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Martínez N, Damiano AE. Aquaporins in Fetal Development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1398:251-266. [PMID: 36717499 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7415-1_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Water homeostasis is essential for fetal growth, and it depends on the successful development of the placenta. Many aquaporins (AQPs) were identified from blastocyst stages to term placenta. In the last years, cytokines, hormones, second messengers, intracellular pH, and membrane proteins were found to regulate their expression and function in the human placenta and fetal membranes. Accumulated data suggest that these proteins may be involved not only in the maintenance of the amniotic fluid volume homeostasis but also in the development of the placenta and fetal organs. In this sense, dysregulation of placental AQPs is associated with gestational disorders. Thus, current evidence shows that AQPs may collaborate in cellular events including trophoblast migration and apoptosis. In addition, aquaglyceroporins are involved in energy metabolism as well as urea elimination across the placenta. In the last year, the presence of AQP9 in trophoblast mitochondria opened new hypotheses about its role in pregnancy. However, much further work is needed to understand the importance of these proteins in human pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Cátedra de Biología Celulary Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Functional characterization of dopamine and norepinephrine transport across the apical and basal plasma membranes of the human placental syncytiotrophoblast. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11603. [PMID: 35804076 PMCID: PMC9270497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15790-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta represents a unique non-neuronal site of monoamine transporter expression, with pathophysiological relevance during the prenatal period. Monoamines (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine) are crucial neuromodulators for proper placenta functions and fetal development, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and neuronal migration. Accumulating evidence suggests that even a transient disruption of monoamine balance during gestation may lead to permanent changes in the fetal brain structures and functions, projecting into adulthood. Nonetheless, little is known about the transfer of dopamine and norepinephrine across the placental syncytiotrophoblast. Employing the method of isolated membranes from the human term placenta, here we delineate the transport mechanisms involved in dopamine and norepinephrine passage across the apical microvillous (MVM) and basal membranes. We show that the placental uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine across the mother-facing MVM is mediated via the high-affinity and low-capacity serotonin (SERT/SLC6A4) and norepinephrine (NET/SLC6A2) transporters. In the fetus-facing basal membrane, however, the placental uptake of both monoamines is controlled by the organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3/SLC22A3). Our findings thus provide insights into physiological aspects of dopamine and norepinephrine transport across both the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta. As monoamine transporters represent targets for several neuroactive drugs such as antidepressants, our findings are pharmacologically relevant to ensure the safety of drug use during pregnancy.
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Slagle C, Gist KM, Starr MC, Hemmelgarn TS, Goldstein SL, Kent AL. Fluid Homeostasis and Diuretic Therapy in the Neonate. Neoreviews 2022; 23:e189-e204. [PMID: 35229135 DOI: 10.1542/neo.23-3-e189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding physiologic water balance and homeostasis mechanisms in the neonate is critical for clinicians in the NICU as pathologic fluid accumulation increases the risk for morbidity and mortality. In addition, once this process occurs, treatment is limited. In this review, we will cover fluid homeostasis in the neonate, explain the implications of prematurity on this process, discuss the complexity of fluid accumulation and the development of fluid overload, identify mitigation strategies, and review treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara Slagle
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Katja M Gist
- Division of Cardiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Michelle C Starr
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Trina S Hemmelgarn
- Division of Pharmacology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati, College of Pharmacy, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Stuart L Goldstein
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Alison L Kent
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, NY, and Australian National University Medical School, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Horackova H, Karahoda R, Cerveny L, Vachalova V, Ebner R, Abad C, Staud F. Effect of Selected Antidepressants on Placental Homeostasis of Serotonin: Maternal and Fetal Perspectives. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13081306. [PMID: 34452265 PMCID: PMC8397948 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13081306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a prevalent condition affecting up to 20% of pregnant women. Hence, more than 10% are prescribed antidepressant drugs, mainly serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). We hypothesize that antidepressants disturb serotonin homeostasis in the fetoplacental unit by inhibiting serotonin transporter (SERT) and organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) in the maternal- and fetal-facing placental membranes, respectively. Paroxetine, citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, and venlafaxine were tested in situ (rat term placenta perfusion) and ex vivo (uptake studies in membrane vesicles isolated from healthy human term placenta). All tested antidepressants significantly inhibited SERT- and OCT3-mediated serotonin uptake in a dose-dependent manner. Calculated half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were in the range of therapeutic plasma concentrations. Using in vitro and in situ models, we further showed that the placental efflux transporters did not compromise mother-to-fetus transport of antidepressants. Collectively, we suggest that antidepressants have the potential to affect serotonin levels in the placenta or fetus when administered at therapeutic doses. Interestingly, the effect of antidepressants on serotonin homeostasis in rat placenta was sex dependent. As accurate fetal programming requires optimal serotonin levels in the fetoplacental unit throughout gestation, inhibition of SERT-/OCT3-mediated serotonin uptake may help explain the poor outcomes of antidepressant use in pregnancy.
