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Shimada H, Powell TL, Jansson T. Regulation of placental amino acid transport in health and disease. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024; 240:e14157. [PMID: 38711335 PMCID: PMC11162343 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14157] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal fetal growth, i.e., intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or fetal growth restriction (FGR) and fetal overgrowth, is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality and is strongly linked to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in childhood and later in life. Emerging evidence suggests that changes in placental amino acid transport may contribute to abnormal fetal growth. This review is focused on amino acid transport in the human placenta, however, relevant animal models will be discussed to add mechanistic insights. At least 25 distinct amino acid transporters with different characteristics and substrate preferences have been identified in the human placenta. Of these, System A, transporting neutral nonessential amino acids, and System L, mediating the transport of essential amino acids, have been studied in some detail. Importantly, decreased placental Systems A and L transporter activity is strongly associated with IUGR and increased placental activity of these two amino acid transporters has been linked to fetal overgrowth in human pregnancy. An array of factors in the maternal circulation, including insulin, IGF-1, and adiponectin, and placental signaling pathways such as mTOR, have been identified as key regulators of placental Systems A and L. Studies using trophoblast-specific gene targeting in mice have provided compelling evidence that changes in placental Systems A and L are mechanistically linked to altered fetal growth. It is possible that targeting specific placental amino acid transporters or their upstream regulators represents a novel intervention to alleviate the short- and long-term consequences of abnormal fetal growth in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Shimada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
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2
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Cetin AK, Buyukdere Y, Gulec A, Akyol A. Taurine supplementation reduces adiposity and hepatic lipid metabolic activity in adult offspring following maternal cafeteria diet. Nutr Res 2023; 117:15-29. [PMID: 37423013 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2023.06.003] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Maternal taurine supplementation has been shown to exert protective effects following a maternal obesogenic diet on offspring growth and metabolism. However, the long-term effects of maternal cafeteria diet on adiposity, metabolic profile, and hepatic gene expression patterns following supplementation of taurine in adult offspring remains unclear. In this study, we hypothesized that exposure to maternal taurine supplementation would modulate the effects of maternal cafeteria diet by reducing adiposity and hepatic gene expression patterns involved in lipid metabolism in adult offspring. Female Wistar rats were fed a control diet, control diet supplemented with 1.5% taurine in drinking water, cafeteria diet (CAF) or CAF supplemented with taurine (CAFT) from weaning. After 8 weeks, all animals were mated and maintained on the same diets during pregnancy and lactation. After weaning, all offspring were fed with control chow diet until the age of 20 weeks. Despite similar body weights, CAFT offspring had significantly lower fat deposition and body fat when compared with CAF offspring. Microarray analysis revealed that genes (Akr1c3, Cyp7a1, Hsd17b6, Cd36, Acsm3, and Aldh1b1) related to steroid hormone biosynthesis, cholesterol metabolism, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, butanoate metabolism, and fatty acid degradation were down-regulated in CAFT offspring. The current study shows that exposure to maternal cafeteria diet promoted adiposity and taurine supplementation reduced lipid deposition and in both male and female offspring and led to alterations in hepatic gene expression patterns, reducing the detrimental effects of maternal cafeteria diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arzu Kabasakal Cetin
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yucel Buyukdere
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Atila Gulec
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Asli Akyol
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
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Sferruzzi‐Perri AN, Lopez‐Tello J, Salazar‐Petres E. Placental adaptations supporting fetal growth during normal and adverse gestational environments. Exp Physiol 2023; 108:371-397. [PMID: 36484327 PMCID: PMC10103877 DOI: 10.1113/ep090442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the topic of this review? How the placenta, which transports nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, may alter its support of fetal growth developmentally and with adverse gestational conditions. What advances does it highlight? Placental formation and function alter with the needs of the fetus for substrates for growth during normal gestation and when there is enhanced competition for substrates in species with multiple gestations or adverse gestational environments, and this is mediated by imprinted genes, signalling pathways, mitochondria and fetal sexomes. ABSTRACT The placenta is vital for mammalian development and a key determinant of life-long health. It is the interface between the mother and fetus and is responsible for transporting the nutrients and oxygen a fetus needs to develop and grow. Alterations in placental formation and function, therefore, have consequences for fetal growth and birthweight, which in turn determine perinatal survival and risk of non-communicable diseases for the offspring in later postnatal life. However, the placenta is not a static organ. As this review summarizes, research from multiple species has demonstrated that placental formation and function alter developmentally to the needs of the fetus for substrates for growth during normal gestation, as well as when there is greater competition for substrates in polytocous species and monotocous species with multiple gestations. The placenta also adapts in response to the gestational environment, integrating information about the ability of the mother to provide nutrients and oxygen with the needs of the fetus in that prevailing environment. In particular, placental structure (e.g. vascularity, surface area, blood flow, diffusion distance) and transport capacity (e.g. nutrient transporter levels and activity) respond to suboptimal gestational environments, namely malnutrition, obesity, hypoxia and maternal ageing. Mechanisms mediating developmentally and environmentally induced homeostatic responses of the placenta that help support normal fetal growth include imprinted genes, signalling pathways, subcellular constituents and fetal sexomes. Identification of these placental strategies may inform the development of therapies for complicated human pregnancies and advance understanding of the pathways underlying poor fetal outcomes and their consequences for health and disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Nancy Sferruzzi‐Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jorge Lopez‐Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Esteban Salazar‐Petres
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Facultad de CienciasDepartamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Santo TomásValdiviaChile
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Cindrova-Davies T, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Human placental development and function. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:66-77. [PMID: 35393235 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a transient fetal organ that plays a critical role in the health and wellbeing of both the fetus and its mother. Functionally, the placenta sustains the growth of the fetus as it facilitates delivery of oxygen and nutrients and removal of waste products. Not surprisingly, defective early placental development is the primary cause of common disorders of pregnancy, including recurrent miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and stillbirth. Adverse pregnancy conditions will also affect the life-long health of the fetus via developmental programming[1]. Despite its critical importance in reproductive success and life-long health, our understanding of placental development is not extensive, largely due to ethical limitations to studying early or chronological placental development, lack of long-term in vitro models, or comparative animal models. In this review, we examine current knowledge of early human placental development, discuss the critical role of the maternal endometrium and of the fetal-maternal dialogue in pregnancy success, and we explore the latest models of trophoblast and endometrial stem cells. In addition, we discuss the role of oxygen in placental formation and function, how nutrient delivery is mediated during the periods of histotrophic nutrition (uptake of uterine secretions) and haemotrophic nutrition (exchange between the maternal and fetal circulations), and how placental endocrine function facilitates fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Cindrova-Davies
