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Rosario FJ, Barentsen K, Powell TL, Urschitz J, Brown TL, Kanai Y, Jansson T. Trophoblast-specific overexpression of the LAT1 increases transplacental transport of essential amino acids and fetal growth in mice. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae207. [PMID: 38894879 PMCID: PMC11184900 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Placental System L amino acid transporter activity is decreased in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and increased in fetal overgrowth. However, it is unknown if changes in the expression/activity of placental Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter Small Subunit 1 (Slc7a5/LAT1) are mechanistically linked to placental function and fetal growth. We hypothesized that trophoblast-specific Slc7a5 overexpression increases placental transport of essential amino acids, activates the placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, and promotes fetal growth in mice. Using lentiviral transduction of blastocysts with a Slc7a5 transgene, we achieved trophoblast-specific overexpression of Slc7a5 (Slc7a5 OX) with increased fetal (+27%) and placental weights (+10%). Trophoblast-specific Slc7a5 overexpression increased trophoblast plasma membrane (TPM) LAT1 protein abundance and TPM System L transporter (+53%) and System A transporter activity (+ 21%). Slc7a5 overexpression also increased transplacental transport of leucine (+ 85%) but not of the System A tracer, 14C-methylamino isobutyric acid, in vivo. Trophoblast-specific overexpression of Slc7a5 activated placental mTORC1, as assessed by increased (+44%) phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal protein (Ser 235/236), and mTORC2 as indicated by phosphorylation of PKCα-Tyr-657 (+47%) and Akt-Ser 473 (+96%). This is the first demonstration that placental transport of essential amino acids is mechanistically linked to fetal growth. The decreased placental System L activity in human IUGR and the increased placental activity of this transporter in some cases of fetal overgrowth may directly contribute to the development of these pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J Rosario
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth Barentsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Johann Urschitz
- Institue of Biogenesis, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Thomas L Brown
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Yoshikatsu Kanai
- Department of Bio-system Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Kobori Y, Hirayama S, Fukushima Y, Ueno T, Sekihara K, Hori A, Horiuchi Y, Makino S, Nishioka E, Miida T. Low serum carnitine level is associated with increased urinary carnitine excretion in late pregnancy. Ann Clin Biochem 2024:45632241239806. [PMID: 38428946 DOI: 10.1177/00045632241239806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carnitine is essential for fatty acid metabolism. Free carnitine (FCA) is excreted in the urine in the glomerulus, but is partly reabsorbed by a carnitine transporter. The mechanism underlying the decrease in serum carnitine level during pregnancy is unclear. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether low carnitine level is associated with increased renal excretion in pregnant women. METHODS We recruited 43 healthy pregnant and 25 non-pregnant women. Total carnitine (TCA) and FCA levels were measured using the enzymatic cycling method, and the acylcarnitine (ACA) level was calculated. Fractional excretion (FE) was calculated as carnitine clearance divided by creatinine clearance. RESULTS The mean TCA, FCA, and ACA levels were lower at 12 weeks of gestation in pregnant than non-pregnant women (P < .001); the levels decreased further at 36 weeks, reaching 39%, 36%, and 52% of those in non-pregnant women, respectively (P < .001). The FEs were 3-4-fold higher in pregnant women than non-pregnant women. Pregnant women had a lower serum FCA/TCA ratio than non-pregnant women (0.788 ± 0.098 vs 0.830 ± 0.074, respectively; P < .05), whereas the urine FCA/TCA ratio was similar between the groups. CONCLUSION Low carnitine level is associated with increased renal excretion during late pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaro Kobori
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Clinical Laboratory, Juntendo Tokyo Koto Geriatric Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Hirayama
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Health Service Center, Tokyo Gakugei University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Fukushima
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Ueno
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nitobebunka College, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Sekihara
- Department of Cancer Biology, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hori
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuna Horiuchi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shintaro Makino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Emiko Nishioka
- Maternal Nursing, Division of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science and Nursing, Juntendo University, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takashi Miida
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan
