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Verstraete MH, Dini P, Orellana D, Uribe-Salazar JM, Veras MM, Carneiro F, Daels P, Fernandes CB. Placental homogeneity: Characterizing transcriptional variation among equine chorioallantoic locations. Theriogenology 2024; 229:75-82. [PMID: 39167835 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The proper function of the placenta is essential for the health and growth of the fetus and the mother. The placenta relies on dynamic gene expression for its correct and timely development and function. Although numerous studies have identified genes vital for placental functions, equine placental molecular research has primarily focused on single placental locations, in sharp contrast with the broader approach in human studies. Here, we hypothesized that the molecular differences across different regions of the equine placenta are negligible because of its diffuse placental type with a macroscopic homogenous distribution of villi across the placental surface. We compared the transcriptome and stereological findings of the body, pregnant horn, and non-pregnant horn within the equine chorioallantois. Our transcriptomic analysis indicates that the variation between regions of the placenta within individuals is less than the variation observed between individuals. A low number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (n = 8) was identified when comparing pregnant and non-pregnant horns within the same placenta, suggesting a remarkable molecular uniformity. A higher number of DEGs was identified when comparing each horn to the body (193 DEGs comparing pregnant horn with body and 207 DEGs comparing non-pregnant horn with body). Genes with a higher expression in the body were associated with processes such as extracellular matrix synthesis and remodeling, which is relevant for placental maturation and placenta-endometrial separation at term and implies asynchrony of these processes across locations. The stereological analysis showed no differences in microcotyledonary density, and width between the locations. However, we observed a greater chorioallantoic thickness in the body and pregnant horn compared to the non-pregnant horn. Overall, our findings reveal a uniform transcriptomic profile across the placental horns, alongside a more distinct gene expression pattern between the uterine body and horns. These regional differences in gene expression suggest a different pace in the placental maturation and detachment among the placental locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo H Verstraete
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Daniela Orellana
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Mariana M Veras
- Laboratory of environmental and experimental pathology, School of medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francieli Carneiro
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Peter Daels
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Claudia B Fernandes
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Paquette A, Ahuna K, Hwang YM, Pearl J, Liao H, Shannon P, Kadam L, Lapehn S, Bucher M, Roper R, Funk C, MacDonald J, Bammler T, Baloni P, Brockway H, Mason WA, Bush N, Lewinn KZ, Karr CJ, Stamatoyannopoulos J, Muglia LJ, Jones H, Sadovsky Y, Myatt L, Sathyanarayana S, Price ND. A genome scale transcriptional regulatory model of the human placenta. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadf3411. [PMID: 38941464 PMCID: PMC11212735 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adf3411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Gene regulation is essential to placental function and fetal development. We built a genome-scale transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) of the human placenta using digital genomic footprinting and transcriptomic data. We integrated 475 transcriptomes and 12 DNase hypersensitivity datasets from placental samples to globally and quantitatively map transcription factor (TF)-target gene interactions. In an independent dataset, the TRN model predicted target gene expression with an out-of-sample R2 greater than 0.25 for 73% of target genes. We performed siRNA knockdowns of four TFs and achieved concordance between the predicted gene targets in our TRN and differences in expression of knockdowns with an accuracy of >0.7 for three of the four TFs. Our final model contained 113,158 interactions across 391 TFs and 7712 target genes and is publicly available. We identified 29 TFs which were significantly enriched as regulators for genes previously associated with preterm birth, and eight of these TFs were decreased in preterm placentas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Paquette
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kylia Ahuna
- Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | | | - Hanna Liao
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Leena Kadam
- Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Matthew Bucher
- Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ryan Roper
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cory Funk
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Heather Brockway
- Department of Physiology and Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - W. Alex Mason
- University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nicole Bush
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kaja Z. Lewinn
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Louis J. Muglia
- The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Leslie Myatt
- Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nathan D. Price