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Timms K, Holder B, Day A, Mclaughlin J, Forbes KA, Westwood M. Watermelon-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Influence Human Ex Vivo Placental Cell Behavior by Altering Intestinal Secretions. Mol Nutr Food Res 2022; 66:e2200013. [PMID: 35938208 PMCID: PMC9787345 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202200013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
SCOPE During pregnancy, mother-to-fetus transfer of nutrients is mediated by the placenta; sub-optimal placental development and/or function results in fetal growth restriction (FGR), and the attendant risk of stillbirth, neurodevelopmental delay, and non-communicable diseases in adulthood. A maternal diet high in fruit and vegetables lowers the risk of FGR but the association cannot be explained fully by known macro- and micronutrients. METHODS AND RESULTS This study investigates if dietary-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can regulate placental function. The study characterizes the microRNA and protein cargo of EVs isolated from watermelon, show they are actively internalized by human intestinal epithelial cells in vitro, use mass spectrometry to demonstrate that they alter the intestinal secretome and bioinformatic analyses to predict the likely affected pathways in cells/tissues distal to gut. Application of the watermelon EV-modified intestinal secretome to human placental trophoblast cells and ex vivo tissue explants affects the trophoblast proteome and key aspects of trophoblast behavior, including migration and syncytialization. CONCLUSION Dietary-derived plant EVs can modify intestinal communication with distal tissues, including the placenta. Harnessing the beneficial properties of dietary-derived plant EVs and/or exploiting their potential as natural delivery agents may provide new ways to improve placental function and reduce rates of FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Timms
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research CentreSchool of Medical SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterM13 9WLUK,Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchester Academic Health Sciences CentreManchesterM13 9WLUK
| | - Beth Holder
- Department of MetabolismDigestion and ReproductionInstitute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Anil Day
- Division of Molecular and Cellular FunctionSchool of Biological SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterM13 9PTUK
| | - John Mclaughlin
- Division of DiabetesEndocrinology and GastroenterologyUniversity of ManchesterManchesterM13 9PTUK,Department of GastroenterologySalford Royal NHS Foundation TrustSalfordM6 8HDUK
| | - Karen A. Forbes
- Discovery and Translational Science DepartmentLeeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic MedicineFaculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of LeedsLeedsLS2 9JTUK
| | - Melissa Westwood
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research CentreSchool of Medical SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterM13 9WLUK,Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchester Academic Health Sciences CentreManchesterM13 9WLUK
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Tochitani S. Taurine: A Maternally Derived Nutrient Linking Mother and Offspring. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12030228. [PMID: 35323671 PMCID: PMC8954275 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12030228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammals can obtain taurine from food and synthesize it from sulfur-containing amino acids. Mammalian fetuses and infants have little ability to synthesize taurine. Therefore, they are dependent on taurine given from mothers either via the placenta or via breast milk. Many lines of evidence demonstrate that maternally derived taurine is essential for offspring development, shaping various traits in adults. Various environmental factors, including maternal obesity, preeclampsia, and undernutrition, can affect the efficacy of taurine transfer via either the placenta or breast milk. Thus, maternally derived taurine during the perinatal period can influence the offspring’s development and even determine health and disease later in life. In this review, I will discuss the biological function of taurine during development and the regulatory mechanisms of taurine transport from mother to offspring. I also refer to the possible environmental factors affecting taurine functions in mother-offspring bonding during perinatal periods. The possible functions of taurine as a determinant of gut microbiota and in the context of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiro Tochitani
- Division of Health Science, Graduate School of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka 513-8670, Japan; ; Tel.: +81-59-373-7069
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka 513-8670, Japan
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan
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Yao M, Xiao Y, Yang Z, Ge W, Liang F, Teng H, Gu Y, Yin J. Identification of Biomarkers for Preeclampsia Based on Metabolomics. Clin Epidemiol 2022; 14:337-360. [PMID: 35342309 PMCID: PMC8943653 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s353019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia (PE) is a significant cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of PE is unclear and reliable early diagnostic methods are still lacking. The purpose of this review is to summarize potential metabolic biomarkers and pathways of PE, which might facilitate risk prediction and clinical diagnosis, and obtain a better understanding of specific metabolic mechanisms of PE. Methods This review included human metabolomics studies related to PE in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases from January 2000 to November 2021. The reported metabolic biomarkers were systematically examined and compared. Pathway analysis was conducted through the online software MetaboAnalyst 5.0. Results Forty-one human studies were included in this systematic review. Several metabolites, such as creatinine, glycine, L-isoleucine, and glucose and biomarkers with consistent trends (decanoylcarnitine, 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, and octenoylcarnitine), were frequently reported. In addition, eight amino acid metabolism-related, three carbohydrate metabolism-related, one translation-related and one lipid metabolism-related pathways were identified. These biomarkers and pathways, closely related to renal dysfunction, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism disorder, activated inflammation, and impaired nitric oxide production, were very likely to contribute to the progression of PE. Conclusion This study summarized several metabolites and metabolic pathways, which may be associated with PE. These high-frequency differential metabolites are promising to be biomarkers of PE for early diagnosis, and the prominent metabolic pathway may provide new insights for the understanding of the pathogenesis of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxin Yao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue Xiao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhuoqiao Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenxin Ge
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fei Liang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haoyue Teng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingjie Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jieyun Yin
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jieyun Yin, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, 199 Renai Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 0512 6588036, Email
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8