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Karahoda R, Horackova H, Kastner P, Matthios A, Cerveny L, Kucera R, Kacerovsky M, Duintjer Tebbens J, Bonnin A, Abad C, Staud F. Serotonin homeostasis in the materno-foetal interface at term: Role of transporters (SERT/SLC6A4 and OCT3/SLC22A3) and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) in uptake and degradation of serotonin by human and rat term placenta. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2020; 229:e13478. [PMID: 32311818 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIM Serotonin is crucial for proper foetal development, and the placenta has been described as a 'donor' of serotonin for the embryo/foetus. However, in later stages of gestation the foetus produces its own serotonin from maternally-derived tryptophan and placental supply is no longer needed. We propose a novel model of serotonin homeostasis in the term placenta with special focus on the protective role of organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3/SLC22A3). METHODS Dually perfused rat term placenta was employed to quantify serotonin/tryptophan transport and metabolism. Placental membrane vesicles isolated from human term placenta were used to characterize serotonin transporters on both sides of the syncytiotrophoblast. RESULTS We obtained the first evidence that serotonin is massively taken up from the foetal circulation by OCT3. This uptake is concentration-dependent and inhibitable by OCT3 blockers of endogenous (glucocorticoids) or exogenous (pharmaceuticals) origin. Population analyses in rat placenta revealed that foetal sex influences placental extraction of serotonin from foetal circulation. Negligible foetal serotonin levels were detected in maternal-to-foetal serotonin/tryptophan transport and metabolic studies. CONCLUSION We demonstrate that OCT3, localized on the foetus-facing membrane of syncytiotrophoblast, is an essential component of foeto-placental homeostasis of serotonin. Together with serotonin degrading enzyme, monoamine oxidase-A, this offers a protective mechanism against local vasoconstriction effects of serotonin in the placenta. However, this system may be compromised by OCT3 inhibitory molecules, such as glucocorticoids or antidepressants. Our findings open new avenues to explore previously unsuspected/unexplained complications during pregnancy including prenatal glucocorticoid excess and pharmacotherapeutic risks of treating pregnant women with OCT3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rona Karahoda
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Hana Horackova
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kastner
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Andreas Matthios
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Biophysics and Physical Chemistry Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Cerveny
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Radim Kucera
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Marian Kacerovsky
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics University Hospital in Hradec Kralove Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Jurjen Duintjer Tebbens
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Biophysics and Physical Chemistry Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Alexandre Bonnin
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience University of Southern California Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Cilia Abad
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Staud
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Charles University Hradec Kralove Czech Republic
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Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels proteins that facilitate water flux across cell membranes in response to osmotic gradients. Despite of the differences in the mammalian placentas, the conserved combination of AQPs expressed in placental and fetal membranes throughout gestation suggests that these proteins may be important in the regulation of fetal water homeostasis. Thus, AQPs may regulate the amniotic fluid volume and participate in the trans-placental transfer of water. Apart from their classical roles, recent studies have revealed that placental AQPs may also cooperate in cellular processes such as the migration and the apoptosis of the trophoblasts. Aquaglyceroporins can also participate in the energy metabolism and in the urea elimination across the placenta. Many factors including oxygen, hormones, acid-basis homeostasis, maternal dietary status, interaction with other transport proteins and osmotic stress are proposed to regulate their expression and function during gestation and alterations result in pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Vaughan OR, Thompson F, Lorca RA, Julian CG, Powell TL, Moore LG, Jansson T. Effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2019; 128:127-133. [PMID: 31804891 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00691.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Women residing at high altitudes deliver infants of lower birth weight than at sea level. Birth weight correlates with placental system A-mediated amino acid transport capacity, and severe environmental hypoxia reduces system A activity in isolated trophoblast and the mouse placenta. However, the effect of high altitude on human placental amino acid transport remains unknown. We hypothesized that microvillous membrane (MVM) system A and system L amino acid transporter activity is lower in placentas of women living at high altitude compared with low-altitude controls. Placentas were collected at term from healthy pregnant women residing at high altitude (HA; >2,500 m; n = 14) or low altitude (LA; <1,700 m; n = 14) following planned, unlabored cesarean section. Birth weight, but not placenta weight, was 13% lower in HA pregnancies (2.88 ± 0.11 kg) compared with LA (3.30 ± 0.07 kg, P < 0.01). MVM erythropoietin receptor abundance, determined by immunoblot, was greater in HA than in LA placentas, consistent with lower placental oxygen levels at HA. However, there was no effect of altitude on MVM system A or L activity, determined by Na+-dependent [14C]methylaminoisobutyric acid uptake and [3H]leucine uptake, respectively. MVM abundance of glucose transporters (GLUTs) 1 and 4 and basal membrane GLUT4 were also similar in LA and HA placentas. Low birth weights in the neonates of women residing at high altitude are not a consequence of reduced placental amino acid transport capacity. These observations are in general agreement with studies of IUGR babies at low altitude, in which MVM system A activity is downregulated only in growth-restricted babies with significant compromise.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Babies born at high altitude are smaller than at sea level. Birth weight is dependent on growth in utero and, in turn, placental nutrient transport. We determined amino acid transport capacity in placentas collected from women resident at low and high altitude. Altitude did not affect system A amino acid transport across the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane, suggesting that impaired placental amino acid transport does not contribute to reduced birth weight in this high-altitude population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen R Vaughan
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Fredrick Thompson
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ramón A Lorca
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Colleen G Julian