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, USA
- Thorne HealthTech, New York City, NY, USA
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Afshar Y, Yin O, Jeong A, Martinez G, Kim J, Ma F, Jang C, Tabatabaei S, You S, Tseng HR, Zhu Y, Krakow D. Placenta accreta spectrum disorder at single-cell resolution: a loss of boundary limits in the decidua and endothelium. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:443.e1-443.e18. [PMID: 38296740 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.001] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placenta accreta spectrum disorders are associated with severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Placenta accreta spectrum disorders involve excessive adherence of the placenta preventing separation at birth. Traditionally, this condition has been attributed to excessive trophoblast invasion; however, an alternative view is a fundamental defect in decidual biology. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to gain insights into the understanding of placenta accreta spectrum disorder by using single-cell and spatially resolved transcriptomics to characterize cellular heterogeneity at the maternal-fetal interface in placenta accreta spectrum disorders. STUDY DESIGN To assess cellular heterogeneity and the function of cell types, single-cell RNA sequencing and spatially resolved transcriptomics were used. A total of 12 placentas were included, 6 placentas with placenta accreta spectrum disorder and 6 controls. For each placenta with placenta accreta spectrum disorder, multiple biopsies were taken at the following sites: placenta accreta spectrum adherent and nonadherent sites in the same placenta. Of note, 2 platforms were used to generate libraries: the 10× Chromium and NanoString GeoMX Digital Spatial Profiler for single-cell and spatially resolved transcriptomes, respectively. Differential gene expression analysis was performed using a suite of bioinformatic tools (Seurat and GeoMxTools R packages). Correction for multiple testing was performed using Clipper. In situ hybridization was performed with RNAscope, and immunohistochemistry was used to assess protein expression. RESULTS In creating a placenta accreta cell atlas, there were dramatic difference in the transcriptional profile by site of biopsy between placenta accreta spectrum and controls. Most of the differences were noted at the site of adherence; however, differences existed within the placenta between the adherent and nonadherent site of the same placenta in placenta accreta. Among all cell types, the endothelial-stromal populations exhibited the greatest difference in gene expression, driven by changes in collagen genes, namely collagen type III alpha 1 chain (COL3A1), growth factors, epidermal growth factor-like protein 6 (EGFL6), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and angiogenesis-related genes, namely delta-like noncanonical Notch ligand 1 (DLK1) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM1). Intraplacental tropism (adherent versus non-adherent sites in the same placenta) was driven by differences in endothelial-stromal cells with notable differences in bone morphogenic protein 5 (BMP5) and osteopontin (SPP1) in the adherent vs nonadherent site of placenta accreta spectrum. CONCLUSION Placenta accreta spectrum disorders were characterized at single-cell resolution to gain insight into the pathophysiology of the disease. An atlas of the placenta at single cell resolution in accreta allows for understanding in the biology of the intimate maternal and fetal interaction. The contributions of stromal and endothelial cells were demonstrated through alterations in the extracellular matrix, growth factors, and angiogenesis. Transcriptional and protein changes in the stroma of placenta accreta spectrum shift the etiologic explanation away from "invasive trophoblast" to "loss of boundary limits" in the decidua. Gene targets identified in this study may be used to refine diagnostic assays in early pregnancy, track disease progression over time, and inform therapeutic discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalda Afshar
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
| | - Ophelia Yin
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Anhyo Jeong
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Guadalupe Martinez
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jina Kim
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Feiyang Ma
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Christine Jang
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Sarah Tabatabaei
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Sungyong You
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Yazhen Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Pathology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Deborah Krakow
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
