Placental Adenosine Signaling in the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia

Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis on Molecular Targets and Mechanisms of "Chuanxiong Rhizoma: Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae" Herb Couples in the Treatment of Preeclampsia

Objective

The aim of the study is to explore the molecular mechanism of activating blood circulation and dispersing stasis herbs in the treatment of pre-eclampsia with Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Methods

The chemical composition and targets of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza were retrieved from the TCMSP database, and a PPI network was constructed for common genes. Subsequently, a graph of the "active component-target-action pathway" was plotted by Cytoscape 3.7.2 and a KEGG pathway enrichment was performed using the R language cluster profiler package. Molecular docking was conducted between the top five PPI targets of Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Results

According to network pharmacology, there were 32 target genes, 60 active components, and 59 pathways in Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza, and its most evident effects were exerted on G-protein-coupled amine receptors and the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction signaling pathway. Molecular docking indicated that the target protein had a good binding ability with the drugs.

Conclusion

Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza have therapeutic effects in pre-eclampsia, as confirmed by the results of molecular biology analysis. Thus, the Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza regimen provides a basis for the treatment of pre-eclampsia using traditional Chinese medicine.

Evaluation of CD39, CD73, HIF-1α, and their related miRNAs expression in decidua of preeclampsia cases compared to healthy pregnant women

BACKGROUND

The Preeclampsia (PE) molecular mechanisms are not fully revealed and different biological processes are involved in the pathogenesis of PE. We aimed to evaluate adenosine and hypoxia-related signaling molecules in PE patients in the current study.

METHODS

Decidua tissue and peripheral blood samples were taken from 25 healthy pregnant and 25 PE women at delivery time. CD39, CD73, and Hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha (HIF-α) were evaluated in mRNA and protein level using real-time PCR and western blotting techniques, respectively. Also, miR-30a, miR-206, and miR-18a expression were evaluated by real-time PCR. At last, secretion levels of IGF and TGF-β in the taken serum of blood samples were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that Expression of CD39 is decreased in PE cases versus healthy controls at mRNA and protein levels (p = 0.0003 for both). CD73 and HIF-α showed an increased level of expression in PE patients at RNA and protein status (p = 0.0157 and p < 0.0001 for protein evaluation of CD73 and HIF-α, respectively). The miRNA-30a (p = 0.0037) and miR-206 (p = 0.0113) showed elevated expression in the decidua of the PE group. The concentration of secreted IGF-1 (p = 0.0002) and TGF-β (p = 0.0101) in serum samples of PE cases compared to the healthy group were decreased.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our results showed that aberrant expression of molecules that are involved in ATP catabolism and the hypoxic conditions is observed in PE cases and involved in their hypertension and inflammation could be served as PE prognosis by more confirming in comprehensive future studies. miR-206 and miR-30a play a role by regulating CD39 and CD73 as molecules that are involved in ATP catabolism as well as regulating the production of IGF-1 in the process of hypertension, which is the main feature in patients with preeclampsia. On the other hand, decreased level of miR-18a lead to upregulation of HIF-1a, and the consequence condition of hypoxia increases hypertension and inflammation in these patients.

Adenosine A3 Receptor Mediates ERK1/2- and JNK-Dependent TNF-α Production in Toxoplasma gondii-Infected HTR8/SVneo Human Extravillous Trophoblast Cells

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that causes severe disease when the infection occurs during pregnancy. Adenosine is a purine nucleoside involved in numerous physiological processes; however, the role of adenosine receptors in T. gondii-induced trophoblast cell function has not been investigated until now. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the intracellular signaling pathways regulated by adenosine receptors using a HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cell model of T. gondii infection. HTR8/SVneo human extravillous trophoblast cells were infected with or without T. gondii and then evaluated for cell morphology, intracellular proliferation of the parasite, adenosine receptor expression, TNF-α production and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways triggered by adenosine A3 receptor (A3AR). HTR8/SVneo cells infected with T. gondii exhibited an altered cytoskeletal changes, an increased infection rate and reduced viability in an infection time-dependent manner. T. gondii significantly promoted increased TNF-α production, A3AR protein levels and p38, ERK1/2 and JNK phosphorylation compared to those observed in uninfected control cells. Moreover, the inhibition of A3AR by A3AR siRNA transfection apparently suppressed the T. gondii infection-mediated upregulation of TNF-α, A3AR production and MAPK activation. In addition, T. gondii-promoted TNF-α secretion was dramatically attenuated by pretreatment with PD098059 or SP600125. These results indicate that A3AR-mediated activation of ERK1/2 and JNK positively regulates TNF-α secretion in T. gondii-infected HTR8/SVneo cells.

Therapeutic Prospects in Preeclampsia - A Mini-Review

BACKGROUND

Preeclapmsia (PE) is characterized by early onset symptoms such as elevated blood pressure, proteinuria and edema in the pregnant woman, and may result in seizures in the affected female. Currently, there are no therapeutic drugs available to treat this condition, but there are interventions to regulate the symptoms based on the gestational period of the fetus, although the largely favored option is delivery of the fetus and placenta.

OBJECTIVE

A search for biomolecules associated with PE was conducted so as to identify diagnostic markers and therapeutic leads.

RESULTS

The literature search resulted in the identification of biomolecules such as Corin and Placental Protein 13 (PP13), among others that are associated with PE. Thereby, giving an insight into the various mechanistic pathways involved in the causation of PE. However, it is also evident that PE cannot be solely attributed to any single mechanism but is due to an interplay of different factors that have led to the development of this disease condition.

CONCLUSION

The identified biomarkers would ultimately help in understanding this complex disease and perhaps lead to the discovery of potential effective molecular targets for clinical trials, thereby providing a valuable therapeutic option for affected pregnant women.