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Deng F, Lei J, Chen J, Zhao M, Zhao C, Fu M, Sun M, Zhang M, Qiu J, Gao Q. DNA methylation-mediated 11βHSD2 downregulation drives the increases in angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II within preeclamptic placentas. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23714. [PMID: 38814727 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400199r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex human-specific complication frequently associated with placental pathology. The local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the human placenta, which plays a crucial role in regulating placental function, has been extensively documented. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a class of steroid hormones. PE cases often have abnormalities in GCs levels and placental GCs barrier. Despite extensive speculation, there is currently no robust evidence indicating that GCs regulate placental RAS. This study aims to investigate these potential relationships. Plasma and placental samples were collected from both normal and PE pregnancies. The levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (Ang II), cortisol, and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11βHSD) were analyzed. In PE placentas, cortisol, ACE, and Ang II levels were elevated, while 11βHSD2 expression was reduced. Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between ACE and cortisol levels in the placenta. A significant inverse correlation was found between the methylation statuses within the 11βHSD2 gene promoter and its expression, meanwhile, 11βHSD2 expression was negatively correlated with cortisol and ACE levels. In vitro experiments using placental trophoblast cells confirmed that active GCs can stimulate ACE transcription and expression through the GR pathway. Furthermore, 11βHSD2 knockdown could enhance this activating effect. An in vivo study using a rat model of intrauterine GCs overexposure during mid-to-late gestation suggested that excess GCs in utero lead to increased ACE and Ang II levels in the placenta. Collectively, this study provides the first evidence of the relationships between 11βHSD2 expression, GCs barrier, ACE, and Ang II levels in the placenta. It not only contributes to understanding the pathological features of the placental GCs barrier and RAS under PE conditions, also provides important information for revealing the pathological mechanism of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengying Deng
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jiahui Lei
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Meng Zhao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Third People's Hospital of Bengbu Affiliated to Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
| | - Chenxuan Zhao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Mengyu Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Meihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Junlan Qiu
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Tang J, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Tao J, Wu J, Zheng Q, Xu T, Li N, Xu Z. Specific dilation pattern in placental circulation and the NO/sGC role in preeclampsia placental vessels. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1182636. [PMID: 37293496 PMCID: PMC10244738 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1182636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Endothelial functions in controlling blood flow in placental circulation are still unclear. The present study compares vascular dilations between placental circulation and other vessels, as well as between normal and preeclampsia placental vessels. Methods Placental, umbilical, and other vessels (cerebral and mesenteric arteries) were collected from humans, sheep, and rats. Vasodilation was tested by JZ101 and DMT. Q-PCR, Western blot, and Elisa were used for molecular experiments. Results Endothelium-dependent/derived vasodilators, including acetylcholine, bradykinin, prostacyclin, and histamine, mediated no or minimal dilation in placental circulation, which was different from that in other vessels in sheep and rats. There were lower mRNA expressions of muscarinic receptors, histamine receptors, bradykinin receptor 2, endothelial nitric oxide synthesis (eNOS), and less nitric oxide (NO) in human umbilical vessels when compared with placental vessels. Exogenous NO donors (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activators (Bay41-2272) decreased the baseline of vessel tone in placental circulation in humans, sheep, and rats, but not in other arteries. The sGC inhibitor ODQ suppressed the reduced baseline caused by the SNP. The decreased baseline by SNP or Bay41-2272 was higher in placental vessels than in umbilical vessels, suggesting that the role of NO/sGC is more important in the placenta. NO concentrations in preeclampsia placental vessels were lower than those in control, while no significant change was found in umbilical plasma between the two groups. eNOS expression was similar between normal and preeclampsia placental vessels, but phosphorylated eNOS levels were significantly lower in preeclampsia. Following serotonin, SNP or Bay41-2272-mediated dilations were weaker in preeclampsia placental vessels. The decreased amplitude of SNP- or Bay41-2272 at baseline was smaller in preeclampsia. The decreased amplitudes of ODQ + SNP were comparable between the two groups. Despite higher beta sGC expression, sGC activity in the preeclampsia placenta was lower. Conclusion This study demonstrated that receptor-mediated endothelium-dependent dilation in placental circulation was significantly weaker than other vessels in various species. The results, showed firstly, that exogenous NO played a role in regulating the baseline tone of placental circulation via sGC. Lower NO production and decreased NO/sGC could be one of the reasons for preeclampsia. The findings contribute to understanding specific features of placental circulation and provide information about preeclampsia in placental vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Tang
- Institute for Fetology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Institute for Fetology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ze Zhang
- Institute for Fetology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianying Tao
- Suzhou Municipal Hospital, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jue Wu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dushu Lake Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiutong Zheng
- Institute for Fetology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Institute for Fetology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Na Li
- Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhice Xu
- Institute for Fetology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
- Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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Lei J, Zhao M, Li L, Ji B, Xu T, Sun M, Chen J, Qiu J, Gao Q. Research progress of placental vascular pathophysiological changes in pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus. Front Physiol 2022; 13:954636. [PMID: 35928561 PMCID: PMC9343869 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.954636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a vital organ for fetal development, providing the fetus with nutrients, oxygen, and other important factors. Placenta is rich in blood vessels. Abnormal placental vascular function and blood circulation may lead to insufficient blood supply to the fetus in the uterus, leading to serious consequences such as pregnancy complications, fetal distress and even stillbirth. Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are common complications of pregnancy. Recent studies report that pregnancy complications are often accompanied by changes in placental vascular structure and function. What are the physiological characteristics of human placental blood vessels? What are the pathological changes in the state of PIH and GDM? What are the relationships between these pathological changes and the occurrence of these pregnancy complications? Answers to these questions not only increase the understanding of placental vascular characteristics, but also provide important information for revealing the pathological mechanism of PIH and GDM. This article will summarize the research on the pathological changes of placental blood vessels in PIH and GDM, hoping to further unravel the physiological and pathological characteristics of placental blood vessels in the state of PIH and GDM, provide information for guiding clinical treatment for PIH and GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Lei
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Meng Zhao
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lingjun Li
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Bingyu Ji
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Chen, ; Junlan Qiu, ; Qinqin Gao,
| | - Junlan Qiu
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, The Affiliated Suzhou Science and Technology Town Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Chen, ; Junlan Qiu, ; Qinqin Gao,
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jie Chen, ; Junlan Qiu, ; Qinqin Gao,
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Yang Y, Qiu X, Wang F. Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) knockdown enhances the proliferative, invasive and angiogenic activities of trophoblast cells by suppressing ER resident protein 44 (ERp44) expression in preeclampsia. Bioengineered 2021; 12:9561-9574. [PMID: 34719307 PMCID: PMC8810010 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1997561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy-specific syndrome, is the primary cause of maternal mortality. This work was designed to investigate the specific functions of PTPRO/ ERp44 in the biological behaviors of trophoblast cells and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism. Constructed siRNA-PTPRO and ERp44 overexpression plasmids were transfected into HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells for further functional experiments. Subsequently, the proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells were identified by performing CCK-8, flow cytometry and transwell assay. In addition, tube formation assay was employed to estimate the angiogenic ability of HUVECs incubated with the conditioned media (CM) of HTR-8/SVneo or JEG-3 cells. Importantly, the interaction between PTPRO and ERp44 was analyzed through Co-IP. In the current investigation, it was discovered that downregulation of PTPRO notably facilitated the proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells and induced a stronger in vitro angiogenesis. Moreover, PTPRO interacted with ERp44 to regulate ERp44 expression. ERp44 overexpression suppressed the proliferative, invasive and angiogenic activities of trophoblast cells. As a result, functions of PTPRO knockdown in the biological behaviors of trophoblast cells were partially abrogated upon elevation of ERp44. To sum up, this current research systematically evidenced that PTPRO could regulate the biological behaviors of trophoblast cells by modulating ERp44. Findings may contribute to a novel therapeutic strategy for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxia Qiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, P.R. China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200120, P.R. China
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Gupta R, Srivastava D, Sahu M, Tiwari S, Ambasta RK, Kumar P. Artificial intelligence to deep learning: machine intelligence approach for drug discovery. Mol Divers 2021; 25:1315-1360. [PMID: 33844136 PMCID: PMC8040371 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-021-10217-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Drug designing and development is an important area of research for pharmaceutical companies and chemical scientists. However, low efficacy, off-target delivery, time consumption, and high cost impose a hurdle and challenges that impact drug design and discovery. Further, complex and big data from genomics, proteomics, microarray data, and clinical trials also impose an obstacle in the drug discovery pipeline. Artificial intelligence and machine learning technology play a crucial role in drug discovery and development. In other words, artificial neural networks and deep learning algorithms have modernized the area. Machine learning and deep learning algorithms have been implemented in several drug discovery processes such as peptide synthesis, structure-based virtual screening, ligand-based virtual screening, toxicity prediction, drug monitoring and release, pharmacophore modeling, quantitative structure-activity relationship, drug repositioning, polypharmacology, and physiochemical activity. Evidence from the past strengthens the implementation of artificial intelligence and deep learning in this field. Moreover, novel data mining, curation, and management techniques provided critical support to recently developed modeling algorithms. In summary, artificial intelligence and deep learning advancements provide an excellent opportunity for rational drug design and discovery process, which will eventually impact mankind. The primary concern associated