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Meng XL, Yuan PB, Wang XJ, Hang J, Shi XM, Zhao YY, Wei Y. The Proteome Landscape of Human Placentas for Monochorionic Twins with Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:1246-1259. [PMID: 37121272 PMCID: PMC11082409 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In perinatal medicine, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is one of the greatest challenges. The etiology of IUGR is multifactorial, but most cases are thought to arise from placental insufficiency. However, identifying the placental cause of IUGR can be difficult due to numerous confounding factors. Selective IUGR (sIUGR) would be a good model to investigate how impaired placentation affects fetal development, as the growth discordance between monochorionic twins cannot be explained by confounding genetic or maternal factors. Herein, we constructed and analyzed the placental proteomic profiles of IUGR twins and normal cotwins. Specifically, we identified a total of 5481 proteins, of which 233 were differentially expressed (57 up-regulated and 176 down-regulated) in IUGR twins. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) are mainly associated with cardiovascular system development and function, organismal survival, and organismal development. Notably, 34 DEPs are significantly enriched in angiogenesis, and diminished placental angiogenesis in IUGR twins has been further elaborately confirmed. Moreover, we found decreased expression of metadherin (MTDH) in the placentas of IUGR twins and demonstrated that MTDH contributes to placental angiogenesis and fetal growth in vitro. Collectively, our findings reveal the comprehensive proteomic signatures of placentas for sIUGR twins, and the DEPs identified may provide in-depth insights into the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and subsequent impaired fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Lu Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Peng-Bo Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xue-Ju Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jing Hang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yang-Yu Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yuan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
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Sadovsky E, Chu T, Barak O, Sadovsky Y, Ouyang Y. The impact of opioids on the transcriptional landscape of human villous trophoblasts. Placenta 2023; 143:54-61. [PMID: 37832183 PMCID: PMC10841529 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.10.001] [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] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Opioid use disorder (OUD) is implicated in major obstetrical diseases such as fetal growth restriction. Whether or not opioids directly impact placental trophoblast development and function remains unclear. We sought to examine the expression of opioid receptors (OPRs) in villous trophoblasts and the effect of opioids on placental transcriptomics. METHODS Trophoblast stem (TS) cells and primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells from healthy term placentas were used to assess OPR expression in conditions that enhance trophoblast stemness vs differentiation. Placental RNAseq was conducted using our retrospective cohorts of pregnant people with OUD vs controls, both without major obstetrical complications. RT-qPCR was used to determine the effect of fentanyl on the expression of putative opioid targets and stemness or differentiation-associated genes in TS and PHT cells. RESULTS Three main OPRs, including OPRM1, OPRD1, and OPRK1 were expressed in term PHT cells cultured in the stemness medium, whereas only OPRD1 and OPRK1 were expressed in TS cells. Interestingly, upon induction of differentiation, the expressed OPR mRNAs in TS or in PHT cells were downregulated. We found 286 differentially expressed long RNAs in placentas from the OUD participants vs controls. While three putative opioid targets differed their expression in stemness vs differentiation states of trophoblasts, fentanyl had no effect on their expression or the expression of major stemness or differentiation-relevant genes in TS and PHT cells. DISCUSSION Trophoblastic expression of OPRs and opioid RNA targets is impacted by cell differentiation, suggesting differential susceptibility of villous trophoblasts to the effect of opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tianjiao Chu
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Oren Barak
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yingshi Ouyang
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Contini T, Béranger R, Multigner L, Klánová J, Price EJ, David A. A Critical Review on the Opportunity to Use Placenta and Innovative Biomonitoring Methods to Characterize the Prenatal Chemical Exposome. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15301-15313. [PMID: 37796725 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Adverse effects associated with chemical exposures during pregnancy include several developmental and reproductive disorders. However, considering the tens of thousands of chemicals present on the market, the effects of chemical mixtures on the developing fetus is still likely underestimated. In this critical review, we discuss the potential to apply innovative biomonitoring methods using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) on placenta to improve the monitoring of chemical exposure during pregnancy. The physiology of the placenta and its relevance as a matrix for monitoring chemical exposures and their effects on fetal health is first outlined. We then identify several key parameters that require further investigations before placenta can be used for large-scale monitoring in a robust manner. Most critical is the need for standardization of placental sampling. Placenta is a highly heterogeneous organ, and knowledge of the intraplacenta variability of chemical composition is required to ensure unbiased and robust interindividual comparisons. Other important variables include the time of collection, the sex of the fetus, and mode of delivery. Finally, we discuss the first applications of HRMS methods on the placenta to decipher the chemical exposome and describe how the use of placenta can complement biofluids collected on the mother or the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Contini
