101
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Yang B, Wang X, Ma Y, Yan L, Ren Y, Yu D, Qiao B, Shen X, Liu H, Zhang D, Kuang H. Tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP)-induced reproductive toxicity involved in placental apoptosis, autophagy and oxidative stress in pregnant mice. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2020; 35:97-107. [PMID: 31566301 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) has been widely used as plasticizers, and reported causing reproductive toxicity in mammals. However, little is known about the toxic effect on the placenta. In this study, dams were orally administered different doses of TOCP to explore the effect of TOCP on placental development. Results showed that TOCP exposure significantly reduced numbers of implanted embryo, caused atrophy and collapse of ectoplacental cone, and decreased total areas of placenta and numbers of PCNA-positive cells. Expression levels of placental development genes were prominently downregulated in the TOCP-treated groups. Moreover, TOCP administration induced placental apoptosis and autophagy by upregulating P53, Bax, Beclin-1, ratio of LC3 II/LC3 I and Atg5 and downregulating Bcl-2 protein. In addition, TOCP exposure markedly inhibited activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase and increased the production of H2 O2 and malondialdehyde. Collectively, these findings suggest that apoptosis, autophagy and oxidative stress may be involved in the TOCP-induced reproductive toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Yang
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Xinlu Wang
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
- Department of Clinic Medicine, School of Queen Mary, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Yilin Ma
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
- Department of Clinic Medicine, School of Queen Mary, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Lei Yan
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Yuan Ren
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Dainan Yu
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Bo Qiao
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Xin Shen
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Dalei Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
| | - Haibin Kuang
- Department of Physiology, Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology, Medical Experimental Teaching Center, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China
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102
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Menelaou K, Prater M, Tunster S, Blake G, Geary Joo C, Cross JC, Hamilton R, Watson E. Blastocyst transfer in mice alters the placental transcriptome and growth. Reproduction 2019; 159:115-132. [PMID: 31751309 PMCID: PMC6993209 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Assisted reproduction technologies (ART) are becoming increasingly common. Therefore, how these procedures influence gene regulation and feto-placental development are important to explore. Here, we assess the effects of blastocyst transfer on mouse placental growth and transcriptome. C57Bl/6 blastocysts were transferred into uteri of B6D2F1 pseudopregnant females and dissected at embryonic day 10.5 for analysis. Compared to non-transferred controls, placentas from transferred conceptuses weighed less even though the embryos were larger on average. This suggested a compensatory increase in placental efficiency. RNA-sequencing of whole male placentas revealed 543 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after blastocyst transfer: 188 and 355 genes were down-regulated and up-regulated, respectively. DEGs were independently validated in male and female placentas. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that DEGs represented expression in all major placental cell types and included genes that are critical for placenta development and/or function. Furthermore, the direction of transcriptional change in response to blastocyst transfer implied an adaptive response to improve placental function to maintain fetal growth. Our analysis revealed that CpG methylation at regulatory regions of two DEGs was unchanged in female transferred placentas and that DEGs had fewer gene-associated CpG islands (within ~20 kb region) compared to the larger genome. These data suggested that altered methylation at proximal promoter regions might not lead to transcriptional disruption in transferred placentas. Genomic clustering of some DEGs warrants further investigation of long-range, cis-acting epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications together with DNA methylation. We conclude that embryo transfer, a protocol required for ART, significantly impacts the placental transcriptome and growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Menelaou
- K Menelaou, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Malwina Prater
- M Prater, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Simon Tunster
- S Tunster, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Georgina Blake
- G Blake, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Colleen Geary Joo
- C Geary Joo, Clara Christie Centre for Mouse Genomics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - James C Cross
- J Cross, Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Russell Hamilton
- R Hamilton, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Erica Watson
- E Watson, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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103
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Downs KM, Rodriguez AM. The mouse fetal-placental arterial connection: A paradigm involving the primitive streak and visceral endoderm with implications for human development. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 9:e362. [PMID: 31622045 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In Placentalia, the fetus depends upon an organized vascular connection with its mother for survival and development. Yet, this connection was, until recently, obscure. Here, we summarize how two unrelated tissues, the primitive streak, or body axis, and extraembryonic visceral endoderm collaborate to create and organize the fetal-placental arterial connection in the mouse gastrula. The primitive streak reaches into the extraembryonic space, where it marks the site of arterial union and creates a progenitor cell pool. Through contact with the streak, associated visceral endoderm undergoes an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, contributing extraembryonic mesoderm to the placental arterial vasculature, and to the allantois, or pre-umbilical tissue. In addition, visceral endoderm bifurcates into the allantois where, with the primitive streak, it organizes the nascent umbilical artery and promotes allantoic elongation to the chorion, the site of fetal-maternal exchange. Brachyury mediates streak extension and vascular patterning, while Hedgehog is involved in visceral endoderm's conversion to mesoderm. A unique CASPASE-3-positive cell separates streak- and non-streak-associated domains in visceral endoderm. Based on these new insights at the posterior embryonic-extraembryonic interface, we conclude by asking whether so-called primordial germ cells are truly antecedents to the germ line that segregate within the allantois, or whether they are placental progenitor cells. Incorporating these new working hypotheses into mutational analyses in which the placentae are affected will aid understanding a spectrum of disorders, including orphan diseases, which often include abnormalities of the umbilical cord, yolk sac, and hindgut, whose developmental relationship to each other has, until now, been poorly understood. This article is categorized under: Birth Defects > Associated with Preimplantation and Gastrulation Early Embryonic Development > Gastrulation and Neurulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Downs
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Adriana M Rodriguez
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
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104
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Mozafari M, Khoradmehr A, Danafar A, Miresmaeili M, Kalantar SM. Toxic effects of maternal exposure to silver nanoparticles on mice fetal development during pregnancy. Birth Defects Res 2019; 112:81-92. [PMID: 31617687 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are being increasingly used in medical and industrial products. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxic effect of maternal exposure to SNP (1 mg/kg/day, 70 nm) on fetal development during the first and second weeks of pregnancy. METHODS Twenty-four pregnant mice were divided into four groups. SNP was administered by oral gavage on gestational days (GD) 1-7, GD8-14, or GD1-14. Phosphate buffered saline was administered by oral gavage to a control group. On GD15, the uteri were excised, and fetal bodies and placentas were weighed. Head and placental circumferences and fetal crown-rump length were measured, and fetuses were evaluated for external malformation. TUNEL assay was performed to assess apoptosis in the fetal midbrain. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was carried out to determine changes in fetal histomorphology. Fetal liver cells were used for karyotype analysis. RESULTS Significant decreases in fetal body weight, and crown-rump length were observed in SNP-treated groups. Exencephaly, small head, scoliosis, lordosis, short thorax and trunk, also fused digits were detected in SNPs-treated groups. Fibrosis, necrosis, and apoptotic cells in fetal midbrains increased significantly in the GD8-14 and GD1-14 groups compared to the control group. Chromosomal features were not different in fetuses between groups. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to 1 mg/kg/day SNP during pregnancy in mice adversely affected on fetal development. The results do suggest a potential risk for humans that needs to be followed up with more definitive investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Mozafari
- Department of Biology, Ashkezar Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
| | - Arezoo Khoradmehr
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproduction Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | | | | | - Seyed Mehdi Kalantar
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproduction Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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105
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Zhu Y, Mordaunt CE, Yasui DH, Marathe R, Coulson RL, Dunaway KW, Jianu JM, Walker CK, Ozonoff S, Hertz-Picciotto I, Schmidt RJ, LaSalle JM. Placental DNA methylation levels at CYP2E1 and IRS2 are associated with child outcome in a prospective autism study. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:2659-2674. [PMID: 31009952 PMCID: PMC6687952 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation acts at the interface of genetic and environmental factors relevant for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Placenta, normally discarded at birth, is a potentially rich source of DNA methylation patterns predictive of ASD in the child. Here, we performed whole methylome analyses of placentas from a prospective study MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies-Learning Early Signs) of high-risk pregnancies. A total of 400 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) discriminated placentas stored from children later diagnosed with ASD compared to typically developing controls. These ASD DMRs were significantly enriched at promoters, mapped to 596 genes functionally enriched in neuronal development, and overlapped genetic ASD risk. ASD DMRs at CYP2E1 and IRS2 reached genome-wide significance, replicated by pyrosequencing and correlated with expression differences in brain. Methylation at CYP2E1 associated with both ASD diagnosis and genotype within the DMR. In contrast, methylation at IRS2 was unaffected by within DMR genotype but modified by preconceptional maternal prenatal vitamin use. This study therefore identified two potentially useful early epigenetic markers for ASD in placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihui Zhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Charles E Mordaunt
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Dag H Yasui
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ria Marathe
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rochelle L Coulson
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Keith W Dunaway
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Julia M Jianu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cheryl K Walker
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, 95616, USA
| | - Sally Ozonoff
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Janine M LaSalle
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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106
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Wang P, Yan F, Li Z, Yu Y, Parnell SE, Xiong Y. Impaired plasma membrane localization of ubiquitin ligase complex underlies 3-M syndrome development. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4393-4407. [PMID: 31343991 DOI: 10.1172/jci129107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
