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Wu BA, Chand KK, Bell A, Miller SL, Colditz PB, Malhotra A, Wixey JA. Effects of fetal growth restriction on the perinatal neurovascular unit and possible treatment targets. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:59-69. [PMID: 37674023 PMCID: PMC10798895 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02805-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The neurovascular unit (NVU) within the brain is a multicellular unit that synergistically acts to maintain blood-brain barrier function and meet cerebral metabolic demand. Recent studies have indicated disruption to the NVU is associated with neuropathology in the perinatal brain. Infants with fetal growth restriction (FGR) are known to be at increased risk of neurodevelopmental conditions including motor, learning, and behavioural deficits. There are currently no neuroprotective treatments for these conditions. In this review, we analyse large animal studies examining the effects of FGR on the perinatal NVU. These studies show altered vascularity in the FGR brain as well as blood-brain barrier dysfunction due to underlying cellular changes, mediated by neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is a key mechanism associated with pathological effects in the FGR brain. Hence, targeting inflammation may be key to preserving the multicellular NVU and providing neuroprotection in FGR. A number of maternal and postnatal therapies with anti-inflammatory components have been investigated in FGR animal models examining targets for amelioration of NVU disruption. Each therapy showed promise by uniquely ameliorating the adverse effects of FGR on multiple aspects of the NVU. The successful implementation of a clinically viable neuroprotective treatment has the potential to improve outcomes for neonates affected by FGR. IMPACT: Disruption to the neurovascular unit is associated with neuropathology in fetal growth restriction. Inflammation is a key mechanism associated with neurovascular unit disruption in the growth-restricted brain. Anti-inflammatory treatments ameliorate adverse effects on the neurovascular unit and may provide neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Anthony Wu
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Kirat K Chand
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alexander Bell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Suzanne L Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul B Colditz
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Perinatal Research Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Atul Malhotra
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Monash Newborn, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie A Wixey
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Jing Jia, Ma B, Zhao X. Fetal endothelial colony-forming cells: Possible targets for prevention of the fetal origins of adult diseases. Placenta 2024; 145:80-88. [PMID: 38100962 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.12.006] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), a subset of circulating and resident endothelial progenitor cells, are capable of self-renewal and de novo vessel formation, and are known key regulators of vascular integrity and homeostasis. Numerous studies have found that exposure to hostile environment during the fetal development exerts a profound influence on the level and function of ECFCs, which may be the underlying factor linking endothelial dysfunction to cardiovascular disease of the offspring in later life. Herein, we focus on the latest findings regarding the effects of pregnancy-related disorders on the frequency and function of fetal ECFCs. Subsequently, we discuss about placental ECFCs and put forward some details that should be paid attention to in the process of ECFC isolation and culture. Overall, the information presented in this review highlight the potential of ECFCs as a future biomarker or even therapeutic targets for the pregnancy-related adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Baitao Ma
- Department of Endovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Xianlan Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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High-yield isolation of pure fetal endothelial colony forming cells and mesenchymal stem cells from the human full-term placenta. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101354. [PMID: 35509970 PMCID: PMC9059155 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A need to identify a stem cell source for human endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that is high yield is crucial for their implementation in ischemia. Our lab has developed an isolation protocol to do this using full-term human villous placental tissue. This protocol describes enzymatic tissue digestion followed by MACS and FACS, achieving an 8 times greater yield versus traditional isolation techniques and delivering pure fetal stem cell colonies within 21–28 days cell culture. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Patel et al. (2013) and Patel et al. (2014). A detailed protocol to isolate pure fetal stem cells from human full-term placenta Deriving fetal stem cells in clinically relevant quantities Assessing the therapeutic capacity of ECFC and MSC in treating ischemic injury
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Combination of human endothelial colony-forming cells and mesenchymal stromal cells exert neuroprotective effects in the growth-restricted newborn. NPJ Regen Med 2021; 6:75. [PMID: 34795316 PMCID: PMC8602245 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-021-00185-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The foetal brain is particularly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of foetal growth restriction (FGR) with subsequent abnormal neurodevelopment being common. There are no current treatments to protect the FGR newborn from lifelong neurological disorders. This study examines whether pure foetal mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC) from the human term placenta are neuroprotective through modulating neuroinflammation and supporting the brain vasculature. We determined that one dose of combined MSC-ECFCs (cECFC; 106 ECFC 106 MSC) on the first day of life to the newborn FGR piglet improved damaged vasculature, restored the neurovascular unit, reduced brain inflammation and improved adverse neuronal and white matter changes present in the FGR newborn piglet brain. These findings could not be reproduced using MSCs alone. These results demonstrate cECFC treatment exerts beneficial effects on multiple cellular components in the FGR brain and may act as a neuroprotectant.
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Cyclosporine A and Tacrolimus Induce Functional Impairment and Inflammatory Reactions in Endothelial Progenitor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189696. [PMID: 34575860 PMCID: PMC8472421 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunosuppressants are a mandatory therapy for transplant patients to avoid rejection of the transplanted organ by the immune system. However, there are several known side effects, including alterations of the vasculature, which involve a higher occurrence of cardiovascular events. While the effects of the commonly applied immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (Tac) on mature endothelial cells have been addressed in several studies, we focused our research on the unexplored effects of CsA and Tac on endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), a subgroup of endothelial progenitor cells, which play an important role in vascular repair and angiogenesis. We hypothesized that CsA and Tac induce functional defects and activate an inflammatory cascade via NF-κB signaling in ECFCs. ECFCs were incubated with different doses (0.01 µM–10 µM) of CsA or Tac. ECFC function was determined using in vitro models. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules was explored by quantitative real-time PCR and flow cytometry. NF-κB subunit modification was assessed by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. CsA and Tac significantly impaired ECFC function, including proliferation, migration, and tube formation. TNF-α, IL-6, VCAM, and ICAM mRNA expression, as well as PECAM and VCAM surface expression, were enhanced. Furthermore, CsA and Tac led to NF-κB p65 subunit phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB by parthenolide diminished CsA- and Tac-mediated proinflammatory effects. The data of functional impairment and activation of inflammatory signals provide new insight into mechanisms associated with CsA and Tac and cardiovascular risk in transplant patients.
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Wixey JA, Bjorkman ST. Improving brain outcomes in the growth restricted newborn: treating after birth. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:978-979. [PMID: 33229741 PMCID: PMC8178757 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.297069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Wixey
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Stella Tracey Bjorkman
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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Atkinson SP. A Preview of Selected Articles. Stem Cells Transl Med 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/sctm.18-0296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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