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Chen C, Zhu S, Fu T, Chen Y, Chen D. The protective effects of Ferrostatin-1 against inflammation-induced preterm birth and fetal brain injury. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 164:104260. [PMID: 38761507 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent studies have suggested the involvement of ferroptosis in preterm birth. Despite compelling evidence, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. This investigation aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), an inhibitor of ferroptosis, in preterm birth and fetal brain injury. METHODS Human placenta samples and clinical data of participants were collected to ascertain whether placental ferroptosis was associated with preterm birth. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preterm birth mouse model was used to examine the protective effects of Fer-1 on preterm birth. Fetal brain tissues and offspring mice at 5 and 8 weeks were studied to determine the effects of Fer-1 on the cognitive function of offspring. RESULTS We examined the mechanism of spontaneous preterm birth and discovered that placental ferroptosis was associated with preterm birth. Fer-1 inhibited preterm birth by ameliorating placental ferroptosis and maternal inflammation, thus improving LPS-induced intrauterine inflammation to maintain pregnancy. Antenatal administration of Fer-1 prevented LPS-induced fetal brain damage in the acute phase and improved long-term neurodevelopmental impairments by improving placental neuroendocrine signaling and maintaining placental function. CONCLUSION Fer-1 inhibited preterm birth and fetal brain injury by inhibiting maternal inflammation and improving placental function. Our findings provide a novel therapeutic strategy for preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaolu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Shuaiying Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Tiantian Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Yanmin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Danqing Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang 310006, China.
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da Cunha Menezes E, de Abreu FF, Davis JB, Maurer SV, Roshko VC, Richardson Â, Dowell J, Cassella SN, Stevens HE. EFFECTS OF GESTATIONAL HYPOTHYROIDISM ON MOUSE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT: GABAERGIC SYSTEMS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS. Dev Biol 2024; 515:S0012-1606(24)00190-8. [PMID: 39048051 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy is a risk factor for neuropsychiatric impairment in the offspring. It has been suggested that hypothyroidism leads to dysfunction of cortical GABAergic interneurons and inhibitory system development that in turn underlies impairment of the central nervous system. Here we investigated how gestational hypothyroidism affected offspring GABAergic system development as well as redox regulation parameters, because of previous links identified between the two. Experimental Gestational Hypothyroidism (EGH) was induced in CD-1 mice with 0.02% methimazole (MMI) in drinking water from embryonic day 9 (E9) until tissue collection at embryonic day 14 (E14) or E18. We examined GABAergic cell distribution and inhibitory system development gene expression as well as redox relevant gene expression and direct measures across all embryos regardless of sex. Intrauterine restriction of maternal thyroid hormones significantly impacted both of these outcomes in brain, as well as altering redox regulation in the placenta. GAD67+ neuronal migration was reduced, accompanied by a disruption in gene expression influencing GABAergic cell migration and cortical inhibitory neural system development. EGH also altered embryonic brain gene expression of Gpx1, Nfe2l2, Cat levels in the dorsal E14 brains. Additionally, EGH resulted in elevated TBARS, Gpx1 and Nfe2l2 in the ventral E18 brains. Furthermore, EGH downregulated placental Gpx1 gene expression at E14 and increased protein oxidation at E18. These findings support the hypothesis that sufficient maternal thyroid hormone supply to the fetus influences central nervous system development, including processes of GABAergic system development and redox equilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edênia da Cunha Menezes
- Psychiatry Department, Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - Fabiula Francisca de Abreu
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brasil
| | - Jada B Davis
- Psychiatry Department, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Sara V Maurer
- Psychiatry Department, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Venezia C Roshko
- Psychiatry Department, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Ângela Richardson
- Neuroscience Department, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, United States
| | - Jonathan Dowell
- Psychiatry Department, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Sarah N Cassella
- Neuroscience Department, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, United States
| | - Hanna E Stevens
- Psychiatry Department, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
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Park S, Hunter ES. Modeling the human placenta: in vitro applications in developmental and reproductive toxicology. Crit Rev Toxicol 2024:1-34. [PMID: 39016688 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2295349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
During its temporary tenure, the placenta has extensive and specialized functions that are critical for pre- and post-natal development. The consequences of chemical exposure in utero can have profound effects on the structure and function of pregnancy-associated tissues and the life-long health of the birthing person and their offspring. However, the toxicological importance and critical functions of the placenta to embryonic and fetal development and maturation have been understudied. This narrative will review early placental development in humans and highlight some in vitro models currently in use that are or can be applied to better understand placental processes underlying developmental toxicity due to in utero environmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Park
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN, USA
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Edward Sidney Hunter
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, ORD, US EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Das S, Brown L, Nikkel SM, Saunders J, Dunham C. Dual white matter pathology in fetal holoprosencephaly featuring concurrent malformative and destructive features: A case series. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2024:nlae070. [PMID: 38981113 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlae070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a classic brain malformation involving defective forebrain induction and patterning. Cases of HPE bearing white matter abnormalities have not been well documented, with only rare cases exhibiting hypoxic-ischemic damage. However, neuroradiologic studies of HPE using diffusion tensor imaging have suggested the presence of white matter architectural disarray. Described in this case series are the clinicopathologic features of 8 fetuses with HPE who underwent autopsy at BC Children's Hospital. All 8 cases exhibited subacute to chronic, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)-like white matter pathology, with 7 of 8 cases also demonstrating aberrant white matter tracts, one of which manifested as a discreet bundle crossing the midline within the ventral aspects of the fused deep gray nuclei. In 6 of these 7 cases, the PVL-like pathology resided within this aberrant white matter tract. Original workup, alongside an additional HPE-focused next-generation sequencing panel identified a likely etiologic cause for the HPE in 4 cases, with an additional 2 cases exhibiting a variant of unknown significance in genes previously suggested to be involved in HPE. Despite our in-depth clinicopathologic and molecular review, no unifying etiology was definitively identified among our series of fetal HPE bearing this unusual pattern of white matter pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Das
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, University of Alberta and Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lindsay Brown
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Genome Diagnostics, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sarah M Nikkel
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Provincial Medical Genetics Program, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jessica Saunders
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Anatomic Pathology, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christopher Dunham
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Anatomic Pathology, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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5
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Liu Z. Genetic causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study. J Psychosom Res 2024; 184:111857. [PMID: 38991361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECT Previous research has suggested an association between placental tissue abnormalities and the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This study aims to explore the causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder. METHODS This study employed Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the potential causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder. The study design involved two sample populations, with data for the exposed population sourced from previous studies focusing on PW, and data for the outcome population obtained from the Integrative Psychiatric Research and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium study. To ensure the robustness of the results, three sensitivity analyses were performed, including heterogeneity testing, pleiotropy testing, and a leave-one-out analysis. The inverse variance weighted method served as the gold standard for the Mendelian randomization analysis. RESULTS The results of the first analysis revealed a significant correlation between an increase in placental weight and an elevated risk of autism spectrum disorder (p = 0.02). Sensitivity analysis detected heterogeneity and outliers. After removing two outlier SNPs in the second round of analysis, the results still supported a genetic causal relationship between placental weight and autism spectrum disorder (p = 0.01). The second-round sensitivity analysis did not reveal any heterogeneity or outliers. CONCLUSION Our study provides compelling evidence supporting a causal relationship between elevated placental weight and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. These findings underscore the significance of placental development in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder and propose a potential early predictive indicator for autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
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Ionescu MI, Zahiu CDM, Vlad A, Galos F, Gradisteanu Pircalabioru G, Zagrean AM, O'Mahony SM. Nurturing development: how a mother's nutrition shapes offspring's brain through the gut. Nutr Neurosci 2024:1-23. [PMID: 38781488 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2024.2349336] [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: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a transformative period marked by profound physical and emotional changes, with far-reaching consequences for both mother and child. Emerging research has illustrated the pivotal role of a mother's diet during pregnancy in influencing the prenatal gut microbiome and subsequently shaping the neurodevelopment of her offspring. The intricate interplay between maternal gut health, nutrition, and neurodevelopmental outcomes has emerged as a captivating field of investigation within developmental science. Acting as a dynamic bridge between mother and fetus, the maternal gut microbiome, directly and indirectly, impacts the offspring's neurodevelopment through diverse pathways. This comprehensive review delves into a spectrum of studies, clarifying putative mechanisms through which maternal nutrition, by modulating the gut microbiota, orchestrates the early stages of brain development. Drawing insights from animal models and human cohorts, this work underscores the profound implications of maternal gut health for neurodevelopmental trajectories and offers a glimpse into the formulation of targeted interventions able to optimize the health of both mother and offspring. The prospect of tailored dietary recommendations for expectant mothers emerges as a promising and accessible intervention to foster the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, potentially leading to enhanced cognitive outcomes and reduced risks of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Ioana Ionescu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Pediatrics, Marie Curie Emergency Children's Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carmen Denise Mihaela Zahiu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adelina Vlad
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Felicia Galos
- Department of Pediatrics, Marie Curie Emergency Children's Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Section Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences, Section-ICUB, Bucharest, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana-Maria Zagrean
- Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Siobhain M O'Mahony
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Broséus L, Guilbert A, Hough I, Kloog I, Chauvaud A, Seyve E, Vaiman D, Heude B, Chevrier C, Tost J, Slama R, Lepeule J. Placental DNA methylation signatures of prenatal air pollution exposure and potential effects on birth outcomes: an analysis of three prospective cohorts. Lancet Planet Health 2024; 8:e297-e308. [PMID: 38723642 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(24)00045-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy air pollution exposure (PAPE) has been linked to a wide range of adverse birth and childhood outcomes, but there is a paucity of data on its influence on the placental epigenome, which can regulate the programming of physiological functions and affect child development. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal air pollutant exposure concentrations and changes in placental DNA methylation patterns, and to explore the potential windows of susceptibility and sex-specific alterations. METHODS This multi-site study used three prospective population-based mother-child cohorts: EDEN, PELAGIE, and SEPAGES, originating from four French geographical regions (Nancy, Poitiers, Brittany, and Grenoble). Pregnant women were included between 2003 and 2006 for EDEN and PELAGIE, and between 2014 and 2017 for SEPAGES. The main eligibility criteria were: being older than 18 years, having a singleton pregnancy, and living and planning to deliver in one of the maternity clinics in one of the study areas. A total of 1539 mother-child pairs were analysed, measuring placental DNA methylation using Illumina BeadChips. We used validated spatiotemporally resolved models to estimate PM2·5, PM10, and NO2 exposure over each trimester of pregnancy at the maternal residential address. We conducted a pooled adjusted epigenome-wide association study to identify differentially methylated 5'-C-phosphate-G-3' (CpG) sites and regions (assessed using the Infinium HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip array, n=871), including sex-specific and sex-linked alterations, and independently validated our results (assessed using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array, n=668). FINDINGS We identified four CpGs and 28 regions associated with PAPE in the total population, 469 CpGs and 87 regions in male infants, and 150 CpGs and 66 regions in female infants. We validated 35% of the CpGs available. More than 30% of the identified CpGs were related to one (or more) birth outcome and most significant alterations were enriched for neural development, immunity, and metabolism related genes. The 28 regions identified for both sexes overlapped with imprinted genes (four genes), and were associated with neurodevelopment (nine genes), immune system (seven genes), and metabolism (five genes). Most associations were observed for the third trimester for female infants (134 of 150 CpGs), and throughout pregnancy (281 of 469 CpGs) and the first trimester (237 of 469 CpGs) for male infants. INTERPRETATION These findings highlight the molecular pathways through which PAPE might affect child health in a widespread and sex-specific manner, identifying the genes involved in the major physiological functions of a developing child. Further studies are needed to elucidate whether these epigenetic changes persist and affect health later in life. FUNDING French Agency for National Research, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, Fondation de France, and the Plan Cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucile Broséus
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, IAB, Grenoble, France.
| | - Ariane Guilbert
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, IAB, Grenoble, France
| | - Ian Hough
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, IAB, Grenoble, France; Institute of Environmental Geosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France; Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - Itai Kloog
- Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel; Department of Environmental Medicine and Climate Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anath Chauvaud
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, IAB, Grenoble, France
| | - Emie Seyve
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, IAB, Grenoble, France
| | - Daniel Vaiman
- Institut Cochin, U1016 Inserm, Unité Mixte de Recherche 8104, CNRS, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Barbara Heude
- Université Paris Cité et Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, INRAE, Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et Statistiques, Paris, France
| | - Cécile Chevrier
- University of Rennes, Inserm, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Santé Publique, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail, Unité Mixte de Recherche 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Jörg Tost
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Institut de Biologie François Jacob, University Paris Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Rémy Slama
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, IAB, Grenoble, France
| | - Johanna Lepeule
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CNRS, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, IAB, Grenoble, France.