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Cui C, Wu C, Wang J, Zheng X, Ma Z, Zhu P, Guan W, Zhang S, Chen F. Leucine supplementation during late gestation globally alters placental metabolism and nutrient transport via modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in sows. Food Funct 2022; 13:2083-2097. [PMID: 35107470 DOI: 10.1039/d1fo04082k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In a previously published study we reported that sow dietary leucine supplementation during late pregnancy significantly improved newborn piglet birth weight by stimulating protein synthesis in the longissimus dorsi muscle. However, there is still limited knowledge as to whether leucine can exert its effects on the placenta, one of the most important temporal organs during pregnancy, to promote maternal-fetal nutrient supply and thus contribute to fetal intrauterine development. Therefore, we tested this hypothesis in the present study. In total, 150 sows at day 90 of gestation were divided into three groups and fed with either a control diet (CON), CON + 0.4% Leu or CON + 0.8% Leu, respectively, until parturition. Placental metabolomics, full spectrum amino acids and nutrient transporters were systematically analyzed after sample collection. The results indicated that Leu supplementation led to an altered placental metabolism with an increased number of metabolites related to glycolysis and the oxidation of fatty acids, as well as elevated levels of amino acid accumulation in the placenta. In addition, nutrient transporters of amino acids, glucose and fatty acids in the placenta were globally up-regulated and several enzymes related to energy metabolism, including hexokinase, succinate dehydrogenase, lactated hydrogenase, glycogen phosphorylase and hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase, were also significantly increased with no change observed in the antioxidative status of those groups with Leu supplementation. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR was enhanced in the placenta of sows undergoing Leu treatment. Collectively, we concluded that supplementing the diets of sows with Leu during late gestation globally altered placental metabolism and promoted maternal-fetus nutrient transport (amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids) via modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Caichi Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Jun Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Ziwei Ma
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Pengwei Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Wutai Guan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. .,College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shihai Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. .,College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. .,College of Animal Science and National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
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9
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Roberts VHJ, Gaffney JE, Morgan TK, Frias AE. Placental adaptations in a nonhuman primate model of gestational protein restriction. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 12:908-914. [PMID: 33308351 PMCID: PMC8200369 DOI: 10.1017/s204017442000121x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated decreased placental perfusion, reduced amniotic fluid protein content, and increased pregnancy loss in a nonhuman primate model of gestational protein restriction. Here, our objective was to link these detrimental findings with a functional placental assessment. As blood flow is critical to maternal-fetal exchange, we hypothesized that a protein-restricted diet would impair placental taurine uptake. Pregnant rhesus macaques were maintained on either control chow (CON, n = 5), a 33% protein-restricted diet (PR33, n = 5), or a 50% PR diet (PR50, n = 5) prior to and throughout pregnancy. Animals were delivered on gestational day 135 (G135; term is G168). Taurine activity was determined in fresh placental villous explants. Taurine transporter (TauT) protein expression, placental growth factor (PLGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-2 protein concentrations were measured, and histological assessment was performed. Fetal body weights and placental weights were comparable between all three groups at G135. Placental taurine uptake was decreased in PR33- and PR50-fed animals compared to CON, yet TauT expression was unchanged across groups. PLGF was significantly increased in PR50 vs. CON, with no change in IGF-1 or IGF-2 expression in placental homogenate from PR-fed animals. Accelerated villous maturation was observed in all PR50 cases, three of five PR33, and was absent in CON. We demonstrate conserved fetal growth, despite a decrease in placental taurine uptake. Increased expression of PLGF and expansion of the syncytiotrophoblast surface area in the severely protein-restricted animals suggest a compensatory mechanism by the placenta to maintain fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria H J Roberts
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jessica E Gaffney
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, USA
| | - Terry K Morgan
- Department of Pathology, OHSU, Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OHSU, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Antonio E Frias
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OHSU, Portland, OR, USA
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10
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Fowden AL, Camm EJ, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Effects of Maternal Obesity On Placental Phenotype. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2021; 19:113-131. [PMID: 32400334 DOI: 10.2174/1570161118666200513115316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of obesity is rising rapidly worldwide with the consequence that more women are entering pregnancy overweight or obese. This leads to an increased incidence of clinical complications during pregnancy and of poor obstetric outcomes. The offspring of obese pregnancies are often macrosomic at birth although there is also a subset of the progeny that are growth-restricted at term. Maternal obesity during pregnancy is also associated with cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine dysfunction in the offspring later in life. As the interface between the mother and fetus, the placenta has a central role in programming intrauterine development and is known to adapt its phenotype in response to environmental conditions such as maternal undernutrition and hypoxia. However, less is known about placental function in the abnormal metabolic and endocrine environment associated with maternal obesity during pregnancy. This review discusses the placental consequences of maternal obesity induced either naturally or experimentally by increasing maternal nutritional intake and/or changing the dietary composition. It takes a comparative, multi-species approach and focusses on placental size, morphology, nutrient transport, metabolism and endocrine function during the later stages of obese pregnancy. It also examines the interventions that have been made during pregnancy in an attempt to alleviate the more adverse impacts of maternal obesity on placental phenotype. The review highlights the potential role of adaptations in placental phenotype as a contributory factor to the pregnancy complications and changes in fetal growth and development that are associated with maternal obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Fowden
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - E J Camm
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - A N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
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11
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Bedell S, Hutson J, de Vrijer B, Eastabrook G. Effects of Maternal Obesity and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on the Placenta: Current Knowledge and Targets for Therapeutic Interventions. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2021; 19:176-192. [PMID: 32543363 DOI: 10.2174/1570161118666200616144512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are becoming more common among pregnant women worldwide and are individually associated with a number of placenta-mediated obstetric complications, including preeclampsia, macrosomia, intrauterine growth restriction and stillbirth. The placenta serves several functions throughout pregnancy and is the main exchange site for the transfer of nutrients and gas from mother to fetus. In pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity or GDM, the placenta is exposed to environmental changes, such as increased inflammation and oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and altered hormone levels. These changes can affect placental development and function and lead to abnormal fetal growth and development as well as metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities in the offspring. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the effects of obesity and GDM on placental development and function. Understanding these processes is key in developing therapeutic interventions with the goal of mitigating these effects and preventing future cardiovascular and metabolic pathology in subsequent generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bedell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, ON N6A 3B4, Canada
| | - Janine Hutson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, ON N6A 3B4, Canada
| | - Barbra de Vrijer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, ON N6A 3B4, Canada
| | - Genevieve Eastabrook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, ON N6A 3B4, Canada