3-M primordial dwarfism is an inherited disease characterized by severe pre- and postnatal growth retardation and by mutually exclusive mutations in three genes, CUL7, OBSL1, and CCDC8. The mechanism underlying 3-M dwarfism is not clear. We showed here that CCDC8, derived from a retrotransposon Gag protein in placental mammals, exclusively localized on the plasma membrane and was phosphorylated by CK2 and GSK3. Phosphorylation of CCDC8 resulted in its binding first with OBSL1, and then CUL7, leading to the membrane assembly of the 3-M E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. We identified LL5β, a plasma membrane protein that regulates cell migration, as a substrate of 3-M ligase. Wnt inhibition of CCDC8 phosphorylation or patient-derived mutations in 3-M genes disrupted membrane localization of the 3-M complex and accumulated LL5β. Deletion of Ccdc8 in mice impaired trophoblast migration and placental development, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction and perinatal lethality. These results identified a mechanism regulating cell migration and placental development that underlies the development of 3-M dwarfism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Feng Yan
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Zhijun Li
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Yanbao Yu
- J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Scott E Parnell
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology
| | - Yue Xiong
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and.,Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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107
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He C, Shan N, Xu P, Ge H, Yuan Y, Liu Y, Zhang P, Wen L, Zhang F, Xiong L, Peng C, Qi H, Tong C, Baker PN. Hypoxia-induced Downregulation of SRC-3 Suppresses Trophoblastic Invasion and Migration Through Inhibition of the AKT/mTOR Pathway: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10349. [PMID: 31316078 PMCID: PMC6637123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46699-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by poor placentation, consequent on aberrant extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell function during placental development. The SRC family of proteins is important during pregnancy, especially SRC-3, which regulates placental morphogenesis and embryo survival. Although SRC-3 expression in mouse trophoblast giant cells has been documented, its role in the functional regulation of extravillous trophoblasts and the development of PE remains unknown. This study found that SRC-3 expression was significantly lower in placentas from PE pregnancies as compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. Additionally, both CoCl2-mimicked hypoxia and suppression of endogenous SRC-3 expression by lentivirus short hairpin RNA attenuated the migration and invasion abilities of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that SRC-3 physically interacts with AKT to regulate the migration and invasion of HTR-8 cells, via the AKT/mTOR pathway. We also found that the inhibition of HTR-8 cell migration and invasion by CoCl2-mimicked hypoxia was through the SRC-3/AKT/mTOR axis. Our findings indicate that, in early gestation, accumulation of HIF-1α inhibits the expression of SRC-3, which impairs extravillous trophoblastic invasion and migration by directly interacting with AKT. This potentially leads to insufficient uterine spiral artery remodeling and placental hypoperfusion, and thus the development of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjin He
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Nan Shan
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Huisheng Ge
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yu Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yangming Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Pu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Li Wen
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Fumei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Liling Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Chuan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Hongbo Qi
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Chao Tong
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
| | - Philip N Baker
- International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education of China, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.,Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.,College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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108
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Llurba Olive E, Xiao E, Natale DR, Fisher SA. Oxygen and lack of oxygen in fetal and placental development, feto-placental coupling, and congenital heart defects. Birth Defects Res 2019; 110:1517-1530. [PMID: 30576091 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Low oxygen concentration (hypoxia) is part of normal embryonic development, yet the situation is complex. Oxygen (O2 ) is a janus gas with low levels signaling through hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF) that are required for development of fetal and placental vasculature and fetal red blood cells. This results in coupling of fetus and mother around midgestation as a functional feto-placental unit (FPU) for O2 transport, which is required for continued growth and development of the fetus. Defects in these processes may leave the developing fetus vulnerable to O2 deprivation or other stressors during this critical midgestational transition when common septal and conotruncal heart defects (CHDs) are likely to arise. Recent human epidemiological and case-control studies support an association between placental dysfunction, manifest as early onset pre-eclampsia (PE) and increased serum bio-markers, and CHD. Animal studies support this association, in particular those using gene inactivation in the mouse. Sophisticated methods for gene inactivation, cell fate mapping, and a quantitative bio-reporter of O2 concentration support the premise that hypoxic stress at critical stages of development leads to CHD. The secondary heart field contributing to the cardiac outlet is a key target, with activation of the un-folded protein response and abrogation of FGF signaling or precocious activation of a cardiomyocyte transcriptional program for differentiation, suggested as mechanisms. These studies provide a strong foundation for further study of feto-placental coupling and hypoxic stress in the genesis of human CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Llurba Olive
- Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Sant Pau University Hospital, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Maternal and Child Health and Development Network II (SAMID II) RD16/0022, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emily Xiao
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David R Natale
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Steven A Fisher
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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109
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Sheng F, Sun N, Ji Y, Ma Y, Ding H, Zhang Q, Yang F, Li W. Aberrant expression of imprinted lncRNA MEG8 causes trophoblast dysfunction and abortion. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:17378-17390. [PMID: 31265183 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of noncoding RNAs whose nucleotides are longer than 200 bp. Previous studies have shown that they play an important regulatory role in many developmental processes and biological pathways. However, the contributions of lncRNAs to placental development are largely unknown. Here, our study aimed to investigate the lncRNA expression signatures in placental development by performing a microarray lncRNA screen. Placental samples were obtained from pregnant C57BL/6 female mice at three key developmental time points (embryonic day E7.5, E13.5, and E19.5). Microarrays were used to analyze the differential expression of lncRNAs during placental development. In addition to the genomic imprinting region and the dynamic DNA methylation status during placental development, we screened imprinted lncRNAs whose expression was controlled by DNA methylation during placental development. We found that the imprinted lncRNA Rian may play an important role during placental development. Its homologous sequence lncRNA MEG8 (RIAN) was abnormally highly expressed in human spontaneous abortion villi. Upregulation of MEG8 expression in trophoblast cell lines decreased cell proliferation and invasion, whereas downregulation of MEG8 expression had the opposite effect. Furthermore, DNA methylation results showed that the methylation of the MEG8 promoter region was increased in spontaneous abortion villi. There was dynamic spatiotemporal expression of imprinted lncRNAs during placental development. The imprinted lncRNA MEG8 is involved in the regulation of early trophoblast cell function. Promoter methylation abnormalities can cause trophoblastic cell defects, which may be one of the factors that occurs in early unexplained spontaneous abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Sheng
- Changzheng Hospital, Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningxia Sun
- Changzheng Hospital, Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yixuan Ji
- Changzheng Hospital, Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Ma
- Changzheng Hospital, Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Haixia Ding
- Changzheng Hospital, Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Changzheng Hospital, Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Fu Yang
- Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Li
- Changzheng Hospital, Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai, China
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110
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Kalisch-Smith JI, Steane SE, Simmons DG, Pantaleon M, Anderson ST, Akison LK, Wlodek ME, Moritz KM. Periconceptional alcohol exposure causes female-specific perturbations to trophoblast differentiation and placental formation in the rat. Development 2019; 146:146/11/dev172205. [PMID: 31182432 DOI: 10.1242/dev.172205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The development of pathologies during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, hypertension and fetal growth restriction (FGR), often originates from poor functioning of the placenta. In vivo models of maternal stressors, such as nutrient deficiency, and placental insufficiency often focus on inadequate growth of the fetus and placenta in late gestation. These studies rarely investigate the origins of poor placental formation in early gestation, including those affecting the pre-implantation embryo and/or the uterine environment. The current study characterises the impact on blastocyst, uterine and placental outcomes in a rat model of periconceptional alcohol exposure, in which 12.5% ethanol is administered in a liquid diet from 4 days before until 4 days after conception. We show female-specific effects on trophoblast differentiation, embryo-uterine communication, and formation of the placental vasculature, resulting in markedly reduced placental volume at embryonic day 15. Both sexes exhibited reduced trophectoderm pluripotency and global hypermethylation, suggestive of inappropriate epigenetic reprogramming. Furthermore, evidence of reduced placental nutrient exchange and reduced pre-implantation maternal plasma choline levels offers significant mechanistic insight into the origins of FGR in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta I Kalisch-Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Sarah E Steane
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David G Simmons
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Marie Pantaleon
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Stephen T Anderson
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lisa K Akison
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Mary E Wlodek
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia .,Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
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111
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Spatiotemporal coordination of trophoblast and allantoic Rbpj signaling directs normal placental morphogenesis. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:438. [PMID: 31165749 PMCID: PMC6549187 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1683-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The placenta, responsible for the nutrient and gas exchange between the mother and fetus, is pivotal for successful pregnancy. It has been shown that Rbpj, the core transcriptional mediator of Notch signaling pathway, is required for normal placentation in mice. However, it remains largely unclear how Rbpj signaling in different placental compartments coordinates with other important regulators to ensure normal placental morphogenesis. In this study, we found that systemic deletion of Rbpj led to abnormal chorioallantoic morphogenesis and defective trophoblast differentiation in the ectoplacental cone (EPC). Employing mouse models with selective deletion of Rbpj in the allantois versus trophoblast, combining tetraploid aggregation assay, we demonstrated that allantois-expressed Rbpj is essential for chorioallantoic attachment and subsequent invagination of allantoic blood vessels into the chorionic ectoderm. Further studies uncovered that allantoic Rbpj regulates chorioallantoic fusion and morphogenesis via targeting Vcam1 in a Notch-dependent manner. Meanwhile, we also revealed that trophoblast-expressed Rbpj in EPC facilitates Mash2’s transcriptional activity, promoting the specification of Tpbpα-positive trophoblasts, which differentiate into trophoblast subtypes responsible for interstitial and endovascular invasion at the later stage of placental development. Collectively, our study further shed light on the molecular network governing placental development and functions, highlighting the necessity of a spatiotemporal coordination of Rbpj signaling for normal placental morphogenesis.
