Nebulized curcumin protects neonatal lungs from antenatal insult in rats

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), one of the major complications of prematurity. Antenatal low-protein diet (LPD) exposure in rats induces IUGR and mimics BPD-related alveolarization disorders. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) plays a key role in normal lung development and was found deregulated following LPD exposure. The objective of this article was to investigate the effects of nebulized curcumin, a natural PPARγ agonist, to prevent IUGR-related abnormal lung development. We studied rat pups antenatally exposed to an LPD or control diet (CTL) and treated with nebulized curcumin (50 mg/kg) or vehicle from postnatal (P) days 1 to 5. The primary readouts were lung morphometric analyses at P21. Immunohistochemistry (P21) and microarrays (P6 and P11) were compared within animals exposed to LPD versus controls, with and without curcumin treatment. Quantitative morphometric analyses revealed that LPD induced abnormal alveolarization as evidenced by a significant increase in mean linear intercept (MLI) observed in P21 LPD-exposed animals. Early curcumin treatment prevented this effect, and two-way ANOVA analysis demonstrated significant interaction between diet and curcumin both for MLI [F_(1,39) = 12.67, P = 0.001] and radial alveolar count at P21 [F_(1,40) = 6.065, P = 0.0182]. Immunohistochemistry for fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), a major regulator of PPARγ pathway, showed a decreased FABP4⁺ alveolar cell density in LPD-exposed animals treated by curcumin. Transcriptomic analysis showed that early curcumin significantly prevented the activation of profibrotic pathways observed at P11 in LPD-exposed animals. Nebulized curcumin appears to be a promising strategy to prevent alveolarization disorders in IUGR rat pups, targeting pathways involved in lung development.

Urothelial Cancer Associated 1 (UCA1) and miR-193 Are Two Non-coding RNAs Involved in Trophoblast Fusion and Placental Diseases

A bioinformatics screen for non-coding genes was performed from microarrays analyzing on the one hand trophoblast fusion in the BeWo cell model, and on the other hand, placental diseases (preeclampsia and Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction). Intersecting the deregulated genes allowed to identify two miRNA (mir193b and miR365a) and one long non-coding RNA (UCA1) that are pivotal for trophoblast fusion, and deregulated in placental diseases. We show that miR-193b is a hub for the down-regulation of 135 cell targets mainly involved in cell cycle progression and energy usage/nutrient transport. UCA1 was explored by siRNA knock-down in the BeWo cell model. We show that its down-regulation is associated with the deregulation of important trophoblast physiology genes, involved in differentiation, proliferation, oxidative stress, vacuolization, membrane repair and endocrine production. Overall, UCA1 knockdown leads to an incomplete gene expression profile modification of trophoblast cells when they are induced to fuse into syncytiotrophoblast. Then we performed the same type of analysis in cells overexpressing one of the two major isoforms of the STOX1 transcription factor, STOX1A and STOX1B (associated previously to impaired trophoblast fusion). We could show that when STOX1B is abundant, the effects of UCA1 down-regulation on forskolin response are alleviated.

Battle of the Sex Chromosomes: Competition between X and Y Chromosome-Encoded Proteins for Partner Interaction and Chromatin Occupancy Drives Multicopy Gene Expression and Evolution in Muroid Rodents