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Rosario FJ, Urschitz J, Powell TL, Brown TL, Jansson T. Overexpression of the LAT1 in primary human trophoblast cells increases the uptake of essential amino acids and activates mTOR signaling. Clin Sci (Lond) 2023; 137:1651-1664. [PMID: 37861075 DOI: 10.1042/cs20230490] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The System L amino acid transporter, particularly the isoform Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter Small Subunit 1 (LAT1) encoded by SLC7A5, is believed to mediate the transfer of essential amino acids in the human placenta. Placental System L amino acid transporter expression and activity is decreased in pregnancies complicated by IUGR and increased in fetal overgrowth. However, it remains unknown if changes in the expression of LAT1 are mechanistically linked to System L amino acid transport activity. Here, we combined overexpression approaches with protein analysis and functional studies in cultured primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells to test the hypothesis that SLC7A5 overexpression increases the uptake of essential amino acids and activates mTOR signaling in PHT cells. Overexpression of SLC7A5 resulted in a marked increase in protein expression of LAT1 in the PHT cells microvillous plasma membrane and System L amino acid transporter activity. Moreover, mTOR signaling was activated, and System A amino acid transporter activity increased following SLC7A5 overexpression, suggesting coordination of trophoblast amino transporter expression and activity to ensure balanced nutrient flux to the fetus. This is the first report showing that overexpression of LAT1 is sufficient to increase the uptake of essential amino acids in PHT cells, which activates mTOR, a master regulator of placental function. The decreased placental System L activity in human IUGR and the increased placental activity of this transporter system in some cases of fetal overgrowth may directly contribute to changes in fetal amino acid availability and altered fetal growth in these pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J Rosario
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, U.S.A
| | - Johann Urschitz
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, U.S.A
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, U.S.A
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, U.S.A
| | - Thomas L Brown
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, U.S.A
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, U.S.A
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, U.S.A
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Ning J, Huai J, Wang S, Yan J, Su R, Zhang M, Liu M, Yang H. METTL3 regulates glucose transporter expression in placenta exposed to hyperglycemia through the mTOR signaling pathway. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023:00029330-990000000-00823. [PMID: 37963715 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in the placental expression of glucose transporters (GLUTs), the crucial maternal-fetal nutrient transporters, have been found in women with hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP). However, there is still uncertainty about the underlying effect of the high-glucose environment on placental GLUTs expression in HIP. METHODS We quantitatively evaluated the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and expression of GLUTs (GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4) in the placenta of women with normal pregnancies (CTRL, n = 12) and pregnant women complicated with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n = 12) by immunohistochemistry. In addition, BeWo cells were treated with different glucose concentrations to verify the regulation of hyperglycemia. Then, changes in the expression of GLUTs following the activation or suppression of the mTOR pathway were also assessed using MHY1485/rapamycin (RAPA) treatment or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing approaches. Moreover, we further explored the alteration and potential upstream regulatory role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) when exposed to hyperglycemia. RESULTS mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), and GLUT1 protein levels were upregulated in the placenta of women with T2DM compared with those CTRL. In BeWo cells, mTOR activity increased with increasing glucose concentration, and the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4 as well as GLUT1 cell membrane translocation were upregulated by hyperglycemia to varying degrees. Both the drug-mediated and genetic depletion of mTOR signaling in BeWo cells suppressed GLUTs expression, whereas MHY1485-induced mTOR activation upregulated GLUTs expression. Additionally, high glucose levels upregulated METTL3 expression and nuclear translocation, and decreasing METTL3 levels suppressed GLUTs expression and mTOR activity and vice versa. Furthermore, in METTL3 knockdown BeWo cells, the inhibitory effect on GLUTs expression was eliminated by activating the mTOR signaling pathway using MHY1485. CONCLUSION High-glucose environment-induced upregulation of METTL3 in trophoblasts regulates the expression of GLUTs through mTOR signaling, contributing to disordered nutrient transport in women with HIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ning
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jing Huai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Shuxian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Rina Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Muqiu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Mengtong Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Huixia Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