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112
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Chen HJ, Gur TL. Intrauterine Microbiota: Missing, or the Missing Link? Trends Neurosci 2019; 42:402-413. [PMID: 31053242 PMCID: PMC6604064 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The intrauterine environment provides a key interface between the mother and the developing fetus during pregnancy, and is a target for investigating mechanisms of fetal programming. Studies have demonstrated an association between prenatal stress and neurodevelopmental disorders. The role of the intrauterine environment in mediating this effect is still being elucidated. In this review, we discuss emerging preclinical and clinical evidence suggesting the existence of microbial communities in utero. We also outline possible mechanisms of bacterial translocation to the intrauterine environment and immune responses to the presence of microbes or microbial components. Lastly, we overview the effects of intrauterine inflammation on neurodevelopment. We hypothesize that maternal gestational stress leads to disruptions in the maternal oral, gut, and vaginal microbiome that may lead to the translocation of bacteria to the intrauterine environment, eliciting an inflammatory response and resulting in deficits in neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen J Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tamar L Gur
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Institute of Behavioral Medicine Research, Wexner Medical Center at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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113
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Outhwaite JE, Patel J, Simmons DG. Secondary Placental Defects in Cxadr Mutant Mice. Front Physiol 2019; 10:622. [PMID: 31338035 PMCID: PMC6628872 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Coxsackie virus and adenovirus receptor (CXADR) is an adhesion molecule known for its role in virus-cell interactions, epithelial integrity, and organogenesis. Loss of Cxadr causes numerous embryonic defects in mice, notably abnormal development of the cardiovascular system, and embryonic lethality. While CXADR expression has been reported in the placenta, the precise cellular localization and function within this tissue are unknown. Since impairments in placental development and function can cause secondary cardiovascular abnormalities, a phenomenon referred to as the placenta-heart axis, it is possible placental phenotypes in Cxadr mutant embryos may underlie the reported cardiovascular defects and embryonic lethality. In the current study, we determine the cellular localization of placental Cxadr expression and whether there are placental abnormalities in the absence of Cxadr. In the placenta, CXADR is expressed specifically by trophoblast labyrinth progenitors as well as cells of the visceral yolk sac (YS). In the absence of Cxadr, we observed altered expression of angiogenic factors coupled with poor expansion of trophoblast and fetal endothelial cell subpopulations, plus diminished placental transport. Unexpectedly, preserving endogenous trophoblast Cxadr expression revealed the placental defects to be secondary to primary embryonic and/or YS phenotypes. Moreover, further tissue-restricted deletions of Cxadr suggest that the secondary placental defects are likely influenced by embryonic lineages such as the fetal endothelium or those within the extraembryonic YS vascular plexus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Outhwaite
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jatin Patel
- Translational Research Institute, UQ Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David G Simmons
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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114
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Saykali B, Mathiah N, Nahaboo W, Racu ML, Hammou L, Defrance M, Migeotte I. Distinct mesoderm migration phenotypes in extra-embryonic and embryonic regions of the early mouse embryo. eLife 2019; 8:42434. [PMID: 30950395 PMCID: PMC6450669 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In mouse embryo gastrulation, epiblast cells delaminate at the primitive streak to form mesoderm and definitive endoderm, through an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mosaic expression of a membrane reporter in nascent mesoderm enabled recording cell shape and trajectory through live imaging. Upon leaving the streak, cells changed shape and extended protrusions of distinct size and abundance depending on the neighboring germ layer, as well as the region of the embryo. Embryonic trajectories were meandrous but directional, while extra-embryonic mesoderm cells showed little net displacement. Embryonic and extra-embryonic mesoderm transcriptomes highlighted distinct guidance, cytoskeleton, adhesion, and extracellular matrix signatures. Specifically, intermediate filaments were highly expressed in extra-embryonic mesoderm, while live imaging for F-actin showed abundance of actin filaments in embryonic mesoderm only. Accordingly, Rhoa or Rac1 conditional deletion in mesoderm inhibited embryonic, but not extra-embryonic mesoderm migration. Overall, this indicates separate cytoskeleton regulation coordinating the morphology and migration of mesoderm subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wallis Nahaboo
- IRIBHM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Latifa Hammou
- IRIBHM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Matthieu Defrance
- Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Migeotte
- IRIBHM, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Walloon Excellence in Lifesciences and Biotechnology, Wallonia, Belgium
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115
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Tseng AM, Mahnke AH, Wells AB, Salem NA, Allan AM, Roberts VH, Newman N, Walter NA, Kroenke CD, Grant KA, Akison LK, Moritz KM, Chambers CD, Miranda RC. Maternal circulating miRNAs that predict infant FASD outcomes influence placental maturation. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/2/e201800252. [PMID: 30833415 PMCID: PMC6399548 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal gestational circulating microRNAs, predictive of adverse infant outcomes, including growth deficits, following prenatal alcohol exposure, contribute to placental pathology by impairing the EMT pathway in trophoblasts. Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), like other pregnancy complications, can result in placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction, although the linking causal mechanisms are unclear. We previously identified 11 gestationally elevated maternal circulating miRNAs (HEamiRNAs) that predicted infant growth deficits following PAE. Here, we investigated whether these HEamiRNAs contribute to the pathology of PAE, by inhibiting trophoblast epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a pathway critical for placental development. We now report for the first time that PAE inhibits expression of placental pro-EMT pathway members in both rodents and primates, and that HEamiRNAs collectively, but not individually, mediate placental EMT inhibition. HEamiRNAs collectively, but not individually, also inhibited cell proliferation and the EMT pathway in cultured trophoblasts, while inducing cell stress, and following trophoblast syncytialization, aberrant endocrine maturation. Moreover, a single intravascular administration of the pooled murine-expressed HEamiRNAs, to pregnant mice, decreased placental and fetal growth and inhibited the expression of pro-EMT transcripts in the placenta. Our data suggest that HEamiRNAs collectively interfere with placental development, contributing to the pathology of PAE, and perhaps also, to other causes of fetal growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Tseng
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Amanda H Mahnke
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Alan B Wells
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nihal A Salem
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Andrea M Allan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Victoria Hj Roberts
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Natali Newman
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Nicole Ar Walter
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Christopher D Kroenke
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lisa K Akison
- Child Health Research Centre and School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- Child Health Research Centre and School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Christina D Chambers
- Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Rajesh C Miranda
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
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116
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Behura SK, Kelleher AM, Spencer TE. Evidence for functional interactions between the placenta and brain in pregnant mice. FASEB J 2019; 33:4261-4272. [PMID: 30521381 PMCID: PMC6404589 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201802037r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The placenta plays a pivotal role in the development of the fetal brain and also influences maternal brain function, but our understanding of communication between the placenta and brain remains limited. Using a gene expression and network analysis approach, we provide evidence that the placenta transcriptome is tightly interconnected with the maternal brain and fetal brain in d 15 pregnant C57BL/6J mice. Activation of serotonergic synapse signaling and inhibition of neurotrophin signaling were identified as potential mediators of crosstalk between the placenta and maternal brain and fetal brain, respectively. Genes encoding specific receptors and ligands were predicted to affect functional interactions between the placenta and brain. Paralogous genes, such as sex comb on midleg homolog 1/scm-like with 4 mbt domains 2 and polycomb group ring finger (Pcgf) 2/ Pcgf5, displayed antagonistic regulation between the placenta and brain. Additionally, conditional ablation of forkhead box a2 ( Foxa2) in the glands of the uterus altered the transcriptome of the d 15 placenta, which provides novel evidence of crosstalk between the uterine glands and placenta. Furthermore, expression of cathepsin 6 and monocyte to macrophage differentiation associated 2 was significantly different in the fetal brain of Foxa2 conditional knockout mice compared with control mice. These findings provide a better understanding of the intricacies of uterus-placenta-brain interactions during pregnancy and provide a foundation and model system for their exploration.-Behura, S. K., Kelleher, A. M., Spencer, T. E. Evidence for functional interactions between the placenta and brain in pregnant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanta K. Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA; and
| | - Andrew M. Kelleher
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Thomas E. Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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117
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Koutelou E, Wang L, Schibler AC, Chao HP, Kuang X, Lin K, Lu Y, Shen J, Jeter CR, Salinger A, Wilson M, Chen YC, Atanassov BS, Tang DG, Dent SYR. USP22 controls multiple signaling pathways that are essential for vasculature formation in the mouse placenta. Development 2019; 146:dev.174037. [PMID: 30718289 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
USP22, a component of the SAGA complex, is overexpressed in highly aggressive cancers, but the normal functions of this deubiquitinase are not well defined. We determined that loss of USP22 in mice results in embryonic lethality due to defects in extra-embryonic placental tissues and failure to establish proper vascular interactions with the maternal circulatory system. These phenotypes arise from abnormal gene expression patterns that reflect defective kinase signaling, including TGFβ and several receptor tyrosine kinase pathways. USP22 deletion in endothelial cells and pericytes that are induced from embryonic stem cells also hinders these signaling cascades, with detrimental effects on cell survival and differentiation as well as on the ability to form vessels. Our findings provide new insights into the functions of USP22 during development that may offer clues to its role in disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Koutelou
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA .,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Program in Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andria C Schibler
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Program in Genes and Development, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hsueh-Ping Chao
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Program in Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xianghong Kuang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Kevin Lin
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Jianjun Shen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Collene R Jeter
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Andrew Salinger
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Marenda Wilson
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yi Chun Chen
- MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Program in Genes and Development, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Boyko S Atanassov
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Dean G Tang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
| | - Sharon Y R Dent
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA .,Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA.,MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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118
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Lipka A, Paukszto L, Majewska M, Jastrzebski JP, Panasiewicz G, Szafranska B. De novo characterization of placental transcriptome in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.). Funct Integr Genomics 2019; 19:421-435. [PMID: 30778795 PMCID: PMC6456477 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-019-00663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our pioneering data provide the first comprehensive view of placental transcriptome of the beaver during single and multiple gestation. RNA-Seq and a de novo approach allowed global pattern identification of C. fiber placental transcriptome. Non-redundant beaver transcriptome comprised 211,802,336 nt of placental transcripts, grouped into 128,459 contigs and clustered into 83,951 unigenes. An Ensembl database search revealed 14,487, 14,994, 15,004, 15,267 and 15,892 non-redundant homologs for Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, Homo sapiens and Castor canadensis, respectively. Due to expression levels, the identified transcripts were divided into two sets: non-redundant and highly expressed (FPKM > 2 in at least three examined samples), analysed simultaneously. Among 17,009 highly expressed transcripts, 12,147 had BLASTx hits. GO annotations (175,882) were found for 4301 transcripts that were assigned to biological process (16,386), cellular component (9149) and molecular function (8338) categories; 666 unigenes were also classified into 122 KEGG pathways. Comprehensive analyses were performed for 411 and 3078 highly expressed transcripts annotated with a list of processes linked to ‘placenta’ (31 GO terms) or ‘embryo’ (324 GO terms), respectively. Among transcripts with entire CDS annotation, 281 (placenta) and 34 (embryo) alternative splicing events were identified. A total of 8499 putative SNVs (~ 6.2 SNV/transcript and 1.7 SNV/1 kb) were predicted with 0.1 minimum frequency and maximum variant quality (p value 10e−9). Our results provide a broad-based characterization of the global expression pattern of the beaver placental transcriptome. Enhancement of transcriptomic resources for C. fiber should improve understanding of crucial pathways relevant to proper placenta development and successful reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Lipka
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Niepodległości Str 44, 10-045, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Lukasz Paukszto
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Marta Majewska
- Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska Str 30, 10-082, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jan Pawel Jastrzebski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Panasiewicz
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Bozena Szafranska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
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119
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Sharma A, Lacko LA, Argueta LB, Glendinning MD, Stuhlmann H. miR-126 regulates glycogen trophoblast proliferation and DNA methylation in the murine placenta. Dev Biol 2019; 449:21-34. [PMID: 30771304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A functional placenta develops through a delicate interplay of its vascular and trophoblast compartments. We have identified a previously unknown expression domain for the endothelial-specific microRNA miR-126 in trophoblasts of murine and human placentas. Here, we determine the role of miR-126 in placental development using a mouse model with a targeted deletion of miR-126. In addition to vascular defects observed only in the embryo, loss of miR-126 function in the placenta leads to junctional zone hyperplasia at E15.5 at the expense of the labyrinth, reduced placental volume for nutrient exchange and intra-uterine growth restriction of the embryos. Junctional zone hyperplasia results from increased numbers of proliferating glycogen trophoblast (GlyT) progenitors at E13.5 that give rise to an expanded glycogen trophoblast population at E15.5. Transcriptomic profile of miR-126-/- placentas revealed dysregulation of a large number of GlyT (Prl6a1, Prl7c1, Pcdh12) and trophoblast-specific genes (Tpbpa, Tpbpb, Prld1) and genes with known roles in placental development. We show that miR-126-/- placentas, but not miR-126-/- embryos, display aberrant expression of imprinted genes with important roles in glycogen trophoblasts and junctional zone development, including Igf2, H19, Cdkn1c and Phlda2, during mid-gestation. We also show that miR126-/- placentas display global hypermethylation, including at several imprint control centers. Our findings uncover a novel role for miR-126 in regulating extra-embryonic energy stores, expression of imprinted genes and DNA methylation in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet Sharma
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Lauretta A Lacko
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Lissenya B Argueta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Michael D Glendinning
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Heidi Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States.