Transmission distorters (TDs) are genetic elements that favor their own transmission to the detriments of others. Slx/Slxl1 (Sycp3-like-X-linked and Slx-like1) and Sly (Sycp3-like-Y-linked) are TDs, which have been coamplified on the X and Y chromosomes of Mus species. They are involved in an intragenomic conflict in which each favors its own transmission, resulting in sex ratio distortion of the progeny when Slx/Slxl1 versus Sly copy number is unbalanced. They are specifically expressed in male postmeiotic gametes (spermatids) and have opposite effects on gene expression: Sly knockdown leads to the upregulation of hundreds of spermatid-expressed genes, whereas Slx/Slxl1-deficiency downregulates them. When both Slx/Slxl1 and Sly are knocked down, sex ratio distortion and gene deregulation are corrected. Slx/Slxl1 and Sly are, therefore, in competition but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. By comparing their chromatin-binding profiles and protein partners, we show that SLX/SLXL1 and SLY proteins compete for interaction with H3K4me3-reader SSTY1 (Spermiogenesis-specific-transcript-on-the-Y1) at the promoter of thousands of genes to drive their expression, and that the opposite effect they have on gene expression is mediated by different abilities to recruit SMRT/N-Cor transcriptional complex. Their target genes are predominantly spermatid-specific multicopy genes encoded by the sex chromosomes and the autosomal Speer/Takusan. Many of them have coamplified with not only Slx/Slxl1/Sly but also Ssty during muroid rodent evolution. Overall, we identify Ssty as a key element of the X versus Y intragenomic conflict, which may have influenced gene content and hybrid sterility beyond Mus lineage since Ssty amplification on the Y predated that of Slx/Slxl1/Sly.

Alternative splicing in normal and pathological human placentas is correlated to genetic variants

Two major obstetric diseases, preeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy-induced endothelial dysfunction leading to hypertension and proteinuria, and intra-uterine growth-restriction (IUGR), a failure of the fetus to acquire its normal growth, are generally triggered by placental dysfunction. Many studies have evaluated gene expression deregulations in these diseases, but none has tackled systematically the role of alternative splicing. In the present study, we show that alternative splicing is an essential feature of placental diseases, affecting 1060 and 1409 genes in PE vs controls and IUGR vs controls, respectively, many of those involved in placental function. While in IUGR placentas, alternative splicing affects genes specifically related to pregnancy, in preeclamptic placentas, it impacts a mix of genes related to pregnancy and brain diseases. Also, alternative splicing variations can be detected at the individual level as sharp splicing differences between different placentas. We correlate these variations with genetic variants to define splicing Quantitative Trait Loci (sQTL) in the subset of the 48 genes the most strongly alternatively spliced in placental diseases. We show that alternative splicing is at least partly piloted by genetic variants located either in cis (52 QTL identified) or in trans (52 QTL identified). In particular, we found four chromosomal regions that impact the splicing of genes in the placenta. The present work provides a new vision of placental gene expression regulation that warrants further studies.

Predictable increase in female reproductive window: A simple model connecting age of reproduction, menopause, and longevity

With the ever-increasing lifespan along with societal changes, women can marry and procreate later than in previous centuries. However, pathogenic genetic variants segregating in the population can lead to female subfertility or infertility well before the average age of normal menopause, leading to counter-selection of such deleterious alleles. In reviewing this field, we speculate that a logical consequence would be the later occurrence of menopause and the extension of women's reproductive lifespan. We illustrate this point with a simple model that applies to other variants that contribute to female infertility, including epigenetic variation. We also consider the effect of medical interventions and lifestyle.

Multigenerational study of the obesogen effects of bisphenol S after a perinatal exposure in C57BL6/J mice fed a high fat diet

BACKGROUND

Bisphenol S is an endocrine disruptor exhibiting metabolic disturbances, especially following perinatal exposures. To date, no data are available on the obesogen effects of BPS in a mutligenerational issue.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated obesogen effects of BPS in a multigenerational study by focusing on body weight, adipose tissue and plasma parameters in male and female mice.

METHODS

Pregnant C57BL6/J mice were exposed to BPS (1.5 μg/kg bw/day ie a human equivalent dose of 0.12 μg/kg bw/day) by drinking water from gestational day 0 to post natal day 21. All offsprings were fed with a high fat diet during 15 weeks. Body weight was monitored weekly and fat mass was measured before euthanasia. At euthanasia, blood glucose, insuline, triglyceride, cholesterol and no esterified fatty acid plasma levels were determined and gene expressions in visceral adipose tissue were assessed. F1 males and females were mated to obtain the F2 generation. Likewise, the F2 mice were cross-bred to obtain F3. The same analyses were performed.