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Li R, Song F, Zhou Q, Wu W, Cao Y, Zhang G, Qian Z, Wang L. A Hybrid Model for Fetal Growth Restriction Assessment by Automatic Placental Radiomics on T2-Weighted MRI and Multifeature Fusion. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024. [PMID: 38655903 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MRI-based placental analyses have been used to improve fetal growth restriction (FGR) assessment by complementing ultrasound-based measurements. However, these are still limited by time-consuming manual annotation in MRI data and the lack of mother-based information. PURPOSE To develop and validate a hybrid model for accurate FGR assessment by automatic placental radiomics on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and multifeature fusion. STUDY TYPE Retrospective. POPULATION 274 pregnant women (29.5 ± $$ \pm $$ 4.0 years) from two centers were included and randomly divided into training (N = 119), internal test (N = 40), time-independent validation (N = 43), and external validation (N = 72) sets. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 1.5-T, T2WI half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo pulse sequence. ASSESSMENT First, the placentas on T2WI were manually annotated, and a deep learning model was developed to automatically segment the placentas. Then, the radiomic features were extracted from the placentas and selected by three-step feature selection. In addition, fetus-based measurement features and mother-based clinical features were obtained from ultrasound examinations and medical records, respectively. Finally, a hybrid model based on random forest was constructed by fusing these features, and further compared with models based on other machine learning methods and different feature combinations. STATISTICAL TESTS The performances of placenta segmentation and FGR assessment were evaluated by Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), respectively. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The placentas were automatically segmented with an average DSC of 90.0%. The hybrid model achieved an AUROC of 0.923, 0.931, and 0.880 on the internal test, time-independent validation, and external validation sets, respectively. The mother-based clinical features resulted in significant performance improvements for FGR assessment. DATA CONCLUSION The proposed hybrid model may be able to assess FGR with high accuracy. Furthermore, information complementation based on placental, fetal, and maternal features could also lead to better FGR assessment performance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruikun Li
- Department of Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fuzhen Song
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weibin Wu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunyun Cao
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Guofu Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoxia Qian
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Czamara D, Dieckmann L, Lahti-Pulkkinen M, Cruceanu C, Henrich W, Plagemann A, Räikkönen K, Braun T, Binder EB, Lahti J, Entringer S. Sex differences in DNA methylation across gestation: a large scale, cross-cohort, multi-tissue analysis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:177. [PMID: 38600394 PMCID: PMC11006734 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05208-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Biological sex is a key variable influencing many physiological systems. Disease prevalence as well as treatment success can be modified by sex. Differences emerge already early in life and include pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes. The placenta is a critical organ for fetal development and shows sex-based differences in the expression of hormones and cytokines. Epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), may underlie the previously reported placental sexual dimorphism. We associated placental DNAm with fetal sex in three cohorts. Individual cohort results were meta-analyzed with random-effects modelling. CpG-sites differentially methylated with sex were further investigated regarding pathway enrichment, overlap with methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs), and hits from phenome-wide association studies (PheWAS). We evaluated the consistency of findings across tissues (CVS, i.e. chorionic villus sampling from early placenta, and cord blood) as well as with gene expression. We identified 10,320 epigenome-wide significant sex-differentially methylated probes (DMPs) spread throughout the epigenome of the placenta at birth. Most DMPs presented with lower DNAm levels in females. DMPs mapped to genes upregulated in brain, were enriched for neurodevelopmental pathways and significantly overlapped with meQTLs and PheWAS hits. Effect sizes were moderately correlated between CVS and placenta at birth, but only weakly correlated between birth placenta and cord blood. Sex differential gene expression in birth placenta was less pronounced and implicated genetic regions only marginally overlapped with those associated with differential DNAm. Our study provides an integrative perspective on sex-differential DNAm in perinatal tissues underscoring the possible link between placenta and brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darina Czamara
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
| | - Linda Dieckmann
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Marius Lahti-Pulkkinen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cristiana Cruceanu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang Henrich
- Department of Obstetrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Plagemann
- Department of Obstetrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Experimental Obstetrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katri Räikkönen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Thorsten Braun
- Department of Obstetrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Experimental Obstetrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth B Binder
- Department Genes and Environment, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jari Lahti
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sonja Entringer
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Pediatrics, Health and Disease Research Program, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Schroeder M, Fuenzalida B, Yi N, Shahnawaz S, Gertsch J, Pellegata D, Ontsouka E, Leiva A, Gutiérrez J, Müller M, Brocco MA, Albrecht C. LAT1-dependent placental methionine uptake is a key player in fetal programming of metabolic disease. Metabolism 2024; 153:155793. [PMID: 38295946 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2024.155793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis sustains that exposure to different stressors during prenatal development prepares the offspring for the challenges to be encountered after birth. We studied the gestational period as a particularly vulnerable window where different stressors can have strong implications for fetal programming of the offspring's life-long metabolic status via alterations of specific placentally expressed nutrient transporters. To study this mechanism, we used a murine prenatal stress model, human preeclampsia, early miscarriage, and healthy placental tissue samples, in addition to in vitro models of placental cells. In stressed mice, placental overexpression of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (Lat1) and subsequent global placental DNA hypermethylation was accompanied by fetal and adult hypothalamic dysregulation in global DNA methylation and gene expression as well as long-term metabolic abnormalities exclusively in female offspring. In human preeclampsia, early miscarriage, and under hypoxic conditions, placental LAT1 was significantly upregulated, leading to increased methionine uptake and global DNA hypermethylation. Remarkably, subgroups of healthy term placentas with high expression of stress-related genes presented increased levels of placental LAT1 mRNA and protein, DNA and RNA hypermethylation, increased methionine uptake capacity, one-carbon metabolic pathway disruption, higher methionine concentration in the placenta and transport to the fetus specifically in females. Since LAT1 mediates the intracellular accumulation of methionine, global DNA methylation, and one-carbon metabolism in the placenta, our findings hint at a major sex-specific global response to a variety of prenatal stressors affecting placental function, epigenetic programming, and life-long metabolic disease and provide a much-needed insight into early-life factors predisposing females/women to metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Schroeder
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Barbara Fuenzalida
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nan Yi
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Saira Shahnawaz
- Department of Biochemistry, Sargodha Medical College, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan; Department of Allied Health Sciences, Sargodha Medical College, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Pellegata
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Edgar Ontsouka
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Leiva
- Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad of San Sebastian, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime Gutiérrez
- Faculty of Medicine and Science, Universidad of San Sebastian, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martin Müller
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Lindenhofgruppe, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marcela A Brocco
- Institute of Biotechnological Research, University of San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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11
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López Gutierrez D, Luna López I, Medina Mata BA, Moreno Castro S, García Rangel FY. Physiopathologic Bases of Moebius Syndrome: Combining Genetic, Vascular, and Teratogenic Theories. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 153:1-10. [PMID: 38306744 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Moebius syndrome (MBS) is a congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder (CCDD) characterized by a bilateral palsy of abducens and facial cranial nerves, which may coexist with other cranial nerves palsies, mostly those found in the dorsal pons and medulla oblongata. MBS is considered a "rare" disease, occurring in only 1:50,000 to 1:500,000 live births, with no gender predominance. Three independent theories have been described to define its etiology: the vascular theory, which talks about a transient blood flow disruption; the genetic theory, which takes place due to mutations related to the facial motor nucleus neurodevelopment; and last, the teratogenic theory, associated with the consumption of agents such as misoprostol during the first trimester of pregnancy. Since the literature has suggested the existence of these theories independently, this review proposes establishing a theory by matching the MBS molecular bases. This review aims to associate the three etiopathogenic theories at a molecular level, thus submitting a combined postulation. MBS is most likely an underdiagnosed disease due to its low prevalence and challenging diagnosis. Researching other elements that may play a key role in the pathogenesis is essential. It is common to assume the difficulty that patients with MBS have in leading an everyday social life. Research by means of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was carried out, same in which 94 articles were collected by using keywords with the likes of "Moebius syndrome," "PLXND1 mutations," "REV3L mutations," "vascular disruption AND teratogens," and "congenital facial nerve palsy." No exclusion criteria were applied.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ingrid Luna López
- Facultad Mexicana de Medicina, Universidad La Salle, Mexico City, Mexico
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12
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Denomme MM, McCallie BR, Haywood ME, Parks JC, Schoolcraft WB, Katz-Jaffe MG. Paternal aging impacts expression and epigenetic markers as early as the first embryonic tissue lineage differentiation. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:32. [PMID: 38532526 PMCID: PMC10964547 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00599-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced paternal age (APA) is associated with adverse outcomes to offspring health, including increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the methylome and transcriptome of the first two early embryonic tissue lineages, the inner cell mass (ICM) and the trophectoderm (TE), from human blastocysts in association with paternal age and disease risk. High quality human blastocysts were donated with patient consent from donor oocyte IVF cycles from either APA (≥ 50 years) or young fathers. Blastocysts were mechanically separated into ICM and TE lineage samples for both methylome and transcriptome analyses. RESULTS Significant differential methylation and transcription was observed concurrently in ICM and TE lineages of APA-derived blastocysts compared to those from young fathers. The methylome revealed significant enrichment for neuronal signaling pathways, as well as an association with neurodevelopmental disorders and imprinted genes, largely overlapping within both the ICM and TE lineages. Significant enrichment of neurodevelopmental signaling pathways was also observed for differentially expressed genes, but only in the ICM. In stark contrast, no significant signaling pathways or gene ontology terms were identified in the trophectoderm. Despite normal semen parameters in aged fathers, these significant molecular alterations can adversely contribute to downstream impacts on offspring health, in particular neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS An increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders is well described in children conceived by aged fathers. Using blastocysts derived from donor oocyte IVF cycles to strategically control for maternal age, our data reveals evidence of methylation dysregulation in both tissue lineages, as well as transcription dysregulation in neurodevelopmental signaling pathways associated with APA fathers. This data also reveals that embryos derived from APA fathers do not appear to be compromised for initial implantation potential with no significant pathway signaling disruption in trophectoderm transcription. Collectively, our work provides insights into the complex molecular mechanisms that occur upon paternal aging during the first lineage differentiation in the preimplantation embryo. Early expression and epigenetic markers of APA-derived preimplantation embryos highlight the susceptibility of the future fetus to adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Blair R McCallie
- CCRM Genetics, 10290 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree, CO, 80124, USA
| | - Mary E Haywood
- CCRM Genetics, 10290 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree, CO, 80124, USA
| | - Jason C Parks
- CCRM Genetics, 10290 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree, CO, 80124, USA
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13
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González-Rojas A, Valencia-Narbona M. Neurodevelopmental Disruptions in Children of Preeclamptic Mothers: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Consequences. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3632. [PMID: 38612445 PMCID: PMC11012011 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder characterized by elevated blood pressure in the mother, typically occurring after 20 weeks of gestation and posing risks to both maternal and fetal health. PE causes placental changes that can affect the fetus, particularly neurodevelopment. Its key pathophysiological mechanisms encompass hypoxia, vascular and angiogenic dysregulation, inflammation, neuronal and glial alterations, and disruptions in neuronal signaling. Animal models indicate that PE is correlated with neurodevelopmental alterations and cognitive dysfunctions in offspring and in humans, an association between PE and conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and sexual dimorphism has been observed. Considering the relevance for mothers and children, we conducted a narrative literature review to describe the relationships between the pathophysiological mechanisms behind neurodevelopmental alterations in the offspring of PE mothers, along with their potential consequences. Furthermore, we emphasize aspects pertinent to the prevention/treatment of PE in pregnant mothers and alterations observed in their offspring. The present narrative review offers a current, complete, and exhaustive analysis of (i) the pathophysiological mechanisms that can affect neurodevelopment in the children of PE mothers, (ii) the relationship between PE and neurological alterations in offspring, and (iii) the prevention/treatment of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea González-Rojas
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias Aplicadas, Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Avenida Brasil 2950, Valparaíso 2340025, Chile;
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14