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Li R, Andersen CL, Hu L, Wang Z, Li Y, Nagy T, Ye X. Dietary exposure to mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA) during post-implantation adversely affects placental development in mice. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 85:42-50. [PMID: 30772436 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEA) is a common food contaminant (ppb-ppm) derived from Fusarium fungi. With its estrogenicity and potential chronic exposure, ZEA poses a risk to pregnancy. Our previous studies implied post-implantational lethality by ZEA. Since a functional placenta is essential for fetal development and survival, it was hypothesized that ZEA may have adverse effects on placental development leading to post-implantational lethality. Exposure of young mice to 0, 0.8, 4, 10, and 40 ppm ZEA diets from gestation day 5.5 (D5.5) to D13.5 led to increased resorption of implantation sites, increased placental hemorrhage, decreased placental and fetal weights, proportionally reduced placental layers, and disorganized placental labyrinth vascular spaces in the 40 ppm ZEA group, as well as lipid accumulation in the labyrinth layer of all four ZEA treatment groups examined on D13.5. These data demonstrate adverse effects of ZEA on placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Li
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS/NIH), 111 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
| | - Christian Lee Andersen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Lianmei Hu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Zidao Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Yuehuan Li
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Tamas Nagy
- Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Xiaoqin Ye
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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A molecular mechanism of mouse placental spongiotrophoblast differentiation regulated by prolyl oligopeptidase. ZYGOTE 2019; 27:49-53. [PMID: 30714556 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199418000655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SummaryIn eutherian mammals, the placenta plays a critical role in embryo development by supplying nutrients and hormones and mediating interaction with the mother. To establish the fine connection between mother and embryo, the placenta needs to be formed normally, but the mechanism of placental differentiation is not fully understood. We previously revealed that mouse prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) plays a role in trophoblast stem cell (TSC) differentiation into two placental cell types, spongiotrophoblasts (SpT) and trophoblast giant cells. Here, we focused on SpT differentiation and attempted to elucidate a molecular mechanism. For Ascl2, Arnt, and Egfr genes that are indispensable for SpT formation, we found that a POP-specific inhibitor, SUAM-14746, significantly decreased Ascl2 expression, which was consistent with a significant decrease in expression of Flt1, a gene downstream of Ascl2. Although this downregulation was unlikely to be mediated by the PI3K-Akt pathway, our results indicated that POP controls TSC differentiation into SpT by regulating the Ascl2 gene.
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Rathore APS, Saron WAA, Lim T, Jahan N, St. John AL. Maternal immunity and antibodies to dengue virus promote infection and Zika virus-induced microcephaly in fetuses. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaav3208. [PMID: 30820456 PMCID: PMC6392794 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav3208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV), an emergent flaviviral pathogen, has been linked to microcephaly in neonates. Although the risk is greatest during the first trimester of pregnancy in humans, timing alone cannot explain why maternal ZIKV infection leads to severe microcephaly in some fetuses, but not others. The antigenic similarities between ZIKV and dengue virus (DENV), combined with high levels of DENV immunity among ZIKV target populations in recent outbreaks, suggest that anti-DENV maternal antibodies could promote ZIKV-induced microcephaly. We demonstrated maternal-to-fetal ZIKV transmission, fetal infection, and disproportionate microcephaly in immunocompetent mice. We show that DENV-specific antibodies in ZIKV-infected pregnant mice enhance vertical ZIKV transmission and result in a severe microcephaly-like syndrome, which was dependent on the neonatal Fc receptor, FcRN. This novel immune-mediated mechanism of vertical transmission of viral infection is of special concern because ZIKV epidemic regions are also endemic to DENV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhay P. S. Rathore
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke–National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Wilfried A. A. Saron
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke–National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ting Lim
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke–National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nusrat Jahan
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke–National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ashley L. St. John
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke–National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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Ye L, Hu R, Liu L, Liu J, Liu J, Chen H, Hu Y, Liu Y, Liu X, Liu C, Tng DJH, Meng Y, Qu J, Swihart MT, Yong KT. Comparing Semiconductor Nanocrystal Toxicity in Pregnant Mice and Non-Human Primates. Nanotheranostics 2019; 3:54-65. [PMID: 30662823 PMCID: PMC6328306 DOI: 10.7150/ntno.27452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Despite growing use of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) in applications from electronics to medicine, the potential risk to human health remains a critical concern within clinical use. ENM exposure during pregnancy can potentially cause reproductive toxicity even at levels that produce no measurable harm to animals in normal conditions. Methods: Phospholipid micelle-encapsulated CdSe/CdS/ZnS semiconductor nanocrystals with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 60 nm were intravenously injected during pregnancy in both rodent and nonhuman primate animal models. Cadmium concentration levels and maternal haematological and biochemical markers were determined, along with histopathological examination of major organs. Results: Nanocrystals were found to have crossed the placenta from mother to fetus in both rodents and nonhuman primates. However, the animal models display different responses with respect to reproductive toxicity. In the rodent model, toxicity symptoms are absent in treated subjects, with no observed gestational or fetal abnormalities and complications. A significantly higher miscarriage rate of 60% is recorded for macaques after prenatal nanoparticle administration. There was a miscarriage rate of 15% in the general population despite only ~0.16% of the initial cadmium dose present in the fetus. Blood and biochemical markers of treated macaques indicate acute hepatocellular injury within a week after nanoparticle administration. Histology of major organs of the miscarried macaque fetuses show no abnormalities. Conclusion: The potential of nanomaterials to cross the placenta and impact fetal survival in primates suggest the necessity of precautionary measures to prevent gestational exposure of ENMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Ye
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics and Beijing Key Lab of Aging and Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Rui Hu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Liwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Jianwei Liu
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics and Beijing Key Lab of Aging and Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Jing Liu
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics and Beijing Key Lab of Aging and Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Hongyan Chen
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics and Beijing Key Lab of Aging and Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Yazhuo Hu
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics and Beijing Key Lab of Aging and Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Yaqian Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Xin Liu
- Department of Nan-Lou Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Cui Liu
- Department of Nan-Lou Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | | | - Yuanguang Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P. R. China
| | - Junle Qu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Mark T Swihart
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, USA
| | - Ken-Tye Yong
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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Vogtmann R, Kühnel E, Dicke N, Verkaik-Schakel RN, Plösch T, Schorle H, Stojanovska V, Herse F, Köninger A, Kimmig R, Winterhager E, Gellhaus A. Human sFLT1 Leads to Severe Changes in Placental Differentiation and Vascularization in a Transgenic hsFLT1/rtTA FGR Mouse Model. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:165. [PMID: 30949132 PMCID: PMC6437783 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The anti-angiogenic soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT1) is one of the candidates in the progression of preeclampsia, often associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR). Therapeutic agents against preeclampsia with/without FGR, as well as adequate transgenic sFLT1 mouse models for testing such agents, are still missing. Much is known about sFLT1-mediated endothelial dysfunction in several tissues; however, the influence of sFLT1 on placental and fetal development is currently unknown. We hypothesize that sFLT1 is involved in the progression of FGR by influencing placental differentiation and vascularization and is a prime candidate for interventional strategies. Therefore, we generated transgenic inducible human sFLT1/reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator (hsFLT1/rtTA) mice, in which hsFLT1 is ubiquitously overexpressed during pregnancy in dams and according to the genetics in hsFLT1/rtTA homozygous and heterozygous fetuses. Induction of hsFLT1 led to elevated hsFLT1 levels in the serum of dams and on mRNA level in all placentas and hetero-/homozygous fetuses, resulting in FGR in all fetuses at term. The strongest effects in respect to FGR were observed in the hsFLT1/rtTA homozygous fetuses, which exhibited the highest hsFLT1 levels. Only fetal hsFLT1 expression led to impaired placental morphology characterized by reduced placental efficiency, enlarged maternal sinusoids, reduced fetal capillaries, and impaired labyrinthine differentiation, associated with increased apoptosis. Besides impaired placental vascularization, the expression of several transporter systems, such as glucose transporter 1 and 3 (Glut-1; Glut-3); amino acid transporters, solute carrier family 38, member one and two (Slc38a1; Slc38a2); and most severely the fatty acid translocase Cd36 and fatty acid binding protein 3 (Fabp3) was reduced upon hsFLT1 expression, associated with an accumulation of phospholipids in the maternal serum. Moreover, the Vegf pathway showed alterations, resulting in reduced Vegf, Vegfb, and Plgf protein levels and increased Bad and Caspase 9 mRNA levels. We suggest that hsFLT1 exerts an inhibitory influence on placental vascularization by reducing Vegf signaling, which leads to apoptosis in fetal vessels, impairing placental differentiation, and the nutrient exchange function of the labyrinth. These effects were more pronounced when both the dam and the fetus expressed hsFLT1 and ultimately result in FGR and resemble the preeclamptic phenotype in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Vogtmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Kühnel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nikolai Dicke
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rikst Nynke Verkaik-Schakel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Torsten Plösch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Medical School, Bonn, Germany
| | - Violeta Stojanovska
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Florian Herse
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Medical Faculty, and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elke Winterhager
- EM Unit, Imaging Center Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Alexandra Gellhaus
