Thioredoxin, thioredoxin interacting protein and transducer and activator of transcription 3 in gestational diabetes

Pregnancy Disorders: A Potential Role for Mitochondrial Altered Homeostasis

Pregnancy is a complex and challenging process associated with physiological changes whose objective is to adapt the maternal organism to the increasing energetic requirements due to embryo and fetal development. A failed adaptation to these demands may lead to pregnancy complications that threaten the health of both mothers and their offspring. Since mitochondria are the main organelle responsible for energy generation in the form of ATP, the adequate state of these organelles seems crucial for proper pregnancy development and healthy pregnancy outcomes. The homeostasis of these organelles depends on several aspects, including their content, biogenesis, energy production, oxidative stress, dynamics, and signaling functions, such as apoptosis, which can be modified in relation to diseases during pregnancy. The etiology of pregnancy disorders like preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus is not yet well understood. Nevertheless, insufficient placental perfusion and oxygen transfer are characteristic of many of them, being associated with alterations in the previously cited different aspects of mitochondrial homeostasis. Therefore, and due to the capacity of these multifactorial organelles to respond to physiological and pathophysiological stimuli, it is of great importance to gather the currently available scientific information regarding the relationship between main pregnancy complications and mitochondrial alterations. According to this, the present review is intended to show clear insight into the possible implications of mitochondria in these disorders, thus providing relevant information for further investigation in relation to the investigation and management of pregnancy diseases.

Impact of imidacloprid exposure on gestational hyperglycemia: A multi-omics analysis

Imidacloprid (IMI), a commonly utilized neonicotinoid insecticide, has been identified to adversely impact glucose homeostasis. Pregnant women are believed to be more sensitive to toxins than non-pregnant women, and the impact of IMI exposure on gestational hyperglycemia remain unclear. To explore the impact, pregnant mice fed a high-fat diet were exposed to different doses (0.06, 0.6, 6 mg/kg bw/day) of IMI by gavage. Glucose homeostasis-related parameters were measured. The glucose homeostasis influenced by IMI treatment was explored through integrating gut microbiota, metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis. Results showed that IMI-H (6 mg/kg bw/day) exposure notably restricted gestational weight gain and perturbed glucose homeostasis characterized by reduced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, alongside elevated levels of fasting blood glucose and insulin. Multi-omics analysis revealed that IMI-H exposure induced significant changes in the richness and composition of the gut microbiome. The metabolite profiles of serum samples and cecal contents, and transcriptome of liver and ileum were all affected by IMI-H treatment. The altered gut microbiota, metabolites and genes exhibited significant correlations with glucose homeostasis-related parameters. These differential metabolites and genes were implicated in various metabolic pathways including bile secretion, glucagon signaling pathway, lipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism. Significant correlations were observed between the altered gut microbiota and caecum metabolome as well as liver transcriptome. For example, the abundance of Oscillibacter was strongly correlated with gut microflora-related metabolites (Icosenoic acid, Lysosulfatide, and fluticasone) and liver differential genes (Grin3b, Lifr, and Spta1). Together, IMI exposure resulted in significant changes in microbial composition, along with alterations in certain metabolites and genes associated with metabolic process, which may promote gestational hyperglycemia.

Independent and Combined Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Prenatal Stress on Fetal HPA Axis Development

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and prenatal stress (PS) are highly prevalent conditions known to affect fetal programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of light PAE, PS, and PAE-PS interaction on fetal HPA axis activity assessed via placental and umbilical cord blood biomarkers. Participants of the ENRICH-2 cohort were recruited during the second trimester and classified into the PAE and unexposed control groups. PS was assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale. Placental tissue was collected promptly after delivery; gene and protein analysis for 11β-HSD1, 11β-HSD2, and pCRH were conducted by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Umbilical cord blood was analyzed for cortisone and cortisol. Pearson correlation and multivariable linear regression examined the association of PAE and PS with HPA axis biomarkers. Mean alcohol consumption in the PAE group was ~2 drinks/week. Higher PS was observed in the PAE group (p < 0.01). In multivariable modeling, PS was associated with pCRH gene expression (β = 0.006, p < 0.01), while PAE was associated with 11β-HSD2 protein expression (β = 0.56, p < 0.01). A significant alcohol-by-stress interaction was observed with respect to 11β-HSD2 protein expression (p < 0.01). Results indicate that PAE and PS may independently and in combination affect fetal programming of the HPA axis.