RESULTS

In F1 BPS induced an overweight in male mice associated to lipolysis gene expressions upregulation. In F1 females, dyslipidemia was observed. In F2, BPS exposure was associated to an increase in body weight, fat and VAT masses in males and females. Several plasma parameters were increased but with a sex related pattern (blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol in males and NEFA in females). We observed a down-regulation in mRNA expression of gene involved in lipogenesis and in lipolysis for females but only in the lipogenesis for males. In F3, a decrease in VAT mass and an upregulation of lipogenesis gene expression occurred only in females.

CONCLUSIONS

BPS perinatal exposure induced sex-dependent obesogen multigenerational effects, the F2 generation being the most impacted. Transgenerational disturbances persisted only in females.

mGlu3 receptor regulates microglial cell reactivity in neonatal rats

BACKGROUND

Perinatal inflammation is a key factor of brain vulnerability in neonates born preterm or with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR), two leading conditions associated with brain injury and responsible for neurocognitive and behavioral disorders. Systemic inflammation is recognized to activate microglia, known to be the critical modulators of brain vulnerability. Although some evidence supports a role for metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGlu3 receptor) in modulation of neuroinflammation, its functions are still unknown in the developing microglia.

METHODS

We used a double-hit rat model of perinatal brain injury induced by a gestational low-protein diet combined with interleukin-1β injections (LPD/IL-1β), mimicking both IUGR and prematurity-related inflammation. The effect of LPD/IL-1β on mGlu3 receptor expression and the effect of mGlu3 receptor modulation on microglial reactivity were investigated using a combination of pharmacological, histological, and molecular and genetic approaches.

RESULTS

Exposure to LPD/IL-1β significantly downregulated Grm3 gene expression in the developing microglia. Both transcriptomic analyses and pharmacological modulation of mGlu3 receptor demonstrated its central role in the control of inflammation in resting and activated microglia. Microglia reactivity to inflammatory challenge induced by LPD/IL-1β exposure was reduced by an mGlu3 receptor agonist. Conversely, both specific pharmacological blockade, siRNA knock-down, and genetic knock-out of mGlu3 receptors mimicked the pro-inflammatory phenotype observed in microglial cells exposed to LPD/IL-1β.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, these data show that Grm3 plays a central role in the regulation of microglial reactivity in the immature brain. Selective pharmacological activation of mGlu3 receptors may prevent inflammatory-induced perinatal brain injury.

Hepatic transcriptome and DNA methylation patterns following perinatal and chronic BPS exposure in male mice

Background

Bisphenol S (BPS) is a common bisphenol A (BPA) substitute, since BPA is virtually banned worldwide. However, BPS and BPA have both endocrine disrupting properties. Their effects appear mostly in adulthood following perinatal exposures. The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of perinatal and chronic exposure to BPS at the low dose of 1.5 μg/kg body weight/day on the transcriptome and methylome of the liver in 23 weeks-old C57BL6/J male mice.

Results

This multi-omic study highlights a major impact of BPS on gene expression (374 significant deregulated genes) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis show an enrichment focused on several biological pathways related to metabolic liver regulation. BPS exposure also induces a hypomethylation in 58.5% of the differentially methylated regions (DMR). Systematic connections were not found between gene expression and methylation profile excepted for 18 genes, including 4 genes involved in lipid metabolism pathways (Fasn, Hmgcr, Elovl6, Lpin1), which were downregulated and featured differentially methylated CpGs in their exons or introns.

Conclusions

This descriptive study shows an impact of BPS on biological pathways mainly related to an integrative disruption of metabolism (energy metabolism, detoxification, protein and steroid metabolism) and, like most high-throughput studies, contributes to the identification of potential exposure biomarkers.

Graphical abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-020-07294-3.