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rémi Béranger
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Luc Multigner
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Jana Klánová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Elliott J Price
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Arthur David
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
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7
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Menon A, Meena J, Manchanda S, Singhal S, Shivhare S, Kumar S. Role of Placental Vascularization Indices and Shear Wave Elastography in Fetal Growth Restriction. J Obstet Gynaecol India 2023; 73:75-82. [PMID: 37916019 PMCID: PMC10615985 DOI: 10.1007/s13224-023-01826-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the role of placental vascularisation indices using 3D-Power Doppler and placental elasticity using Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) in Fetal Growth Restricted (FGR) pregnancies and to assess their correlation with perinatal outcomes. Methods This prospective case-control study was conducted from June 2018-2020. Thirty women with FGR and thirty controls (24-36 weeks) underwent grayscale and Doppler ultrasonography followed by measurement of vascularisation indices and SWE from the central and peripheral parts of fetal and maternal surfaces of the placenta. Participants were followed till delivery and perinatal outcomes were noted. Results Vascularisation indices were significantly reduced among FGR vs. controls: Vascularisation Index (VI): 20.90 ± 5.46 vs. 31.49 ± 3.89, Flow Index (FI): 26.29 ± 1.70 vs. 30.85 ± 2.02, Vascularisation- Flow Index (VFI): 7.06 ± 2.42 vs. 12.37 ± 2.43, p < 0.001. The mean placental SWE (17.36 ± 1.50 kPa) in FGR pregnancies was significantly higher as compared to controls (4.14 ± 1.14 kPa), p < 0.001. Neonatal polycythaemia and hyperbilirubinemia were significantly increased in FGR pregnancies with higher SWE value. Receiver operating characteristic curve-based cut-off of VI for intensive care requirement was 23.0 (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 71%) and for tachypnea was 22.8 (73% sensitivity and specificity). The cut-off of FI for low birth weight was 25.7 (sensitivity: 69.6%, specificity: 71.4%). Conclusion This study demonstrates that increased placental stiffness and reduced vascularisation in FGR indicate possible placental pathology. Both modalities help in predicting perinatal complications. Hence, vascularisation indices and SWE reflect the extent of placental insufficiency and can be useful adjuncts in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anagha Menon
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jyoti Meena
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Smita Manchanda
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Seema Singhal
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Swati Shivhare
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sunesh Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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8
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Barak O, Lovelace T, Piekos S, Chu T, Cao Z, Sadovsky E, Mouillet JF, Ouyang Y, Parks WT, Hood L, Price ND, Benos PV, Sadovsky Y. Integrated unbiased multiomics defines disease-independent placental clusters in common obstetrical syndromes. BMC Med 2023; 21:349. [PMID: 37679695 PMCID: PMC10485945 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03054-8] [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] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placental dysfunction, a root cause of common syndromes affecting human pregnancy, such as preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), and spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD), remains poorly defined. These common, yet clinically disparate obstetrical syndromes share similar placental histopathologic patterns, while individuals within each syndrome present distinct molecular changes, challenging our understanding and hindering our ability to prevent and treat these syndromes. METHODS Using our extensive biobank, we identified women with severe PE (n = 75), FGR (n = 40), FGR with a hypertensive disorder (FGR + HDP; n = 33), sPTD (n = 72), and two uncomplicated control groups, term (n = 113), and preterm without PE, FGR, or sPTD (n = 16). We used placental biopsies for transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics data, and histological evaluation. After conventional pairwise comparison, we deployed an unbiased, AI-based similarity network fusion (SNF) to integrate the datatypes and identify omics-defined placental clusters. We used Bayesian model selection to compare the association between the histopathological features and disease conditions vs SNF clusters. RESULTS Pairwise, disease-based comparisons exhibited relatively few differences, likely reflecting the heterogeneity of the clinical syndromes. Therefore, we deployed the unbiased, omics-based SNF method. Our analysis resulted in four distinct clusters, which were mostly dominated by a specific syndrome. Notably, the cluster dominated by early-onset PE exhibited strong placental dysfunction patterns, with weaker injury patterns in the cluster dominated by sPTD. The SNF-defined clusters exhibited better correlation with the histopathology than the predefined disease groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that integrated omics-based SNF distinctively reclassifies placental dysfunction patterns underlying the common obstetrical syndromes, improves our understanding of the pathological processes, and could promote a search for more personalized interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren Barak