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12
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Wnuk A, Stangret A, Wątroba M, Płatek AE, Skoda M, Cendrowski K, Sawicki W, Szukiewicz D. Can adipokine visfatin be a novel marker of pregnancy-related disorders in women with obesity? Obes Rev 2020; 21:e13022. [PMID: 32220005 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Overweight and obesity have become a dangerous disease requiring multiple interventions, treatment and preventions. In women of reproductive age, obesity is one of the most common medical conditions. Among others, obese state is characterized by low-grade systemic inflammation and enhanced oxidative stress. Increased maternal body mass index might amplify inflammation and reactive oxygen species production, which is associated with unfavourable clinical outcomes that affect both mother and child. Intrauterine growth retardation, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes mellitus are examples of the hampered maternal and foetoplacental unit interactions. Visfatin is the obesity-related adipokine produced mainly by the visceral adipose tissue. Visfatin affects glucose homeostasis, as well as the regulation of genes related to oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Here, we review visfatin interactions in pregnancy-related disorders linked to obesity. We highlight the possible predictive and prognostic value of visfatin in diagnostic strategies on gravidas with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wnuk
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Stangret
- Chair and Department of General and Experimental Pathology with Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Wątroba
- Chair and Department of General and Experimental Pathology with Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna E Płatek
- Chair and Department of General and Experimental Pathology with Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.,1st Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Skoda
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Cendrowski
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Włodzimierz Sawicki
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Szukiewicz
- Chair and Department of General and Experimental Pathology with Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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13
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Reijnders IF, Mulders AGMGJ, van der Windt M, Steegers EAP, Steegers-Theunissen RPM. The impact of periconceptional maternal lifestyle on clinical features and biomarkers of placental development and function: a systematic review. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 25:72-94. [PMID: 30407510 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Worldwide, placenta-related complications contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth, with implications for the future health of mothers and offspring. The placenta develops in the periconception period and forms the interface between mother and embryo/fetus. An unhealthy periconceptional maternal lifestyle, such as smoking, alcohol and under- and over-nutrition, can detrimentally influence placental development and function. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The impact of maternal lifestyle on placental health is largely unknown. Therefore, we aim to summarize the evidence of the impact of periconceptional maternal lifestyle on clinical features and biomarkers of placental development and function throughout pregnancy. SEARCH METHODS A comprehensive search in Medline, Embase, Pubmed, The Cochrane Library Web of Science and Google Scholar was conducted. The search strategy included keywords related to the maternal lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, nutrition (including folic acid supplement intake) and body weight. For placental markers throughout pregnancy, keywords related to ultrasound imaging, serum biomarkers and histological characteristics were used. We included randomized controlled trials and observational studies published between January 2000 and March 2017 and restricted the analysis to singleton pregnancies and maternal periconceptional lifestyle. Methodological quality was scored using the ErasmusAGE tool. A protocol of this systematic review has been registered in PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO 2016:CRD42016045596). OUTCOMES Of 2593 unique citations found, 82 studies were included. The median quality score was 5 (range: 0-10). The findings revealed that maternal smoking was associated with lower first-trimester placental vascularization flow indices, higher second- and third-trimester resistance of the uterine and umbilical arteries and lower resistance of the middle cerebral artery. Although a negative impact of smoking on placental weight was expected, this was less clear. Alcohol use was associated with a lower placental weight. One study described higher second- and third-trimester placental growth factor (PlGF) levels after periconceptional alcohol use. None of the studies looked at caffeine intake. Adequate nutrition in the first trimester, periconceptional folic acid supplement intake and strong adherence to a Mediterranean diet, were all associated with a lower resistance of the uterine and umbilical arteries in the second and third trimester. A low caloric intake resulted in a lower placental weight, length, breadth, thickness, area and volume. Higher maternal body weight was associated with a larger placenta measured by ultrasound in the second and third trimester of pregnancy or weighed at birth. In addition, higher maternal body weight was associated with decreased PlGF-levels. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Evidence of the impact of periconceptional maternal lifestyle on placental health was demonstrated. However, due to poorly defined lifestyle exposures and time windows of investigation, unstandardized measurements of placenta-related outcomes and small sample sizes of the included studies, a cautious interpretation of the effect estimates is indicated. We suggest that future research should focus more on physiological consequences of unhealthy lifestyle during the critical periconception window. Moreover, we foresee that new evidence will support the development of lifestyle interventions to improve the health of mothers and their offspring from the earliest moment in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignatia F Reijnders
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Centre, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annemarie G M G J Mulders
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Centre, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Melissa van der Windt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Centre, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eric A P Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus Medical Centre, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Long-term effects of a maternal high-fat: high-fructose diet on offspring growth and metabolism and impact of maternal taurine supplementation. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2019; 11:419-426. [PMID: 31735181 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174419000709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Maternal obesity is associated with obesity and metabolic disorders in offspring. However, there remains a paucity of data on strategies to reverse the effects of maternal obesity on maternal and offspring health. With maternal undernutrition, taurine supplementation improves outcomes in offspring mediated in part via improved glucose-insulin homeostasis. The efficacy of taurine supplementation in the setting of maternal obesity on health and well-being of offspring is unknown. We examined the effects of taurine supplementation on outcomes related to growth and metabolism in offspring in a rat model of maternal obesity. DESIGN Wistar rats were randomised to: 1) control diet during pregnancy and lactation (CON); 2) CON with 1.5% taurine in drinking water (CT); 3) maternal obesogenic diet (MO); or 4) MO with taurine (MOT). Offspring were weaned onto the control diet for the remainder of the study. RESULTS At day 150, offspring body weights and adipose tissue weights were increased in MO groups compared to CON. Adipose tissue weights were reduced in MOT versus MO males but not females. Plasma fasting leptin and insulin were increased in MO offspring groups but were not altered by maternal taurine supplementation. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were reduced in all maternal taurine-supplemented offspring groups. There were significant interactions across maternal diet, taurine supplementation and sex for response to an oral glucose tolerance test , a high-fat dietary preference test and pubertal onset in offspring. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that maternal taurine supplementation can partially ameliorate adverse developmental programming effects in offspring in a sex-specific manner.