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Karahoda R, Vachalova V, Portillo R, Mahrla F, Viñas-Noguera M, Abad C, Staud F. Developmental expression of catecholamine system in the human placenta and rat fetoplacental unit. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6948. [PMID: 38521816 PMCID: PMC10960862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57481-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine have been implicated in numerous physiological processes within the central nervous system. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of tightly regulated monoamine levels for placental functions and fetal development. However, the complexities of synthesis, release, and regulation of catecholamines in the fetoplacental unit have not been fully unraveled. In this study, we investigated the expression of enzymes and transporters involved in synthesis, degradation, and transport of norepinephrine and dopamine in the human placenta and rat fetoplacental unit. Quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses were performed in early-to-late gestation in humans (first trimester vs. term placenta) and mid-to-late gestation in rats (placenta and fetal brain, intestines, liver, lungs, and heart). In addition, we analyzed the gene expression patterns in isolated primary trophoblast cells from the human placenta and placenta-derived cell lines (HRP-1, BeWo, JEG-3). In both human and rat placentas, the study identifies the presence of only PNMT, COMT, and NET at the mRNA and protein levels, with the expression of PNMT and NET showing gestational age dependency. On the other hand, rat fetal tissues consistently express the catecholamine pathway genes, revealing distinct developmental expression patterns. Lastly, we report significant transcriptional profile variations in different placental cell models, emphasizing the importance of careful model selection for catecholamine metabolism/transport studies. Collectively, integrating findings from humans and rats enhances our understanding of the dynamic regulatory mechanisms that underlie catecholamine dynamics during pregnancy. We identified similar patterns in both species across gestation, suggesting conserved molecular mechanisms and potentially shedding light on shared biological processes influencing placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rona Karahoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Vachalova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ramon Portillo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Mahrla
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Mireia Viñas-Noguera
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Cilia Abad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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15
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Ryan KS, Karpf JA, Chan CN, Hagen OL, McFarland TJ, Urian JW, Wang X, Boniface ER, Hakar MH, Terrobias JJD, Graham JA, Passmore S, Grant KA, Sullivan EL, Grafe MR, Saugstad JA, Kroenke CD, Lo JO. Prenatal delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure alters fetal neurodevelopment in rhesus macaques. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5808. [PMID: 38461359 PMCID: PMC10924959 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56386-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Prenatal cannabis use is associated with adverse offspring neurodevelopmental outcomes, however the underlying mechanisms are relatively unknown. We sought to determine the impact of chronic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure on fetal neurodevelopment in a rhesus macaque model using advanced imaging combined with molecular and tissue studies. Animals were divided into two groups, control (n = 5) and THC-exposed (n = 5), which received a daily THC edible pre-conception and throughout pregnancy. Fetal T2-weighted MRI was performed at gestational days 85 (G85), G110, G135 and G155 to assess volumetric brain development. At G155, animals underwent cesarean delivery with collection of fetal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for microRNA (miRNA) studies and fetal tissue for histologic analysis. THC exposure was associated with significant age by sex interactions in brain growth, and differences in fetal brain histology suggestive of brain dysregulation. Two extracellular vesicle associated-miRNAs were identified in THC-exposed fetal CSF; pathway analysis suggests that these miRNAs are associated with dysregulated axonal guidance and netrin signaling. This data is indicative of subtle molecular changes consistent with the observed histological data, suggesting a potential role for fetal miRNA regulation by THC. Further studies are needed to determine whether these adverse findings correlate with long-term offspring neurodevelopmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly S Ryan
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L458, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Joshua A Karpf
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Chi Ngai Chan
- Tissue Technologies Unit, Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivia L Hagen
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Trevor J McFarland
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - J Wes Urian
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L458, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Xiaojie Wang
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Emily R Boniface
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L458, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Melanie H Hakar
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jose Juanito D Terrobias
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Jason A Graham
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Scarlet Passmore
- Integrated Pathology Core, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Kathleen A Grant
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Elinor L Sullivan
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Marjorie R Grafe
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Julie A Saugstad
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Christopher D Kroenke
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Jamie O Lo
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code L458, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA.
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16
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Nijman M, van der Meeren LE, Nikkels PGJ, Stegeman R, Breur JMPJ, Jansen NJG, ter Heide H, Steenhuis TJ, de Heus R, Bekker MN, Claessens NHP, Benders MJNL. Placental Pathology Contributes to Impaired Volumetric Brain Development in Neonates With Congenital Heart Disease. J Am Heart Assoc 2024; 13:e033189. [PMID: 38420785 PMCID: PMC10944035 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.033189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonates with congenital heart disease are at risk for impaired brain development in utero, predisposing children to postnatal brain injury and adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Given the vital role of the placenta in fetal growth, we assessed the incidence of placental pathology in fetal congenital heart disease and explored its association with total and regional brain volumes, gyrification, and brain injury after birth. METHODS AND RESULTS Placentas from 96 term singleton pregnancies with severe fetal congenital heart disease were prospectively analyzed for macroscopic and microscopic pathology. We applied a placental pathology severity score to relate placental abnormalities to neurological outcome. Postnatal, presurgical magnetic resonance imaging was used to analyze brain volumes, gyrification, and brain injuries. Placental analyses revealed the following abnormalities: maternal vascular malperfusion lesions in 46%, nucleated red blood cells in 37%, chronic inflammatory lesions in 35%, delayed maturation in 30%, and placental weight below the 10th percentile in 28%. Severity of placental pathology was negatively correlated with cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, brainstem, cerebellar, and total brain volumes (r=-0.25 to -0.31, all P<0.05). When correcting for postmenstrual age at magnetic resonance imaging in linear regression, this association remained significant for cortical gray matter, cerebellar, and total brain volume (adjusted R2=0.25-0.47, all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Placental pathology occurs frequently in neonates with severe congenital heart disease and may contribute to impaired brain development, indicated by the association between placental pathology severity and reductions in postnatal cortical, cerebellar, and total brain volumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Nijman
- Department of NeonatologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Lotte E. van der Meeren
- Department of PathologyErasmus Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamthe Netherlands
- Department of PathologyLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenthe Netherlands
| | - Peter G. J. Nikkels
- Department of PathologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Raymond Stegeman
- Department of NeonatologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of PediatricsBeatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenthe Netherlands
| | - Johannes M. P. J. Breur
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas J. G. Jansen
- Department of PediatricsBeatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center GroningenGroningenthe Netherlands
| | - Henriette ter Heide
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Trinette J. Steenhuis
- Department of Pediatric CardiologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Roel de Heus
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySt. Antonius HospitalUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Mireille N. Bekker
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Nathalie H. P. Claessens
- Department of NeonatologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
- Department of PediatricsWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
| | - Manon J. N. L. Benders
- Department of NeonatologyWilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtthe Netherlands
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17
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Kinkade JA, Seetharam AS, Sachdev S, Bivens NJ, Phinney BS, Grigorean G, Roberts RM, Tuteja G, Rosenfeld CS. Extracellular vesicles from mouse trophoblast cells: Effects on neural progenitor cells and potential participants in the placenta-brain axis†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:310-328. [PMID: 37883444 PMCID: PMC10873279 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The fetal brain of the mouse is thought to be dependent upon the placenta as a source of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and other factors. How factors reach the developing brain remains uncertain but are postulated here to be part of the cargo carried by placental extracellular vesicles (EV). We have analyzed the protein, catecholamine, and small RNA content of EV from mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSC) and TSC differentiated into parietal trophoblast giant cells (pTGC), potential primary purveyors of 5-HT. Current studies examined how exposure of mouse neural progenitor cells (NPC) to EV from either TSC or pTGC affect their transcriptome profiles. The EV from trophoblast cells contained relatively high amounts of 5-HT, as well as dopamine and norepinephrine, but there were no significant differences between EV derived from pTGC and from TSC. Content of miRNA and small nucleolar (sno)RNA, however, did differ according to EV source, and snoRNA were upregulated in EV from pTGC. The primary inferred targets of the microRNA (miRNA) from both pTGC and TSC were mRNA enriched in the fetal brain. NPC readily internalized EV, leading to changes in their transcriptome profiles. Transcripts regulated were mainly ones enriched in neural tissues. The transcripts in EV-treated NPC that demonstrated a likely complementarity with miRNA in EV were mainly up- rather than downregulated, with functions linked to neuronal processes. Our results are consistent with placenta-derived EV providing direct support for fetal brain development and being an integral part of the placenta-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kinkade
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Arun S Seetharam
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Shrikesh Sachdev
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nathan J Bivens
- Genomics Technology Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Brett S Phinney
- Proteomics Core UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Gabriela Grigorean
- Proteomics Core UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - R Michael Roberts
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- MU Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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18
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Dou L, Sun S, Chen L, Lv L, Chen C, Huang Z, Zhang A, He H, Tao H, Yu M, Zhu M, Zhang C, Hao J. The association between prenatal bisphenol F exposure and infant neurodevelopment: The mediating role of placental estradiol. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 271:116009. [PMID: 38277971 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are limited population studies on the neurodevelopmental effects of bisphenol F (BPF), a substitute for bisphenol A. Furthermore, the role of placental estradiol as a potential mediator linking these two factors remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between maternal prenatal BPF exposure and infant neurodevelopment in a prospective cohort study and to explore the mediating effects of placental estradiol between BPF exposure and neurodevelopment in a nested case-control study. METHODS The prospective cohort study included 1077 mother-neonate pairs from the Wuhu city cohort study in China. Maternal BPF was determined using the liquid/liquid extraction and Ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Children's neurodevelopment was assessed at ages 3, 6, and 12 months using Ages and Stages Questionnaires. The nested case-control study included 150 neurodevelopmental delay cases and 150 healthy controls. Placental estradiol levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Generalized estimating equation models and robust Poisson regression models were used to examine the associations between BPF exposure and children's neurodevelopment. In the nested case-control study, causal mediation analysis was conducted to assess the role of placental estradiol as a mediator in multivariate models. RESULTS In the prospective cohort study, the pregnancy-average BPF concentration was positively associated with developmental delays in gross-motor, fine-motor, and problem-solving ( ORtotal ASQ: 1.14(1.05, 1.25), ORgross-motor: 1.22(1.10, 1.36), ORfine-motor: 1.19(1.07, 1.31), ORproblem-solving: 1.11(1.01, 1.23)). After sex-stratified analyses, pregnancy-average BPF concentration was associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delays in the gross-motor (ORgross-motor:1.30(1.12, 1.51)) and fine-motor (ORfine-motor: 1.22(1.06, 1.40)) domains in boys. In the nested case-control study, placental estradiol mediated 16.6% (95%CI: 4.4%, 35.0%) of the effects of prenatal BPF exposure on developmental delay. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports an inverse relationship between prenatal BPF exposure and child neurodevelopment in infancy, particularly in boys. Decreased placental estradiol may be an underlying biological pathway linking prenatal BPF exposure to neurodevelopmental delay in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianjie Dou
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Shu Sun
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Lan Chen
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Lanxing Lv
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhaohui Huang
- Anhui Provincial Center for Women and Children's Health, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Anhui Zhang
- Wuhu Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Center, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Haiyan He
- Wuhu Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Center, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hong Tao
- Wuhu Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Center, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Min Yu
- Wuhu Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Center, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Min Zhu
- Wuhu Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Center, Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China; Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Jiahu Hao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China; Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, Anhui Province, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
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19
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Vernon LE, Gano D, Pardo AC. Fetal stroke- etiopathogenesis affecting the maternal-placental-fetal triad and neonate. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2024; 29:101527. [PMID: 38679532 DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2024.101527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Vernon
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Division of Neurology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dawn Gano
- Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Andrea C Pardo