Identification of a New QTL Region on Mouse Chromosome 1 Responsible for Male Hypofertility: Phenotype Characterization and Candidate Genes

Male fertility disorders often have their origin in disturbed spermatogenesis, which can be induced by genetic factors. In this study, we used interspecific recombinant congenic mouse strains (IRCS) to identify genes responsible for male infertility. Using ultrasonography, in vivo and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and electron microscopy, the phenotyping of several IRCS carrying mouse chromosome 1 segments of Mus spretus origin revealed a decrease in the ability of sperm to fertilize. This teratozoospermia included the abnormal anchoring of the acrosome to the nucleus and a persistence of residual bodies at the level of epididymal sperm midpiece. We identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) responsible for these phenotypes and we have proposed a short list of candidate genes specifically expressed in spermatids. The future functional validation of candidate genes should allow the identification of new genes and mechanisms involved in male infertility.

Different exposure windows to low doses of genistein and/or vinclozolin result in contrasted disorders of testis function and gene expression of exposed rats and their unexposed progeny

Living species including humans are continuously exposed to low levels of a myriad of endocrine active compounds that may affect their reproductive function. In contrast, experimental designs scrutinizing this question mostly consider the gestational/lactational period, select high unrealistic doses and, have rarely investigated the possible reproductive consequences in the progeny. The present study aimed at assessing comparatively a set of male reproductive endpoints according to exposure windows, gestational/lactational versus pre-pubertal to adulthood, using low doses of endocrine active substances in male rats as well as their unexposed male progeny. Animals were orally exposed to 1 mg/kg bw/d of genistein and/or vinclozolin, from conception to weaning or from prepuberty to young adulthood. A number of reproductive endpoints were assessed as well as testicular mRNA expression profiles, in the exposed rats and their unexposed progeny. Overall, the low dosage used only affected weakly most of classical reproductive endpoints. However, the gestational/lactational exposure to vinclozolin alone or combined to genistein significantly delayed the puberty onset. Contrasting with the gestational/lactational exposure, a decreased sperm production was found in the animals exposed to genistein and vinclozolin from the pre-pubertal period but also in their progeny for vinclozolin and the mixture. The expression level of several genes involved in meiosis, apoptosis and steroidogenesis was also affected differentially as a function of the exposure window in both exposed rats and unexposed offspring. We also provide further evidence that doses of endocrine active substances relevant with human exposure may affect the male reproductive phenotype and testicular transcriptome in the exposed generation as well as in the indirectly exposed offspring.

Immediate and durable effects of maternal tobacco consumption alter placental DNA methylation in enhancer and imprinted gene-containing regions

BACKGROUND

Although exposure to cigarette smoking during pregnancy has been associated with alterations of DNA methylation in the cord blood or placental cells, whether such exposure before pregnancy could induce epigenetic alterations in the placenta of former smokers has never been investigated.

METHODS

Our approach combined the analysis of placenta epigenomic (ENCODE) data with newly generated DNA methylation data obtained from 568 pregnant women, the largest cohort to date, either actively smoking during their pregnancy or formerly exposed to tobacco smoking.

RESULTS

This strategy resulted in several major findings. First, among the 203 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) identified by the epigenome-wide association study, 152 showed "reversible" alterations of DNA methylation, only present in the placenta of current smokers, whereas 26 were also found altered in former smokers, whose placenta had not been exposed directly to cigarette smoking. Although the absolute methylation changes were smaller than those observed in other contexts, such as in some congenital diseases, the observed alterations were consistent within each DMR. This observation was further supported by a demethylation of LINE-1 sequences in the placentas of both current (beta-coefficient (β) (95% confidence interval (CI)), - 0.004 (- 0.008; 0.001)) and former smokers (β (95% CI), - 0.006 (- 0.011; - 0.001)) compared to nonsmokers. Second, the 203 DMRs were enriched in epigenetic marks corresponding to enhancer regions, including monomethylation of lysine 4 and acetylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (respectively H3K4me1 and H3K27ac). Third, smoking-associated DMRs were also found near and/or overlapping 10 imprinted genes containing regions (corresponding to 16 genes), notably including the NNAT, SGCE/PEG10, and H19/MIR675 loci.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results pointing towards genomic regions containing the imprinted genes as well as enhancers as preferential targets suggest mechanisms by which tobacco could directly impact the fetus and future child. The persistence of significant DNA methylation changes in the placenta of former smokers supports the hypothesis of an "epigenetic memory" of exposure to cigarette smoking before pregnancy. This observation not only is conceptually revolutionary, but these results also bring crucial information in terms of public health concerning potential long-term detrimental effects of smoking in women.