- Department of Medicine University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lorna G Moore
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Ob/Gyn, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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8
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Szpilbarg N, Martínez NA, Di Paola M, Reppetti J, Medina Y, Seyahian A, Castro Parodi M, Damiano AE. New Insights Into the Role of Placental Aquaporins and the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1507. [PMID: 30425647 PMCID: PMC6218616 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulated evidence suggests that an abnormal placentation and an altered expression of a variety of trophoblast transporters are associated to preeclampsia. In this regard, an abnormal expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was reported in these placentas. Recent data suggests that placental AQPs are not only water channel proteins and that may participate in relevant processes required for a normal placental development, such as cell migration and apoptosis. Recently we reported that a normal expression of AQP3 is required for the migration of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells. Thus, alterations in this protein might lead to an insufficient transformation of the maternal spiral arteries resulting in fluctuations of oxygen tension, a potent stimulus for oxidative damage and trophoblast apoptosis. In this context, the increase of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species could nitrate AQP9, producing the accumulation of a non-functional protein affecting the survival of the villous trophoblast (VT). This may trigger the exacerbated release of apoptotic VT fragments into maternal circulation producing the systemic endothelial dysfunction underlying the maternal syndrome. Therefore, our hypothesis is that the alteration in the expression of placental AQPs observed at the end of gestation may take place during the trophoblast stem cell differentiation, disturbing both EVT and VT cells development, or during the VT differentiation and turnover. In both situations, VT is affected and at last the maternal vascular system is activated leading to the clinical manifestations of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Szpilbarg
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nora A Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauricio Di Paola
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Reppetti
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yollyseth Medina
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Abril Seyahian
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauricio Castro Parodi
- Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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9
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Pantham P, Rosario FJ, Weintraub ST, Nathanielsz PW, Powell TL, Li C, Jansson T. Down-Regulation of Placental Transport of Amino Acids Precedes the Development of Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Maternal Nutrient Restricted Baboons. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:98. [PMID: 27605346 PMCID: PMC5178152 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.141085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an important risk factor for perinatal complications and adult disease. IUGR is associated with down-regulation of placental amino acid transporter expression and activity at birth. It is unknown whether these changes are a cause or a consequence of human IUGR. We hypothesized that placental amino acid transport capacity is reduced prior to onset of reduced fetal growth in baboons with maternal nutrient restriction (MNR). Pregnant baboons were fed either a control (n = 8) or MNR diet (70% of control diet, n = 9) from Gestational Day 30. At Gestational Day 120 (0.65 of gestation), fetuses and placentas were collected. Microvillous (MVM) and basal (BM) plasma membrane vesicles were isolated. System A and system L transport activity was determined in MVM, and leucine transporter activity was assessed in BM using radiolabeled substrates. MVM amino acid transporter isoform expression (SNAT1, SNAT2, and SNAT4 and LAT1 and LAT2) was measured using Western blots. LAT1 and LAT2 expression were also determined in BM. Maternal and fetal plasma amino acids concentrations were determined using mass spectrometry. Fetal and placental weights were unaffected by MNR. MVM system A activity was decreased by 37% in MNR baboon placentas (P = 0.03); however MVM system A amino acid transporter protein expression was unchanged. MVM system L activity and BM leucine transporter activity were not altered by MNR. Fetal plasma concentrations of essential amino acids isoleucine and leucine were reduced, while citrulline increased (P < 0.05) in MNR fetuses compared to controls. In this primate model of IUGR, placental MVM system A amino acid transporter activity is decreased prior to the onset of reduction in the fetal growth trajectory. The reduction in plasma leucine and isoleucine in MNR fetuses may be caused by reduced activity of MVM system A, which is strongly coupled with system L essential amino acid uptake. Our findings indicate that reduced placental amino acid transport may be a cause rather than a consequence of IUGR due to inadequate maternal nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyadarshini Pantham
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Fredrick J Rosario
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Susan T Weintraub
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Peter W Nathanielsz
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.,Southwest National Primate Research Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Cun Li
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.,Southwest National Primate Research Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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10
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Abstract
Background Piglet birth weight variability, a trait also known as the within-litter homogeneity of birth weight, reflects the sow’s prolificacy, because it is positively genetically correlated with preweaning mortality but negatively correlated with the mean growth of piglets during sucking. In addition, the maternal additive genetic variance and heritability has been found exist for this trait, thus, reduction in the variability of piglet birth weight to improve the sow prolificacy is possible by selective breeding. Results We performed a genome wide association study (GWAS) in 82 sows with extreme standard deviation of birth weights within the first parity to identify significant SNPs, and finally 266 genome-wide significant SNPs (p < 0.01) were identified. These SNPs were mainly enriched on chromosome 7, 1, 13, 14, 15 and 18. We further scanned genes of the top 50 SNPs with the lowest p values and found some genes involved in plasma glucose homeostasis (GLP1R) and lipid metabolism as well as maternal-fetal lipid transport (AACS, APOB, OSBPL10 and LRP1B) which may contribute to the birth weight variability trait. Conclusions Birth weight variability trait has a low heritability. It is not easy to get significant signal by GWAS using small sample size. Herein, we identified some candidate chromosome regions especially chromosome 7 and suggested five genes which may provide some information for the further study. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-015-0309-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. .,Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Science, Nanjing, 210014, China.
