Comparison of the Kisspeptin levels in early onset preeclampsia and late-onset preeclampsia

Whole transcriptome profiling of placental pathobiology in SARS-CoV-2 pregnancies identifies placental dysfunction signatures

Objectives

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus infection in pregnancy is associated with higher incidence of placental dysfunction, referred to by a few studies as a 'preeclampsia-like syndrome'. However, the mechanisms underpinning SARS-CoV-2-induced placental malfunction are still unclear. Here, we investigated whether the transcriptional architecture of the placenta is altered in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

We utilised whole-transcriptome, digital spatial profiling, to examine gene expression patterns in placental tissues from participants who contracted SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester of their pregnancy (n = 7) and those collected prior to the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (n = 9).

Results

Through comprehensive spatial transcriptomic analyses of the trophoblast and villous core stromal cell subpopulations in the placenta, we identified SARS-CoV-2 to promote signatures associated with hypoxia and placental dysfunction. Notably, genes associated with vasodilation (NOS3), oxidative stress (GDF15, CRH) and preeclampsia (FLT1, EGFR, KISS1, PAPPA2) were enriched with SARS-CoV-2. Pathways related to increased nutrient uptake, vascular tension, hypertension and inflammation were also enriched in SARS-CoV-2 samples compared to uninfected controls.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the utility of spatially resolved transcriptomic analysis in defining the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy, particularly its role in placental dysfunction. Furthermore, this study highlights the significance of digital spatial profiling in mapping the intricate crosstalk between trophoblasts and villous core stromal cells, thus shedding light on pathways associated with placental dysfunction in pregnancies with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Evaluation of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes according to the phenotypic types of polycystic ovary syndrome: A prospective study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in the phenotypic subtypes of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

This prospective cohort included the patients with PCOS (n = 121) diagnosed according to the presence of androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, and/or polycystic ovary morphology and healthy controls (n = 125). We stratified PCOS as phenotype A (n = 45), phenotype B (n = 8), phenotype C (n = 32) and phenotype D (n = 35) and followed throughout pregnancy, comparing their outcomes.

RESULTS

The study population had a mean age of 28.7 ± 4.9 years and a mean BMI of 31.6 kg/m2 with no difference between the groups. Primary cesarean deliveries were significantly more common in PCOS patients (23.3%) than in the control group (17.6%, P = 0.021). The phenotype A group had significantly higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (42.2%, P < 0.001) and fetal macrosomia (14.6%, P = 0.002) compared with the control group (4.8% and 0.8%m respectively). We detected a significantly lower rate of normal risk score on the double screening test in the PCOS group (59.0%) than in the control group (75.4%) and in the other groups (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The rates of GDM, fetal macrosomia, and cesarean section were higher in the PCOS group, depending on the phenotype. We observed changes in risk calculation according to phenotypic types at aneuploidy screening.

The Role of Kisspeptin in the Pathogenesis of Pregnancy Complications: A Narrative Review

Kisspeptins are the family of neuropeptide products of the KISS-1 gene that exert the biological action by binding with the G-protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), also known as the KISS-1 receptor. The kisspeptin level dramatically increases during pregnancy, and the placenta is supposed to be its primary source. The role of kisspeptin has already been widely studied in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, fertility, puberty disorders, and insulin resistance-related conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia (PE), preterm birth, fetal growth restriction (FGR), or spontaneous abortion affected 2 to 20% of pregnancies worldwide. Their occurrence is associated with numerous short and long-term consequences for mothers and newborns; hence, novel, non-invasive predictors of their development are intensively investigated. The study aims to present a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of kisspeptin in the most common pregnancy-related disorders and neonatal outcomes. The decreased level of kisspeptin is observed in women with GDM, FGR, and a high risk of spontaneous abortion. Nevertheless, there are still many inconsistencies in kisspeptin concentration in pregnancies with preterm birth or PE. Further research is needed to determine the usefulness of kisspeptin as an early marker of gestational and neonatal complications.