Intrauterine Inflammation Damages Placental Angiogenesis via Wnt5a-Flt1 Activation

Investigation of ENO2 as a promising novel marker for the progression of colorectal cancer with microsatellite instability-high

BACKGROUND

Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) has emerged as a significant biological characteristic of colorectal cancer (CRC). Studies reported that MSI-H CRC generally had a better prognosis than microsatellite stable (MSS)/microsatellite instability-low (MSI-L) CRC, but some MSI-H CRC patients exhibited distinctive molecular characteristics and experienced a less favorable prognosis. In this study, our objective was to explore the metabolic transcript-related subtypes of MSI-H CRC and identify a biomarker for predicting survival outcomes.

METHODS

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of MSI-H CRC patients were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. By utilizing the copy number variation (CNV) score, a malignant cell subpopulation was identified at the single-cell level. The metabolic landscape of various cell types was examined using metabolic pathway gene sets. Subsequently, functional experiments were conducted to investigate the biological significance of the hub gene in MSI-H CRC. Finally, the predictive potential of the hub gene was assessed using a nomogram.

RESULTS

This study revealed a malignant tumor cell subpopulation from the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. MSI-H CRC was clustered into two subtypes based on the expression profiles of metabolism-related genes, and ENO2 was identified as a hub gene. Functional experiments with ENO2 knockdown and overexpression demonstrated its role in promoting CRC cell migration, invasion, glycolysis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. High expression of ENO2 in MSI-H CRC patients was associated with worse clinical outcomes, including increased tumor invasion depth (p = 0.007) and greater likelihood of perineural invasion (p = 0.015). Furthermore, the nomogram and calibration curves based on ENO2 showed potential prognosis predictive performance.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that ENO2 serves as a novel prognostic biomarker and is associated with the progression of MSI-H CRC.

Fetoplacental Disposition and Toxicity of Cadmium in Mice Lacking the Bcrp Transporter

The environmental toxicant cadmium (Cd) impairs the growth of rodents and humans in utero which in turn heightens susceptibility to diseases later in life. We previously demonstrated that the maternal-facing efflux transporter, breast cancer resistance protein (human BCRP/ABCG2, mouse Bcrp/Abcg2) confers resistance against Cd toxicity in human trophoblasts. In the current study, we sought to determine whether the absence of Bcrp alters the fetoplacental disposition and toxicity of Cd in mice. Pregnant female wild-type (WT) and Bcrp-null mice (n = 9-10/group) were administered a single injection of saline (5 ml/kg) or CdCl2 (5 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 9. Following Cd treatment, Bcrp-null offspring were shorter and accumulated more Cd in their placentas on GD 17 compared to WT mice. Because Cd can adversely impact placentation and transplacental nutrient delivery in mice, multiple pathways were assessed using morphometrics and immunohistochemistry including placenta zonation, vasculature development, and nutrient transporter expression. Most notably, the placentas of Bcrp-null mice had reduced immunostaining of the cell adhesion marker, β-catenin, and the trophoblast marker, cytokeratin, as well as decreased expression of divalent metal nutrient transporters (Dmt1, Zip14, and ZnT1) following Cd treatment. In summary, the absence of Bcrp expression increased placental concentrations of Cd which was associated with shorter fetal size that may be related to differential changes in molecular patterns of placental development and nutrition.

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: No evidence of systemic inflammation as a modulator of disease severity. Could placental inflammation be key?

In fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), maternal alloantibodies against paternal human platelet antigens (HPA) cross the placenta and lead to platelet destruction. The extent of thrombocytopenia varies among neonates, and inflammation may constitute an important trigger. A set of stable inflammatory markers was measured in serum samples from neonates with low platelet counts, of which n = 50 were diagnosed with FNAIT due to anti-HPA-1a antibodies and n = 50 were thrombocytopenic without detectable maternal HPA antibodies. Concentrations of C-reactive protein, soluble CD14, procalcitonin, and sFlt-1 did not differ between the two cohorts. There was no correlation between C-reactive protein or soluble CD14 and the platelet count, but a negative correlation between procalcitonin concentrations and the neonatal platelet count in both cohorts. sFlt-1 concentration and the platelet count were correlated in FNAIT cases exclusively. None of the inflammatory markers was statistically different between cases with and without intracranial haemorrhage. We were unable to identify systemic inflammation as a relevant factor for thrombocytopenia in FNAIT. The antiangiogenic enzyme sFlt-1, released by the placenta, did correlate with the platelet count in FNAIT cases. Our findings may give rise to the hypothesis that placental inflammation rather than systemic inflammation modulates disease severity in FNAIT.