Identifying new potential genetic biomarkers for HELLP syndrome using massive parallel sequencing

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia (PE) is a frequently occurring multisystemic disease affecting ~5% of pregnancies. PE patients may develop HELLP syndrome (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet), a mother and foetus life-threatening condition. Research into HELLP's genetic origin has been relatively unsuccessful, mainly because normal placental function and blood pressure regulation involve the fine-regulation of hundreds of genes.

OBJECTIVE

To identify new genes and mutations constituting potential biomarkers for HELLP syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN

The present case-control study involved whole-exome sequencing of 79 unrelated HELLP women. Candidate variants were screened in a control population constituted by 176 individuals. Stringent bioinformatics filters were used for selecting potentially etiological sequence variants in a subset of 487 genes. We used robust in silico mutation modelling for predicting the potential effect on protein structure.

RESULTS

We identified numerous sequence variants in genes related to angiogenesis/coagulation/blood pressure regulation, cell differentiation/communication/adhesion, cell cycle and transcriptional gene regulation, extracellular matrix biology, lipid metabolism and immunological response. Five sequence variants generated premature stop codons in genes playing an essential role in placental physiology (STOX1, PDGFD, IGF2, MMP1 and DNAH11). Six variants (ERAP1- p.Ile915Thr, ERAP2- p.Leu837Ser, COMT-p.His192Gln, CSAD-p.Pro418Ser, CDH1- p.Ala298Thr and CCR2-p.Met249Lys) led to destabilisation of protein structure as they had significant energy and residue interaction-related changes. We identified at least two mutations in 57% of patients, arguing in favour of a polygenic origin for the HELLP syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide novel evidence regarding PE/HELLP's genetic origin, leading to new biomarkers, having potential clinical usefulness, being proposed.

Molecular Mechanisms of Trophoblast Dysfunction Mediated by Imbalance between STOX1 Isoforms

STOX1 is a transcription factor involved in preeclampsia and Alzheimer disease. We show that the knock-down of the gene induces rather mild effect on gene expression in trophoblast cell lines (BeWo). We identified binding sites of STOX1 shared by the two major isoforms, STOX1A and STOX1B. Profiling gene expression of cells overexpressing either STOX1A or STOX1B, we identified genes downregulated by both isoforms, with a STOX1 binding site in their promoters. Among those, STOX1-induced Annexin A1 downregulation led to abolished membrane repair in BeWo cells. By contrast, overexpression of STOX1A or B has opposite effects on trophoblast fusion (acceleration and inhibition, respectively) accompanied by syncytin genes deregulation. Also, STOX1A overexpression led to abnormal regulation of oxidative and nitrosative stress. In sum, our work shows that STOX1 isoform imbalance is a cause of gene expression deregulation in the trophoblast, possibly leading to placental dysfunction and preeclampsia.

The Prion-like protein Shadoo is involved in mouse embryonic and mammary development and differentiation

Shadoo belongs to the prion protein family, an evolutionary conserved and extensively studied family due to the implication of PrP in Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. However, the biological function of these genes remains poorly understood. While Sprn-knockdown experiments suggested an involvement of Shadoo during mouse embryonic development, Sprn-knockout experiments in 129Pas/C57BL/6J or 129Pas/FVB/NCr mice did not confirm it. In the present study, we analyzed the impact of Sprn gene invalidation in a pure FVB/NJ genetic background, using a zinc finger nuclease approach. The in-depth analysis of the derived knockout transgenic mice revealed a significant increase in embryonic lethality at early post-implantation stages, a growth retardation of young Sprn-knockout pups fed by wild type mice and a lactation defect of Sprn-knockout females. Histological and transcriptional analyses of knockout E7.5 embryos, E14.5 placentas and G7.5 mammary glands revealed specific roles of the Shadoo protein in mouse early embryogenesis, tissue development and differentiation with a potential antagonist action between PrP and Shadoo. This study thus highlights the entanglement between the proteins of the prion family.