| | - Xiaolei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China. .,Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Dadong Deng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Mei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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11
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Maity A, Sinha S, Ganguly D, Ghosh Dastidar S. C-terminal tail insertion of Bcl-xL in membrane occurs via partial unfolding and refolding cycle associating microsolvation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:24095-105. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp02468h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Insertion of the Bcl-xL C-terminal into the mitochondrial outer membrane is found to be guided by the partial unfolding–refolding cycle, assisted by micro-solvation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atanu Maity
- Bioinformatics Centre
- Bose Institute
- P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII M
- Kolkata 700054
- India
| | - Souvik Sinha
- Bioinformatics Centre
- Bose Institute
- P-1/12 CIT Scheme VII M
- Kolkata 700054
- India
| | - Debabani Ganguly
- Department of Chemistry
- Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology
- Howrah-711103
- India
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12
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Brett KE, Ferraro ZM, Yockell-Lelievre J, Gruslin A, Adamo KB. Maternal-fetal nutrient transport in pregnancy pathologies: the role of the placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:16153-85. [PMID: 25222554 PMCID: PMC4200776 DOI: 10.3390/ijms150916153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 264] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Appropriate in utero growth is essential for offspring development and is a critical contributor to long-term health. Fetal growth is largely dictated by the availability of nutrients in maternal circulation and the ability of these nutrients to be transported into fetal circulation via the placenta. Substrate flux across placental gradients is dependent on the accessibility and activity of nutrient-specific transporters. Changes in the expression and activity of these transporters is implicated in cases of restricted and excessive fetal growth, and may represent a control mechanism by which fetal growth rate attempts to match availability of nutrients in maternal circulation. This review provides an overview of placenta nutrient transport with an emphasis on macro-nutrient transporters. It highlights the changes in expression and activity of these transporters associated with common pregnancy pathologies, including intrauterine growth restriction, macrosomia, diabetes and obesity, as well as the potential impact of maternal diet. Molecular signaling pathways linking maternal nutrient availability and placenta nutrient transport are discussed. How sexual dimorphism affects fetal growth strategies and the placenta’s response to an altered intrauterine environment is considered. Further knowledge in this area may be the first step in the development of targeted interventions to help optimize fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra Elizabeth Brett
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada.
| | - Zachary Michael Ferraro
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Julien Yockell-Lelievre
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Cancer Centre, 501 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Andrée Gruslin
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada.
| | - Kristi Bree Adamo
- Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Rd., Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada.
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Csorba R, Soliman AA, Wieg C, Tsikouras P, Rath W, von Tempelhoff GF. Correlation of rheological parameters in maternal and fetal blood at term. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2014; 28:969-76. [PMID: 25000448 DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2014.939626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An association between maternal and fetal blood rheology has not yet been investigated nor is it known whether and to what extent fetal blood rheology may be affected by maternal conditions. METHODS At delivery, blood was drawn from the cubital vein of 4985 consecutive mothers and from the umbilical cord during birth for determination of blood rheological parameters (erythrocyte aggregation stasis [E0], low shear [E1], plasma viscosity [Pv]) in addition to hemoglobin (Hb) values and hematocrit (Hct). RESULTS Maternal and newborn Pv (r = 0.2; p < 0.0001) correlated statistically significant. There was a remarkable correlation between fetal Pv and gestational age (r = 0.197; p < 0.001). Iron supplementation during pregnancy led to increased fetal Hb, Hct as well as E0 and E1 (p < 0.0001), did not have a significant impact on neonatal Pv (p = 0.068). Smoking mothers gave birth to neonates with significantly higher Pv (p = 0.049), E0 (p = 0.016) and E1 (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS The increase of fetal plasma viscosity at advanced delivery time-points refers to a more gaining protein synthesis by the fetal liver and thus maturity of the fetus. Iron supplementation as well as smoking during pregnancy is associated with a relative hyper-viscosity in the fetus at delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Csorba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, City Hospital of Aschaffenburg , Aschaffenburg , Germany
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14
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CFTR May Modulate AQP9 Functionality in Preeclamptic Placentas. Placenta 2009; 30:642-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2009.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2009] [Revised: 03/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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15