Cadmium reduces growth of male fetuses by impairing development of the placental vasculature and reducing expression of nutrient transporters

In utero exposure to the toxic metal cadmium (Cd) alters fetoplacental growth in rodents and has been inversely associated with birth weight and infant size in some birth cohorts. Moreover, studies suggest that Cd may have differential effects on growth and development according to offspring sex. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate changes in male and female fetoplacental development following a single injection of saline (5 ml/kg ip) or cadmium chloride (CdCl2, 2.5, 5 mg/kg, ip) on gestational day (GD) 9. By GD18, no changes in fetal or placental weights were observed after treatment with 2.5 mg/kg CdCl2. By comparison, the weight and length of male fetuses and their placentas were reduced following treatment with 5 mg/kg CdCl2 whereas no change was observed in females. In addition, the area of maternal and fetal blood vessels as well as the expression of the glucose transporters, Glut1 and Glut3, and the endothelial marker, CD34, were reduced in the placentas of CdCl2-treated male offspring compared to females. Interestingly, the placentas of females accumulated 80% more Cd than males after CdCl2 (5 mg/kg) administration. Female placentas also had higher concentrations of zinc and the zinc transporter Znt1 compared to males which may explain the limited changes in fetal growth observed following CdCl2 treatment. Taken together, disruption of vasculature development and reduced expression of glucose transporters in the placenta provide potential mechanisms underlying reduced fetal growth in male offspring despite the greater accumulation of Cd in female placentas.

Wnt5a-Flt1 activation contributes to preterm altered cerebral angiogenesis after prenatal inflammation

OBJECTIVE

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) causes morbidity and mortality in preterm infants and prenatal exposure to inflammation contributes to brain injury. Moreover, prenatal exposure to severe inflammation increases the risk of IVH in preterm neonates. The current study investigated whether intrauterine exposure to inflammation affects cerebral angiogenesis and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Wnt5a, flt1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A levels in cord blood serum (stored in a bio-bank) of the enrolled patients were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A preterm prenatal inflammation exposure model was established in rats by intraperitoneal injection intraperitoneally during pregnancy. Angiogenesis of cerebral tissue was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Wnt5a, flt1, and VEGF-A expression levels were measured via immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, or western blotting. The correlation between Wnt5a and flt1 expression and the cerebral vessel area was also analyzed.

RESULTS

The Wnt5a and flt1 levels in the cord blood serum were significantly higher in the amnionitis group than in the non-amnionitis group. The VEGF-A level in the cord blood serum was significantly lower in the amnionitis group. In the rat model, preterm rats in the prenatal inflammation group exhibited increased microglial cell infiltration and decreased vessel area and diameter in the cerebral tissue compared to the control group. Wnt5a was located in microglial cells, and Wnt5a and flt1 expression in brain tissue significantly increased after prenatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. VEGF-A expression declined after prenatal LPS exposure. The cerebral vessel area was negatively correlated with Wnt5a and flt1 expression.

CONCLUSION

Disordered cerebral angiogenesis is associated with increased Wnt5a-Flt1 activation in microglial cells after exposure to intrauterine inflammation.

Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation Attenuates Maternal High-Fat Diet-Induced Fetal Intrauterine Growth Retarded via Ameliorating Placental Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Rats