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Division of Neurology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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20
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Adibi JJ, Zhao Y, Koistinen H, Mitchell RT, Barrett ES, Miller R, O'Connor TG, Xun X, Liang HW, Birru R, Smith M, Moog NK. Molecular pathways in placental-fetal development and disruption. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 581:112075. [PMID: 37852527 PMCID: PMC10958409 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The first trimester of pregnancy ranks high in priority when minimizing harmful exposures, given the wide-ranging types of organogenesis occurring between 4- and 12-weeks' gestation. One way to quantify potential harm to the fetus in the first trimester is to measure a corollary effect on the placenta. Placental biomarkers are widely present in maternal circulation, cord blood, and placental tissue biopsied at birth or at the time of pregnancy termination. Here we evaluate ten diverse pathways involving molecules expressed in the first trimester human placenta based on their relevance to normal fetal development and to the hypothesis of placental-fetal endocrine disruption (perturbation in development that results in abnormal endocrine function in the offspring), namely: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), thyroid hormone regulation, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor protein gamma (PPARγ), leptin, transforming growth factor beta, epiregulin, growth differentiation factor 15, small nucleolar RNAs, serotonin, and vitamin D. Some of these are well-established as biomarkers of placental-fetal endocrine disruption, while others are not well studied and were selected based on discovery analyses of the placental transcriptome. A literature search on these biomarkers summarizes evidence of placenta-specific production and regulation of each biomarker, and their role in fetal reproductive tract, brain, and other specific domains of fetal development. In this review, we extend the theory of fetal programming to placental-fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Adibi
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Yaqi Zhao
- St. Jude's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hannu Koistinen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Environmental and Population Health Bio-Sciences, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Richard Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Thomas G O'Connor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Xiaoshuang Xun
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hai-Wei Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rahel Birru
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Megan Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nora K Moog
- Department of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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21
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Islam M, Behura SK. Single-Cell Transcriptional Response of the Placenta to the Ablation of Caveolin-1: Insights into the Adaptive Regulation of Brain-Placental Axis in Mice. Cells 2024; 13:215. [PMID: 38334607 PMCID: PMC10854826 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Caveolin-1 (Cav1) is a major plasma membrane protein that plays important functions in cellular metabolism, proliferation, and senescence. Mice lacking Cav1 show abnormal gene expression in the fetal brain. Though evidence for placental influence on brain development is emerging, whether the ablation of Cav1 affects the regulation of the brain-placental axis remains unexamined. The current study tests the hypothesis that gene expression changes in specific cells of the placenta and the fetal brain are linked to the deregulation of the brain-placental axis in Cav1-null mice. By performing single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analyses, we show that the abundance of the extravillious trophoblast (EVT) and stromal cells, but not the cytotrophoblast (CTB) or syncytiotrophoblast (STB), are significantly impacted due to Cav1 ablation in mice. Interestingly, specific genes related to brain development and neurogenesis were significantly differentially expressed in trophoblast cells due to Cav1 deletion. Comparison of single-cell gene expression between the placenta and the fetal brain further showed that specific genes such as plexin A1 (Plxna1), phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (Phactr1) and amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (Aplp2) were differentially expressed between the EVT and STB cells of the placenta, and also, between the radial glia and ependymal cells of the fetal brain. Bulk RNA-seq analysis of the whole placenta and the fetal brain further identified genes differentially expressed in a similar manner between the placenta and the fetal brain due to the absence of Cav1. The deconvolution of reference cell types from the bulk RNA-seq data further showed that the loss of Cav1 impacted the abundance of EVT cells relative to the stromal cells in the placenta, and that of the glia cells relative to the neuronal cells in the fetal brain. Together, the results of this study suggest that the ablation of Cav1 causes deregulated gene expression in specific cell types of the placenta and the fetal brain in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliha Islam
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Susanta K. Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Reproduction and Health Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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22
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Legault LM, Breton-Larrivée M, Langford-Avelar A, Lemieux A, McGraw S. Sex-based disparities in DNA methylation and gene expression in late-gestation mouse placentas. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:2. [PMID: 38183126 PMCID: PMC10770955 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00577-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is vital for fetal development and its contributions to various developmental issues, such as pregnancy complications, fetal growth restriction, and maternal exposure, have been extensively studied in mice. The placenta forms mainly from fetal tissue and therefore has the same biological sex as the fetus it supports. Extensive research has delved into the placenta's involvement in pregnancy complications and future offspring development, with a notable emphasis on exploring sex-specific disparities. However, despite these investigations, sex-based disparities in epigenetic (e.g., DNA methylation) and transcriptomic features of the late-gestation mouse placenta remain largely unknown. METHODS We collected male and female mouse placentas at late gestation (E18.5, n = 3/sex) and performed next-generation sequencing to identify genome-wide sex differences in transcription and DNA methylation. RESULTS Our comparison between male and female revealed 358 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on autosomes, which were associated with signaling pathways involved in transmembrane transport and the responses to viruses and external stimuli. X chromosome DEGs (n = 39) were associated with different pathways, including those regulating chromatin modification and small GTPase-mediated signal transduction. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were more common on the X chromosomes (n = 3756) than on autosomes (n = 1705). Interestingly, while most X chromosome DMRs had higher DNA methylation levels in female placentas and tended to be included in CpG dinucleotide-rich regions, 73% of autosomal DMRs had higher methylation levels in male placentas and were distant from CpG-rich regions. Several DEGs were correlated with DMRs. A subset of the DMRs present in late-stage placentas were already established in mid-gestation (E10.5) placentas (n = 348 DMRs on X chromosome and 19 DMRs on autosomes), while others were acquired later in placental development. CONCLUSION Our study provides comprehensive lists of DEGs and DMRs between male and female that collectively cause profound differences in the DNA methylation and gene expression profiles of late-gestation mouse placentas. Our results demonstrate the importance of incorporating sex-specific analyses into epigenetic and transcription studies to enhance the accuracy and comprehensiveness of their conclusions and help address the significant knowledge gap regarding how sex differences influence placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Marie Legault
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Mélanie Breton-Larrivée
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Alexandra Langford-Avelar
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Anthony Lemieux
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada
| | - Serge McGraw
- CHU Ste-Justine Research Center, 3175 Chemin de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 1C5, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada.
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23
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Weiss S, Cooper B, Leung C. Exposure to prenatal stressors and infant autonomic nervous system regulation of stress. Stress 2024; 27:2327328. [PMID: 38497496 PMCID: PMC11144651 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2327328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between fetal exposure to maternal prenatal stressors and infant parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) nervous function at 3 timepoints across the first year of life. BACKGROUND Autonomic nervous system impairments may mediate associations between gestational exposure to stressors and later infant health problems. Heart rate variability (HRV) provides a sensitive index of PNS and SNS function. However, no studies have assessed longitudinal associations between prenatal stressors and infant HRV measures of both PNS and SNS over the first year of life. METHODS During the third trimester of pregnancy, 233 women completed measures of life stressors and depression. At 1, 6 and 12 months of age, a stressor protocol was administered while infant electrocardiographic (ECG) data were collected from a baseline through a post-stressor period. HRV measures of PNS and SNS activity (HF, LF, LF/HF ratio) were generated from ECG data. We used multilevel regression to examine the aims, adjusting for maternal depression and neonatal morbidity. RESULTS There were no associations between prenatal stressors and any baseline or reactivity HRV metric over the infant's first year of life. However, exposure to more stressors was associated with lower post-stressor LF HRV at both 6 (β = -.44, p = .001) and 12 (β = -.37, p = .005) months of age. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest potential alterations in development of the vagally mediated baroreflex function as a result of exposure to prenatal stressors, with implications for the infants' ability to generate a resilient recovery in response to stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Weiss
- Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bruce Cooper
- Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cherry Leung
- Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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24
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Volqvartz T, Andersen HHB, Pedersen LH, Larsen A. Obesity in pregnancy-Long-term effects on offspring hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and associations with placental cortisol metabolism: A systematic review. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:4393-4422. [PMID: 37974556 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Obesity, affecting one in three pregnant women worldwide, is not only a major obstetric risk factor. The resulting low-grade inflammation may have a long-term impact on the offspring's HPA axis through dysregulation of maternal, placental and fetal corticosteroid metabolism, and children born of obese mothers have increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The long-term effects of maternal obesity on offspring neurodevelopment are, however, undetermined and could depend on the specific effects on placental and fetal cortisol metabolism. This systematic review evaluates how maternal obesity affects placental cortisol metabolism and the offspring's HPA axis. Pubmed, Embase and Scopus were searched for original studies on maternal BMI, obesity, and cortisol metabolism and transfer. Fifteen studies were included after the screening of 4556 identified records. Studies were small with heterogeneous exposures and outcomes. Two studies found that maternal obesity reduced placental HSD11β2 activity. In one study, umbilical cord blood cortisol levels were affected by maternal BMI. In three studies, an altered cortisol response was consistently seen among offspring in childhood (n = 2) or adulthood (n = 1). Maternal BMI was not associated with placental HSD11β1 or HSD11β2 mRNA expression, or placental HSD11β2 methylation. In conclusion, high maternal BMI is associated with reduced placental HSD11β2 activity and a dampened cortisol level among offspring, but the data is sparse. Further investigations are needed to clarify whether the HPA axis is affected by prenatal factors including maternal obesity and investigate if adverse effects can be ameliorated by optimising the intrauterine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabia Volqvartz
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Lars Henning Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Agnete Larsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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25
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Zhou J, Tong J, Ru X, Teng Y, Geng M, Yan S, Tao F, Huang K. Placental inflammatory cytokines mRNA expression and preschool children's cognitive performance: a birth cohort study in China. BMC Med 2023; 21:449. [PMID: 37981714 PMCID: PMC10658981 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03173-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunologic milieu at the maternal-fetal interface has profound effects on propelling the development of the fetal brain. However, accessible epidemiological studies concerning the association between placental inflammatory cytokines and the intellectual development of offspring in humans are limited. Therefore, we explored the possible link between mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines in placenta and preschoolers' cognitive performance. METHODS Study subjects were obtained from the Ma'anshan birth cohort (MABC). Placental samples were collected after delivery, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was utilized to measure the mRNA expression levels of IL-8, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-4. Children's intellectual development was assessed at preschool age by using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). Multiple linear regression and restricted cubic spline models were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 1665 pairs of mother and child were included in the analysis. After adjusting for confounders and after correction for multiple comparisons, we observed that mRNA expression of IL-8 (β = - 0.53; 95% CI, - 0.92 to - 0.15), IL-6 (β = - 0.58; 95% CI, - 0.97 to - 0.19), TNF-α (β = - 0.37; 95% CI, - 0.71 to - 0.02), and IFN-γ (β = - 0.31; 95% CI, - 0.61 to - 0.03) in the placenta was negatively associated with preschoolers' full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ). Both higher IL-8 and IL-6 were associated with lower children's low fluid reasoning index (FRI), and higher IFN-γ was associated with lower children's working memory index (WMI). After further adjusting for confounders and children's age at cognitive testing, the integrated index of six pro-inflammatory cytokines (index 2) was found to be significantly and negatively correlated with both the FSIQ and each sub-dimension (verbal comprehension index (VCI), visual spatial index (VSI), FRI, WMI, processing speed index (PSI)). Sex-stratified analyses showed that the association of IL-8, IFN-γ, and index 2 with children's cognitive development was mainly concentrated in boys. CONCLUSIONS Evidence of an association between low cognitive performance and high expression of placental inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) was found, highlighting the potential importance of intrauterine placental immune status in dissecting offspring cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixing Zhou
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei, 230032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Juan Tong
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei, 230032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Xue Ru
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei, 230032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuzhu Teng
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei, 230032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Menglong Geng
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei, 230032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Shuangqin Yan
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Maternal and Child Health Care Center of Ma'anshan, No 24 Jiashan Road, Ma'anshan 243011, Anhui, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei, 230032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (AHMU), MOE, Hefei, 230032, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study On Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, 230032, China.