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Thiele K, Hierweger AM, Riquelme JIA, Solano ME, Lydon JP, Arck PC. Impaired Progesterone-Responsiveness of CD11c + Dendritic Cells Affects the Generation of CD4 + Regulatory T Cells and Is Associated With Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:96. [PMID: 30858825 PMCID: PMC6397849 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 10% of pregnancies in Western societies are affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). IUGR reduces short-term neonatal survival and impairs long-term health of the children. To date, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of IUGR are largely unknown, but the failure to mount an adequate endocrine and immune response during pregnancy has been proposed to facilitate the occurrence of IUGR. A cross talk between the pregnancy hormone progesterone and innate immune cell subsets such as dendritic cells (DCs) is vital to ensure adequate placentation and fetal growth. However, experimental strategies to pinpoint distinct immune cell subsets interacting with progesterone in vivo have long been limited. In the present study, we have overcome this limitation by generating a mouse line with a specific deletion of the progesterone receptor (PR) on CD11c+ DCs. We took advantage of the cre/loxP system and assessed reproductive outcome in Balb/c-mated C57Bl/6 PRflox/floxCD11ccre/wt females. Balb/c-mated C57Bl/6 PRwt/wtCD11ccre/wt females served as controls. In all dams, fetal growth and development, placental function and maternal immune and endocrine adaptation were evaluated at different gestational time points. We observed a significantly reduced fetal weight on gestational day 13.5 and 18.5 in PRflox/floxCD11ccre/wt females. While frequencies of uterine CD11c+ cells were similar in both groups, an increased frequency of co-stimulatory molecules was observed on DCs in PRflox/floxCD11ccre/wt mice, along with reduced frequencies of CD4+ FoxP3+ and CD8+ CD122+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Placental histomorphology revealed a skew toward increased junctional zone at the expense of the labyrinth in implantations of PRflox/floxCD11ccre/wt females, accompanied by increased plasma progesterone concentrations. Our results support that DCs are highly responsive to progesterone, subsequently adapting to a tolerogenic phenotype. If such cross talk between progesterone and DCs is impaired, the generation of pregnancy-protective immune cells subsets such as CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells is reduced, which is associated with poor placentation and IUGR in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Thiele
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Kristin Thiele
| | - Alexandra Maximiliane Hierweger
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Isabel Amambay Riquelme
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - María Emilia Solano
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - John P. Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Petra Clara Arck
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Petra Clara Arck
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Abeln M, Albers I, Peters-Bernard U, Flächsig-Schulz K, Kats E, Kispert A, Tomlinson S, Gerardy-Schahn R, Münster-Kühnel A, Weinhold B. Sialic acid is a critical fetal defense against maternal complement attack. J Clin Invest 2018; 129:422-436. [PMID: 30382946 DOI: 10.1172/jci99945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The negatively charged sugar sialic acid (Sia) occupies the outermost position in the bulk of cell surface glycans. Lack of sialylated glycans due to genetic ablation of the Sia-activating enzyme CMP-sialic acid synthase (CMAS) resulted in embryonic lethality around day 9.5 post coitum (E9.5) in mice. Developmental failure was caused by complement activation on trophoblasts in Cmas-/- implants and was accompanied by infiltration of maternal neutrophils at the fetal-maternal interface, intrauterine growth restriction, impaired placental development, and a thickened Reichert's membrane. This phenotype, which shared features with complement receptor 1-related protein Y (Crry) depletion, was rescued in E8.5 Cmas-/- mice upon injection of cobra venom factor, resulting in exhaustion of the maternal complement component C3. Here we show that Sia is dispensable for early development of the embryo proper but pivotal for fetal-maternal immune homeostasis during pregnancy, i.e., for protecting the allograft implant against attack by the maternal innate immune system. Finally, embryos devoid of cell surface sialylation suffered from malnutrition due to inadequate placentation as a secondary effect.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andreas Kispert
- Institut for Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephen Tomlinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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Paquette A, Baloni P, Holloman AB, Nigam S, Bammler T, Mao Q, Price ND. Temporal transcriptomic analysis of metabolic genes in maternal organs and placenta during murine pregnancy. Biol Reprod 2018; 99:1255-1265. [PMID: 29939228 PMCID: PMC6692859 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal pregnancy adaptation is crucial for fetal development and long-term health. Complex interactions occur between maternal digestive and excretory systems as they interface with the developing fetus through the placenta, and transcriptomic regulation in these organs throughout pregnancy is poorly understood. Our objective is to characterize transcriptomic changes across gestation in maternal organs and placenta. Gene expression was quantified in the kidney, liver, and small intestine harvested from nonpregnant and pregnant FVB mice at four time points and placenta at three time points (N = 5/time point) using Affymetrix Mouse Gene 1.0 ST arrays. In maternal organs, we identified 476 genes in the liver, 207 genes in the kidney, and 27 genes in the small intestine that were differentially expressed across gestation (False Discovery Rate [FDR] adjusted q < 0.05). The placenta had a total of 1576 differentially expressed genes between the placenta at either/gd15 or gd19 compared to gd10. We identified a number of pathways enriched for genes differentially expressed across gestation, including 5 pathways in the placenta, 9 pathways in the kidney, and 28 pathways in the liver, including the citrate cycle, retinol metabolism, bile acid synthesis, and steroid bile synthesis, which play functional roles in fetal development and pregnancy maintenance. Characterization of normal longitudinal changes that occur in pregnancy provides context to understand how perturbations in these biochemical pathways and perturbations in nutrient signaling may impact pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sanjay Nigam
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Theo Bammler
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Qingcheng Mao
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Natale BV, Mehta P, Vu P, Schweitzer C, Gustin K, Kotadia R, Natale DRC. Reduced Uteroplacental Perfusion Pressure (RUPP) causes altered trophoblast differentiation and pericyte reduction in the mouse placenta labyrinth. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17162. [PMID: 30464252 PMCID: PMC6249310 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35606-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study characterized the effect of the reduced utero-placental perfusion pressure (RUPP) model of placental insufficiency on placental morphology and trophoblast differentiation at mid-late gestation (E14.5). Altered trophoblast proliferation, reduced syncytiotrophoblast gene expression, increased numbers of sinusoidal trophoblast giant cells, decreased Vegfa and decreased pericyte presence in the labyrinth were observed in addition to changes in maternal blood spaces, the fetal capillary network and reduced fetal weight. Further, the junctional zone was characterized by reduced spongiotrophoblast and glycogen trophoblast with increased trophoblast giant cells. Increased Hif-1α and TGF-β-3 in vivo with supporting hypoxia studies in trophoblast stem (TS) cells in vitro, support hypoxia as a contributing factor to the RUPP placenta phenotype. Together, this study identifies altered cell populations within the placenta that may contribute to the phenotype, and thus support the use of RUPP in the mouse as a model of placenta insufficiency. As such, this model in the mouse provides a valuable tool for understanding the phenotypes resulting from genetic manipulation of isolated cell populations to further understand the etiology of placenta insufficiency and fetal growth restriction. Further this study identifies a novel relationship between placental insufficiency and pericyte depletion in the labyrinth layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryony V Natale
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Reproductive Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Prutha Mehta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Reproductive Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Priscilla Vu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Reproductive Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Christina Schweitzer
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N4N1, Canada
| | - Katarina Gustin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Reproductive Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ramie Kotadia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Reproductive Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - David R C Natale
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N4N1, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Reproductive Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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129
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Tunster SJ, Van de Pette M, Creeth HDJ, Lefebvre L, John RM. Fetal growth restriction in a genetic model of sporadic Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm.035832. [PMID: 30158284 PMCID: PMC6262809 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.035832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a complex imprinting disorder involving fetal overgrowth and placentomegaly, and is associated with a variety of genetic and epigenetic mutations affecting the expression of imprinted genes on human chromosome 11p15.5. Most BWS cases are linked to loss of methylation at the imprint control region 2 (ICR2) within this domain, which in mice regulates the silencing of several maternally expressed imprinted genes. Modelling this disorder in mice is confounded by the unique embryonic requirement for Ascl2, which is imprinted in mice but not in humans. To overcome this issue, we generated a novel model combining a truncation of distal chromosome 7 allele (DelTel7) with transgenic rescue of Ascl2 expression. This novel model recapitulated placentomegaly associated with BWS, but did not lead to fetal overgrowth. Summary: A novel genetic mouse model of sporadic Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) recapitulates placentomegaly, but placental defects lead to late gestation fetal growth restriction, which contrasts with the fetal overgrowth characteristic of BWS in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Tunster
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | | | - Hugo D J Creeth
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Louis Lefebvre
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Rosalind M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
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Abstract
Two sets of evidence reviewed herein, one indicating that prenatal stress is associated with elevated behavioral and physiological dysregulation and the other that such phenotypic functioning is itself associated with heightened susceptibility to positive and negative environmental influences postnatally, raises the intriguing hypothesis first advanced by Pluess and Belsky (2011) that prenatal stress fosters, promotes, or "programs" postnatal developmental plasticity. Here we review further evidence consistent with this proposition, including new experimental research systematically manipulating both prenatal stress and postnatal rearing. Collectively this work would seem to explain why prenatal stress has so consistently been linked to problematic development: stresses encountered prenatally are likely to continue postnatally, thereby adversely affecting the development of children programmed (by prenatal stress) to be especially susceptible to environmental effects. Less investigated are the potential benefits prenatal stress may promote, due to increased plasticity, when the postnatal environment proves to be favorable. Future directions of research pertaining to potential mechanisms instantiating postnatal plasticity and moderators of such prenatal-programming effects are outlined.