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Ludidi A, Siboto A, Nkosi A, Xulu ND, Khathi A, Sibiya NH, Ngubane PS. High-fat, high-carbohydrate diet-induced prediabetes preconception in Sprague-Dawley rats as a risk factor for the development of preeclampsia: assessing changes in placental metabolic insults. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1241785. [PMID: 37937252 PMCID: PMC10626547 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1241785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hyperglycemia preconception deranges the establishment of a functional placenta; however, the risk of developing preeclampsia (PE) in prediabetic patients remains obscure. The aim was to assess abnormal placental changes as a risk factor for the development of PE in high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet-induced prediabetic (PD) rats. Methods HFHC diet-induced female prediabetic Sprague-Dawley rats were mated, and blood glucose concentrations, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and body weights were monitored on gestational days (GNDs) 0, 9, and 18. On GND 18, animals were euthanized. Blood and placentas were collected for biochemical analysis. Results Prediabetic rats showed significantly increased blood glucose concentration, proinflammatory cytokines, MAP, placental weight, and fetoplacental ratio compared with non-prediabetic (NPD) rats. Prediabetic rats showed significantly decreased placental vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and placental growth factor (PLGF) and plasma nitric oxide (NO) compared with NPD. Discussion Prediabetes may have promoted endothelial dysfunction in the placenta and hypoxia, thus reducing PLGF and VEGFR1, which may have promoted proinflammation, endothelial dysfunction associated with NO decline, and hypertension, which is also observed in preeclamptic patients. Prediabetes may have promoted lipogenesis in placentas and fetuses that may have induced macrosomia and IUGR, also observed in preeclamptic patients. The findings from this study highlight the need for screening and monitoring of prediabetes during pregnancy to reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiphaphola Ludidi
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Anelisiwe Siboto
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Ayanda Nkosi
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nombuso Duduzile Xulu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andile Khathi
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Phikelelani Siphosethu Ngubane
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Kelly A, Chan J, Powell TL, Cox LA, Jansson T, Rosario FJ. Maternal obesity alters the placental transcriptome in a fetal sex-dependent manner. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1178533. [PMID: 37397247 PMCID: PMC10309565 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1178533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Infants born to obese mothers have an increased risk of developing obesity and metabolic diseases in childhood and adulthood. Although the molecular mechanisms linking maternal obesity during pregnancy to the development of metabolic diseases in offspring are poorly understood, evidence suggests that changes in the placental function may play a role. Using a mouse model of diet-induced obesity with fetal overgrowth, we performed RNA-seq analysis at embryonic day 18.5 to identify genes differentially expressed in the placentas of obese and normal-weight dams (controls). In male placentas, 511 genes were upregulated and 791 genes were downregulated in response to maternal obesity. In female placentas, 722 genes were downregulated and 474 genes were upregulated in response to maternal obesity. The top canonical pathway downregulated in maternal obesity in male placentas was oxidative phosphorylation. In contrast, sirtuin signaling, NF-kB signaling, phosphatidylinositol, and fatty acid degradation were upregulated. In female placentas, the top canonical pathways downregulated in maternal obesity were triacylglycerol biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and endocytosis. In contrast, bone morphogenetic protein, TNF, and MAPK signaling were upregulated in the female placentas of the obese group. In agreement with RNA-seq data, the expression of proteins associated with oxidative phosphorylation was downregulated in male but not female placentas of obese mice. Similarly, sex-specific changes in the protein expression of mitochondrial complexes were found in placentas collected from obese women delivering large-for-gestational-age (LGA) babies. In conclusion, maternal obesity with fetal overgrowth differentially regulates the placental transcriptome in male and female placentas, including genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Kelly
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, United States
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Jeannie Chan
- Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Laura A. Cox
- Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Fredrick J. Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Zhao J, Stewart ID, Baird D, Mason D, Wright J, Zheng J, Gaunt TR, Evans DM, Freathy RM, Langenberg C, Warrington NM, Lawlor DA, Borges MC. Causal effects of maternal circulating amino acids on offspring birthweight: a Mendelian randomisation study. EBioMedicine 2023; 88:104441. [PMID: 36696816 PMCID: PMC9879767 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amino acids are key to protein synthesis, energy metabolism, cell signaling and gene expression; however, the contribution of specific maternal amino acids to fetal growth is unclear. METHODS We explored the effect of maternal circulating amino acids on fetal growth, proxied by birthweight, using two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) and summary data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of serum amino acids levels (sample 1, n = 86,507) and a maternal GWAS of offspring birthweight in UK Biobank and Early Growth Genetics Consortium, adjusting for fetal genotype effects (sample 2, n = 406,063 with maternal and/or fetal genotype effect estimates). A total of 106 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms robustly associated with 19 amino acids (p < 4.9 × 10-10) were used as genetic instrumental variables (IV). Wald ratio and inverse variance weighted methods were used in MR main analysis. A series of sensitivity analyses were performed to explore IV assumption violations. FINDINGS Our results provide evidence that maternal circulating glutamine (59 g offspring birthweight increase per standard deviation increase in maternal amino acid level, 95% CI: 7, 110) and serine (27 g, 95% CI: 9, 46) raise, while leucine (-59 g, 95% CI: -106, -11) and phenylalanine (-25 g, 95% CI: -47, -4) lower offspring birthweight. These findings are supported by sensitivity analyses. INTERPRETATION Our findings strengthen evidence for key roles of maternal circulating amino acids during pregnancy in healthy fetal growth. FUNDING A full list of funding bodies that contributed to this study can be found under Acknowledgments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhao
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Bristol NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; The Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Institute of Early Life Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | | | - Denis Baird
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Dan Mason
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - John Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Jie Zheng
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases of the National Health Commission of the PR China, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Endocrine Tumor, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tom R Gaunt
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Bristol NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - David M Evans
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel M Freathy
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Claudia Langenberg
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Health Data Research UK Cambridge, Wellcome Genome Campus and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Computational Medicine, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicole M Warrington
- University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Deborah A Lawlor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Bristol NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Bristol, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Maria Carolina Borges
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK; Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Kuentzel KB, Bradić I, Mihalič ZN, Korbelius M, Rainer S, Pirchheim A, Kargl J, Kratky D. Dysregulation of Placental Lipid Hydrolysis by High-Fat/High-Cholesterol Feeding and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12286. [PMID: 36293139 PMCID: PMC9603336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced maternal age and obesity are the main risk factors to develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Obesity is a consequence of the increased storage of triacylglycerol (TG). Cytosolic and lysosomal lipid hydrolases break down TG and cholesteryl esters (CE) to release fatty acids (FA), free cholesterol, and glycerol. We have recently shown that intracellular lipases are present and active in the mouse placenta and that deficiency of lysosomal acid lipase alters placental and fetal lipid homeostasis. To date, intracellular lipid hydrolysis in GDM has been poorly studied despite the important role of FA in this condition. Therefore, we hypothesized that intracellular lipases are dysregulated in pregnancies complicated by maternal high-fat/high-cholesterol (HF/HCD) feeding with and without GDM. Placentae of HF/HCD-fed mice with and without GDM were more efficient, indicating increased nutrient transfer to the fetus. The increased activity of placental CE but not TG hydrolases in placentae of dams fed HF/HCD with or without GDM resulted in upregulated cholesterol export to the fetus and placental TG accumulation. Our results indicate that HF/HCD-induced dysregulation of placental lipid hydrolysis contributes to fetal hepatic lipid accumulation and possibly to fetal overgrowth, at least in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina B. Kuentzel
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Ivan Bradić
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Zala N. Mihalič
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Melanie Korbelius
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Silvia Rainer