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15
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The effect of high glucose on lipid metabolism in the human placenta. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14114. [PMID: 31575970 PMCID: PMC6773712 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50626-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) during pregnancy can result in fetal overgrowth, likely due to placental dysfunction, which has health consequences for the infant. Here we test our prediction from previous work using a placental cell line that high glucose concentrations affect placental lipid metabolism. Placentas from women with type 1 (n = 13), type 2 (n = 6) or gestational (n = 12) DM, BMI-matched to mothers without DM (n = 18), were analysed for lipase and fatty acid transport proteins and fatty acid and triglyceride content. Explants from uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 6) cultured in physiological or high glucose were similarly analysed. High glucose levels did not alter placental lipase or transporter expression or the profile and abundance of fatty acids, but triglyceride levels were higher (p < 0.05), suggesting reduced β- oxidation. DM did not affect placental protein expression or fatty acid profile. Triglyceride levels of placentas from mothers with pre-existing DM were similar to controls, but higher in obese women with gestational DM. Maternal hyperglycemia may not affect placental fatty acid uptake and transport. However, placental β-oxidation is affected by high glucose and reduced in a subset of women with DM. Abnormal placental lipid metabolism could contribute to increased maternal-fetal lipid transfer and excess fetal growth in some DM pregnancies.
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16
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Austdal M, Silva GB, Bowe S, Thomsen LCV, Tangerås LH, Bjørge L, Bathen TF, Iversen AC. Metabolomics Identifies Placental Dysfunction and Confirms Flt-1 (FMS-Like Tyrosine Kinase Receptor 1) Biomarker Specificity. Hypertension 2019; 74:1136-1143. [PMID: 31495279 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.119.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Clinical end-stage parameters define the pregnancy disorders preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction while classification of the underlying placental dysfunction is missing and urgently needed. Flt-1 (FMS-like tyrosine kinase receptor 1) is the most promising placenta-derived predictive biomarker for preeclampsia. We aimed to classify placental dysfunction in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction at delivery by metabolic profiling and authenticate the biomarker Flt-1 for placental dysfunction. We studied 143 pregnancies with or without preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction delivered by cesarean section. Metabolic placenta profiles were created by high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the resulting placental phenotypes obtained by hierarchical clustering. Placental Flt-1 expression (membrane-bound and soluble isoforms combined) and maternal serum Flt-1 expression (soluble isoforms) were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. We identified 3 distinct placenta groups by 21 metabolites and diagnostic outcome parameters; normal placentas, moderate placental dysfunction, and severe placental dysfunction. Increased placental Flt-1 was associated with severe placental dysfunction, and increased serum Flt-1 was associated with moderate and severe placental dysfunction. The preeclamptic pregnancies with and without placental dysfunction could be distinguished by 5 metabolites and placental Flt-1. Placental Flt-1 alone could separate normal pregnancies with and without placental dysfunction. In conclusion, metabolomics could classify placental dysfunction and provide information not identified by traditional diagnostics and metabolites with biomarker potential were identified. Flt-1 was confirmed as precision biomarker for placental dysfunction, substantiating its usefulness for identification of high-risk pregnancies for preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction with placental involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Austdal
- From the Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (M.A., G.B.S., L.C.V.T., L.H.T., A.-C.I.), Trondheim University Hospital, Norway.,Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU (M.A., T.F.B.), Trondheim University Hospital, Norway.,Department of Research, Stavanger University Hospital, Norway (M.A.)
| | - Gabriela Brettas Silva
- From the Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (M.A., G.B.S., L.C.V.T., L.H.T., A.-C.I.), Trondheim University Hospital, Norway.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Norway (G.B.S., S.B., L.H.T.)
| | - Sophie Bowe
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Norway (G.B.S., S.B., L.H.T.)
| | - Liv Cecilie Vestrheim Thomsen
- From the Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (M.A., G.B.S., L.C.V.T., L.H.T., A.-C.I.), Trondheim University Hospital, Norway.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Haukeland University Hospital and Center for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway (L.C.V.T., L.B.)
| | - Line Haugstad Tangerås
- From the Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (M.A., G.B.S., L.C.V.T., L.H.T., A.-C.I.), Trondheim University Hospital, Norway.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Norway (G.B.S., S.B., L.H.T.)