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Umekawa T, Maki S, Kubo M, Tanaka H, Nii M, Tanaka K, Osato K, Kamimoto Y, Tamaru S, Ogura T, Nishimura Y, Kodera M, Minamide C, Nishikawa M, Endoh M, Kimura T, Kotani T, Nakamura M, Sekizawa A, Ikeda T. TADAFER II: Tadalafil treatment for fetal growth restriction - a study protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled phase II trial. BMJ Open 2018; 8:e020948. [PMID: 30381311 PMCID: PMC6224767 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is no proven therapy to reverse or ameliorate fetal growth restriction (FGR). Sildenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, has been reported to potentially play a therapeutic role in FGR, but this has not been established. Tadalafil is also a selective PDE5 inhibitor. We have demonstrated the efficacy of tadalafil against FGR along with short-term outcomes and the feasibility of tadalafil treatment. Based on the hypothesis that tadalafil will safely increase the likelihood of increased fetal growth in FGR, we designed this phase II study to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of tadalafil against FGR. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This study is a multicentre, randomised controlled phase II trial. A total of 140 fetuses with FGR will be enrolled from medical centres in Japan. Fetuses will be randomised to receive either the conventional management for FGR or a once-daily treatment with 20 mg of tadalafil along with the conventional management until delivery. The primary endpoint is fetal growth velocity from the first day of the protocol-defined treatment to birth (g/day). To minimise bias in terms of fetal baseline conditions and timing of delivery, a fetal indication for delivery was established in this study. The investigator will evaluate fetal baseline conditions at enrolment and will decide the timing of delivery based on this fetal indication. Infants will be followed up for development until 1.5 years of age. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Mie University Hospital and each participating institution. Our findings will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER UMIN000023778.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Umekawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Shintaro Maki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Michiko Kubo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Masafumi Nii
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Kayo Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Osato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Yuki Kamimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tamaru
- Clinical Research Support Center, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Japan
| | - Toru Ogura
- Clinical Research Support Center, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Japan
| | - Yuki Nishimura
- Clinical Research Support Center, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Japan
| | - Mayumi Kodera
- Clinical Research Support Center, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Japan
| | - Chisato Minamide
- Clinical Research Support Center, Mie University Hospital, Tsu, Japan
| | | | - Masayuki Endoh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tomomi Kotani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Nakamura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sekizawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Ikeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan
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132
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Hou W, Jerome-Majewska LA. TMED2/emp24 is required in both the chorion and the allantois for placental labyrinth layer development. Dev Biol 2018; 444:20-32. [PMID: 30236446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
TMED2, a member of the transmembrane emp24 domain (TMED) family, is required for transport of cargo proteins between the ER and Golgi. TMED2 is also important for normal morphogenesis of mouse embryos and their associated placenta, and in fact Tmed2 homozygous mutant embryos arrest at mid-gestation due to a failure of placental labyrinth layer formation. Differentiation of the placental labyrinth layer depends on chorioallantoic attachment (contact between the chorion and allantois), and branching morphogenesis (mingling of cells from these two tissues). Since Tmed2 mRNA was found in both the chorion and allantois, and 50% of Tmed2 homozygous mutant embryos failed to undergo chorioallantoic attachment, the tissue-specific requirement of Tmed2 during placental labyrinth layer formation remained a mystery. Herein, we report differential localization of TMED2 protein in the chorion and allantois, abnormal ER retention of Fibronectin in Tmed2 homozygous mutant allantoises and cell-autonomous requirement for Tmed2 in the chorion for chorioallantoic attachment and fusion. Using an ex vivo model of explanted chorions and allantoises, we showed that chorioallantoic attachment failed to occur in 50% of samples when homozygous mutant chorions were recombined with wild type allantoises. Furthermore, though expression of genes associated with trophoblast differentiation was maintained in Tmed2 mutant chorions with chorioallantoic attachment, expression of these genes was attenuated. In addition, Tmed2 homozygous mutant allantoises could undergo branching morphogenesis, however the region of mixing between mutant and wild type cells was reduced, and expression of genes associated with trophoblast differentiation was also attenuated. Our data also suggest that Fibronectin is a cargo protein of TMED2 and indicates that Tmed2 is required cell-autonomously and non-autonomously in the chorion and the allantois for placental labyrinth layer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyang Hou
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Docteur Penfield, N5/13, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Loydie A Jerome-Majewska
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Docteur Penfield, N5/13, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, 1001 Decarie Blvd, EM02210, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1; McGill University Health Centre Glen Site, 1001 Decarie Blvd, EM0.2210, Montreal, QC, Canada H4A 3J1.
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133
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Ni L, Pan Y, Tang C, Xiong W, Wu X, Zou C. Antenatal exposure to betamethasone induces placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 expression and the adult metabolic disorders in mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203802. [PMID: 30212527 PMCID: PMC6136781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Antenatal overexposure to glucocorticoids causes fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and adult metabolic disorders. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) 1 and 2 are key enzymes for glucocorticoid metabolism, however, the detailed effects of antenatal overexposure to glucocorticoids on placental 11β-HSD1 and 2 expression and adult metabolic disorders remain obscure. Here, we report that, in placenta 11β-HSD1 is diffusely localized, whereas 11β-HSD2 is specifically expressed in labyrinthine layer. Exposure of pregnant dams to betamethasone significantly increases the expression of placental 11β-HSD2 but not 11β-HSD1, and decreases the weights of fetuses but not placentas. Antenatal exposure to betamethasone leads to either significant weight loss in the offspring younger than 10-week-old, or weight gain in those older than 14-week-old. Furthermore, antenatal exposure to betamethasone results in coexistence of various metabolic disorders in adult offspring, including hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, low insulin secretory capacity and hyperlipidemia. The present study demonstrates that exposure of pregnant dams to betamethasone induces the expression of placental 11β-HSD2 but not 11β-HSD1, leads to fetal IUGR and causes adult metabolic disorders, providing evidence for fetal origins of adult diseases and the potential role of placental 11β-HSD2 in them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ni
- Department of Endocrinology, the Children Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Jiaxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Jiaxing, China
| | - Yibin Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenyi Xiong
- Department of Endocrinology, the Children Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ximei Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (XW); (CZ)
| | - Chaochun Zou
- Department of Endocrinology, the Children Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (XW); (CZ)
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134
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Hartman S, Belsky J. Prenatal stress and enhanced developmental plasticity. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2018; 125:1759-1779. [PMID: 30206701 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-018-1926-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Two separate lines of inquiry indicate (a) that prenatal stress is associated with heightened behavioral and physiological reactivity, and (b) that these postnatal phenotypes are associated with increased susceptibility to both positive and negative developmental experiences and environmental exposures. This research considered together raises the intriguing hypothesis first advanced by Pluess and Belsky (Dev Psychopathol 23:29-38, 2011) that prenatal-stress fosters, promotes or "programs" postnatal developmental plasticity. In this paper, we review further evidence consistent with this proposition, including a novel animal study which experimentally manipulated both prenatal stress and postnatal rearing. Directions for future work focused on mechanisms mediating the plasticity-inducing effects of prenatal stress and the moderators of such effects are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Hartman
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of California, One Shields Avenue, 3321 Hart Hall, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Jay Belsky
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of California, One Shields Avenue, 3321 Hart Hall, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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135
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Zhang B, Chen Z, Han J, Li M, Nayak NR, Fan X. Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Placenta-Targeted Drug Delivery Using Three Complementary Methods. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30247484 DOI: 10.3791/58219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
No effective treatments currently exist for placenta-associated pregnancy complications, and developing strategies for the targeted delivery of drugs to the placenta while minimizing fetal and maternal side effects remains challenging. Targeted nanoparticle carriers provide new opportunities to treat placental disorders. We recently demonstrated that a synthetic placental chondroitin sulfate A binding peptide (plCSA-BP) could be used to guide nanoparticles to deliver drugs to the placenta. In this protocol, we describe in detail a system for assessing the efficiency of drug delivery to the placenta by plCSA-BP that employs three separate methods used in combination: in vivo imaging, high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using in vivo imaging, plCSA-BP-guided nanoparticles were visualized in the placentas of live animals, while HFUS and HPLC demonstrated that plCSA-BP-conjugated nanoparticles efficiently and specifically delivered methotrexate to the placenta. Thus, a combination of these methods can be used as an effective tool for the targeted delivery of drugs to the placenta and development of new treatment strategies for several pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baozhen Zhang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Health, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Zhilong Chen
- Laboratory for Reproductive Health, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine, Hunan Agricultural University
| | - Jinyu Han
- Laboratory for Reproductive Health, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering Process and Technology for High-efficiency Conversion, College of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Heilongjiang University
| | - Mengxia Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Health, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Nihar R Nayak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine
| | - Xiujun Fan
- Laboratory for Reproductive Health, Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences;
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136
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Mechanism of hematopoiesis and vasculogenesis in mouse placenta. Placenta 2018; 69:140-145. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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137