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Anita Pirchheim
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Kargl
- Otto Loewi Research Center, Division of Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Dagmar Kratky
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
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9
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Wang S, Ning J, Huai J, Yang H. Hyperglycemia in Pregnancy-Associated Oxidative Stress Augments Altered Placental Glucose Transporter 1 Trafficking via AMPKα/p38MAPK Signaling Cascade. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158572. [PMID: 35955706 PMCID: PMC9369398 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
GLUT1, being a ubiquitous transporter isoform, is considered primarily responsible for glucose uptake during glycolysis. However, there is still uncertainty about the regulatory mechanisms of GLUT1 in hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP, PGDM, and GDM) accompanied by abnormal oxidative stress responses. In the present study, it was observed that the glycolysis was enhanced in GDM and PGDM pregnancies. In line with this, the antioxidant system was disturbed and GLUT1 expression was increased due to diabetes impairment in both placental tissues and in vitro BeWo cells. GLUT1 responded to high glucose stimulation through p38MAPK in an AMPKα-dependent manner. Both the medical-mediated and genetic depletion of p38MAPK in BeWo cells could suppress GLUT1 expression and OS-induced proapoptotic effects. Furthermore, blocking AMPKα with an inhibitor or siRNA strategy promoted p38MAPK, GLUT1, and proapoptotic molecules expression and vice versa. In general, a new GLUT1 regulation pathway was identified, which could exert effects on placental transport function through the AMPKα-p38MAPK pathway. AMPKα may be a therapeutic target in HIP for alleviating diabetes insults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (S.W.); (J.N.); (J.H.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jie Ning
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (S.W.); (J.N.); (J.H.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jing Huai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (S.W.); (J.N.); (J.H.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Huixia Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China; (S.W.); (J.N.); (J.H.)
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Correspondence:
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Fetomaternal Expression of Glucose Transporters (GLUTs)—Biochemical, Cellular and Clinical Aspects. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14102025. [PMID: 35631166 PMCID: PMC9146575 DOI: 10.3390/nu14102025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Several types of specialized glucose transporters (GLUTs) provide constant glucose transport from the maternal circulation to the developing fetus through the placental barrier from the early stages of pregnancy. GLUT1 is a prominent protein isoform that regulates placental glucose transfer via glucose-facilitated diffusion. The GLUT1 membrane protein density and permeability of the syncytial basal membrane (BM) are the main factors limiting the rate of glucose diffusion in the fetomaternal compartment in physiological conditions. Besides GLUT1, the GLUT3 and GLUT4 isoforms are widely expressed across the human placenta. Numerous medical conditions and molecules, such as hormones, adipokines, and xenobiotics, alter the GLUT’s mRNA and protein expression. Diabetes upregulates the BM GLUT’s density and promotes fetomaternal glucose transport, leading to excessive fetal growth. However, most studies have found no between-group differences in GLUTs’ placental expression in macrosomic and normal control pregnancies. The fetomaternal GLUTs expression may also be influenced by several other conditions, such as chronic hypoxia, preeclampsia, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
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11
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Jia X, Cao Y, Ye L, Liu X, Huang Y, Yuan X, Lu C, Xu J, Zhu H. Vitamin D stimulates placental L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) in preeclampsia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4651. [PMID: 35301401 PMCID: PMC8931068 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08641-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of preeclampsia. Impaired placental amino acid transport is suggested to contribute to abnormal fetal intrauterine growth in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. However, if vitamin D-regulated amino acid transporter is involved in the pathophysiologic mechanism of preeclampsia has not been clarified yet. The aberrant expression of key isoform of L-type amino acid transporter LAT1 was determined by western blot and immunohistochemistry in the placenta from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. The role for vitamin D on placental LAT1 expression was investigated through the exposure of HTR-8/SVneo human trophoblast cells to the biologically active 1,25(OH)2D3 and the oxidative stress-inducer cobalt chloride (CoCl2). Our results showed that placental LAT1 expression was reduced in women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnancies, which was associated with decreased expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR). 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly upregulated LAT1 expression in placental trophoblasts, and also prevented the decrease of mTOR activity under CoCl2-induced oxidative stress. siRNA targeting VDR significantly attenuated 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated LAT1 expression and mTOR signaling activity. Moreover, treatment of rapamycin specifically inhibited the activity of mTOR signaling and resulted in decrease of LAT1 expression. In conclusion, LAT1 expression was downregulated in the placenta from women with preeclampsia. 1,25(OH)2D3/VDR could stimulate LAT1 expression, which was likely mediated by mTOR signaling in placental trophoblasts. Regulation on placental amino acid transport may be one of the mechanisms by which vitamin D affects fetal growth in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Jia
