those of term placenta. CONCLUSIONS: Betaglycan mRNA and peptide are expressed by the trophoblast, the decidua and the fetal membranes, but the localization of the peptide in vessel walls is dependent on gestational age.