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Lipka A, Paukszto L, Majewska M, Jastrzebski JP, Myszczynski K, Panasiewicz G, Szafranska B. Identification of differentially expressed placental transcripts during multiple gestations in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.). Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:2073-2084. [PMID: 28193317 DOI: 10.1071/rd16186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eurasian beaver is one of the largest rodents that, despite its high impact on the environment, is a non-model species that lacks a reference genome. Characterising genes critical for pregnancy outcome can serve as a basis for identifying mechanisms underlying effective reproduction, which is required for the success of endangered species conservation programs. In the present study, high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to analyse global changes in the Castor fiber subplacenta transcriptome during multiple pregnancy. De novo reconstruction of the C. fiber subplacenta transcriptome was used to identify genes that were differentially expressed in placentas (n=5) from two females (in advanced twin and triple pregnancy). Analyses of the expression values revealed 124 contigs with significantly different expression; of these, 55 genes were identified using MegaBLAST. Within this group of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 18 were upregulated and 37 were downregulated in twins. Most DEGs were associated with the following gene ontology terms: cellular process, single organism process, response to stimulus, metabolic process and biological regulation. Some genes were also assigned to the developmental process, the reproductive process or reproduction. Among this group, four genes (namely keratin 19 (Krt19) and wingless-type MMTV integration site family - member 2 (Wnt2), which were downregulated in twins, and Nik-related kinase (Nrk) and gap junction protein β2 (Gjb2), which were upregulated in twins) were assigned to placental development and nine (Krt19, Wnt2 and integrin α7 (Itga7), downregulated in twins, and Nrk, gap junction protein β6 (Gjb6), GATA binding protein 6 (Gata6), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and haemoglobin subunit α1 (HbA1), upregulated in twins) were assigned to embryo development. The results of the present study indicate that the number of fetuses affects the expression profile in the C. fiber subplacental transcriptome. Enhancement of transcriptomic resources for C. fiber will improve understanding of the pathways relevant to proper placental development and successful reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lipka
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - L Paukszto
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - M Majewska
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska Str 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - J P Jastrzebski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - K Myszczynski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - G Panasiewicz
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - B Szafranska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
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138
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Soares MJ, Iqbal K, Kozai K. Hypoxia and Placental Development. Birth Defects Res 2018; 109:1309-1329. [PMID: 29105383 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Hemochorial placentation is orchestrated through highly regulated temporal and spatial decisions governing the fate of trophoblast stem/progenitor cells. Trophoblast cell acquisition of specializations facilitating invasion and uterine spiral artery remodeling is a labile process, sensitive to the environment, and represents a process that is vulnerable to dysmorphogenesis in pathologic states. Hypoxia is a signal guiding placental development, and molecular mechanisms directing cellular adaptations to low oxygen tension are integral to trophoblast cell differentiation and placentation. Hypoxia can also be used as an experimental tool to investigate regulatory processes controlling hemochorial placentation. These developmental processes are conserved in mouse, rat, and human placentation. Consequently, elements of these developmental events can be modeled and hypotheses tested in trophoblast stem cells and in genetically manipulated rodents. Hypoxia is also a consequence of a failed placenta, yielding pathologies that can adversely affect maternal adjustments to pregnancy, fetal health, and susceptibility to adult disease. The capacity of the placenta for adaptation to environmental challenges highlights the importance of its plasticity in safeguarding a healthy pregnancy. Birth Defects Research 109:1309-1329, 2017.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Soares
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.,Fetal Health Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's Mercy, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Keisuke Kozai
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
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139
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Roy AR, Ahmed A, DiStefano PV, Chi L, Khyzha N, Galjart N, Wilson MD, Fish JE, Delgado-Olguín P. The transcriptional regulator CCCTC-binding factor limits oxidative stress in endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:8449-8461. [PMID: 29610276 PMCID: PMC5986204 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.814699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a versatile transcriptional regulator required for embryogenesis, but its function in vascular development or in diseases with a vascular component is poorly understood. Here, we found that endothelial Ctcf is essential for mouse vascular development and limits accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conditional knockout of Ctcf in endothelial progenitors and their descendants affected embryonic growth, and caused lethality at embryonic day 10.5 because of defective yolk sac and placental vascular development. Analysis of global gene expression revealed Frataxin (Fxn), the gene mutated in Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), as the most strongly down-regulated gene in Ctcf-deficient placental endothelial cells. Moreover, in vitro reporter assays showed that Ctcf activates the Fxn promoter in endothelial cells. ROS are known to accumulate in the endothelium of FRDA patients. Importantly, Ctcf deficiency induced ROS-mediated DNA damage in endothelial cells in vitro, and in placental endothelium in vivo Taken together, our findings indicate that Ctcf promotes vascular development and limits oxidative stress in endothelial cells. These results reveal a function for Ctcf in vascular development, and suggest a potential mechanism for endothelial dysfunction in FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Roy
- From the Translational Medicine Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Abdalla Ahmed
- From the Translational Medicine Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Peter V DiStefano
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Lijun Chi
- From the Translational Medicine Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Nadiya Khyzha
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Niels Galjart
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Jason E Fish
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada, and
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H2, Canada
| | - Paul Delgado-Olguín
- From the Translational Medicine Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada,
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H2, Canada
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140
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Albers RE, Selesniemi K, Natale DRC, Brown TL. TGF- β induces Smad2 Phosphorylation, ARE Induction, and Trophoblast Differentiation. Int J Stem Cells 2018; 11:111-120. [PMID: 29699384 PMCID: PMC5984065 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc17069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling has been shown to control a large number of critical cellular actions such as cell death, differentiation, and development and has been implicated as a major regulator of placental function. SM10 cells are a mouse placental progenitor cell line, which has been previously shown to differentiate into nutrient transporting, labyrinthine-like cells upon treatment with TGF-β. However, the signal transduction pathway activated by TGF-β to induce SM10 progenitor differentiation has yet to be fully investigated. Materials and Methods In this study the SM10 labyrinthine progenitor cell line was used to investigate TGF-β induced differentiation. Activation of the TGF-β pathway and the ability of TGF-β to induce differentiation were investigated by light microscopy, luciferase assays, and Western blot analysis. Results and Conclusions In this report, we show that three isoforms of TGF-β have the ability to terminally differentiate SM10 cells, whereas other predominant members of the TGF-β superfamily, Nodal and Activin A, do not. Additionally, we have determined that TGF-β induced Smad2 phosphorylation can be mediated via the ALK-5 receptor with subsequent transactivation of the Activin response element. Our studies identify an important regulatory signaling pathway in SM10 progenitor cells that is involved in labyrinthine trophoblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee E Albers
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA
| | - Kaisa Selesniemi
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA
| | - David R C Natale
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California 92093, USA
| | - Thomas L Brown
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA
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141
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Sato A, Kim JD, Mizukami H, Nakashima M, Kako K, Ishida J, Itakura A, Takeda S, Fukamizu A. Gestational changes in PRMT1 expression of murine placentas. Placenta 2018; 65:47-54. [PMID: 29908641 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In mammals, the placenta is an organ that is required to maintain the development of fetus during pregnancy. Although the proper formation of placenta is in part regulated by the post-translational modifications of proteins, little is known regarding protein arginine methylation during placental development. Here, we characterized developmental expression of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) in mouse placentas. METHODS Expression levels of PRMT1 mRNA and protein in placentas were investigated using the real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. Next, the localization of PRMT1 was determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analyses. In addition, the levels of methylarginines of placental proteins were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS PRMT1 mRNA and its protein were expressed at highest levels in mid-gestation stages, and their expression showed stepwise decrease in the late gestation. At embryonic (E) day 9, PRMT1 was observed in several different trophoblast cell (TC) subtypes. Furthermore, PRMT1 was mainly expressed in the labyrinth zone of TCs at E13. Finally, total methylarginines of proteins were significantly reduced in late gestation of placentas compared with mid-gestation stages. DISCUSSION In this study, we found developmental changes in the placental expression of PRMT1 and in protein arginine methylation status during pregnancy. These findings provide fundamental information regarding placental PRMT1-mediated arginine methylation during the development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Jun-Dal Kim
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Hayase Mizukami
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Misaki Nakashima
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Koichiro Kako
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| | - Junji Ishida
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Atsuo Itakura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Satoru Takeda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Fukamizu
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan.
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142
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Deletion of the Syncytin A receptor Ly6e impairs syncytiotrophoblast fusion and placental morphogenesis causing embryonic lethality in mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3961. [PMID: 29500366 PMCID: PMC5834536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22040-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth and survival is dependent on the elaboration and propinquity of the fetal and maternal circulations within the placenta. Central to this is the formation of the interhaemal membrane, a multi-cellular lamina facilitating exchange of oxygen, nutrients and metabolic waste products between the mother and fetus. In rodents, this cellular barrier contains two transporting layers of syncytiotrophoblast, which are multinucleated cells that form by cell-cell fusion. Previously, we reported the expression of the GPI-linked cell surface protein LY6E by the syncytial layer closest to the maternal sinusoids of the mouse placenta (syncytiotrophoblast layer I). LY6E has since been shown to be a putative receptor for the fusogenic protein responsible for fusion of syncytiotrophoblast layer I, Syncytin A. In this report, we demonstrate that LY6E is essential for the normal fusion of syncytiotrophoblast layer I, and for the proper morphogenesis of both fetal and maternal vasculatures within the placenta. Furthermore, specific inactivation of Ly6e in the epiblast, but not in placenta, is compatible with embryonic development, indicating the embryonic lethality reported for Ly6e−/− embryos is most likely placental in origin.