with drug design and development is time consumption and production cost. Further, inefficiency, inaccurate target delivery, and inappropriate dosage are other hurdles that inhibit the process of drug delivery and development. With advancements in technology, computer-aided drug design integrating artificial intelligence algorithms can eliminate the challenges and hurdles of traditional drug design and development. Artificial intelligence is referred to as superset comprising machine learning, whereas machine learning comprises supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. Further, deep learning, a subset of machine learning, has been extensively implemented in drug design and development. The artificial neural network, deep neural network, support vector machines, classification and regression, generative adversarial networks, symbolic learning, and meta-learning are examples of the algorithms applied to the drug design and discovery process. Artificial intelligence has been applied to different areas of drug design and development process, such as from peptide synthesis to molecule design, virtual screening to molecular docking, quantitative structure-activity relationship to drug repositioning, protein misfolding to protein-protein interactions, and molecular pathway identification to polypharmacology. Artificial intelligence principles have been applied to the classification of active and inactive, monitoring drug release, pre-clinical and clinical development, primary and secondary drug screening, biomarker development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, bioactivity identification and physiochemical properties, prediction of toxicity, and identification of mode of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Gupta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Devesh Srivastava
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Mehar Sahu
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Swati Tiwari
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Rashmi K Ambasta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India
| | - Pravir Kumar
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Shahbad Daulatpur, Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India.
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Feng X, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Li H, Zheng Q, Li N, Tang J, Xu Z. New views on endothelial dysfunction in gestational hypertension and potential therapy targets. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:1420-1436. [PMID: 33677145 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta has vital roles in metabolite exchange, fetal growth, and pre-eclampsia (PE). In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis of hypertension in pregnancy, focusing on four major theories to explain PE, discussing endothelial roles in those theories. We focus in particular on the roles of nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2) in placental endothelium, and propose new hypotheses for the influence and mechanisms of endothelial NO and PGI2 signaling pathways in PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Feng
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China; Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huan Li
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qiutong Zheng
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Na Li
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaqi Tang
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Zhice Xu
- First Hospital of Soochow University & Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
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ZHOU SUFEN, AN PENG, LIAN KAI, GAN LING, FENG WEI, SONG JUAN, WANG YU, LIU XINYI, LI MENGXUE, ZHANG YANTING, ZHANG XIANYA, ZHANG SHUNYU, CHEN YUTING, WAN SHUYA. PLACENTAL HEMODYNAMIC ASSESSMENT IN WOMEN WITH SEVERE PREECLAMPSIA IN SECOND- AND THIRD-TRIMESTER PREGNANCY BY 3D POWER QUANTITATIVE DOPPLER ULTRASOUND. J MECH MED BIOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219519420400011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The present study analyzed the fetal–placental hemodynamic parameters in women with severe preeclampsia in second- and third-trimester pregnancy with a view to developing effective predictive indicators for preeclampsia and providing support for the prenatal clinical treatment of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: From January 2015 to January 2019, 160 pregnant women diagnosed with severe preeclampsia at Xiangyang First People’s Hospital were recruited as the study group. The diagnostic criteria for preeclampsia were in accordance with the guidelines of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (ISSHP). A sample of 160 healthy pregnant women with normal blood pressure were selected as the control group. The GE Voluson E8 and E10 four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonic diagnostic instruments and the three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler in angio-quantitative mode were used to measure the hemodynamic parameters of the placenta, left uterine artery (LUA), right uterine artery (RUA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), umbilical artery (UA), and ductus venosus (DV) in the two groups. The above parameters were analyzed statistically using SPSS 22.0. Results: The systolic/diastolic velocity ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) of the MCA in the study group were lower than those of normal subjects of the same gestational age (P < 0.05). These parameters in the UA were higher in the study group than those in normal subjects (P < 0.05). The ratios between the peak ventricular systolic velocity and the peak atrial systolic velocity (S/A), pulsatility index for the vein (PIV), pre-load index (PLI), and peak velocity index for the vein (PVIV) in the DV were significantly different between the study and normal groups (P < 0.05). The placental vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were lower in the study group than those in normal subjects of the same gestational age (P < 0.05). There were good correlations between VI, VFI and RUA, PI, with correlation coefficients of −0.697 and −0.702, respectively. FI was the indicator that had the highest diagnostic efficacy for severe preeclampsia. The predictive sensitivity of the FI with a cut-off value of 34.92 was 96.3%, and the corresponding specificity was 86.9%. Conclusions: Placental FI had the highest predictive efficacy for severe preeclampsia and provides a reliable quantitative indicator and data support for preeclampsia management. 3D power quantitative Doppler ultrasound provides a novel avenue for the study of severe preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- SUFEN ZHOU