Exploring the Molecular Aetiology of Preeclampsia by Massive Parallel Sequencing of DNA

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This manuscript aims to review (for the first time) studies describing NGS sequencing of preeclampsia (PE) women's DNA.

RECENT FINDINGS

Describing markers for the early detection of PE is an essential task because, although associated molecular dysfunction begins early on during pregnancy, the disease's clinical signs usually appear late in pregnancy. Although several biochemical biomarkers have been proposed, their use in clinical environments is still limited, thereby encouraging research into PE's genetic origin. Hundreds of genes involved in numerous implantation- and placentation-related biological processes may be coherent candidates for PE aetiology. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers new technical possibilities for PE studying, as it enables large genomic regions to be analysed at affordable cost. This technique has facilitated the description of genes contributing to the molecular origin of a significant amount of monogenic and complex diseases. Regarding PE, NGS of DNA has been used in familial and isolated cases, thereby enabling new genes potentially related to the phenotype to be proposed. For a better understanding of NGS, technical aspects, applications and limitations are presented initially. Thereafter, NGS studies of DNA in familial and non-familial cases are described, including pitfalls and positive findings. The information given here should enable scientists and clinicians to analyse and design new studies permitting the identification of novel clinically useful molecular PE markers.

FOXL2 is a Progesterone Target Gene in the Endometrium of Ruminants

Forkhead Box L2 (FOXL2) is a member of the FOXL class of transcription factors, which are essential for ovarian differentiation and function. In the endometrium, FOXL2 is also thought to be important in cattle; however, it is not clear how its expression is regulated. The maternal recognition of pregnancy signal in cattle, interferon-Tau, does not regulate FOXL2 expression. Therefore, in the present study, we examined whether the ovarian steroid hormones that orchestrate implantation regulate FOXL2 gene expression in ruminants. In sheep, we confirmed that FOXL2 mRNA and protein was expressed in the endometrium across the oestrous cycle (day 4 to day 15 post-oestrus). Similar to the bovine endometrium, ovine FOXL2 endometrial expression was low during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle (4 to 12 days post-oestrus) and at implantation (15 days post-oestrus) while mRNA and protein expression significantly increased during the luteolytic phase (day 15 post-oestrus in cycle). In pregnant ewes, inhibition of progesterone production by trilostane during the day 5 to 16 period prevented the rise in progesterone concentrations and led to a significant increase of FOXL2 expression in caruncles compared with the control group (1.4-fold, p < 0.05). Ovariectomized ewes or cows that were supplemented with exogenous progesterone for 12 days or 6 days, respectively, had lower endometrial FOXL2 expression compared with control ovariectomized females (sheep, mRNA, 1.8-fold; protein, 2.4-fold; cattle; mRNA, 2.2-fold; p < 0.05). Exogenous oestradiol treatments for 12 days in sheep or 2 days in cattle did not affect FOXL2 endometrial expression compared with control ovariectomized females, except at the protein level in both endometrial areas in the sheep. Moreover, treating bovine endometrial explants with exogenous progesterone for 48h reduced FOXL2 expression. Using in vitro assays with COS7 cells we also demonstrated that progesterone regulates the FOXL2 promoter activity through the progesterone receptor. Collectively, our findings imply that endometrial FOXL2 is, as a direct target of progesterone, involved in early pregnancy and implantation.