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Belkacemi L, Beall MH, Magee TR, Pourtemour M, Ross MG. AQP1 gene expression is upregulated by arginine vasopressin and cyclic AMP agonists in trophoblast cells. Life Sci 2008; 82:1272-80. [PMID: 18538351 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2008.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2008] [Revised: 04/05/2008] [Accepted: 04/22/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels that regulate water flow in many tissues. As AQP1 is a candidate to regulate placental fluid exchange, we sought to investigate the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and cAMP agonists on AQP1 gene expression in first trimester-derived extravillous cytotrophoblasts (HTR-8/Svneo) and two highly proliferative carcinoma trophoblast-like cell lines but with a number of functional features of the syncytiotrophoblast namely; JAR and JEG-3 cells. Our data demonstrated that AVP (0.1 nM) significantly increased the expression of AQP1 mRNA at 10 h in HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells (P<0.05). Both SP-cAMP, a membrane-permeable and phosphodiesterase resistant cAMP, and forskolin, an adenylate cyclase stimulator significantly increased AQP1 mRNA expression in all cell lines after 2 h in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) with a parallel increase in protein expression. In the time course study, 5 microM of either SP-cAMP or forskolin significantly stimulated AQP1 mRNA expression after 2 h in HTR-8/SVneo cells and after 10 h in JAR and JEG-3 cells. AQP1 protein expression was highest after 20 h in both HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells (P<0.05). AVP-stimulated cAMP elevation was blocked in the presence of 9-(tetrahydro-2'-furyl) adenine (SQ22536) (100 microM), a cell-permeable adenylate cyclase inhibitor (P<0.05). These results indicate that in trophoblasts-like cells AQP1 gene expression is upregulated by both AVP and cAMP agonists. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that a cAMP-dependent pathway is responsible for the AVP effect on AQP1. Thus, modulation of AQP1 expression by maternal hormones may regulate invasion and fetal-placental-amnion water homeostasis during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louiza Belkacemi
- Perinatal Research Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David-Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90502, USA.
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16
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Beall MH, van den Wijngaard JPHM, van Gemert MJC, Ross MG. Amniotic fluid water dynamics. Placenta 2007; 28:816-23. [PMID: 17254633 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2006.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2006] [Revised: 11/28/2006] [Accepted: 11/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Water arrives in the mammalian gestation from the maternal circulation across the placenta. It then circulates between the fetal water compartments, including the fetal body compartments, the placenta and the amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is created by the flow of fluid from the fetal lung and bladder. A major pathway for amniotic fluid resorption is fetal swallowing; however in many cases the amounts of fluid produced and absorbed do not balance. A second resorption pathway, the intramembranous pathway (across the amnion to the fetal circulation), has been proposed to explain the maintenance of normal amniotic fluid volume. Amniotic fluid volume is thus a function both of the amount of water transferred to the gestation across the placental membrane, and the flux of water across the amnion. Membrane water flux is a function of the water permeability of the membrane; available data suggests that the amnion is the structure limiting intramembranous water flow. In the placenta, the syncytiotrophoblast is likely to be responsible for limiting water flow across the placenta. In human tissues, placental trophoblast membrane permeability increases with gestational age, suggesting a mechanism for the increased water flow necessary in late gestation. Membrane water flow can be driven by both hydrostatic and osmotic forces. Changes in both osmotic/oncotic and hydrostatic forces in the placenta my alter maternal-fetal water flow. A normal amniotic fluid volume is critical for normal fetal growth and development. The study of amniotic fluid volume regulation may yield important insights into the mechanisms used by the fetus to maintain water homeostasis. Knowledge of these mechanisms may allow novel treatments for amniotic fluid volume abnormalities with resultant improvement in clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Beall
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W. Carson St., Box 3, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
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17
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Jedlovszky P, Mezei M. Effect of Cholesterol on the Properties of Phospholipid Membranes. 2. Free Energy Profile of Small Molecules. J Phys Chem B 2003. [DOI: 10.1021/jp021951x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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18
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Strid H, Bucht E, Jansson T, Wennergren M, Powell TL. ATP dependent Ca2+ transport across basal membrane of human syncytiotrophoblast in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction or diabetes. Placenta 2003; 24:445-52. [PMID: 12744920 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2002.0941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Neonates born after pregnancies complicated by diabetes or intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have increased incidence of hypocalcaemia. Furthermore, IUGR is associated with reduced bone mineralization in infancy and osteoporosis in adult life. We tested the hypothesis that placental calcium transport is altered in these pregnancy complications. Transport of calcium into syncytiotrophoblast basal plasma membrane (BM) vesicles was studied by rapid filtration and protein expression of Ca(2+) ATPase by Western blot. In IUGR Ca(2+) ATPase activity was increased by 48 per cent (n=13; P< 0.05) whereas protein expression was 15 per cent lower (n=13; P< 0.05) than in controls (n=16). Basal membrane ATP dependent calcium transport was unaltered in gestational diabetes (GDM) but increased by 54 per cent in insulin dependent diabetes (IDDM) compared to controls (P< 0.05; n =14). Diabetes did not affect Ca(2+) ATPase expression in BM. We have previously shown that the mid-molecular fragment of parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP midmolecule) stimulates BM Ca(2+) ATPase in vitro. PTHrP midmolecule concentrations in umbilical cord plasma were measured using radioimmunoassay. The concentrations in umbilical cord plasma were increased in IUGR, but unaltered in diabetes. In conclusion, placental calcium pump is activated in IUGR and IDDM, which may be secondary to increased foetal calcium demand. We speculate that PTHrP midmolecule may be one mechanism for activating BM Ca(2+) ATPase in IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Strid
- Perinatal Center, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Sweden.