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Tyler Lovelace
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 800 Murdoch Building, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- Joint CMU-Pitt PhD Program in Computational Biology, 800 Murdoch Building, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Samantha Piekos
- Institute for Systems Biology, 401 Terri Avenue North, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Tianjiao Chu
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Zhishen Cao
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Elena Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Jean-Francois Mouillet
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Yingshi Ouyang
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - W Tony Parks
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Simcoe Hall, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Leroy Hood
- Institute for Systems Biology, 401 Terri Avenue North, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Nathan D Price
- Institute for Systems Biology, 401 Terri Avenue North, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Thorne HealthTech, 152 West 57th Street, New York, NY, 10019, USA
| | - Panayiotis V Benos
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, 800 Murdoch Building, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- Joint CMU-Pitt PhD Program in Computational Biology, 800 Murdoch Building, 3420 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
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9
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Guerrero-Santoro J, Morizane M, Oh SY, Mishima T, Goff JP, Bildirici I, Sadovsky E, Ouyang Y, Tyurin VA, Tyurina YY, Kagan VE, Sadovsky Y. The lipase cofactor CGI58 controls placental lipolysis. JCI Insight 2023; 8:168717. [PMID: 37212279 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.168717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In eutherians, the placenta plays a critical role in the uptake, storage, and metabolism of lipids. These processes govern the availability of fatty acids to the developing fetus, where inadequate supply has been associated with substandard fetal growth. Whereas lipid droplets are essential for the storage of neutral lipids in the placenta and many other tissues, the processes that regulate placental lipid droplet lipolysis remain largely unknown. To assess the role of triglyceride lipases and their cofactors in determining placental lipid droplet and lipid accumulation, we assessed the role of patatin like phospholipase domain containing 2 (PNPLA2) and comparative gene identification-58 (CGI58) in lipid droplet dynamics in the human and mouse placenta. While both proteins are expressed in the placenta, the absence of CGI58, not PNPLA2, markedly increased placental lipid and lipid droplet accumulation. These changes were reversed upon restoration of CGI58 levels selectively in the CGI58-deficient mouse placenta. Using co-immunoprecipitation, we found that, in addition to PNPLA2, PNPLA9 interacts with CGI58. PNPLA9 was dispensable for lipolysis in the mouse placenta yet contributed to lipolysis in human placental trophoblasts. Our findings establish a crucial role for CGI58 in placental lipid droplet dynamics and, by extension, in nutrient supply to the developing fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Guerrero-Santoro
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mayumi Morizane
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Soo-Young Oh
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Takuya Mishima
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julie P Goff
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ibrahim Bildirici
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Elena Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yingshi Ouyang
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vladimir A Tyurin
- Center for Free Radical and Antioxidant Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
| | - Yulia Y Tyurina
- Center for Free Radical and Antioxidant Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
| | - Valerian E Kagan
- Center for Free Radical and Antioxidant Health, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology
- Department of Radiation Oncology; and
| | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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10
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Yang J, Gong L, Liu Q, Zhao H, Wang Z, Li X, Tian W, Zhou Q. Single-cell RNA-seq reveals developmental deficiencies in both the placentation and the decidualization in women with late-onset preeclampsia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1142273. [PMID: 37283740 PMCID: PMC10239844 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1142273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although increasing lines of evidence suggest that both the placenta and the decidua likely play roles in the pathogenesis of PE, the molecular mechanism of PE remains elusive partly because of the heterogeneity nature of the maternal-fetal interface. In this study, we perform single-cell RNA-seq on the placenta and the decidual from patients with late-onset PE (LOPE) and women in normal pregnancy. Analyses of single-cell transcriptomes reveal that in LOPE, there are likely a global development deficiency of trophoblasts with impaired invasion of extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) and increased maternal immune rejection and inflammation in the placenta, while there are likely insufficient decidualization of decidual stromal cells (DSC), increased inflammation, and suppressed regulatory functions of decidual immune cells. These findings improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Department of Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lili Gong
