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Scott AK, Fodera DM, Yang P, Arter A, Hines AM, Kolluru SS, Zambuto SG, Myers KM, Kamilov US, Odibo AO, Oyen ML. Bioengineering approaches for patient-specific analysis of placenta structure and function. Placenta 2024:S0143-4004(24)00615-5. [PMID: 39153938 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.08.005] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
The leading cause of perinatal mortality is fetal growth restriction (FGR), defined as in utero fetal growth below the 10th percentile. Insufficient exchange of oxygen and nutrients at the maternal-fetal interface is associated with FGR. This transport occurs through the vasculature of the placenta, particularly in the terminal villi, where the vascular membranes have a large surface area and are the thinnest. Altered structure of the placenta villi is thought to contribute to decreased oxygen exchange efficiency, however, understanding how the three-dimensional microstructure and properties decrease this efficiency remains a challenge. Here, a novel, multiscale workflow is presented to quantify patient-specific biophysical properties, 3D structural features, and blood flow of the villous tissue. Namely, nanoindentation, optical coherence tomography, and ultrasound imaging were employed to measure the time-dependent material properties of placenta tissue, the 3D structure of villous tissue, and blood flow through the villi to characterize the microvasculature of the placenta at increasing length scales. Quantifying the biophysical properties, the 3D architecture, and blood flow in the villous tissue can be used to infer changes in maternal-fetal oxygen transport at the villous membrane. Overall, this multiscale understanding will advance knowledge of how microvascular changes in the placenta ultimately lead to FGR, opening opportunities for diagnosis and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne K Scott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Daniella M Fodera
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York NY, USA
| | - Patrick Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Abigail Arter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Amelia M Hines
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Samyuktha S Kolluru
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Samantha G Zambuto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Kristin M Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York NY, USA
| | - Ulugbek S Kamilov
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Anthony O Odibo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Michelle L Oyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA.
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Abe T, Sarentonglaga B, Nagao Y. Advancements in medical research using fetal sheep: Implications for human health and treatment methods. Anim Sci J 2024; 95:e13945. [PMID: 38651196 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13945] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Sheep are typically considered as industrial animals that provide wool and meals. However, they play a significant role in medical research in addition to their conventional use. Notably, sheep fetuses are resistant to surgical invasions and can endure numerous manipulations, such as needle puncture and cell transplantation, and surgical operations requiring exposure beyond the uterus. Based on these distinguishing characteristics, we established a chimeric sheep model capable of producing human/monkey pluripotent cell-derived blood cells via the fetal liver. Furthermore, sheep have become crucial as human fetal models, acting as platforms for developing and improving techniques for intrauterine surgery to address congenital disorders and clarifying the complex pharmacokinetic interactions between mothers and their fetuses. This study emphasizes the significant contributions of fetal sheep to advancing human disease understanding and treatment strategies, highlighting their unique characteristics that are not present in other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Abe
- Open Science Laboratory, Center for Development of Advanced Medical Technology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | | | - Yoshikazu Nagao
- Department of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Tochigi, Japan
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May RW, Maso Talou GD, Clark AR, Mynard JP, Smolich JJ, Blanco PJ, Müller LO, Gentles TL, Bloomfield FH, Safaei S. From fetus to neonate: A review of cardiovascular modeling in early life. WIREs Mech Dis 2023:e1608. [DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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Saw SN, Dai Y, Yap CH. A Review of Biomechanics Analysis of the Umbilical-Placenta System With Regards to Diseases. Front Physiol 2021; 12:587635. [PMID: 34475826 PMCID: PMC8406807 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.587635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Placenta is an important organ that is crucial for both fetal and maternal health. Abnormalities of the placenta, such as during intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pre-eclampsia (PE) are common, and an improved understanding of these diseases is needed to improve medical care. Biomechanics analysis of the placenta is an under-explored area of investigation, which has demonstrated usefulness in contributing to our understanding of the placenta physiology. In this review, we introduce fundamental biomechanics concepts and discuss the findings of biomechanical analysis of the placenta and umbilical cord, including both tissue biomechanics and biofluid mechanics. The biomechanics of placenta ultrasound elastography and its potential in improving clinical detection of placenta diseases are also discussed. Finally, potential future work is listed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shier Nee Saw
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yichen Dai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Choon Hwai Yap
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Wheeler ML, Oyen ML. Bioengineering Approaches for Placental Research. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:1805-1818. [PMID: 33420547 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02714-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Research into the human placenta's complex functioning is complicated by a lack of suitable physiological in vivo models. Two complementary approaches have emerged recently to address these gaps in understanding, computational in silico techniques, including multi-scale modeling of placental blood flow and oxygen transport, and cellular in vitro approaches, including organoids, tissue engineering, and organ-on-a-chip models. Following a brief introduction to the placenta's structure and function and its influence on the substantial clinical problem of preterm birth, these different bioengineering approaches are reviewed. The cellular techniques allow for investigation of early first-trimester implantation and placental development, including critical biological processes such as trophoblast invasion and trophoblast fusion, that are otherwise very difficult to study. Similarly, computational models of the placenta and the pregnant pelvis at later-term gestation allow for investigations relevant to complications that occur when the placenta has fully developed. To fully understand clinical conditions associated with the placenta, including those with roots in early processes but that only manifest clinically at full-term, a holistic approach to the study of this fascinating, temporary but critical organ is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie L Wheeler
- Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Michelle L Oyen
- Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
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