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lingyu Ye
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yujia Huang
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xiaolei Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Chunmei Lu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
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Placental Insulin Receptor Transiently Regulates Glucose Homeostasis in the Adult Mouse Offspring of Multiparous Dams. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10030575. [PMID: 35327377 PMCID: PMC8945682 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10030575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus, there is strong evidence to suggest that the insulin signaling pathway in the placenta may be impaired. This may have potential effects on the programming of the metabolic health in the offspring; however, a direct link between the placental insulin signaling pathway and the offspring health remains unknown. Here, we aimed to understand whether specific placental loss of the insulin receptor (InsR) has a lasting effect on the offspring health in mice. Obesity and glucose homeostasis were assessed in the adult mouse offspring on a normal chow diet (NCD) followed by a high-fat diet (HFD) challenge. Compared to their littermate controls, InsR KOplacenta offspring were born with normal body weight and pancreatic β-cell mass. Adult InsR KOplacenta mice exhibited normal glucose homeostasis on an NCD. Interestingly, under a HFD challenge, adult male InsR KOplacenta offspring demonstrated lower body weight and a mildly improved glucose homeostasis associated with parity. Together, our data show that placenta-specific insulin receptor deletion does not adversely affect offspring glucose homeostasis during adulthood. Rather, there may potentially be a mild and transient protective effect in the mouse offspring of multiparous dams under the condition of a diet-induced obesogenic challenge.
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Stanirowski PJ, Szukiewicz D, Majewska A, Wątroba M, Pyzlak M, Bomba-Opoń D, Wielgoś M. Placental expression of glucose transporters GLUT-1, GLUT-3, GLUT-8 and GLUT-12 in pregnancies complicated by gestational and type 1 diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes Investig 2021; 13:560-570. [PMID: 34555239 PMCID: PMC8902395 DOI: 10.1111/jdi.13680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims/Introduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate the placental expression of glucose transporters GLUT‐1, GLUT‐3, GLUT‐8 and GLUT‐12 in term pregnancies complicated by well‐controlled gestational (GDM) and type 1 pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM). Materials and Methods A total of 103 placental samples were obtained from patients diagnosed with GDM (n = 60), PGDM (n = 20) and a non‐diabetic control group (n = 23). Computer‐assisted quantitative morphometry of stained placental sections was performed to determine the expression of selected GLUT proteins. Results Immunohistochemical techniques used for the identification of GLUT‐1, GLUT‐3, GLUT‐8 and GLUT‐12 revealed the presence of all glucose transporters in the placental tissue. Morphometric evaluation performed for the vascular density‐matched placental samples demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of GLUT‐1 protein in patients with PGDM as compared to GDM and control groups (P < 0.05). With regard to the expression of the other GLUT isoforms, no statistically significant differences were observed between patients from the diabetic and control populations. Positive correlations between fetal birthweight and the expression of GLUT‐1 protein in the PGDM group (rho = 0.463, P < 0.05) and GLUT‐12 in the control group (rho = 0.481, P < 0.05) were noted. Conclusions In term pregnancies complicated by well‐controlled GDM/PGDM, expression of transporters GLUT‐3, GLUT‐8 and GLUT‐12 in the placenta remains unaffected. Increased expression of GLUT‐1 among women with type 1 PGDM might contribute to a higher rate of macrosomic fetuses in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Jan Stanirowski
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dariusz Szukiewicz
- Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agata Majewska
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Wątroba
- Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Pyzlak
- Department of Biophysics and Human Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Bomba-Opoń
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mirosław Wielgoś
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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