- Department of Medical Imaging, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - PENG AN
- Department of Medical Imaging, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - KAI LIAN
- Department of Medical Imaging, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - LING GAN
- Department of Medical Imaging, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - WEI FENG
- Medical Imaging Laboratory, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - JUAN SONG
- Medical Imaging Laboratory, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - YU WANG
- Medical Imaging Laboratory, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - XINYI LIU
- Medical Imaging Laboratory, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - MENGXUE LI
- Xiangyang Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal, Medicine in Fetal Heart Disease, Hubei, P. R. China
| | - YANTING ZHANG
- Xiangyang Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal, Medicine in Fetal Heart Disease, Hubei, P. R. China
| | - XIANYA ZHANG
- Medical College, Three Gorges University, Hubei 443002, P. R. China
| | - SHUNYU ZHANG
- Medical College, Three Gorges University, Hubei 443002, P. R. China
| | - YUTING CHEN
- Xiangyang Vocational and Technical College, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
| | - SHUYA WAN
- Xiangyang Vocational and Technical College, Xiangyang 441000, P. R. China
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Feng X, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Yang X, Man D, Lu L, Xu T, Liu Y, Yang C, Li H, Qi L, Su H, Zhou X, Xu Z. Prostaglandin I2 mediates weak vasodilatation in human placental microvessels. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:1229-1237. [PMID: 32902654 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Human placental vessels (HPVs) play important roles in the exchange of metabolites and oxygen in maternal-fetal circulation. Endothelial-derived prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2, PGI2) is a critical endothelial vasodilator in the body. However, the physiological and pharmacological functions of endothelial PGI2 in the human placenta are still unclear. Human, sheep, and rat blood vessels were used in this study. Unlike non-placental vessels (non-PVs), the PGI2 synthesis inhibitor tranylcypromine (TCP) did not modify 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced vascular contraction, indicating that endothelial-derived PGI2 was weak in PVs. Vascular responses to exogenous PGI2 showed slight relaxation followed by a significant contraction at a higher concentration in HPV, which was inhibited by the thromboxane-prostanoid (TP) receptors antagonist SQ-29,548. Testing PVs and non-PVs from sheep also showed similar functional results. More TP receptors than PGI2 (IP) receptors were observed in HPVs. The whole-cell K+ current density of HPVs was significantly weaker than that of non-PVs. This study demonstrated the specific characteristics of the placental endogenous endothelial PGI2 system and the patterns of placental vascular physiological/pharmacological response to exogenous PGI2, showing that placental endothelial PGI2 does not markedly contribute to vascular dilation in the human placenta, in notable contrast to non-PVs. The results provide crucial information for understanding the endothelial roles of HPVs, which may be helpful for further investigations of potential targets in the treatment of diseases such as preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Feng
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Dongmei Man
- Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Likui Lu
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunli Yang
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huan Li
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Linglu Qi
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Su
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiuwen Zhou
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhice Xu
- Institute for Fetology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Gao Q, Li H, Ding H, Fan X, Xu T, Tang J, Liu Y, Chen X, Zhou X, Tao J, Xu Z. Hyper-methylation of AVPR1A and PKCΒ gene associated with insensitivity to arginine vasopressin in human pre-eclamptic placental vasculature. EBioMedicine 2019; 44:574-581. [PMID: 31175056 PMCID: PMC6606951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.05.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. Although the exact mechanisms that cause pre-eclampsia remain unclear, it is undeniable that abnormal placental function and circulation are a center for initiation pre-eclampsia. As a potent vasoconstrictor, arginine vasopressin (AVP) has long been implicated in controlling placental vascular tone and circulation; its secretion is grossly elevated in pre-eclamptic circulation. However, little is known about the reactivity of AVP in pre-eclamptic placental vasculature. Methods To reveal the special features of placental vascular regulations with placental pathophysiological changes, as well as the corresponding molecular mechanisms under pre-eclamptic conditions, vascular function and molecular assays were conducted with placental vessel samples from normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Findings The present study found that vasoconstriction responses of placental vessels to AVP were attenuated in pre-eclampsia as compared to in normal pregnancy. The insensitivity of AVP was correlated with the down-regulated AVP receptor 1a (AVPR1A, AVPR1A gene) and protein kinase C isoform β (PKCβ, PKCΒ gene), particularly the hyper-methylation-mediated AVPR1A and PKCΒ gene down-regulation, respectively. Interpretation The findings collectively revealed that aberrant DNA methylation-mediated gene expressions are correlated with vascular dysfunction in pre-eclamptic placental circulation. Fund This work was supported by National Nature & Science Foundation of China. “333 Project”, “Six one project”, “Shuang Chuang Tuan Dui” and Key Discipline “Fetal medicine” of Jiangsu Province, and the Suzhou city “Wei Sheng Ren Cai” program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Huan Li
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hongmei Ding
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaorong Fan
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Tang
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xueyi Chen
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiuwen Zhou
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jianying Tao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, China.