- Scientific Research Center in Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Anhui Province, China.
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26
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Georgieff MK. Maternal gestational iron status and infant haematological and neurodevelopmental outcomes. BJOG 2023; 130 Suppl 3:92-98. [PMID: 37530464 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Prevention of iron deficiency (ID), the most common micronutrient deficiency in infants and children, begins prenatally by ensuring adequate fetal loading. Adequate intrauterine iron status is crucial for normal fetal brain development, postnatal brain performance and prevention of early postnatal iron deficiency, particularly in infants fed exclusively human milk. Adequate fetal loading may be achieved in some cases through adequate maternal iron levels prior to pregnancy and oral iron supplementation during pregnancy. However, because so many women are iron-deficient leading up to pregnancy, coupled with the negative iron balance induced by pregnancy, a large number of women remain iron-deficient during pregnancy. More consistent iron-specific early screening and more effective iron delivery approaches are needed to solve this global problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Georgieff
- Division of Neonatology, Departments of Pediatrics, Developmental Psychology and Obstetrics/Gynecology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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27
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Ahmadzadeh E, Polglase GR, Stojanovska V, Herlenius E, Walker DW, Miller SL, Allison BJ. Does fetal growth restriction induce neuropathology within the developing brainstem? J Physiol 2023; 601:4667-4689. [PMID: 37589339 PMCID: PMC10953350 DOI: 10.1113/jp284191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a complex obstetric issue describing a fetus that does not reach its genetic growth potential. The primary cause of FGR is placental dysfunction resulting in chronic fetal hypoxaemia, which in turn causes altered neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory development, some of which may be pathophysiological, particularly for neonatal life. The brainstem is the critical site of cardiovascular, respiratory and autonomic control, but there is little information describing how chronic hypoxaemia and the resulting FGR may affect brainstem neurodevelopment. This review provides an overview of the brainstem-specific consequences of acute and chronic hypoxia, and what is known in FGR. In addition, we discuss how brainstem structural alterations may impair functional control of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Finally, we highlight the clinical and translational findings of the potential roles of the brainstem in maintaining cardiorespiratory adaptation in the transition from fetal to neonatal life under normal conditions and in response to the pathological environment that arises during development in growth-restricted infants. This review emphasises the crucial role that the brainstem plays in mediating cardiovascular and respiratory responses during fetal and neonatal life. We assess whether chronic fetal hypoxaemia might alter structure and function of the brainstem, but this also serves to highlight knowledge gaps regarding FGR and brainstem development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Ahmadzadeh
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Graeme R. Polglase
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Vanesa Stojanovska
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Eric Herlenius
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetSolnaSweden
- Astrid Lindgren Children´s HospitalKarolinska University Hospital StockholmSolnaSweden
| | - David W. Walker
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Research Program, School of Health and Biomedical SciencesRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Suzanne L. Miller
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Beth J. Allison
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
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Whatley EG, Truong TT, Harvey AJ, Gardner DK. Preimplantation embryo exposure to ketone bodies exerts sex-specific effects on mouse fetal and placental transcriptomes. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:103320. [PMID: 37748369 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does in vitro exposure of preimplantation mouse embryos to the ketone bodies β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) and acetoacetate (AcAc) impact post-transfer fetal and placental gene expression? DESIGN Blastocysts cultured in vitro with or without 2 mmol/l βOHB alone ('βOHB') or combined with 0.8 mmol/l AcAc ('Keto') underwent embryo transfer. Transcriptional profiles of sexed placenta, liver and brain at gestational day 14.5 were examined via RNA sequencing and DAVID functional analysis. RESULTS A sexually dimorphic response to in vitro ketone exposure was observed. Both βOHB and Keto exposure down-regulated genes related to oxidative phosphorylation specifically in female liver. βOHB down-regulated female placental steroid biosynthetic processes, while Keto treatment up-regulated genes relevant to blood vessel formation and cell migration in male placenta. Brain transcriptomes were minimally affected. X-linked genes and chromatin modifiers were identified as differentially expressed in both liver and placenta, alluding to a sex-specific regulatory mechanism. CONCLUSIONS Transient preimplantation ketone exposure perturbs sex-specific fetal liver and placental gene expression, demonstrating a developmental programming effect that warrants future investigation of the postnatal metabolic health of male and female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G Whatley
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Thi T Truong
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alexandra J Harvey
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - David K Gardner
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia.
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Bettag J, Goldenberg D, Carter J, Morfin S, Borsotti A, Fox J, ReVeal M, Natrop D, Gosser D, Kolli S, Jain AK. Gut Microbiota to Microglia: Microbiome Influences Neurodevelopment in the CNS. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1767. [PMID: 38002858 PMCID: PMC10670365 DOI: 10.3390/children10111767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The brain is traditionally viewed as an immunologically privileged site; however, there are known to be multiple resident immune cells that influence the CNS environment and are reactive to extra-CNS signaling. Microglia are an important component of this system, which influences early neurodevelopment in addition to modulating inflammation and regenerative responses to injury and infection. Microglia are influenced by gut microbiome-derived metabolites, both as part of their normal function and potentially in pathological patterns that may induce neurodevelopmental disabilities or behavioral changes. This review aims to summarize the mounting evidence indicating that, not only is the Gut-Brain axis mediated by metabolites and microglia throughout an organism's lifetime, but it is also influenced prenatally by maternal microbiome and diet, which holds implications for both early neuropathology and neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffery Bettag
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Daniel Goldenberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Jasmine Carter
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Sylvia Morfin
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Alison Borsotti
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - James Fox
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Matthew ReVeal
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Dylan Natrop
- Medical College of Wisconsin-Green Bay, De Pere, WI 54115, USA;
| | - David Gosser
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Sree Kolli
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Ajay K. Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63103, USA; (D.G.); (J.C.); (S.M.); (A.B.); (J.F.); (M.R.); (D.G.); (S.K.); (A.K.J.)
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Wang W, Mu S, Yan W, Ke N, Cheng H, Ding R. Prenatal PM2.5 exposure increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes: evidence from meta-analysis of cohort studies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:106145-106197. [PMID: 37723397 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29700-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are a significant cause of fetal death. A wide range of maternal psychological, social, and environmental factors may contribute to these outcomes. Mounting epidemiological studies have indicated that PM2.5 may result in these unfavorable consequences. Previously published meta-analyses have been updated and extended. Cohort studies were searched from three databases (up to July 24, 2023), and their quality was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Publication bias was examined by Egger's test and funnel plot. Despite a large number of studies showing similar results, the inconsistencies between these findings require careful generalization before concluding. This meta-analysis included 67 cohort studies from 20 countries, and the findings revealed that maternal PM2.5 exposure and five APOs were correlated significantly throughout pregnancy: preterm birth (PTB) (RR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.07); low birth weight (LBW) (RR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04); small for gestational age (SGA) (RR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04); stillbirth (RR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.45); and change in birthweight (weight change = -6.82 g; 95% CI: -11.39, -2.25). A positive association was found between APOs and PM2.5 exposure in this meta-analysis, and the degree of increased risk of APOs varied due to different gestation periods. Therefore, it is necessary to protect pregnant women at specific times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanrong Wang
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Siqi Mu
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Weizhen Yan
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Naiyu Ke
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Han Cheng
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Rui Ding
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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31
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Erzurumlu RS. Serotonin, birth, and thalamocortical wiring. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2312515120. [PMID: 37651446 PMCID: PMC10500185 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312515120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Reha S. Erzurumlu
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD21201
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32
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Zhu Y, Zhang Y, Jin Y, Jin H, Huang K, Tong J, Gan H, Rui C, Lv J, Wang X, Wang Q, Tao F. Identification and prediction model of placenta-brain axis genes associated with neurodevelopmental delay in moderate and late preterm children. BMC Med 2023; 21:326. [PMID: 37633927 PMCID: PMC10464496 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03023-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moderate and late preterm (MLPT) birth accounts for the vast majority of preterm births, which is a global public health problem. The association between MLPT and neurobehavioral developmental delays in children and the underlying biological mechanisms need to be further revealed. The "placenta-brain axis" (PBA) provides a new perspective for gene regulation and risk prediction of neurodevelopmental delays in MLPT children. METHODS The authors performed multivariate logistic regression models between MLPT and children's neurodevelopmental outcomes, using data from 129 MLPT infants and 3136 full-term controls from the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort (MABC). Furthermore, the authors identified the abnormally regulated PBA-related genes in MLPT placenta by bioinformatics analysis of RNA-seq data and RT-qPCR verification on independent samples. Finally, the authors established the prediction model of neurodevelopmental delay in children with MLPT using multiple machine learning models. RESULTS The authors found an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delay in children with MLPT at 6 months, 18 months, and 48 months, especially in boys. Further verification showed that APOE and CST3 genes were significantly correlated with the developmental levels of gross-motor domain, fine-motor domain, and personal social domain in 6-month-old male MLPT children. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggested that there was a sex-specific association between MLPT and neurodevelopmental delays. Moreover, APOE and CST3 were identified as placental biomarkers. The results provided guidance for the etiology investigation, risk prediction, and early intervention of neurodevelopmental delays in children with MLPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumin Zhu
- Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
- Department of Maternal & Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Yimin Zhang
- Department of Maternal & Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yunfan Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Heyue Jin
- Department of Maternal & Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Maternal & Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Juan Tong
- Department of Maternal & Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hong Gan
- Department of Maternal & Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chen Rui
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jia Lv
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xianyan Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qu'nan Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal & Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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33