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Sangalli MR, Mclean AJ, Peek MJ, Rivory LP, Le Couteur DG. Carbon monoxide disposition and permeability-surface area product in the foetal circulation of the perfused term human placenta. Placenta 2003; 24:8-11. [PMID: 12495653 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2002.0877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In order to estimate the placental barrier to gas transfer, a novel carbon monoxide (CO) wash-in method was used to estimate the permeability-surface area (PS) product for the transfer of gas across the foetal circulation in the perfused human term placenta. The PS product for CO was 0.0096+/-0.006 ml/s/g or 0.012+/-0.007 ml/s/g using compartmental or Crone-Renkin analysis, respectively. Using this result and a published estimate of the placental capillary surface area, the permeability coefficient to CO across the foetal circulation was found to be approximately 4 x 10(-5)cm/s. This result is compatible with the hypothesis that the foetal circulation of the human placenta imposes a potentially significant barrier to gas transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Sangalli
- The Canberra Clinical School, University of Sydney, 2605 Australia.
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20
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Damiano A, Zotta E, Goldstein J, Reisin I, Ibarra C. Water channel proteins AQP3 and AQP9 are present in syncytiotrophoblast of human term placenta. Placenta 2001; 22:776-81. [PMID: 11597198 DOI: 10.1053/plac.2001.0717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The syncytiotrophoblast of human term placenta (HST) is a continuous, multinucleated structure with minimal tight junctions, which results from the fusion of the underlying cytotrophoblast cells. Consequently, the transport of metabolites, ions and water from mother to fetus could take place primarily via transcellular routes. Transcellular water flux may be facilitated by aquaporins, membrane proteins functioning as water channels that are widely expressed in cells and tissues. Here, we report the presence of AQP3 and AQP9 in the apical membranes of HST using RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Since AQP3 is not only a water channels, but also permits the rapid passage of both urea and glycerol, while AQP9 also mediates the passage of carbamides, polyols, purines, and pyrimidines, we have speculated that these proteins could be involved in the transport of water and solutes from mother to fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Damiano
- Laboratorio de Canales Iónicos, Departamento de Fisicoquímica y Química Analítica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Abstract
Amino acid transport across the human placenta is active, mediated by specific transporters in syncytiotrophoblast plasma membranes. Using functional criteria such as substrate specificity and sodium dependence, approximately 15 transport systems have been identified in the human placenta. Recently, the area of molecular biology of amino acid transporters has evolved rapidly and at least 25 cDNA clones coding for mammalian amino acid transporters or transporter subunits have been identified. The primary objective of this review is to integrate the available functional data on placental amino acid transport systems with recent molecular information on mammalian amino acid transporters. Furthermore, models for the mechanisms for net materno-fetal transfer of amino acids are discussed. Finally, the evidence to suggest that alterations in placental amino acid transport systems may play a crucial role in the regulation of fetal growth are presented briefly.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jansson
- Perinatal Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, s-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
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22
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Johansson M, Jansson T, Powell TL. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase is distributed to microvillous and basal membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast in human placenta. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2000; 279:R287-94. [PMID: 10896893 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.2000.279.1.r287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite its importance for placental function, syncytiotrophoblast Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase has not been studied in detail. We purified syncytiotrophoblast microvillous (MVM) and basal (BM) membranes from full-term human placenta. Western blotting with isoform-specific antibodies demonstrated the presence of the alpha(1)-subunit, but not the alpha(2)- or alpha(3)-subunits, in MVM and BM. Relative density per unit membrane protein in BM was 48 +/- 1% (mean +/- SE, n = 4, P < 0.02) of that in the MVM. The activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was lower in BM (1.4 +/- 0.14 micromol. mg(-1). min(-1), n = 8, P < 0.02) than in MVM (3.9 +/- 0.25 micromol. mg(-1). min(-1)). Immunocytochemistry confirmed the distribution of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase to MVM and BM. These findings suggest that the syncytiotrophoblast represents a type of transporting epithelium different from the classical epithelia found in the small intestine and kidney, where Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase is confined to the basolateral membrane only. This unique polarization of the Na(+) pump does not, however, preclude a net transcellular transport of Na(+) to the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Johansson
- Perinatal Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, S-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
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23
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Jedlovszky P, Mezei M. Calculation of the Free Energy Profile of H2O, O2, CO, CO2, NO, and CHCl3 in a Lipid Bilayer with a Cavity Insertion Variant of the Widom Method. J Am Chem Soc 2000. [DOI: 10.1021/ja000156z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pál Jedlovszky
- Contribution from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the New York University, New York, New York 10029
| | - Mihaly Mezei