Obesogen effect of bisphenol S alters mRNA expression and DNA methylation profiling in male mouse liver

Environmental pollution is increasingly considered an important factor involved in the obesity incidence. Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are important actors in the concept of DOHaD (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease), where epigenetic mechanisms play crucial roles. Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer used in the manufacture of plastics and resins is one of the most studied obesogenic endocrine disruptor. Bisphenol S (BPS), a BPA substitute, has the same obesogenic properties, acting at low doses with a sex-specific effect following perinatal exposure. Since the liver is a major organ in regulating body lipid homeostasis, we investigated gene expression and DNA methylation under low-dose BPS exposure. The BPS obesogenic effect was associated with an increase of hepatic triglyceride content. These physiological disturbances were accompanied by genome-wide changes in gene expression (1366 genes significantly modified more than 1.5-fold). Gene ontology analysis revealed alteration of gene cascades involved in protein translation and complement regulation. It was associated with hepatic DNA hypomethylation in autosomes and hypermethylation in sex chromosomes. Although no systematic correlation has been found between gene repression and hypermethylation, several genes related to liver metabolism were either hypermethylated (Acsl4, Gpr40, Cel, Pparδ, Abca6, Ces3a, Sgms2) or hypomethylated (Soga1, Gpihbp1, Nr1d2, Mlxipl, Rps6kb2, Esrrb, Thra, Cidec). In specific cases (Hapln4, ApoA4, Cidec, genes involved in lipid metabolism and liver fibrosis) mRNA upregulation was associated with hypomethylation. In conclusion, we show for the first time wide disruptive physiological effects of low-dose of BPS, which raises the question of its harmlessness as an industrial substitute for BPA.

Protein kinase CK2 contributes to placental development: physiological and pathological implications

Preeclampsia (PE) is the most threatening pathology of human pregnancy. Its development is thought to be due to a failure in the invasion of trophoblast cells that establish the feto-maternal circulation. Protein kinase CK2 is a ubiquitous enzyme reported to be involved in the control of cell invasion. CK2 consists of two subunits, a catalytic subunit, CK2α, and a regulatory subunit, CK2β. To date, no data exist regarding the expression and role of this enzyme in normal and PE pregnancies. We performed studies, at the clinical level using distinctive cohorts from early pregnancy (n = 24) and from PE (n = 23) and age-matched controls (n = 28); in vitro, using trophoblast cell lines; ex vivo, using placental explants; and in vivo, using PE mouse models. We demonstrated that (i) CK2 is more expressed during the late first trimester of pregnancy and is mainly localized in differentiated trophoblast cells, (ii) the inhibition of its enzymatic activity decreased the proliferation, migration, invasion, and syncytialization of trophoblast cells, both in 2D and 3D culture systems, and (iii) CK2 activity and the CK2α/CK2β protein ratio were increased in PE human placentas. The pattern and profile of CK2 expression were confirmed in gravid mice along with an increase in the PE mouse models. Altogether, our results demonstrate that CK2 plays an essential role in the establishment of the feto-maternal circulation and that its deregulation is associated with PE development. The increase in CK2 activity in PE might constitute a compensatory mechanism to ensure proper pregnancy progress.

Long-term cardiovascular disorders in the STOX1 mouse model of preeclampsia

Adverse long-term cardiovascular (CV) consequences of PE are well established in women. However, the mechanism responsible for that risk remains unknown. Here, we mated wild-type female mice of the FVB/N strain to STOX1A-overexpressing mice to mimic severe PE and investigated the long-term consequences on the maternal cardiovascular system. Ultrasonography parameters were analyzed in mice before pregnancy and at 3 and 6 months post-pregnancy. At 6 months post-pregnancy, cardiac stress test induced by dobutamine injection revealed an abnormal ultrasonography Doppler profile in mice with previous PE. Eight months post-pregnancy, the heart, endothelial cells (ECs) and plasma of females were analyzed and compared to controls. The heart of mice with PE showed left-ventricular hypertrophy associated with altered histology (fibrosis). Transcriptomic analysis revealed the deregulation of 1149 genes in purified ECs and of 165 genes in the hearts, many being involved in heart hypertrophy. In ECs, the upregulated genes were associated with inflammation and cellular stress. Systems biology analysis identified interleukin 6 (IL-6) as a hub gene connecting these pathways. Plasma profiling of 33 cytokines showed that, 8 of them (Cxcl13, Cxcl16, Cxcl11, IL-16, IL-10, IL-2, IL-4 and Ccl1) allowed to discriminate mice with previous PE from controls. Thus, PE triggers female long-term CV consequences on the STOX1 mouse model.