| | - Line Bjørge
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Haukeland University Hospital and Center for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Norway (L.C.V.T., L.B.)
| | - Tone Frost Bathen
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU (M.A., T.F.B.), Trondheim University Hospital, Norway
| | - Ann-Charlotte Iversen
- From the Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) (M.A., G.B.S., L.C.V.T., L.H.T., A.-C.I.), Trondheim University Hospital, Norway
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Xu K, Bai M, Bin P, Duan Y, Wu X, Liu H, Yin Y. Negative effects on newborn piglets caused by excess dietary tryptophan in the morning in sows. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2019; 99:3005-3016. [PMID: 30478950 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated the effect of dynamic feeding models of dietary tryptophan on sows' performance during late pregnancy. RESULTS The average piglet birth weight and live farrowing rate from sows consuming a high-low tryptophan diet (0.39% Trp in the morning and 0.13% Trp in the afternoon) were decreased compared with those fed a 2×tryptophan diet (0.26% Trp in the morning and afternoon). Compared with the 2×tryptophan group, sow serum kynurenic acid and the newborn liver n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio were significantly higher, and sow serum taurine and newborn serum taurine, phosphoserine, cysteine and proline were lower in the high-low tryptophan diet group. Eighty-eight genes were differentially expressed in newborn piglets' livers between the 2×tryptophan and high-low groups. Genes related to cytotoxic effector regulation (major histocompatibility complex class I proteins), NADH oxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism and tissue development were differentially expressed between these two groups. CONCLUSION Together, the results provide information on new biomarkers in serum or liver and provide novel insights into variations in the fetal liver during exogenous stimulus response and biological processes of ROS metabolism in fetuses during late pregnancy caused by a single excessive tryptophan ingestion daily in the morning. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Miaomiao Bai
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Bin
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Yehui Duan
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongnan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Animal Production Safety, CICAPS, Changsha, China
| | - Yulong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Agroecological Processes in Subtropical Region, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Healthy Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South Central, Ministry of Agriculture, Changsha, China
- Hangzhou King Techina Technology Company Academician Expert Workstation, Hangzhou King Techina Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
- National Engineering Laboratory for Pollution Control and Waste Utilization in Livestock and Poultry Production, Changsha, China
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Kondarl Agro-pastoral Technology Co., Ltd., Dongguan, China
- Academician Workstation of Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
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18
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Walker N, Filis P, O'Shaughnessy PJ, Bellingham M, Fowler PA. Nutrient transporter expression in both the placenta and fetal liver are affected by maternal smoking. Placenta 2019; 78:10-17. [PMID: 30955705 PMCID: PMC6461130 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The placenta controls nutrient transfer between mother and fetus via membrane transporters. Appropriate transplacental passage of nutrients is essential for fetal growth and development. We investigated whether transporter transcript levels in human placenta-liver pairs from first and early second trimester pregnancies exhibit gestational age- or fetal sex-specific profiles and whether these are dysregulated by maternal smoking. Methods In a step-change for the field, paired placenta and fetal livers from 54 electively terminated, normally-progressing pregnancies (7–20 weeks of gestation, Scottish Advanced Fetal Research Study, REC 15/NS/0123) were sexed and cigarette smoking-exposure confirmed. Thirty-six nutrient transporter transcripts were quantified using RT-qPCR. Results While fetal, liver and placenta weights were not altered by maternal smoking, levels of transporter transcripts changed with fetal age and sex in the placenta and fetal liver and their trajectories were altered if the mother smoked. Placental levels of glucose uptake transporters SLC2A1 and SLC2A3 increased in smoking-exposed fetuses while smoking was associated with altered levels of amino acid and fatty acid transporter genes in both tissues. SLC7A8, which exchanges non-essential amino acids in the fetus for essential amino acids from the placenta, was reduced in smoking-exposed placentas while transcript levels of four hepatic fatty acid uptake transporters were also reduced by smoking. Discussion This data shows that fetal sex and age and maternal smoking are associated with altered transporter transcript levels. This could influence nutrient transport across the placenta and subsequent uptake by the fetal liver, altering trophic delivery to the growing fetus. Nutrient transporters show differential expression in first/second trimesters. Maternal smoking alters transporter expression of three essential nutrient groups. Fatty acid transporter expression is reduced in smoke-exposed fetal livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Walker
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
| | - Panagiotis Filis
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Peter J O'Shaughnessy
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Michelle Bellingham
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Paul A Fowler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
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19
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Cleal JK, Lofthouse EM, Sengers BG, Lewis RM. A systems perspective on placental amino acid transport. J Physiol 2018; 596:5511-5522. [PMID: 29984402 PMCID: PMC6265537 DOI: 10.1113/jp274883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental amino acid transfer is a complex process that is essential for fetal development. Impaired amino acid transfer causes fetal growth restriction, which may have lifelong health consequences. Transepithelial transfer of amino acids across the placental syncytiotrophoblast requires accumulative, exchange and facilitated transporters on the apical and basal membranes to work in concert. However, transporters alone do not determine amino acid transfer and factors that affect substrate availability, such as blood flow and metabolism, may also become rate-limiting for transfer. In order to determine the rate-limiting processes, it is necessary to take a systems approach which recognises the interdependence of these processes. New technologies have the potential to deliver targeted interventions to the placenta and help poorly growing fetuses. While many factors are necessary for amino acid transfer, novel therapies need to target the rate-limiting factors if they are going to be effective. This review will outline the factors which determine amino acid transfer and describe how they become interdependent. It will also highlight the role of computational modelling as a tool to understand this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane K. Cleal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Institute of Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Emma M. Lofthouse
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Institute of Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Bram G. Sengers
- Institute of Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Faculty of Engineering and the EnvironmentUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Rohan M. Lewis
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Institute of Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
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20
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Seidel U, Huebbe P, Rimbach G. Taurine: A Regulator of Cellular Redox Homeostasis and Skeletal Muscle Function. Mol Nutr Food Res 2018; 63:e1800569. [DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201800569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Seidel
- Institute of Human Nutrition and Food ScienceUniversity of Kiel Kiel Germany
| | - Patricia Huebbe
- Institute of Human Nutrition and Food ScienceUniversity of Kiel Kiel Germany
| | - Gerald Rimbach