- Contribution from the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the New York University, New York, New York 10029
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Powell TL, Jansson T, Illsley NP, Wennergren M, Korotkova M, Strandvik B. Composition and permeability of syncytiotrophoblast plasma membranes in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1999; 1420:86-94. [PMID: 10446293 DOI: 10.1016/s0005-2736(99)00096-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine placental membrane permeabilities to water, urea and mannitol in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and compare them to normal gestational age matched controls. Further, we wished to investigate whether potential changes in permeability were related to changes in membrane fluidity, cholesterol or phospholipid fatty acid content of the membranes. Syncytiotrophoblast microvillous (MVM) and basal membranes (BM) were isolated from normal and IUGR placentas at term. Passive permeability to water, urea, and mannitol showed no significant alterations in IUGR compared to controls. Cholesterol content in BM, but not in MVM, was lower in placentas from pregnancies complicated by IUGR. However, membrane fluidity did not change in these pregnancies. The phospholipid fatty acid composition of the plasma membranes isolated from all placentas showed a predominance of unsaturated fatty acid species in the BM and saturated species in the MVM. In the MVM from IUGR, mead acid (20:3), behenic acid (22:0) and nervonic acid (24:1) constituted higher percentages of the total when compared to normally grown controls. In the BM from IUGR, mead acid (20:3) was increased relative to the total phospholipid fatty acid content. In conclusion, the syncytiotrophoblast membranes exhibit only minor changes in passive permeability and composition when the pregnancy is complicated by IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Powell
- Perinatal Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Box 432, S-405 30, Göteborg, Sweden.
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25
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Jansson T, Wennergren M, Powell TL. Placental glucose transport and GLUT 1 expression in insulin-dependent diabetes. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999; 180:163-8. [PMID: 9914598 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9378(99)70169-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Altered transport functions in the placenta might contribute to adverse outcome of pregnancies in women with diabetes. Therefore we studied placental glucose transport in this pregnancy complication. STUDY DESIGN Syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane vesicles and basal membrane vesicles were isolated from women with uneventful pregnancies (control subjects, n = 21) and from women with pregnancies complicated by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, White class D (n = 7). Glucose uptake and GLUT 1 (glucose transporter 1) expression were studied by means of radiolabeled tracers and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS In the group with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, values for hemoglobin A1c were moderately elevated in the first trimester (6.61 +/- 0.35) but not later in pregnancy and 4 of the 7 neonates were large for gestational age. In the basal membrane vesicles, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was associated with a 40% increase in GLUT 1 expression and a 59% higher mediated uptake of d -glucose. No alterations could be demonstrated in microvillus membrane vesicles. CONCLUSION Placental glucose transport capacity appears to be increased in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. These alterations might explain the occurrence of macrosomia despite well-controlled diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jansson
- Perinatal Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Sweden
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Jansson T, Scholtbach V, Powell TL. Placental transport of leucine and lysine is reduced in intrauterine growth restriction. Pediatr Res 1998; 44:532-7. [PMID: 9773842 DOI: 10.1203/00006450-199810000-00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is characterized by a reduction in fetal plasma concentrations of a number of essential amino acids. Whether this is caused by impaired placental transport is unknown. We studied transport of leucine and lysine in syncytiotrophoblast microvillous (MVM) and basal membrane (BM) vesicles isolated from uncomplicated (control) and IUGR pregnancies. In addition, we investigated the possibility that leucine uptake is stimulated by an outwardly directed glycine gradient. Uptake of 3H-L-lysine (0.1 microM) and 3H-L-leucine (0.25 microM) was studied at 37 degrees C using rapid filtration techniques. In IUGR, mediated uptake of lysine was reduced by 44% (p < 0.05) in BM and uptake of leucine was lower in both MVM (-46%, p < 0.05) and BM (-38%, p < 0.05) compared with control vesicles. Intravesicular glycine (2 mM) increased the uptake of leucine by 98% in MVM (p < 0.05). These data suggest that the activity of placental transporters for cationic and neutral amino acids is reduced in IUGR. We speculate that a reduced glycine gradient in the placenta in IUGR, due to reduction in system A activity, will impair leucine transport to the fetus, providing an additional mechanism for reduced placental transport of leucine in IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jansson
- Perinatal Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Sweden