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143
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Winship A, Menkhorst E, Van Sinderen M, Dimitriadis E. Interleukin 11 blockade during mid to late gestation does not affect maternal blood pressure, pregnancy viability or subsequent fertility in mice. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 36:250-258. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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144
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Von Stetina JR, Frawley LE, Unhavaithaya Y, Orr-Weaver TL. Variant cell cycles regulated by Notch signaling control cell size and ensure a functional blood-brain barrier. Development 2018; 145:145/3/dev157115. [PMID: 29440220 PMCID: PMC5818001 DOI: 10.1242/dev.157115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of cell size is crucial in development. In plants and animals two cell cycle variants are employed to generate large cells by increased ploidy: the endocycle and endomitosis. The rationale behind the choice of which of these cycles is implemented is unknown. We show that in the Drosophila nervous system the subperineurial glia (SPG) are unique in using both the endocycle and endomitosis to grow. In the brain, the majority of SPG initially endocycle, then switch to endomitosis during larval development. The Notch signaling pathway and the String Cdc25 phosphatase are crucial for the endocycle versus endomitosis choice, providing the means experimentally to change cells from one to the other. This revealed fundamental insights into the control of cell size and the properties of endomitotic cells. Endomitotic cells attain a higher ploidy and larger size than endocycling cells, and endomitotic SPG are necessary for the blood-brain barrier. Decreased Notch signaling promotes endomitosis even in the ventral nerve cord SPG that normally are mononucleate, but not in the endocycling salivary gland cells, revealing tissue-specific cell cycle responses. Highlighted Article: In Drosophila brain lobes, Notch and the mitosis-activating phosphatase String regulate the switch of subperineurial glia from endocycle to endomitosis during larval development, with endomitotic cells attaining increased ploidy and size.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura E Frawley
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Terry L Orr-Weaver
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA .,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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145
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Chen Z, Xu N, Chong D, Guan S, Jiang C, Yang Z, Li C. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase facilitates the organization of cardiomyocytes during mid-gestation through modulating protein geranylgeranylation in mouse heart. Cardiovasc Res 2018; 114:965-978. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center and School of Medicine, Nanjing University, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, #22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center and School of Medicine, Nanjing University, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, #22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People’s Republic of China
| | - Danyang Chong
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center and School of Medicine, Nanjing University, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, #22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shan Guan
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center and School of Medicine, Nanjing University, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, #22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chen Jiang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center and School of Medicine, Nanjing University, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, #22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongzhou Yang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center and School of Medicine, Nanjing University, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, #22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chaojun Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center and School of Medicine, Nanjing University, National Resource Center for Mutant Mice, #22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, People’s Republic of China
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146
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Decreased expression of fibroblast growth factor 13 in early-onset preeclampsia is associated with the increased trophoblast permeability. Placenta 2018; 62:43-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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147
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Hadamek K, Keller A, Gohla A. Dissection and Explant Culture of Murine Allantois for the In Vitro Analysis of Allantoic Attachment. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 29364244 DOI: 10.3791/56712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is essential for the growth and development of mammalian embryos. For this reason, numerous genetic alterations and likely also environmental insults that disturb placenta development or function can cause early pregnancy loss in mice and humans. Nevertheless, simple in vitro assays to screen for potential effects on placenta formation are lacking. Here, we focus on modeling the first and critical step in placenta formation, which consists of the attachment of the allantois to the chorion. We describe a method to rapidly assess the attachment of allantoic explants on immobilized α4β1 integrin, which serves as a chorio-mimetic substrate.This in vitro approach enables a qualitative evaluation of the attachment and spreading behavior of multiple allantois explants at different consecutive time points. The protocol may be used to investigate the effect of targeted mouse mutations, drugs, or various environmental factors that have been linked to pregnancy complications or fetal loss on allantois attachment ex vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Hadamek
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg; Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg
| | - Angelika Keller
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg; Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg
| | - Antje Gohla
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Würzburg; Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg;
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148
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Piccirilli D, Baldini E, Massimiani M, Camaioni A, Salustri A, Bernardini R, Centanni M, Ulisse S, Moretti C, Campagnolo L. Thyroid hormone regulates protease expression and activation of Notch signaling in implantation and embryo development. J Endocrinol 2018; 236:1-12. [PMID: 28993437 DOI: 10.1530/joe-17-0436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
A clinical association between thyroid dysfunction and pregnancy complications has been extensively reported; however, the molecular mechanisms through which TH might regulate key events of pregnancy have not been elucidated yet. In this respect, we performed in vivo studies in MMI-induced hypothyroid pregnant mice, evaluating the effect of hypothyroidism on the number of implantation sites, developing embryos/resorptions and pups per litter, at 4.5, 10.5, 18.5 days post-coitum (dpc) and at birth. We also studied the expression of major molecules involved in implantation and placentation, such as the proteases ISPs, MMPs, TIMPs and Notch pathway-related genes. Our results demonstrate that hypothyroidism may have a dual effect on pregnancy, by initially influencing implantation and by regulating placental development at later stages of gestation. To further elucidate the role of TH in implantation, we performed in vitro studies by culturing 3.5 dpc blastocysts in the presence of TH, with or without endometrial cells used as the feeder layer, and studied their ability to undergo hatching and outgrowth. We observed that, in the presence of endometrial feeder cells, TH is able to anticipate blastocyst hatching by upregulating the expression of blastocyst-produced ISPs, and to enhance blastocyst outgrowth by upregulating endometrial ISPs and MMPs. These results clearly indicate that TH is involved in the bidirectional crosstalk between the competent blastocyst and the receptive endometrium at the time of implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Piccirilli
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgical Sciences'Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Micol Massimiani
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Camaioni
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Salustri
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Centanni
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies'Sapienza' University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Ulisse
- Department of Surgical Sciences'Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Costanzo Moretti
- Department of Systems' Medicine University of Rome Tor VergataUOC of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Section of Reproductive Endocrinology Fatebenefratelli Hospital, 'Isola Tiberina', Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and PreventionUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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149
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Woods L, Perez-Garcia V, Hemberger M. Regulation of Placental Development and Its Impact on Fetal Growth-New Insights From Mouse Models. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:570. [PMID: 30319550 PMCID: PMC6170611 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is the chief regulator of nutrient supply to the growing embryo during gestation. As such, adequate placental function is instrumental for developmental progression throughout intrauterine development. One of the most common complications during pregnancy is insufficient growth of the fetus, a problem termed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) that is most frequently rooted in a malfunctional placenta. Together with conventional gene targeting approaches, recent advances in screening mouse mutants for placental defects, combined with the ability to rapidly induce mutations in vitro and in vivo by CRISPR-Cas9 technology, has provided new insights into the contribution of the genome to normal placental development. Most importantly, these data have demonstrated that far more genes are required for normal placentation than previously appreciated. Here, we provide a summary of common types of placental defects in established mouse mutants, which will help us gain a better understanding of the genes impacting on human placentation. Based on a recent mouse mutant screen, we then provide examples on how these data can be mined to identify novel molecular hubs that may be critical for placental development. Given the close association between placental defects and abnormal cardiovascular and brain development, these functional nodes may also shed light onto the etiology of birth defects that co-occur with placental malformations. Taken together, recent insights into the regulation of mouse placental development have opened up new avenues for research that will promote the study of human pregnancy conditions, notably those based on defects in placentation that underlie the most common pregnancy pathologies such as IUGR and pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Woods
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vicente Perez-Garcia
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Vicente Perez-Garcia
| | - Myriam Hemberger
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Myriam Hemberger
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150
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He MY, Wang G, Han SS, Jin Y, Li H, Wu X, Ma ZL, Cheng X, Tang X, Yang X, Liu GS. Nrf2 signalling and autophagy are involved in diabetes mellitus-induced defects in the development of mouse placenta. Open Biol 2017; 6:rsob.160064. [PMID: 27383629 PMCID: PMC4967824 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.160064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that diabetes mellitus impairs placental development, but the mechanism by which the disease operates to impair development remains controversial. In this study, we demonstrated that pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM)-induced defects in placental development in mice are mainly characterized by the changes of morphological structure of placenta. The alteration of differentiation-related gene expressions in trophoblast cells rather than cell proliferation/apoptosis is responsible for the phenotypes found in mouse placenta. Meanwhile, excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activated nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signalling were observed in the placenta of mice suffering from PGDM. Using BeWo cells, we also demonstrated that excess ROS was produced and Nrf2 signalling molecules were activated in settings characterized by a high concentration of glucose. More interestingly, differentiation-related gene expressions in trophoblast cells were altered when endogenous Nrf2 expression is manipulated by transfecting Nrf2-wt or Nrf2-shRNA. In addition, PGDM interferes with autophagy in both mouse placenta and BeWo cells, implying that autophagy is also involved, directly or indirectly, in PGDM-induced placental phenotypes. Therefore, we revealed that dysfunctional oxidative stress-activated Nrf2 signalling and autophagy are probably responsible for PGDM-induced defects in the placental development of mice. The mechanism was through the interference with differentiation-related gene expression in trophoblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Yao He
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Institute of Fetal-Preterm Labor Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Guang Wang
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China Postdoctoral Research Station of Chinese and Western Integrative Medicine, Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, People's Republic of China
| | - Sha-Sha Han
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Institute of Fetal-Preterm Labor Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Ya Jin
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Institute of Fetal-Preterm Labor Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - He Li
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Institute of Fetal-Preterm Labor Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng-Lai Ma
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Cheng
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuwen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuesong Yang
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Sheng Liu
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Institute of Fetal-Preterm Labor Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, People's Republic of China
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