| | - Zhice Xu
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
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10
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Gao Q, Fan X, Xu T, Li H, He Y, Yang Y, Chen J, Ding H, Tao J, Xu Z. Promoter methylation changes and vascular dysfunction in pre-eclamptic umbilical vein. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:84. [PMID: 31138298 PMCID: PMC6537217 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0685-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hypertension is one of primary clinical presentations of pre-eclampsia. The occurrence and progress of hypertension are closely related to vascular dysfunction. However, information is limited regarding the pathological changes of vascular functions in pre-eclamptic fetuses. Human umbilical cord vein was used to investigate the influence of pre-eclampsia on fetal blood vessels in this study. Results The present study found that the vasoconstriction responses to arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) were attenuated in the pre-eclamptic umbilical vein as compared to in normal pregnancy, which was related to the downregulated AVP receptor 1a (AVPR1a), OXT receptor (OXTR), and protein kinase C isoform β (PKCβ), owing to the deactivated gene transcription, respectively. The deactivated AVPR1a, OXTR, and PKCB gene transcription were respectively linked with an increased DNA methylation within the gene promoter. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this study first revealed that a hyper-methylation in gene promoter, leading to relatively reduced patterns of AVPR1a, OXTR, and PKCB expressions, which was responsible for the decreased sensitivity to AVP and OXT in the umbilical vein under conditions of pre-eclampsia. The data offered new and important information for further understanding the pathological features caused by pre-eclampsia in the fetal vascular system, as well as roles of epigenetic-mediated gene expression in umbilical vascular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.
| | - Xiaorong Fan
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Huan Li
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yun He
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Yuxian Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Hongmei Ding
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China
| | - Jianying Tao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhice Xu
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China. .,Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University, California, USA.
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11
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Fan X, Xu T, Ding H, Li H, Yang Y, He Y, Tang J, Liu Y, Chen X, Chen J, Tao J, Xu Z, Gao Q. DNA methylation-reprogrammed oxytocin receptor underlies insensitivity to oxytocin in pre-eclamptic placental vasculature. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:4118-4126. [PMID: 30950195 PMCID: PMC6533468 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre‐eclampsia is associated with inadequate placental blood flow and placental ischaemia. Placental vascular tone is essential for maintaining adequate placental blood flow. Oxytocin is increased in placental system at late pregnancy and onset of labour, and presented strongly concentration‐dependent contractions in placental vascular, suggesting that oxytocin could be involved in regulating placental vascular tone and circulation. However, information about the reactivity of oxytocin in pre‐eclamptic placental vasculature is limited. This study used a large number of human placentas to reveal the pathophysiological changes and its underlying mechanisms of oxytocin‐induced vasoconstrictions in placental vessels under pre‐eclamptic condition. Present study found that oxytocin‐induced contractions were significantly decreased in human pre‐eclamptic placental vasculature, associated with a deactivated transcription of oxytocin receptor gene. The deactivated oxytocin receptor gene transcription was ascribed to a relatively higher DNA methylation status of CpG islands in oxytocin receptor gene promoter. This study was first to reveal that a hyper‐methylation of CpG islands in oxytocin receptor gene promoter, leading to a relatively low pattern of oxytocin receptor expression, was responsible for the decreased sensitivity of oxytocin in pre‐eclamptic placental vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Fan
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hongmei Ding
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huan Li
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuxian Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Yun He
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Tang
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xueyi Chen
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jianying Tao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhice Xu
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University, Sacramento, California
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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