Research progress on the STAT signaling pathway in pregnancy and pregnancy-associated disorders

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins, pivotal regulators of signaling cascades, undergo activation in response to the stimulation of cytokines and growth factors, and participate in biological processes, including inflammation, immune responses, cell proliferation, and differentiation. During the process of pregnancy, STAT signaling is involved in regulating embryonic implantation, endometrial decidualization, and establishing and maintaining maternal-fetal immune tolerance. Increasing evidence suggests that aberrant STAT signaling contributes to the occurrence and development of pregnancy disorders, including repeated implantation failure (RIF), preeclampsia (PE), recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), preterm birth (PTB) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the STAT signaling pathway holds promise for further understanding the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy, and thereby providing potent targets and strategic avenues for the prevention and management of ailments associated with pregnancy. In this review, we summarized the roles of the STAT signaling pathway and its related regulatory function in embryonic implantation, endometrial decidualization, and maternal-fetal immune tolerance. In conclusion, in-depth research on the mechanism of the STAT signaling pathway not only enhances our understanding of normal pregnancy processes but also offers STAT-based therapeutic approaches to protect women from the burden of pregnancy-related disorders.

Molecular pathways of NF-ĸB and NLRP3 inflammasome as potential targets in the treatment of inflammation in diabetic wounds: A review

Diabetic wounds are slow healing wounds characterized by disordered healing processes and frequently take longer than three months to heal. One of the defining characteristics of impaired diabetic wound healing is an abnormal and unresolved inflammatory response, which is primarily brought on by abnormal macrophage innate immune signaling activation. The persistent inflammatory state in a diabetic wound may be attributed to inflammatory pathways such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ĸB) and nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which have long been associated with inflammatory diseases. Despite the available treatments for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) that include debridement, growth factor therapy, and topical anti-bacterial agents, successful wound healing is still hampered. Further understanding of the molecular mechanism of these pathways could be useful in designing potential therapeutic targets for diabetic wound healing. This review provides an update and novel insights into the roles of NF-ĸB and NLRP3 pathways in the molecular mechanism of diabetic wound inflammation and their potential as therapeutic targets in diabetic wound healing.

Exploring the Diet-Gut Microbiota-Epigenetics Crosstalk Relevant to Neonatal Diabetes

Neonatal diabetes (NDM) is a rare monogenic disorder that presents as hyperglycemia during the first six months of life. The link between early-life gut microbiota dysbiosis and susceptibility to NDM remains uncertain. Experimental studies have demonstrated that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) could develop into meconium/gut microbiota dysbiosis in newborns, and thus, it is thought to be a mediator in the pathogenesis of NDM. Epigenetic modifications have been considered as potential mechanisms by which the gut microbiota and susceptibility genes interact with the neonatal immune system. Several epigenome-wide association studies have revealed that GDM is associated with neonatal cord blood and/or placental DNA methylation alterations. However, the mechanisms linking diet in GDM with gut microbiota alterations, which may in turn induce the expression of genes linked to NDM, are yet to be unraveled. Therefore, the focus of this review is to highlight the impacts of diet, gut microbiota, and epigenetic crosstalk on altered gene expression in NDM.

High TXNIP expression accelerates the migration and invasion of the GDM placenta trophoblast

INTRODUCTION

Our previous study has proofed the glucose sensitive gene-thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression was up in the placenta of the patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the pathological mechanisms underlying abnormal TXNIP expression in the placenta of patients with GDM is completely unclear and additional investigations are required to explain the findings we have observed. In the present study, we simulated the high TXNIP expression via introducing the Tet-On "switch" in vitro, approximate to its expression level in the real world, to explore the following consequence of the abnormal TXNIP.