The placenta is particularly susceptible to inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to placental vascular dysfunction and placental insufficiency, which is associated with fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). It is unknown whether folic acid (FA) supplementation can alleviate high-fat diet-induced IUGR in rats by improving placental function. In this study, pregnant rats were randomized into one of four diet-based groups: (1) control diet (CON), (2) control diet supplemented with FA, (3) high-fat diet (HFD), and (4) high-fat diet supplemented with FA (HFD + FA). Dams were sacrificed at gestation day 18.5 (GD18.5). The results indicated that dietary FA supplementation normalized a maternal HFD-induced decrease in fetal weight. The decrease in placental efficiency, labyrinth zone (LZ) area, blood sinusoid area, vascular density, and the levels of angiogenesis factors induced by a maternal HFD were alleviated by the addition of FA, suggesting that FA supplementation can alleviate placental vascular dysplasia. Furthermore, FA supplementation increased the protein expressions of SIRT1, inhibited NF-κB transcriptional activation, attenuated the levels of NF-κB/downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines, induced Nrf2 activation, and increased downstream target protein expression. In conclusion, we found that dietary FA supplementation during pregnancy could improve maternal HFD-induced IUGR by alleviating placental inflammation and oxidative stress, which may be associated with the regulation of SIRT1 and its mediated NF-κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Dietary Inflammatory Index during pregnancy is associated with birth weight and child anthropometry up to 10 years old: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that the dietary inflammatory potential in pregnant women might influence maternal and child health. The objective of this work is to review the literature on the association of Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) during pregnancy with early and late maternal and child health outcomes. We searched Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Virtual Health Library. Observational studies on DII in the gestational period that met the objective of this review were selected. There was a double-blind evaluation of 185 studies, of which 16 were included in narrative synthesis and 9 in meta-analysis. High methodological quality, longitudinal studies (87.5%) and the Food Frequency Questionnaire for DII evaluation (68.8%) prevailed. Outcomes studied were gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 5), gestational age at delivery (n = 7), type of delivery (n = 3), gestational weight gain or pregestational body mass index (n = 11), and anthropometry at birth (n = 8) and of the child up to age 10 years (n = 4). Higher maternal DII was associated with increased risk of small-for-gestational-age babies (odds radio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.21; I², 29%; P = .24) and low birth weight (<2.500 g) (odds ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.26; I², 56%; P = .10). The association between higher maternal DII and higher risk of obesity in late childhood is also suggestive. Thus, maternal diet may be a modifiable factor of inflammation in pregnancy associated with health outcomes of the offspring.

Polystyrene nanoplastics exacerbated lipopolysaccharide-induced necroptosis and inflammation via the ROS/MAPK pathway in mice spleen

Plastics are novel environmental pollutants with potential threats to the ecosystem. At least 5.25 trillion plastic particles in the environment, of which nanoplastics are <100 nm in diameter. Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) exposure damaged the spleen's immune function. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced other toxicants to damage cells and organs, triggering inflammation. However, the mechanism of PS-NPs aggravated LPS-induced spleen injury remains unclear. In this study, the PS-NPs or/and LPS mice exposure model was replicated by intraperitoneal injection of PS-NPs or/and LPS, and PS-NPs or/and LPS were exposed to RAW264.7 cells. The histopathological and ultrastructural changes of the mice spleen were observed by H&E staining and transmission electron microscope. Western Blot, qRT-PCR, and fluorescent probes staining were used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress indicators, inflammatory factors, and necroptosis-related indicators in mice spleen and RAW264.7 cells. The results showed that PS-NPs or LPS induced oxidative stress, activated the MAPK pathway, and eventually caused necroptosis and inflammation in mice spleen and RAW264.7 cells. Compared with the single treatment group, the changes in PS-NPs + LPS group were more obvious. Furthermore, ROS inhibitor N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) significantly inhibited the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway caused by co-treatment of PS-NPs and LPS, reducing necroptosis and inflammation. The results demonstrated that PS-NPs promoted LPS-induced spleen necroptosis and inflammation in mice through the ROS/MAPK pathway. This study increases the data on the damage of PS-NPs to the organism and expands the research ideas and clues.

2, 2', 4, 4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether induces placental toxicity via activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro

2, 2', 4, 4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) is one of the most important polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congeners, and epidemiological studies have shown that it can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of placental injury in BDE-47-induced adverse pregnancy outcomes through in vivo and in vitro models. From day 0.5 to day 16.5 of pregnancy of ICR mice, BDE-47 oral doses of 0, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day were administered. Immunohistochemical staining found that BDE-47 inhibited the expression of CD34 in mouse placenta, and ELISA results showed that BDE-47 reduced the levels of VEGF and PlGF in the serum of pregnant mice. Western blot assays found that the expression levels of VEGF-A and invasion-related factors were decreased in the placentas of BDE-47-treated group, which indicated that BDE-47 could impair placental angiogenesis. Furthermore, BDE-47 inhibited proliferation, increased apoptosis and autophagy, and activated p38 MAPK signaling pathway in mouse placental tissue. In vitro, HTR-8/SVneo cells were treated with 0, 5, 10, 20 μM BDE-47 for 24 h. Wound healing assays and Transwell assays showed that BDE-47 inhibited the migration and invasion ability of HTR-8/SVneo cells. We also found that BDE-47 inhibited the proliferation of HTR-8/SVneo cells and increased apoptosis and autophagy. BDE-47 activated p38 MAPK signaling pathway in HTR-8/SVneo cells, and inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in HTR-8/SVneo cells restored the effects caused by BDE-47. In conclusion, BDE-47 impairs placental angiogenesis by inhibiting cell migration and invasion, and induces placental toxicity by inhibiting proliferation, increasing apoptosis and autophagy. In vitro, activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway is involved in the processes of placental injury by BDE-47.