- Institute of Human Nutrition and Food ScienceUniversity of Kiel Kiel Germany
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21
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Myatt L, Thornburg KL. Effects of Prenatal Nutrition and the Role of the Placenta in Health and Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1735:19-46. [PMID: 29380305 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7614-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies identified the linkage between exposures to stresses, including the type and plane of nutrition in utero with development of disease in later life. Given the critical roles of the placenta in mediating transport of nutrients between the mother and fetus and regulation of maternal metabolism, recent attention has focused on the role of the placenta in mediating the effect of altered nutritional exposures on the development of disease in later life. In this chapter we describe the mechanisms of nutrient transport in the placenta, the influence of placental metabolism on this, and how placental energetics influence placental function in response to a variety of stressors. Further the recent "recognition" that the placenta itself has a sex which affects its function may begin to help elucidate the mechanisms underlying the well-known dimorphism in development of disease in adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Myatt
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. .,Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Kent L Thornburg
- Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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22
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Gaccioli F, Lager S. Placental Nutrient Transport and Intrauterine Growth Restriction. Front Physiol 2016; 7:40. [PMID: 26909042 PMCID: PMC4754577 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction refers to the inability of the fetus to reach its genetically determined potential size. Fetal growth restriction affects approximately 5–15% of all pregnancies in the United States and Europe. In developing countries the occurrence varies widely between 10 and 55%, impacting about 30 million newborns per year. Besides having high perinatal mortality rates these infants are at greater risk for severe adverse outcomes, such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and cerebral palsy. Moreover, reduced fetal growth has lifelong health consequences, including higher risks of developing metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Numerous reports indicate placental insufficiency as one of the underlying causes leading to altered fetal growth and impaired placental capacity of delivering nutrients to the fetus has been shown to contribute to the etiology of intrauterine growth restriction. Indeed, reduced expression and/or activity of placental nutrient transporters have been demonstrated in several conditions associated with an increased risk of delivering a small or growth restricted infant. This review focuses on human pregnancies and summarizes the changes in placental amino acid, fatty acid, and glucose transport reported in conditions associated with intrauterine growth restriction, such as maternal undernutrition, pre-eclampsia, young maternal age, high altitude and infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gaccioli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
| | - Susanne Lager
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK
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Costa MA. Scrutinising the regulators of syncytialization and their expression in pregnancy-related conditions. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 420:180-93. [PMID: 26586208 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is important for the success of gestation and foetal development. In fact, this specialized pregnancy organ is essential for foetal nourishment, support, and protection. In the placenta, there are different cell populations, including four subtypes of trophoblasts. Cytotrophoblasts fuse and differentiate into the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast (syncytialization). Syncytialization is a hallmark of placentation and is highly regulated by numerous molecules with distinct roles. Placentas from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction or trisomy 21 have been associated with a defective syncytialization and an altered expression of its modulators. This work proposes to review the molecules that promote or inhibit both fusion and biochemical differentiation of cytotrophoblasts. Moreover, it will also analyse the syncytialization modulators abnormally expressed in pathological placentas, highlighting the molecules that may contribute to the aetiology of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Costa
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Chen Z, He P, Ding X, Huang Y, Gu H, Ni X. PPARγ stimulates expression of L-type amino acid and taurine transporters in human placentas: the evidence of PPARγ regulating fetal growth. Sci Rep 2015; 5:12650. [PMID: 26227476 PMCID: PMC4521151 DOI: 10.1038/srep12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental amino acid transporters and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have been implicated to placental development and therefore regulation of fetal growth. We analyzed the correlation between the expression of amino acid transporters and PPARs and investigated whether PPARs control the expression of amino acid transporters in placentas. It was found that protein expression of PPARγ and L-type amino acid transporter 1(LAT1) and 2 (LAT2) was decreased in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) placentas. LAT1, LAT2 and taurine transporter (TAUT) expression correlated to PPARγ level and birth weight. In cultured placental cells, PPARγ agonist stimulated LAT1 and LAT2 and TAUT, which was reversed by PPARγ siRNA. PPARγ up-regulation of LAT1 and TAUT was through specificity protein 1 (Sp-1) while stimulation of LAT2 expression was via induction of gene transcription. Our data suggest that PPARγ, SP-1, LAT1 and LAT2 in placentas are involved in control of fetal growth. PPARγ signaling pathway may be the therapeutic target for intrauterine growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoguang Chen
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping He
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoying Ding
- Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Hang Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Ni
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Acosta O, Ramirez VI, Lager S, Gaccioli F, Dudley DJ, Powell TL, Jansson T. Increased glucose and placental GLUT-1 in large infants of obese nondiabetic mothers. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 212:227.e1-7. [PMID: 25132463 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 06/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obese women are at increased risk to deliver a large infant, however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Fetal glucose availability is critically dependent on placental transfer and is linked to fetal growth by regulating the release of fetal growth hormones such as insulin. We hypothesized that (1) umbilical vein glucose and insulin levels and (2) placental glucose transporter (GLUT) expression and activity are positively correlated with early pregnancy maternal body mass index and infant birthweight. STUDY DESIGN Subjects in this prospective observational cohort study were nondiabetic predominantly Hispanic women delivered at term. Fasting maternal and umbilical vein glucose and insulin concentrations were determined in 29 women with varying early pregnancy body mass index (range, 18.0-54.3) who delivered infants with birthweights ranging from 2800-4402 g. We isolated syncytiotrophoblast microvillous and basal plasma membranes from 33 placentas and determined the expression of GLUT-1 and -9 (Western blot) and glucose uptake (radiolabeled glucose). RESULTS Birthweight was positively correlated with umbilical vein glucose and insulin and maternal body mass index. Umbilical vein glucose levels were positively correlated with placental weight and maternal body mass index, but not with maternal fasting glucose. Basal plasma membranes GLUT-1 expression was positively correlated with birthweight. In contrast, syncytiotrophoblast microvillous GLUT-1 and -9, basal plasma membranes GLUT-9 expression and syncytiotrophoblast microvillous and basal plasma membranes glucose transport activity were not correlated with birthweight. CONCLUSION Because maternal fasting glucose levels and placental glucose transport capacity were not increased in obese women delivering larger infants, we speculate that increased placental size promotes glucose delivery to these fetuses.