METHODS

The expression and localization of TXNIP in the placenta of GDM patients and the health control was investigated via immunofluorescent staining, western blot and RT-qPCR. Overexpression of TXNIP was achieved through transfecting Tet-on system to the human trophoblastic cell line-HTR-8/Svneo cell. TXNIP knockout was obtained via CRISPR-Cas9 method. The cell phenotype was observed via IncuCyte Imaging System and flow cytometry. The mechanism was explored via western blot and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

The expression level of TXNIP in the GDM placenta was nearly 2-3 times higher than that in the control. The TXNIP located at trophoblastic cells of the placenta. When the expression of TXNIP was upregulated, the migration and invasion of the cells accelerated, but cell apoptosis and proliferation did not changed compared with the control group. Furthermore, the size of the TetTXNIP cells became larger, and the expression level of Vimentin and p-STAT3 increased in the TetTXNIP cells. All the changes mentioned above were opposite in the TXNIP-KO cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormal expression of TXNIP might be related to the impairment of the GDM placental function, affecting the migration and invasion of the placental trophoblast cells through STAT3 and Vimentin related pathway; thus, TXNIP might be the potential therapeutic target for repairing the placental dysfunction deficient in GDM patients.

Inflammasome activation in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction

PROBLEM

Preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are leading causes of perinatal complications, affecting 8%-10% of all pregnancies. Inflammasomes are suspected to be one of the mechanisms that lead to the process of term and preterm labors. This study evaluated the inflammasome-dependent inflammation processes in placental tissue of women with PE and IUGR.

METHODS OF STUDY

In this prospective cohort study, 14 women with PE, 15 with placental-related IUGR and 19 with normal pregnancy (NP) were recruited during admission for delivery. Maternal blood was obtained prior to delivery and neonatal cord blood and placental tissue were obtained after delivery.

RESULTS

NLRP7 and PYCARD protein expression were higher in placental PE and IUGR samples versus NP samples. Immunostaining revealed that NLRP7 and PYCARD were upregulated in PE and IUGR placental syncytiotrophoblast, stroma and endothelial cells. PYCARD serum levels were significantly higher in women with PE and IUGR. No significant changes were observed in neonatal cord blood.

CONCLUSIONS

NLRP7 and PYCARD are key inflammatory proteins that are significantly elevated in PE and IUGR. Better understanding their significance may enable them to become markers of prediction or progression of PE and IUGR.

An insight into major signaling pathways and protein-protein interaction networks involved in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with the increase of glucose in the blood rather than being absorbed by the cells. A better understanding of the signaling pathways is necessary to understand the pathophysiology of GDM. This study provides details about a series of signaling pathways and protein-protein interactions involved in the pathogenesis of GDM and their evaluations in GDM development. Protein-protein interactions were found between proteins of several signaling pathways that suggest interlink between these signaling pathways. Protein-protein interactions were generated with high confidence interaction scores based on textmining, co-occurrence, coexpression, neighborhood, gene fusion, experiments and databases. The dysregulation of signaling pathways may also contribute to the increased risk of complications associated with GDM in the mother and child. Further, studies on signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of GDM would help in the development of an effective intervention to prevent GDM along with the identification of key targets for effective therapies in the future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: The Crosslink among Inflammation, Nitroxidative Stress, Intestinal Microbiota and Alternative Therapies

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by a set of metabolic complications arising from adaptive failures to the pregnancy period. Estimates point to a prevalence of 3 to 15% of pregnancies. Its etiology includes intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of the progenitress, which may contribute to the pathophysiogenesis of GDM. Recently, researchers have identified that inflammation, oxidative stress, and the gut microbiota participate in the development of the disease, with potentially harmful effects on the health of the maternal-fetal binomial, in the short and long terms. In this context, alternative therapies were investigated from two perspectives: the modulation of the intestinal microbiota, with probiotics and prebiotics, and the use of natural products with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may mitigate the endogenous processes of the GDM, favoring the health of the mother and her offspring, and in a future perspective, alleviating this critical public health problem.