Integrative analysis provides multi-omics evidence for the pathogenesis of placenta percreta

Pernicious placenta previa with placenta percreta (PP) is a catastrophic condition during pregnancy. However, the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, the placental tissues of normal cases and PP tissues of pernicious placenta previa cases were collected to determine the expression profile of protein‐coding genes, miRNAs, and lncRNAs through sequencing. Weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA), accompanied by miRNA target prediction and correlation analysis, were employed to select potential hub protein‐coding genes and lncRNAs. The expression levels of selected protein‐coding genes, Wnt5A and MAPK13, were determined by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining, and lncRNA PTCHD1‐AS and PAPPA‐AS1 expression levels were determined by quantitative PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The results indicated that 790 protein‐coding genes, 382 miRNAs, and 541 lncRNAs were dysregulated in PP tissues, compared with normal tissues. WGCNA identified coding genes in the module (ME) black and ME turquoise modules that may be involved in the pathogenesis of PP. The selected potential hub protein‐coding genes, Wnt5A and MAPK13, were down‐regulated in PP tissues, and their expression levels were positively correlated with the expression levels of PTCHD1‐AS and PAPPA‐AS1. Further analysis demonstrated that PTCHD1‐AS and PAPPA‐AS1 regulated Wnt5A and MAPK13 expression by interacting with specific miRNAs. Collectively, our results provided multi‐omics data to better understand the pathogenesis of PP and help identify predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PP.

Relationship between dietary inflammatory index, hs-CRP level in the second trimester and neonatal birth weight: a cohort study

The aim of this study was to investigate whether diet plays a role in the effect of inflammation on birth weight. The normal pre-pregnancy body mass index and healthy single pregnant women without classical inflammatory were recruited at 16-20 weeks of pregnancy and provided blood sample to measure plasma high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) score was calculated by a three-day 24 h recall method, and a cohort of 307 eligible pregnant women was established. According to birth weight, the subjects were divided into three groups: normal birth weight (NBW) group, low birth weight (LBW) group, and high birth weight (HBW) group. The hs-CRP level and DII score were significantly different between NBW and LBW groups. The risk of higher hs-CRP in the pro-inflammatory dietary group was 1.89 times than the control group (95% CI: 1.05, 3.42). The risk of LBW with higher hs-CRP was 3.81 times than normal hs-CRP (95% CI: 1.26, 11.56). The risk of LBW in the pro-inflammatory dietary group was 10.44 times than in the anti-inflammatory dietary group (95%CI: 1.29, 84.61). The pro-inflammatory dietary in the second trimester affects the hs-CRP level, showing a positive correlation. And both of two factors increase the risk of LBW.

Postnatal inflammation following intrauterine inflammation exacerbates the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that has its origins in early life. Postnatal inflammation exacerbates atherosclerosis, but the possible effect of intrauterine inflammation is largely unexplored. Exposure to inflammation in utero is common, especially in infants born preterm, who have increased cardiovascular risk in adulthood. We hypothesised that exposure to inflammation before birth would accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, with the most severe atherosclerosis following exposure to both pre- and postnatal inflammation. Here we studied the effect of prenatal and postnatal inflammation on the development of atherosclerosis by combining established techniques for modelling histological chorioamnionitis and atherosclerosis using apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice. A single intra-amniotic (IA) injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) caused intrauterine inflammation, and increased atherosclerosis at 13 weeks of postnatal age. In mice exposed to postnatal LPS, chorioamnionitis modulated subsequent responses; atherosclerotic lesion size, number and severity were greatest for mice exposed to both intrauterine and postnatal inflammation, with a concomitant decrease in collagen content and increased inflammation of the atherosclerotic plaque. In conclusion, pre- and postnatal inflammation have additive and deleterious effects on the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout mice. The findings are particularly relevant to preterm human infants, whose gestations are frequently complicated by chorioamnionitis and who are particularly susceptible to repeated postnatal infections. Human and mechanistic studies are warranted to guide preventative strategies.