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Desforges M, Whittaker H, Farmer E, Sibley CP, Greenwood SL. Effects of taurine depletion on human placental syncytiotrophoblast renewal and susceptibility to oxidative stress. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 803:63-73. [PMID: 25833488 PMCID: PMC5166970 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-15126-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Desforges
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK,
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Maternal obesity is associated with a reduction in placental taurine transporter activity. Int J Obes (Lond) 2014; 39:557-64. [PMID: 25547282 PMCID: PMC4389721 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2014.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Revised: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Maternal obesity increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcome including stillbirth, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and fetal overgrowth. These pregnancy complications are associated with dysfunctional syncytiotrophoblast, the transporting epithelium of the human placenta. Taurine, a β-amino acid with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties, has a role in syncytiotrophoblast development and function and is required for fetal growth and organ development. Taurine is conditionally essential in pregnancy and fetal tissues depend on uptake of taurine from maternal blood. We tested the hypothesis that taurine uptake into placental syncytiotrophoblast by the taurine transporter protein (TauT) is lower in obese women (body mass index (BMI)⩾30 kg m−2) than in women of ideal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg m−2) and explored potential regulatory factors. Subjects/Methods: Placentas were collected from term (37–42-week gestation), uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies from women with BMI 19–49 kg m−2. TauT activity was measured as the Na+-dependent uptake of 3H-taurine into placental villous fragments. TauT expression in membrane-enriched placental samples was investigated by western blot. In vitro studies using placental villous explants examined whether leptin or IL-6, adipokines/cytokines that are elevated in maternal obesity, regulates TauT activity. Results: Placental TauT activity was significantly lower in obese women (BMI⩾30) than women of ideal weight (P<0.03) and inversely related to maternal BMI (19–49 kg m−2; P<0.05; n=61). There was no difference in TauT expression between placentas of ideal weight and obese class III (BMI⩾40) subjects. Long-term exposure (48 h) of placental villous explants to leptin or IL-6 did not affect TauT activity. Conclusions: Placental TauT activity at term is negatively related to maternal BMI. We propose that the reduction in placental TauT activity in maternal obesity could lower syncytiotrophoblast taurine concentration, compromise placental development and function, and reduce the driving force for taurine efflux to the fetus, thereby increasing the risk of poor pregnancy outcome.
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Lui S, Jones RL, Robinson NJ, Greenwood SL, Aplin JD, Tower CL. Detrimental effects of ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde, on first trimester human placental cell turnover and function. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87328. [PMID: 24503565 PMCID: PMC3913587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes developmental issues from high maternal alcohol intake, which commonly results in fetal growth restriction and long term morbidity. We aimed to investigate the effect of alcohol and acetaldehyde, on the first trimester placenta, the period essential for normal fetal organogenesis. Normal invasion and establishment of the placenta during this time are essential for sustaining fetal viability to term. We hypothesise that alcohol (ethanol) and acetaldehyde have detrimental effects on cytotrophoblast invasion, turnover and placental function. Taurine is an important amino acid for neuronal and physiological development, and so, its uptake was assayed in cells and placental explants exposed to alcohol or acetaldehyde. First trimester villous explants and BeWo cells were treated with 0, 10, 20, 40 mM ethanol or 0, 10, 20, 40 µM acetaldehyde. The invasive capacity of SGHPL4, a first trimester extravillous cytotrophoblast cell line, was unaffected by ethanol or acetaldehyde (p>0.05; N = 6). The cells in-cycle were estimated using immunostaining for Ki67. Proliferating trophoblast cells treated with ethanol were decreased in both experiments (explants: 40% at 20 mM and 40 mM, p<0.05, N = 8–9) (cell line: 5% at 20 mM and 40 mM, p<0.05, N = 6). Acetaldehyde also reduced Ki67-positive cells in both experiments (explants at 40 µM p<0.05; N = 6) (cell line at 10 µM and 40 µM; p<0.05; N = 7). Only in the cell line at 20 µM acetaldehyde demonstrated increased apoptosis (p<0.05; N = 6). Alcohol inhibited taurine transport in BeWo cells at 10 mM and 40 mM (p<0.05; N = 6), and in placenta at 40 mM (p<0.05; N = 7). Acetaldehyde did not affect taurine transport in either model (P<0.05; N = 6). Interestingly, system A amino acid transport in placental explants was increased at 10 µM and 40 µM acetaldehyde exposure (p<0.05; N = 6). Our results demonstrate that exposure to both genotoxins may contribute to the pathogenesis of FASD by reducing placental growth. Alcohol also reduces the transport of taurine, which is vital for developmental neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Lui
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Rebecca L. Jones
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie J. Robinson
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Susan L. Greenwood
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - John D. Aplin
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Clare L. Tower
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, St. Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
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