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Rodríguez-Rodríguez P, Poasakate A, Ruvira-Hernando S, Gutierrez-Arzapalo PY, Böger R, Hannemann J, Lüneburg N, Arribas SM. Vascular nitrosative stress in hypertension induced by fetal undernutrition in rats. J Physiol Biochem 2023; 79:555-568. [PMID: 36821073 PMCID: PMC10338582 DOI: 10.1007/s13105-023-00949-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Fetal undernutrition predisposes to hypertension development. Since nitric oxide (NO) is a key factor in blood pressure control, we aimed to investigate the role of NO alterations in hypertension induced by fetal undernutrition in rats. Male and female offspring from dams exposed to undernutrition during the second half of gestation (MUN) were studied at 21 days (normotensive) and 6 months of age (hypertension developed only in males). In aorta, we analyzed total and phosphorylated endothelial NO synthase (eNOS, p-eNOS), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and Nrf2 (Western blot). In plasma we assessed L-arginine, asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, SDMA; LC-MS/MS), nitrates (NOx, Griess reaction), carbonyl groups, and lipid peroxidation (spectrophotometry). In iliac arteries, we studied superoxide anion production (DHE staining, confocal microscopy) and vasodilatation to acetylcholine (isometric tension). Twenty-one-day-old MUN offspring did not show alterations in vascular e-NOS or 3NT expression, plasma L-Arg/ADMA ratio, or NOx. Compared to control group, 6-month-old MUN rats showed increased aortic expression of p-eNOS/eNOS and 3-NT, being Nrf2 expression lower, elevated plasma L-arginine/ADMA, NOx and carbonyl levels, increased iliac artery DHE staining and reduced acetylcholine-mediated relaxations. These alterations in MUN rats were sex-dependent, affecting males. However, females showed some signs of endothelial dysfunction. We conclude that increased NO production in the context of a pro-oxidative environment, leads to vascular nitrosative damage and dysfunction, which can participate in hypertension development in MUN males. Females show a better adaptation, but signs of endothelial dysfunction, which can explain hypertension in ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Rodríguez-Rodríguez
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Arzobispo Morcillo 2, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Food, Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Health (FOSCH) multidisciplinary research group, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anuson Poasakate
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Santiago Ruvira-Hernando
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Arzobispo Morcillo 2, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Food, Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Health (FOSCH) multidisciplinary research group, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- PhD student at Pharmacology and Physiology PhD Program, Doctorate School, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Perla Y Gutierrez-Arzapalo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Arzobispo Morcillo 2, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Present address: Centro de Investigación y Docencia en Ciencias de la Salud (CIDOCS), Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Rainer Böger
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Juliane Hannemann
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Lüneburg
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Silvia M Arribas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Arzobispo Morcillo 2, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Food, Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Health (FOSCH) multidisciplinary research group, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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Campbell N, Solise D, Deer E, LaMarca B. Sex Differences in Offspring of Preeclamptic Pregnancies. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 34:100688. [PMID: 37305157 PMCID: PMC10249590 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2023.100688] [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: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A poor uterine environment causes changes in fetal development that affect the health of offspring long-term. Although there are multiple pathways that contribute to the development of cardiovascular and neurological disease, low birth weight or fetal growth restriction (FGR) predisposes offspring to these diseases. There is a link between fetal exposure to adverse influences and hypertension later in life. Many epidemiological studies support the link between fetal life and the risk of disease later in life. Experimental models have sought to provide mechanistic proof of this link while simultaneously investigating potential therapeutics or treatment pathways. Preeclampsia (PE), one of several hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for both the mother and fetus. Studies have shown that PE is a state of chronic inflammation and there is an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and regulatory immune cells and mediators. There is no cure for PE beyond the delivery of the fetal-placental unit, and many PE pregnancies result in FGR and preterm birth. Epidemiological data demonstrate that the sex of the offspring is correlated with the degree of cardiovascular disease that develops with the age of the offspring yet few studies examine the effect of sex on the development of neurological disorders. Even fewer studies examine the effects of therapeutics on offspring of different genders following a PE pregnancy. Moreover, there remain significant gaps in knowledge concerning the role the immune system plays in FGR offspring developing hypertension or neurovascular disorders later in life. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to highlight current research on sex differences in the developmental programming of hypertension and neurological disorders following a PE pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Campbell
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of
Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Dylan Solise
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of
Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Evangeline Deer
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of
Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | - Babbette LaMarca
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of
Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of
Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
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Nakamura A, Broséus L, Tost J, Vaiman D, Martins S, Keyes K, Bonello K, Fekom M, Strandberg-Larsen K, Sutter-Dallay AL, Heude B, Melchior M, Lepeule J. Epigenome-Wide Associations of Placental DNA Methylation and Behavioral and Emotional Difficulties in Children at 3 Years of Age. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11772. [PMID: 37511531 PMCID: PMC10380531 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a key organ for fetal and brain development. Its epigenome can be regarded as a biochemical record of the prenatal environment and a potential mechanism of its association with the future health of the fetus. We investigated associations between placental DNA methylation levels and child behavioral and emotional difficulties, assessed at 3 years of age using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in 441 mother-child dyads from the EDEN cohort. Hypothesis-driven and exploratory analyses (on differentially methylated probes (EWAS) and regions (DMR)) were adjusted for confounders, technical factors, and cell composition estimates, corrected for multiple comparisons, and stratified by child sex. Hypothesis-driven analyses showed an association of cg26703534 (AHRR) with emotional symptoms, and exploratory analyses identified two probes, cg09126090 (intergenic region) and cg10305789 (PPP1R16B), as negatively associated with peer relationship problems, as well as 33 DMRs, mostly positively associated with at least one of the SDQ subscales. Among girls, most associations were seen with emotional difficulties, whereas in boys, DMRs were as much associated with emotional than behavioral difficulties. This study provides the first evidence of associations between placental DNA methylation and child behavioral and emotional difficulties. Our results suggest sex-specific associations and might provide new insights into the mechanisms of neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Nakamura
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), University Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, 38700 La Tronche, France;
| | - Lucile Broséus
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), University Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, 38700 La Tronche, France;
| | - Jörg Tost
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA—Institut de Biologie François Jacob, University Paris Saclay, 91057 Evry, France;
| | - Daniel Vaiman
- From Gametes to Birth, Institut Cochin, U1016 INSERM, UMR 8104 CNRS, Paris Cité University, 75014 Paris, France;
| | - Silvia Martins
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA; (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Katherine Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA; (S.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Kim Bonello
- Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75571 Paris, France; (K.B.); (M.F.); (M.M.)
- Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, Sorbonne University, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Fekom
- Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75571 Paris, France; (K.B.); (M.F.); (M.M.)
| | - Katrine Strandberg-Larsen
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Anne-Laure Sutter-Dallay
- Bordeaux Population Health, Bordeaux University, INSERM, UMR 1219, 33076 Bordeaux, France;
- University Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charles Perrens Hospital, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Barbara Heude
- Center for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), Université Paris Cité and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, INSERM, INRAE, 75004 Paris, France;
| | - Maria Melchior
- Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Sorbonne Université, INSERM, 75571 Paris, France; (K.B.); (M.F.); (M.M.)
| | - Johanna Lepeule
- Team of Environmental Epidemiology Applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), University Grenoble Alpes, INSERM, 38700 La Tronche, France;
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Tsompanidis A, Blanken L, Broere-Brown ZA, van Rijn BB, Baron-Cohen S, Tiemeier H. Sex differences in placenta-derived markers and later autistic traits in children. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:256. [PMID: 37443170 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02552-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism is more prevalent in males and males on average score higher on measures of autistic traits. Placental function is affected significantly by the sex of the fetus. It is unclear if sex differences in placental function are associated with sex differences in the occurrence of autistic traits postnatally. To assess this, concentrations of angiogenesis-related markers, placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) were assessed in maternal plasma of expectant women in the late 1st (mean= 13.5 [SD = 2.0] weeks gestation) and 2nd trimesters (mean=20.6 [SD = 1.2] weeks gestation), as part of the Generation R Study, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Subsequent assessment of autistic traits in the offspring at age 6 was performed with the 18-item version of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). Associations of placental protein concentrations with autistic traits were tested in sex-stratified and cohort-wide regression models. Cases with pregnancy complications or a later autism diagnosis (n = 64) were also assessed for differences in placenta-derived markers. sFlt-1 levels were significantly lower in males in both trimesters but showed no association with autistic traits. PlGF was significantly lower in male pregnancies in the 1st trimester, and significantly higher in the 2nd trimester, compared to female pregnancies. Higher PlGF levels in the 2nd trimester and the rate of PlGF increase were both associated with the occurrence of higher autistic traits (PlGF-2nd: n = 3469,b = 0.24 [SE = 0.11], p = 0.03) in both unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models that controlled for age, sex, placental weight and maternal characteristics. Mediation analyses showed that higher autistic traits in males compared to females were partly explained by higher PlGF or a faster rate of PlGF increase in the second trimester (PlGF-2nd: n = 3469, ACME: b = 0.005, [SE = 0.002], p = 0.004). In conclusion, higher PlGF levels in the 2nd trimester and a higher rate of PlGF increase are associated with both being male, and with a higher number of autistic traits in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tsompanidis
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - L Blanken
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Z A Broere-Brown
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B B van Rijn
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - H Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, USA
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Shorey-Kendrick LE, Roberts VHJ, D'Mello RJ, Sullivan EL, Murphy SK, Mccarty OJT, Schust DJ, Hedges JC, Mitchell AJ, Terrobias JJD, Easley CA, Spindel ER, Lo JO. Prenatal delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure is associated with changes in rhesus macaque DNA methylation enriched for autism genes. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:104. [PMID: 37415206 PMCID: PMC10324248 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01519-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the growing availability of cannabis and the popularization of additional routes of cannabis use beyond smoking, including edibles, the prevalence of cannabis use in pregnancy is rapidly increasing. However, the potential effects of prenatal cannabis use on fetal developmental programming remain unknown. RESULTS We designed this study to determine whether the use of edible cannabis during pregnancy is deleterious to the fetal and placental epigenome. Pregnant rhesus macaques consumed a daily edible containing either delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (2.5 mg/7 kg/day) or placebo. DNA methylation was measured in 5 tissues collected at cesarean delivery (placenta, lung, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, and right ventricle of the heart) using the Illumina MethylationEPIC platform and filtering for probes previously validated in rhesus macaque. In utero exposure to THC was associated with differential methylation at 581 CpGs, with 573 (98%) identified in placenta. Loci differentially methylated with THC were enriched for candidate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) genes from the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) database in all tissues. The placenta demonstrated greatest SFARI gene enrichment, including genes differentially methylated in placentas from a prospective ASD study. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings reveal that prenatal THC exposure alters placental and fetal DNA methylation at genes involved in neurobehavioral development that may influence longer-term offspring outcomes. The data from this study add to the limited existing literature to help guide patient counseling and public health polices focused on prenatal cannabis use in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey E Shorey-Kendrick
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA.
