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Figueira RL, Khoshgoo N, Doktor F, Khalaj K, Islam T, Moheimani N, Blundell M, Antounians L, Post M, Zani A. Antenatal Administration of Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells Improves Lung Function in Neonatal Rats With Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. J Pediatr Surg 2024:S0022-3468(24)00110-6. [PMID: 38519389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The severity of pulmonary hypoplasia is a main determinant of outcome for babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Antenatal administration of extracellular vesicles derived from amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC-EVs) has been shown to rescue morphological features of lung development in the rat nitrofen model of CDH. Herein, we evaluated whether AFSC-EV administration to fetal rats with CDH is associated with neonatal improvement in lung function. METHODS AFSC-EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized by size, morphology, and canonical marker expression. At embryonic (E) day 9.5, dams were gavaged with olive oil (control) or nitrofen to induce CDH. At E18.5, fetuses received an intra-amniotic injection of either saline or AFSC-EVs. At E21.5, rats were delivered and subjected to a tracheostomy for mechanical ventilation (flexiVent system). Groups were compared for lung compliance, resistance, Newtonian resistance, tissue damping and elastance. Lungs were evaluated for branching morphogenesis and collagen quantification. RESULTS Compared to healthy control, saline-treated pups with CDH had fewer airspaces, more collagen deposition, and functionally exhibited reduced compliance and increased airway resistance, elastance, and tissue damping. Conversely, AFSC-EV administration resulted in improvement of lung mechanics (compliance, resistance, tissue damping, elastance) as well as lung branching morphogenesis and collagen deposition. CONCLUSIONS Our studies show that the rat nitrofen model reproduces lung function impairment similar to that of human babies with CDH. Antenatal administration of AFSC-EVs improves lung morphology and function in neonatal rats with CDH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A (animal and laboratory study).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca L Figueira
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Naghmeh Khoshgoo
- Translational Medicine Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fabian Doktor
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kasra Khalaj
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tasneem Islam
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nazgol Moheimani
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Matisse Blundell
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lina Antounians
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Post
- Translational Medicine Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Augusto Zani
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Doktor F, Figueira RL, Khalaj K, Ijaz A, Lacher M, Blundell M, Antounians L, Zani A. Characterization of the congenital diaphragmatic hernia model in C57BL/6J fetal mice: a step toward lineage tracing experiments. Pediatr Surg Int 2023; 39:296. [PMID: 37981587 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-023-05583-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lineage tracing is key to study the fate of individual cells and their progeny especially in developmental biology. To conduct these studies, we aimed to establish a reproducible model of CDH in the most commonly used genetic background strain that is C57BL/6J mice. METHODS CDH was induced in C57BL/6J dams by maternal administration of nitrofen + bisdiamine at E8.5. Fetuses from olive oil-gavaged mothers served as controls. Lungs from CDH and control fetuses were compared for (1) growth via radial airspace count (RAC), mean linear intercept (MLI) and gene expression for Fgf10, Nrp1, and Ctnnb1; (2) maturation (Pdpn, Spc, Ager, Abca3, Eln, Acta2, Pdgfra) via gene and protein expression; (3) vascularization via gene and protein expression (CD31, Vegfa, Vegfr1/2, Epas1, Enos). STATISTICS unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS Nitrofen + bisdiamine administration resulted in 36% left-sided CDH (31% mortality). CDH fetuses had hypoplastic lungs and impaired growth (lower RAC, higher MLI, lower Fgf10, Nrp1, Ctnnb1), maturation (decreased Pdpn, Ager, Eln gene expression), and vascularization (decreased Cd31, Vegfr1/2; Epas1 and Enos). Lower protein expression was confirmed for PDPN, ELN and CD31. CONCLUSION Modeling CDH in C57BL/6J mouse fetuses is effective in reproducing the classical CDH hallmarks. This model will be critical for lineage tracing experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Doktor
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rebeca Lopes Figueira
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Kasra Khalaj
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Aizah Ijaz
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Martin Lacher
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Leipzig, 04109, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matisse Blundell
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Lina Antounians
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Augusto Zani
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 0A4, Canada.
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada.
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5T 1P5, Canada.