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Norberg S, Powell TL, Jansson T. Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with a reduced activity of placental taurine transporters. Pediatr Res 1998; 44:233-8. [PMID: 9702920 DOI: 10.1203/00006450-199808000-00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Taurine is an essential amino acid during fetal life and appears to be vital for the growth of the fetus and for the development of the CNS. In intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal plasma concentrations of taurine are reduced, and we tested the hypothesis that this is caused by altered placental transport of taurine. Syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane (MVM) and basal membrane (BM) vesicles were isolated from control (fetal weight, 3068+/-191 g; gestational age, 37.0+/-0.7 wk; n=13) and IUGR pregnancies (fetal weight, 1724+/-118 g; gestational age, 35.8+/-0.7 wk; n=11). Uptake of [3H]taurine (0.5 microM) was studied at 22 degrees C using rapid filtration techniques. Sodium stimulated taurine uptake 35-fold in MVM, confirming Na+-dependent transport in this membrane. A Na+-dependent taurine transport could also be demonstrated in BM; however, the activity was only 6% of that in MVM. Na+-independent transport activities were similar in MVM and BM. In IUGR, MVM Na+-dependent taurine transport was reduced by 34% (p < 0.05), whereas Na+-independent uptake was unaltered. In contrast to MVM, Na+-dependent taurine uptake in BM was unaffected by IUGR, whereas Na+-independent transport was decreased by 33% (p < 0.05). The highly polarized distribution of the Na+/taurine cotransporter to the MVM in conjunction with similar Na+-independent transport rates for taurine in MVM and BM provides the basis for net taurine flux from the mother to the fetus. These data suggest that the low plasma concentrations of taurine in IUGR fetuses are caused by a reduced activity of placental taurine transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Norberg
- Perinatal Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Sweden
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Powell TL, Lundquist C, Doughty IM, Glazier JD, Jansson T. Mechanisms of chloride transport across the syncytiotrophoblast basal membrane in the human placenta. Placenta 1998; 19:315-21. [PMID: 9639328 DOI: 10.1016/s0143-4004(98)90064-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Chloride transport mechanisms in isolated plasma membrane vesicles were studied to characterize pathways for transcellular transport of chloride. Microvillous membrane (MVM) and basal membranes (BM) vesicles were isolated from term placentae. Western blot analysis of the anion exchanger isoform 1 (AE1) demonstrated that the density of AE1 was 12-fold higher on the MVM compared to the BM. At 30 sec, the Cl- uptake in the absence of a potential difference (p.d.) was 457.3 +/- 69.7 and 111.0 +/- 29.1 pmol/mg protein in MVM and BM, respectively (mean +/- SEM, n=6). Chloride transport pathways were characterized using diisothiocyano-2'2-disulphonic stilbene. (DIDS, 0.1 mM) and diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC, 0.5 mM) in the absence or presence of inside positive membrane potentials. Anion exchange (DIDS-sensitive uptake at zero mV) was found in the MVM only. Both MVM and BM showed increased chloride uptake in the presence of inside positive potentials, suggesting the presence of chloride conductance pathways. The chloride uptake with a 25-mV inside positive p.d. could be inhibited by both DIDS and DPC in MVM and BM. However greater potentials (50 mV) showed no significant inhibition by DIDS or DPC in BM. In conclusion, the anion exchanger is unlikely to contribute significantly to chloride fluxes across BM. The data also suggest the presence of Cl- conductance pathways in both the MVM and BM which are sensitive to both DIDS and DPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Powell
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Göteborg University, Sweden.
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van Os CH, Deen PM, Dempster JA. Aquaporins: water selective channels in biological membranes. Molecular structure and tissue distribution. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 1994; 1197:291-309. [PMID: 7529562 DOI: 10.1016/0304-4157(94)90011-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C H van Os
- Department of Cell Physiology, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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van Os CH, Deen PM, Dempster JA. Aquaporins: Water selective channels in biological membranes. Molecular structure and tissue distribution. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1994. [DOI: 10.1016/0167-4781(94)00010-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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31
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Jansson T, Powell TL, Illsley NP. Non-electrolyte solute permeabilities of human placental microvillous and basal membranes. J Physiol 1993; 468:261-74. [PMID: 8254509 PMCID: PMC1143825 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.1993.sp019770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
1. Permeability to non-electrolytes of isolated microvillous and basal membranes from human term placenta was measured using stopped-flow light-scattering techniques. The studied solutes were urea, ethylene glycol, glycerol, creatinine, erythritol, arabitol and mannitol. 2. At 37 degrees C, permeability of the microvillous membrane to mannitol and urea was 0.30 +/- 0.02 x 10(-6) cm/s (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 3.2 +/- 0.2 x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. The corresponding permeabilities for the basal membrane were 1.2 +/- 0.1 x 10(-6) cm/s (mannitol) and 4.4 +/- 0.3 x 10(-6) cm/s (urea). The basal membrane was substantially more permeable to hydrophilic solutes than the microvillous membrane. This is probably due to differences in lipid composition, as illustrated by membrane cholesterol content, which was found to be approximately 50% lower in the basal as compared to the microvillous membrane. 3. Similarities between permeabilities in placental membranes and lipid bilayers and the linear relationship noted between solute hydrophobicity and placental permeability suggested that solutes permeate both human syncytiotrophoblast membranes by a solubility/diffusion mechanism. In the microvillous membrane this was supported by data obtained for activation energies (> 10 kcal/mol) and reflection coefficients (close to 1). In the basal membrane, low activation energies for glycerol and urea and a low reflection coefficient for urea indicated that these solutes may, in part, share a common pathway with water. 4. It was estimated that the placental permeability to molecules with a molecular weight under 200 observed in vivo can, to a great extent, be accounted for by transcellular permeation.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco 94143
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