| | - Victoria H J Roberts
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Rahul J D'Mello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Elinor L Sullivan
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Susan K Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Owen J T Mccarty
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Danny J Schust
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Jason C Hedges
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
- Department of Urology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - A J Mitchell
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Jose Juanito D Terrobias
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Charles A Easley
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia College of Public Health, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Eliot R Spindel
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Jamie O Lo
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
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38
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Upreti D, Rouzer SK, Bowring A, Labbe E, Kumar R, Miranda RC, Mahnke AH. Microbiota and nutrition as risk and resiliency factors following prenatal alcohol exposure. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1182635. [PMID: 37397440 PMCID: PMC10308314 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1182635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol exposure in adulthood can result in inflammation, malnutrition, and altered gastroenteric microbiota, which may disrupt efficient nutrient extraction. Clinical and preclinical studies have documented convincingly that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) also results in persistent inflammation and nutrition deficiencies, though research on the impact of PAE on the enteric microbiota is in its infancy. Importantly, other neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders, have been linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis. The combined evidence from alcohol exposure in adulthood and from other neurodevelopmental disorders supports the hypothesis that gut microbiota dysbiosis is likely an etiological feature that contributes to negative developmental, including neurodevelopmental, consequences of PAE and results in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Here, we highlight published data that support a role for gut microbiota in healthy development and explore the implication of these studies for the role of altered microbiota in the lifelong health consequences of PAE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Amanda H. Mahnke
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, TX, United States
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Kelly A, Chan J, Powell TL, Cox LA, Jansson T, Rosario FJ. Maternal obesity alters the placental transcriptome in a fetal sex-dependent manner. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1178533. [PMID: 37397247 PMCID: PMC10309565 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1178533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Infants born to obese mothers have an increased risk of developing obesity and metabolic diseases in childhood and adulthood. Although the molecular mechanisms linking maternal obesity during pregnancy to the development of metabolic diseases in offspring are poorly understood, evidence suggests that changes in the placental function may play a role. Using a mouse model of diet-induced obesity with fetal overgrowth, we performed RNA-seq analysis at embryonic day 18.5 to identify genes differentially expressed in the placentas of obese and normal-weight dams (controls). In male placentas, 511 genes were upregulated and 791 genes were downregulated in response to maternal obesity. In female placentas, 722 genes were downregulated and 474 genes were upregulated in response to maternal obesity. The top canonical pathway downregulated in maternal obesity in male placentas was oxidative phosphorylation. In contrast, sirtuin signaling, NF-kB signaling, phosphatidylinositol, and fatty acid degradation were upregulated. In female placentas, the top canonical pathways downregulated in maternal obesity were triacylglycerol biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and endocytosis. In contrast, bone morphogenetic protein, TNF, and MAPK signaling were upregulated in the female placentas of the obese group. In agreement with RNA-seq data, the expression of proteins associated with oxidative phosphorylation was downregulated in male but not female placentas of obese mice. Similarly, sex-specific changes in the protein expression of mitochondrial complexes were found in placentas collected from obese women delivering large-for-gestational-age (LGA) babies. In conclusion, maternal obesity with fetal overgrowth differentially regulates the placental transcriptome in male and female placentas, including genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Kelly
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jeannie Chan
- Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Laura A. Cox
- Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Fredrick J. Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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40
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Taibl KR, Dunlop AL, Barr DB, Li YY, Eick SM, Kannan K, Ryan PB, Schroder M, Rushing B, Fennell T, Chang CJ, Tan Y, Marsit CJ, Jones DP, Liang D. Newborn metabolomic signatures of maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure and reduced length of gestation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3120. [PMID: 37253729 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38710-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Marginalized populations experience disproportionate rates of preterm birth and early term birth. Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been reported to reduce length of gestation, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In the present study, we characterized the molecular signatures of prenatal PFAS exposure and gestational age at birth outcomes in the newborn dried blood spot metabolome among 267 African American dyads in Atlanta, Georgia between 2016 and 2020. Pregnant people with higher serum perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid concentrations had increased odds of an early birth. After false discovery rate correction, the effect of prenatal PFAS exposure on reduced length of gestation was associated with 8 metabolomic pathways and 52 metabolites in newborn dried blood spots, which suggested perturbed tissue neogenesis, neuroendocrine function, and redox homeostasis. These mechanisms explain how prenatal PFAS exposure gives rise to the leading cause of infant death in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin R Taibl
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anne L Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- Metabolomics and Exposome Laboratory, Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie M Eick
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - P Barry Ryan
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Madison Schroder
- Metabolomics and Exposome Laboratory, Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Blake Rushing
- Metabolomics and Exposome Laboratory, Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Timothy Fennell
- Analytical Chemistry and Pharmaceuticals, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Che-Jung Chang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Youran Tan
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dean P Jones
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Donghai Liang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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41
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Granitzer S, Widhalm R, Atteneder S, Fernandez MF, Mustieles V, Zeisler H, Hengstschläger M, Gundacker C. BDNF and KISS-1 Levels in Maternal Serum, Umbilical Cord, and Placenta: The Potential Role of Maternal Levels as Effect Biomarker. EXPOSURE AND HEALTH 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37360514 PMCID: PMC10225291 DOI: 10.1007/s12403-023-00565-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1) regulate placental development and fetal growth. The predictive value of maternal serum BDNF and KISS-1 concentrations for placental and umbilical cord levels has not yet been explored. The influence of prenatal lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) exposure and maternal iron status on BDNF and KISS-1 levels is also unclarified and of concern. In a pilot cross-sectional study with 65 mother-newborn pairs, we analyzed maternal and cord serum levels of pro-BDNF, mature BDNF, and KISS-1, BDNF, and KISS-1 gene expression in placenta, Pb and Cd in maternal and umbilical cord blood (erythrocytes), and placenta. We conducted a series of in vitro experiments using human primary trophoblast cells (hTCs) and BeWo cells to verify main findings of the epidemiological analysis. Strong and consistent correlations were observed between maternal serum levels of pro-BDNF, mature BDNF, and KISS-1 and corresponding levels in umbilical serum and placental tissue. Maternal red blood cell Pb levels were inversely correlated with serum and placental KISS-1 levels. Lower expression and release of KISS-1 was also observed in Pb-exposed BeWo cells. In vitro Pb exposure also reduced cellular BDNF levels. Cd-treated BeWo cells showed increased pro-BDNF levels. Low maternal iron status was positively associated with low BDNF levels. Iron-deficient hTCs and BeWo cells showed a consistent decrease in the release of mature BDNF. The correlations between maternal BDNF and KISS-1 levels, placental gene expression, and umbilical cord serum levels, respectively, indicate the strong potential of maternal serum as predictive matrix for BDNF and KISS-1 levels in placentas and fetal sera. Pb exposure and iron status modulate BDNF and KISS-1 levels, but a clear direction of modulations was not evident. The associations need to be confirmed in a larger sample and validated in terms of placental and neurodevelopmental function. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12403-023-00565-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Granitzer
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Exposome Austria, Research Infrastructure and National EIRENE Hub, Vienna, Austria
| | - Raimund Widhalm
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Exposome Austria, Research Infrastructure and National EIRENE Hub, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Atteneder
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mariana F. Fernandez
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (Ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
- Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (Ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
- Consortium for Research and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Harald Zeisler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Hengstschläger
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 10, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Exposome Austria, Research Infrastructure and National EIRENE Hub, Vienna, Austria
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42
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Lesseur C, Kaur K, Kelly SD, Hermetz K, Williams R, Hao K, Marsit CJ, Caudle WM, Chen J. Effects of prenatal pesticide exposure on the fetal brain and placenta transcriptomes in a rodent model. Toxicology 2023; 490:153498. [PMID: 37019170 PMCID: PMC10152924 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides are among the most extensively used insecticides worldwide. Prenatal exposures to both classes of pesticides have been linked to a wide range of neurobehavioral deficits in the offspring. The placenta is a neuroendocrine organ and the crucial regulator of the intrauterine environment; early-life toxicant exposures could impact neurobehavior by disrupting placental processes. Female C57BL/6 J mice were exposed via oral gavage to an organophosphate, chlorpyrifos (CPF) at 5 mg/kg, a pyrethroid, deltamethrin (DM), at 3 mg/kg, or vehicle only control (CTL). Exposure began two weeks before breeding and continued every three days until euthanasia at gestational day 17. The transcriptomes of fetal brain (CTL n = 18, CPF n = 6, DM n = 8) and placenta (CTL n = 19, CPF n = 16, DM n = 12) were obtained through RNA sequencing, and resulting data was evaluated using weighted gene co-expression networks, differential expression, and pathway analyses. Fourteen brain gene co-expression modules were identified; CPF exposure disrupted the module related to ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation, whereas DM disrupted the modules related to extracellular matrix and calcium signaling. In the placenta, network analyses revealed 12 gene co-expression modules. While CPF exposure disrupted modules related to endocytosis, Notch and Mapk signaling, DM exposure dysregulated modules linked to spliceosome, lysosome and Mapk signaling pathways. Overall, in both tissues, CPF exposure impacted oxidative phosphorylation, while DM was linked to genes involved in spliceosome and cell cycle. The transcription factor Max involved in cell proliferation was overexpressed by both pesticides in both tissues. In summary, gestational exposure to two different classes of pesticide can induce similar pathway-level transcriptome changes in the placenta and the brain; further studies should investigate if these changes are linked to neurobehavioral impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Lesseur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1057, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kirtan Kaur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1057, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sean D Kelly
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Randy Williams
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1057, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - W Michael Caudle
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1057, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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43
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Carver AJ, Taylor RJ, Stevens HE. Mouse In Vivo Placental Targeted CRISPR Manipulation. J Vis Exp 2023:10.3791/64760. [PMID: 37125793 PMCID: PMC10664715 DOI: 10.3791/64760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is an essential organ that regulates and maintains mammalian development in utero. The placenta is responsible for the transfer of nutrients and waste between the mother and fetus and the production and delivery of growth factors and hormones. Placental genetic manipulations in mice are critical for understanding the placenta's specific role in prenatal development. Placental-specific Cre-expressing transgenic mice have varying effectiveness, and other methods for placental gene manipulation can be useful alternatives. This paper describes a technique to directly alter placental gene expression using CRISPR gene manipulation, which can be used to modify the expression of targeted genes. Using a relatively advanced surgical approach, pregnant dams undergo a laparotomy on embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5), and a CRISPR plasmid is delivered by a glass micropipette into the individual placentas. The plasmid is immediately electroporated after each injection. After dam recovery, the placentas and embryos can continue development until assessment at a later time point. The evaluation of the placenta and offspring after the use of this technique can determine the role of time-specific placental function in development. This type of manipulation will allow for a better understanding of how placental genetics and function impact fetal growth and development in multiple disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie J Carver
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa; Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
| | - Robert J Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa
| | - Hanna E Stevens
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, University of Iowa; Department of Psychiatry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa; Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa; Hawk-IDDRC, University of Iowa;
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44
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Tehrani JM, Kennedy E, Tung PW, Burt A, Hermetz K, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Hao K, Chen J, Karagas MR, Koestler DC, Lester B, Marsit CJ. Human placental microRNAs dysregulated by cadmium exposure predict neurobehavioral outcomes at birth. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:1410-1418. [PMID: 35906307 PMCID: PMC9884320 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02201-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal cadmium (Cd) exposure has been implicated in both placental toxicity and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes. Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) may function to developmentally program adverse pregnancy and newborn health outcomes in response to gestational Cd exposure. METHODS In a subset of the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n = 115) and the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS, = 281), we used small RNA sequencing and trace metal analysis to identify Cd-associated expression of placental miRNAs using negative binomial generalized linear models. We predicted mRNAs targeted by Cd-associated miRNAs and relate them to neurobehavioral outcomes at birth through the integration of transcriptomic data and summary scores from the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS). RESULTS Placental Cd concentrations are significantly associated with the expression level of five placental miRNAs in NHBCS, with similar effect sizes in RICHS. These miRNA target genes overrepresented in nervous system development, and their expression is correlated with NNNS metrics suggestive of atypical neurobehavioral outcomes at birth. CONCLUSIONS Gestational Cd exposure is associated with the expression of placental miRNAs. Predicted targets of these miRNAs are involved in nervous system development and may also regulate placental physiology, allowing their dysregulation to modify developmental programming of early life health outcomes. IMPACT This research aims to address the poor understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing adverse pregnancy and newborn health outcomes in response to Gestational cadmium (Cd) exposure. Our results outline a robust relationship between Cd-associated placental microRNA expression and NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scales (NNNS) at birth indicative of atypical neurobehavior. This study utilized healthy mother-infant cohorts to describe the role of Cd-associated dysregulation of placental microRNAs as a potential mechanism by which adverse neurobehavioral outcomes are developmentally programmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M Tehrani