Elevated expression of galectin-3, thioredoxin and thioredoxin interacting protein in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related syndrome characterized by the onset of hypertension and proteinuria that can lead to end-organ dysfunction. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is involved in cell growth, differentiation, inflammation and fibrosis. Thioredoxin (TXN) acts as antioxidant enzyme in several cellular processes, regulating inflammation and inhibiting apoptosis. TXNIP is an endogenous inhibitor of TXN. We evaluated changes in the inflammatory response of Gal-3, TXN, and TXNIP at the level of maternal blood, placenta, and umbilical cord blood of women with PE.

STUDY DESIGN

Ten women with PE and 20 with normal pregnancy (NP) were recruited during admission for delivery. Blood samples were obtained from parturients and umbilical cords, and placental tissue for analysis.

RESULTS

Gal-3 and TXNIP mRNA expression were higher in maternal plasma in PE group compared to NP and were lower in cord blood plasma and placentas in the PE group. In the PE group, TXN/TXNIP mRNA ratio was higher in cord blood plasma (2.07) compared to maternal plasma (1.09). TXN/TXNIP placental protein ratio was similar between PE (0.89) and NP (0.79). ELISA demonstrated that Gal-3 levels in maternal serum were significantly higher in the PE vs. the NP group.

CONCLUSIONS

Pro-inflammatory changes were expressed by high Gal-3 and TXNIP mRNA in maternal blood of PE women, but not in their placental and cord blood samples. These findings may imply that the placenta has a role in protecting the fetus from the damages of inflammatory response, which is more common in PE than in NP.

Associations between an integrated component of maternal glycemic regulation in pregnancy and cord blood DNA methylation

Background: Previous studies suggest that fetal programming to hyperglycemia in pregnancy is due to modulation of DNA methylation (DNAm), but they have been limited in their maternal glycemic characterization. Methods: In the Gen3G study, we used a principal component analysis to integrate multiple glucose and insulin values measured during the second trimester oral glucose tolerance test. We investigated associations between principal components and cord blood DNAm levels in an epigenome-wide analysis among 430 mother-child pairs. Results: The first principal component was robustly associated with lower DNAm at cg26974062 (TXNIP; p = 9.9 × 10^-9) in cord blood. TXNIP is a well-known DNAm marker for type 2 diabetes in adults. Conclusion: We hypothesize that abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnancy may program dysregulation of TXNIP across the life course.

Enhanced expression of Galectin-3 in gestational diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hyperglycemia diagnosed during pregnancy, is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy, treated primarily by diet and pharmacotherapy, if indicated. It is well-established that GDM increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term complications in mothers and infants. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is important in processes of cell growth, differentiation, inflammation, and fibrosis. We evaluated Gal-3 expression in pregnancies complicated by GDM as a parameter that might explain how GDM influences early onset of future complications.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-four women with GDM and 40 with normal pregnancy (NP) were recruited during delivery admission. Blood samples were obtained from parturients and umbilical cords blood, as well as placental tissue for analysis. Gal-3 mRNA expression was increased in maternal blood samples and placental tissue of women with GDM compared to NP. In GDM, Gal-3 mRNA was decreased in cord blood compared to maternal blood and placental tissue. Gal-3 GDM placental protein expression was increased compared to NP. Immunostaining revealed that Gal-3 is upregulated in GDM placental extravillous trophoblast. ELISA of Gal-3 maternal serum levels between GDM and NP were similar.

CONCLUSION

Gal-3 is strongly expressed at molecular levels (mRNA and protein expression) in GDM maternal blood and placental tissue, and decreased in cord blood. These findings highlight the role of the placenta in protecting the fetus from potential Gal-3 damage. Gal-3 expression at mRNA and protein levels might be influenced by diabetes, even if blood glucose is balanced by medication or diet.