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Marulanda K, Tsihlis ND, McLean SE, Kibbe MR. Emerging antenatal therapies for congenital diaphragmatic hernia-induced pulmonary hypertension in preclinical models. Pediatr Res 2021; 89:1641-1649. [PMID: 33038872 PMCID: PMC8035353 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-020-01191-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)-related deaths are the largest contributor to in-hospital neonatal deaths in children with congenital malformations. Morbidity and mortality in CDH are directly related to the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Current treatment consists of supportive measures. To date, no pharmacotherapy has been shown to effectively reverse the hallmark finding of pulmonary vascular remodeling that is associated with pulmonary hypertension in CDH (CDH-PH). As such, there is a great need for novel therapies to effectively manage CDH-PH. Our review aims to evaluate emerging therapies, and specifically focuses on those that are still under investigation and not approved for clinical use by the Food and Drug Administration. Therapies were categorized into antenatal pharmacotherapies or antenatal regenerative therapies and assessed on their method of administration, safety profile, the effect on pulmonary vascular pathophysiology, and overall efficacy. In general, emerging antenatal pharmaceutical and regenerative treatments primarily aim to alleviate pulmonary vascular remodeling by restoring normal function and levels of key regulatory factors involved in pulmonary vascular development and/or in promoting angiogenesis. Overall, while these emerging therapies show great promise for the management of CDH-PH, most require further assessment of safety and efficacy in preclinical models before translation into the clinical setting. IMPACT: Emerging antenatal therapies for congenital diaphragmatic hernia-induced pulmonary hypertension (CDH-PH) show promise to effectively mitigate vascular remodeling in preclinical models. Further investigation is needed in preclinical and human studies to evaluate safety and efficacy prior to translation into the clinical arena. This review offers a comprehensive and up-to-date summary of emerging therapies currently under investigation in experimental animal models. There is no cure for CDH-PH. This review explores emerging therapeutic options for the treatment of CDH-PH and evaluates their impact on key molecular pathways and clinical markers of disease to determine efficacy in the preclinical stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Marulanda
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nick D Tsihlis
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sean E McLean
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Melina R Kibbe
- Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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Miura da Costa K, Fabro AT, Becari C, Figueira RL, Schmidt AF, Ruano R, Sbragia L. Honeymoon Period in Newborn Rats With CDH Is Associated With Changes in the VEGF Signaling Pathway. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:698217. [PMID: 34336744 PMCID: PMC8322230 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.698217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have a short postnatal period of ventilatory stability called the honeymoon period, after which changes in pulmonary vascular reactivity result in pulmonary hypertension. However, the mechanisms involved are still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate mechanical ventilation's effect in the honeymoon period on VEGF, VEGFR-1/2 and eNOS expression on experimental CDH in rats. Materials and Methods: Neonates whose mothers were not exposed to nitrofen formed the control groups (C) and neonates with left-sided defects formed the CDH groups (CDH). Both were subdivided into non-ventilated and ventilated for 30, 60, and 90 min (n = 7 each). The left lungs (n = 4) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry of the pulmonary vasculature (media wall thickness), VEGF, VEGFR-1/2 and eNOS. Western blotting (n = 3) was performed to quantify the expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1/2 and eNOS. Results: CDH had lower biometric parameters than C. Regarding the pulmonary vasculature, C showed a reduction in media wall thickness with ventilation, while CDH presented reduction with 30 min and an increase with the progression of the ventilatory time (honeymoon period). CDH and C groups showed different patterns of VEGF, VEGFR-1/2 and eNOS expressions. The receptors and eNOS findings were significant by immunohistochemistry but not by western blotting, while VEGF was significant by western blotting but not by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: VEGF, its receptors and eNOS were altered in CDH after mechanical ventilation. These results suggest that the VEGF-NO pathway plays an important role in the honeymoon period of experimental CDH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Miura da Costa
- Laboratory of Experimental Fetal Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Christiane Becari
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rebeca Lopes Figueira
- Laboratory of Experimental Fetal Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto F Schmidt
- Division of Neonatology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Rodrigo Ruano
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Lourenço Sbragia
- Laboratory of Experimental Fetal Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA), the bioactive metabolite of vitamin A (VA), has long been recognized as a critical regulator of the development of the respiratory system. During embryogenesis, RA signaling is involved in the development of the trachea, airways, lung, and diaphragm. During postnatal life, RA continues to impact respiratory health. Disruption of RA activity during embryonic development produces dramatic phenotypes in animal models and human diseases, including tracheoesophageal fistula, tracheomalacia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and lung agenesis or hypoplasia. Several experimental methods have been used to target RA pathways during the formation of the embryonic lung. These have been performed in different animal models using gain- and loss-of-function strategies and dietary, pharmacologic, and genetic approaches that deplete retinoid stores or disrupt retinoid signaling. Experiments utilizing these methods have led to a deeper understanding of RA's role as an important signaling molecule that influences all stages of lung development. Current research is uncovering RA cross talk interactions with other embryonic signaling factors, such as fibroblast growth factors, WNT, and transforming growth factor-beta.
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