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kennedy
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pei Wen Tung
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Devin C Koestler
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Barry Lester
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
- The Brown Center of the Study of Children at Risk, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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45
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Arutjunyan AV, Milyutina YP, Shcherbitskaia AD, Kerkeshko GO, Zalozniaia IV. Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in the Effects of Maternal Hyperhomocysteinemia on the Functional State of Placenta and Nervous System Plasticity in the Offspring. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:435-456. [PMID: 37080931 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923040016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
According to modern view, susceptibility to diseases, specifically to cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders, can form during embryonic development. Adverse factors affecting mother during the pregnancy increase the risk of developing pathologies. Despite the association between elevated maternal blood homocysteine (Hcy) and fetal brain impairments, as well as cognitive deficits in the offspring, the role of brain plasticity in the development of these pathologies remains poorly studied. Here, we review the data on the negative impact of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on the neural plasticity, in particular, its possible influence on the offspring brain plasticity through epigenetic mechanisms, such as changes in intracellular methylation potential, activity of DNA methyltransferases, DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA expression in brain cells. Since placenta plays a key role in the transport of nutrients and transmission of signals from mother to fetus, its dysfunction due to aberrant epigenetic regulation can affect the development of fetal CNS. The review also presents the data on the impact of maternal HHcy on the epigenetic regulation in the placenta. The data presented in the review are not only interesting from purely scientific point of view, but can help in understanding the role of HHcy and epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of diseases, such as pregnancy pathologies resulting in the delayed development of fetal brain, cognitive impairments in the offspring during childhood, and neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders later in life, as well as in the search for approaches for their prevention using neuroprotectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Arutjunyan
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
- St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, St. Petersburg, 197110, Russia
| | - Yulia P Milyutina
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, St. Petersburg, 194100, Russia
| | - Anastasia D Shcherbitskaia
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg, 194223, Russia
| | - Gleb O Kerkeshko
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, St. Petersburg, 197110, Russia
| | - Irina V Zalozniaia
- Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
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Song F, Li R, Lin J, Lv M, Qian Z, Wang L, Wu W. Predicting the risk of fetal growth restriction by radiomics analysis of the placenta on T2WI: A retrospective case-control study. Placenta 2023; 134:15-22. [PMID: 36863127 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with placental abnormalities, and its precise diagnosis is challenging. This study aimed to explore the role of radiomics based on placental MRI in predicting FGR. METHODS A retrospective study using T2-weighted placental MRI data were conducted. A total of 960 radiomic features were automatically extracted. Features were selected using three-step machine learning methods. A combined model was constructed by combining MRI-based radiomic features and ultrasound-based fetal measurements. The receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were conducted to assess model performance. Additionally, decision curves and calibration curves were performed to evaluate prediction consistency of different models. RESULTS Among the study participants, pregnant women who delivered from January 2015 to June 2021 were randomly divided into training (n = 119) and test (n = 40) sets. Forty-three other pregnant women who delivered from July 2021 to December 2021 were used as the time-independent validation set. After training and testing, three radiomic features that were strongly correlated with FGR were selected. The area under the ROC curves (AUCs) of the MRI-based radiomics model reached 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.74-0.96) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97) in the test and validation sets, respectively. Moreover, the AUCs for the model comprising MRI-based radiomic features and ultrasound-based measurements were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.83-0.97) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.86-0.99) in the test and validation sets, respectively. DISCUSSION MRI-based placental radiomics could accurately predict FGR. Moreover, combining placental MRI-based radiomic features with ultrasound indicators of the fetus could improve the diagnostic accuracy of FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuzhen Song
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China; Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruikun Li
- Institute of Image Processing and Pattern Recognition, Department of Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Lin
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China; Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingli Lv
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China; Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoxia Qian
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China; Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Institute of Image Processing and Pattern Recognition, Department of Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of System Control and Information Processing, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weibin Wu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China; Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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47
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Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Characterization of placental endocrine function and fetal brain development in a mouse model of small for gestational age. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1116770. [PMID: 36843585 PMCID: PMC9950515 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1116770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditions such as small for gestational age (SGA), which is defined as birthweight less than 10th percentile for gestational age can predispose to neurodevelopmental abnormalities compared to babies with normal birthweight. Fetal growth and birthweight depend on placental function, as this organ transports substrates to the developing fetus and it acts as a source of endocrine factors, including steroids and prolactins that are required for fetal development and pregnancy maintenance. To advance our knowledge on the aetiology of fetal growth disorders, the vast majority of the research has been focused on studying the transport function of the placenta, leaving practically unexplored the contribution of placental hormones in the regulation of fetal growth. Here, using mice and natural variability in fetal growth within the litter, we compared fetuses that fell on or below the 10th percentile (classified as SGA) with those that had adequate weight for their gestational age (AGA). In particular, we compared placental endocrine metabolism and hormone production, as well as fetal brain weight and expression of developmental, growth and metabolic genes between SGA and AGA fetuses. We found that compared to AGA fetuses, SGA fetuses had lower placental efficiency and reduced capacity for placental production of hormones (e.g. steroidogenic gene Cyp17a1, prolactin Prl3a1, and pregnancy-specific glycoproteins Psg21). Brain weight was reduced in SGA fetuses, although this was proportional to the reduction in overall fetal size. The expression of glucose transporter 3 (Slc2a3) was reduced despite the abundance of AKT, FOXO and ERK proteins were similar. Developmental (Sv2b and Gabrg1) and microglia genes (Ier3), as well as the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein receptor (Cd9) were lower in the brain of SGA versus AGA fetuses. In this mouse model of SGA, our results therefore demonstrate that placental endocrine dysfunction is associated with changes in fetal growth and fetal brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research – Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research – Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Arutjunyan AV, Kerkeshko GO, Milyutina YP, Shcherbitskaia AD, Zalozniaia IV, Mikhel AV, Inozemtseva DB, Vasilev DS, Kovalenko AA, Kogan IY. Imbalance of Angiogenic and Growth Factors in Placenta in Maternal Hyperhomocysteinemia. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2023; 88:262-279. [PMID: 37072327 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923020098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that various adverse factors of different nature and action mechanisms have similar negative influence on placental angiogenesis, resulting in insufficiency of placental blood supply. One of the risk factors for pregnancy complications with placental etiology is an increased level of homocysteine in the blood of pregnant women. However, the effect of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on the development of the placenta and, in particular, on the formation of its vascular network is at present poorly understood. The aim of this work was to study the effect of maternal HHcy on the expression of angiogenic and growth factors (VEGF-A, MMP-2, VEGF-B, BDNF, NGF), as well as their receptors (VEGFR-2, TrkB, p75NTR), in the rat placenta. The effects of HHcy were studied in the morphologically and functionally different maternal and fetal parts of the placenta on the 14th and 20th day of pregnancy. The maternal HHcy caused increase in the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis markers accompanied by an imbalance of the studied angiogenic and growth factors in the maternal and/or fetal part of the placenta. The influence of maternal HHcy in most cases manifested in a decrease in the protein content (VEGF-A), enzymatic activity (MMP-2), gene expression (VEGFB, NGF, TRKB), and accumulation of precursor form (proBDNF) of the investigated factors. In some cases, the effects of HHcy differed depending on the placental part and stage of development. The influence of maternal HHcy on signaling pathways and processes controlled by the studied angiogenic and growth factors could lead to incomplete development of the placental vasculature and decrease in the placental transport, resulting in fetal growth restriction and impaired fetal brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Arutjunyan
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
| | - Gleb O Kerkeshko
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Yulia P Milyutina
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, Russian Ministry of Health, St. Petersburg, 194100, Russia
| | - Anastasiia D Shcherbitskaia
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194223, Russia
| | - Irina V Zalozniaia
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Anastasiia V Mikhel
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Daria B Inozemtseva
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Dmitrii S Vasilev
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194223, Russia
| | - Anna A Kovalenko
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 194223, Russia
| | - Igor Yu Kogan
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia
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Horackova H, Vachalova V, Abad C, Karahoda R, Staud F. Perfused rat term placenta as a preclinical model to investigate placental dopamine and norepinephrine transport. Clin Sci (Lond) 2023; 137:149-161. [PMID: 36598165 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The placenta represents a non-neuronal organ capable of transporting and metabolizing monoamines. Since these bioactive molecules participate in numerous processes essential for placental and fetal physiology, any imbalance in their levels during pregnancy may affect brain development, projecting a higher risk of behavioral disorders in childhood or adulthood. Notably, the monoamine system in the placenta is a target of various psychoactive drugs and can be disrupted in several pregnancy pathologies. As research in pregnant women poses significant ethical restrictions, animal models are widely employed to study monoamine homeostasis as a mechanism involved in fetal programming. However, detailed knowledge of monoamine transport in the rat placenta is still lacking. Moreover, relatability to the human placental monoamine system is not examined. The present study provides insights into the transplacental monoamine dynamics between maternal and fetal circulation. We show that norepinephrine maternal-to-fetal transport is <4% due to high metabolism within the trophoblast. In contrast, dopamine maternal-to-fetal transport exceeds 25%, likely through passive transport across the membrane. In addition, we show high clearance of norepinephrine and dopamine from the fetal circulation mediated by the organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3). Altogether, we present transcriptional and functional evidence that the in situ rat placenta perfusion represents a suitable model for (patho)physiological investigation of dopamine and norepinephrine homeostasis in the fetoplacental unit. With the rapid advancements in drug discovery and environmental toxicity, the use of rat placenta as a preclinical model could facilitate screening of possible xenobiotic effects on monoamine homeostasis in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Horackova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Vachalova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Cilia Abad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Rona Karahoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Czech Republic
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50
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Lodefalk M, Chelslín F, Patriksson Karlsson J, Hansson SR. Placental Changes and Neuropsychological Development in Children-A Systematic Review. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030435. [PMID: 36766778 PMCID: PMC9913696 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental dysfunction may increase the offspring's later-life disease risk. The objective of this systematic review was to describe associations between pathological placental changes and neuropsychological outcomes in children after the neonatal period. The inclusion criteria were human studies; original research; direct placental variables; neuropsychological outcomes; and analysis between their associations. The exclusion criterion was the offspring's age-0-28 days or >19 years. The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were last searched in May 2022. We utilized the ROBINS-I for the risk of bias assessment and performed a narrative synthesis. In total, 3252 studies were identified, out of which 16 were included (i.e., a total of 15,862 participants). Half of the studies were performed on children with neonatal complications, and 75% of the studies reported an association between a placental change and an outcome; however, following the completion of the funnel plots, a risk of publication bias was indicated. The largest study described a small association between placental size and a risk of psychiatric symptoms in boys only. Inconsistency between the studies limited the evidence in this review. In general, no strong evidence was found for an association between pathological placental changes and childhood neuropsychological outcomes after the neonatal period. However, the association between placental size and mental health in boys indicates a placental sexual dimorphism, thereby suggesting an increased vulnerability for male fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lodefalk
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
- University Health Care Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
- Correspondence:
| | - Felix Chelslín
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Johanna Patriksson Karlsson
- University Health Care Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Stefan R. Hansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Skåne University Hospital, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden
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