FOXD1 mutations are related to repeated implantation failure, intra-uterine growth restriction and preeclampsia

Background

Human reproductive disorders consist of frequently occurring dysfunctions including a broad range of phenotypes affecting fertility and women’s health during pregnancy. Several female-related diseases have been associated with hypofertility/infertility phenotypes, such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Other occurring diseases may be life-threatening for the mother and foetus, such as preeclampsia (PE) and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). FOXD1 was defined as a major molecule involved in embryo implantation in mice and humans by regulating endometrial/placental genes. FOXD1 mutations in human species have been functionally linked to RPL’s origin.

Methods

FOXD1 gene mutation screening, in 158 patients affected by PE, IUGR, RPL and repeated implantation failure (RIF), by direct sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Plasmid constructs including FOXD1 mutations were used to perform in vitro gene reporter assays.

Results

Nine non-synonymous sequence variants were identified. Functional experiments revealed that p.His267Tyr and p.Arg57del led to disturbances of promoter transcriptional activity (C3 and PlGF genes). The FOXD1 p.Ala356Gly and p.Ile364Met deleterious mutations (previously found in RPL patients) have been identified in the present work in women suffering PE and IUGR.

Conclusions

Our results argue in favour of FOXD1 mutations’ central role in RPL, RIF, IUGR and PE pathogenesis via C3 and PlGF regulation and they describe, for the first time, a functional link between FOXD1 and implantation/placental diseases. FOXD1 could therefore be used in clinical environments as a molecular biomarker for these diseases in the near future.

Keywords

Recurrent pregnancy loss, Preeclampsia, Intra-uterine growth restriction, FOXD1

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s10020-019-0104-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Alpha-1 microglobulin as a potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of hypertension and oxidative stress in the STOX1 preeclampsia mouse model

Preeclampsia is a human placental disorder affecting 2–8% of pregnancies worldwide annually, with hypertension and proteinuria appearing after 20 weeks of gestation. The underlying cause is believed to be incomplete trophoblast invasion of the maternal spiral arteries during placentation in the first trimester, resulting in oxidative and nitrative stress as well as maternal inflammation and organ alterations. In the Storkhead box 1 (STOX1) preeclampsia mouse model, pregnant females develop severe and early onset manifestations as seen in human preeclampsia e.g. gestational hypertension, proteinuria, and organ alterations. Here we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of human recombinant alpha-1 microglobulin (rA1M) to alleviate the manifestations observed. Human rA1M significantly reduced the hypertension during gestation and significantly reduced the level of hypoxia and nitrative stress in the placenta. In addition, rA1M treatment reduced cellular damage in both placenta and kidneys, thereby protecting the tissue and improving their function. This study confirms that rA1M has the potential as a therapeutic drug in preeclampsia, and likely also in other pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress, by preserving normal organ function.

The Role of Epigenetics in Placental Development and the Etiology of Preeclampsia

In this review, we comprehensively present the function of epigenetic regulations in normal placental development as well as in a prominent disease of placental origin, preeclampsia (PE). We describe current progress concerning the impact of DNA methylation, non-coding RNA (with a special emphasis on long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and microRNA (miRNA)) and more marginally histone post-translational modifications, in the processes leading to normal and abnormal placental function. We also explore the potential use of epigenetic marks circulating in the maternal blood flow as putative biomarkers able to prognosticate the onset of PE, as well as classifying it according to its severity. The correlation between epigenetic marks and impacts on gene expression is systematically evaluated for the different epigenetic marks analyzed.