ITCH regulates oxidative stress induced by high glucose through thioredoxin interacting protein in cultured human lens epithelial cells

Thioredoxin (Trx) is an important protein that controls oxidative damage in almost all eukaryotic cells. Trx interaction protein (Txnip) has been reported to negatively regulate the bioavailability of Trx and inhibit its biological function. The E3 ubiquitin ligase ITCH can specifically degrade Txnip via ubiquitination. The apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells (HLECs), which are highly sensitive to redox caused by oxidative stress, is a significant factor for the development of sugar cataract in a high-glucose environment. However, whether Trx, Txnip and ITCH contribute to the progression of sugar cataracts and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown, and thus, identifying these were the aims of the present study. The present results suggested that the expression levels of Trx, Txnip and ITCH in HLECs cultured with different glucose concentrations were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting, and the apoptotic rate of the cells was detected by flow cytometry and superoxide detection assay. The interaction between ITCH and Txnip was determined by co-localization immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation. In addition, a vector and small interfering RNA of ITCH were transfected to overexpress and knockdown ITCH, respectively, to alter the expression of downstream proteins and cell apoptosis. It was found that Txnip was highly expressed in cultured HLECs in high-glucose environment, and the antioxidative function of Trx was restricted and suppressed, thus promoting apoptosis. The overexpression of ITCH increased the expression of Trx and decreased oxidative stress and apoptosis by decreasing Txnip in cultured HLECs, while downregulation of ITCH significantly decreased the expression of Trx and enhanced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Therefore, the present results indicated that ITCH could regulate the apoptosis of HLECs that were cultured in high-glucose concentration and that it may be a treatment target for sugar cataract.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in the fetoplacental unit in gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease of pregnancy that is associated with d-glucose intolerance and foeto-placental vascular dysfunction. GMD causes mitochondrial dysfunction in the placental endothelium and trophoblast. Additionally, GDM is associated with reduced placental oxidative phosphorylation due to diminished activity of the mitochondrial F₀F₁-ATP synthase (complex V). This phenomenon may result from a higher generation of reactive superoxide anion and nitric oxide. Placental mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy work in concert to maintain cell homeostasis and are vital mechanisms securing the efficient generation of ATP, whose demand is higher in pregnancy, ensuring foetal growth and development. Additional factors disturbing placental ATP synthase activity in GDM include pre-gestational maternal obesity or overweight, intracellular pH, miRNAs, fatty acid oxidation, and foetal (and 'placental') sex. GDM is also associated with maternal and foetal hyperinsulinaemia, altered circulating levels of adiponectin and leptin, and the accumulation of extracellular adenosine. Here, we reviewed the potential interplay between these molecules or metabolic conditions on the mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in the foeto-placental unit in GDM pregnancies.

Analysis of lncRNA UCA1-related downstream pathways and molecules of cisplatin resistance in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

To analyze the lncRNA UCA1-related downstream pathways and molecules of cisplatin resistance in lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

We constructed overexpression and siRNA vectors targeting UCA1 and TXNIP and then used next-generation sequencing to compare the UCA1 overexpression and negative control from A549 cell.

RESULTS

It shown that 647 upregulated mRNAs and 633 downregulated differentially expressed mRNAs-related UCA1, and the top ten upregulated mRNAs were CPD, AC007192.1, TGOLN2, LGR4, TFPI, CYP1B1, TOMM6, HLA-B, SLC35F6, and TOP2A, and top ten downregulated mRNAs were TXNIP, SESN2, STC2, HSPA1A, MMP10, CHAC1, DNAJB1, AC004922.1, ATF3, and GABARAPL1. We found TXNIP mRNA expression level was the most significantly downexpressed mRNA. TXNIP mRNA expression level of LAD tissues was clearly lower than the adjacent tissues. UCA1 expression level of cisplatin insensitive group was markedly higher than that of cisplatin-sensitive group, while TXNIP mRNA expression level of cisplatin insensitive group was clearly lower than that of cisplatin-sensitive group. Compared to the BEAS-2B, TXNIP mRNA expression level cut down in A549 and A549/DDP cell and that of A549/DDP cell was lower than A549 cell. After UCA1 overexpression, TXNIP mRNA obviously decreased, while proliferation ability and IC50 of A549 heightened. After knocking down UCA1, TXNIP mRNA was significantly increased, while proliferation ability and IC50 of A549/DDP lowered. PPI analysis result showed that TXNIP could interact with multiple proteins such as TXN, DDIT4, and NLRP3.

CONCLUSION

UCA1 promoted cisplatin resistance by downregulating TXNIP expression in LAD, and TXNIP could interact with multiple proteins. So, UCA1/TXNIP axis might affect cisplatin resistance in LAD.