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Department of Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huanqiang Zhao
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zekun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Department of Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaotian Li
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Department of Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Children’s Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qiongjie Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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11
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Li Q, Lesseur C, Srirangam P, Kaur K, Hermetz K, Caudle WM, Fiedler N, Panuwet P, Prapamontol T, Naksen W, Suttiwan P, Baumert BO, Hao K, Barr DB, Marsit CJ, Chen J. Associations between prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure and placental gene networks. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 224:115490. [PMID: 36828252 PMCID: PMC10054353 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides during pregnancy has been linked to deficiencies of neurobehavioral development in childhood; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this association remain elusive. The placenta plays a crucial role in protecting the fetus from environmental insults and safeguarding proper fetal development including neurodevelopment. The aim of our study is to evaluate changes in the placental transcriptome associated with prenatal OP exposure. METHODS Pregnant farm workers from two agricultural districts in northern Thailand were recruited for the Study of Asian Women and Offspring's Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE) from 2017 to 2019. For 254 participants, we measured maternal urinary concentrations of six nonspecific dialkyl phosphates (DAP) metabolites in early, middle, and late pregnancy. In parallel, we profiled the term placental transcriptome from the same participants using RNA-Sequencing and performed Weighted Gene co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Generalized linear regression modeling was used to examine associations of urinary OP metabolites and placental co-expression module eigenvalues. RESULTS We identified 21 gene co-expression modules in the placenta. From the six DAP metabolites assayed, diethylphosphate (DEP) and diethylthiophosphate (DETP) were detected in more than 70% of the urine samples. Significant associations between DEP at multiple time points and two specific placental gene modules were observed. The 'black' module, enriched in genes involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxia, was negatively associated with DEP in early (p = 0.034), and late pregnancies (p = 0.016). The 'lightgreen' module, enriched in genes involved in myogenesis and EMT, was negatively associated with DEP in late pregnancy (p = 0.010). We observed 2 hub genes (CELSR1 and PYCR1) of the 'black' module to be negatively associated with DEP in early and late pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that prenatal OP exposure may disrupt placental gene networks in a time-dependent manner. Such transcriptomic effects may lead to down-stream changes in placental function that ultimately affect the developing fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Corina Lesseur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pranathi Srirangam
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Barnard College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kirtan Kaur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - W Michael Caudle
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nancy Fiedler
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Parinya Panuwet
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tippawan Prapamontol
- Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Warangkana Naksen
- Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Panrapee Suttiwan
- Psychology Center of Life-span Development and Intergeneration (LIFE Di), Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brittney O Baumert
- Department of Population and Public Health Science, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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Spontaneous Preterm Birth: Elevated Galectin-3 and Telomere Shortening May Reflect a Common Pathway of Enhanced Inflammation and Senescence. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:487-493. [PMID: 35608796 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00972-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Preterm delivery complicates 5-12% of pregnancies and is the primary cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of preterm labor and parturition is not fully known, although it is probably related to inflammation and placental senescence. Telomere shortening is related to senescence and galectin-3 (Gal-3) protein is involved in cell growth, differentiation, inflammation, and fibrosis. This study examined changes in Gal-3 expression and telomere homeostasis (which represent inflammatory and stress markers) in maternal blood and placental tissue of spontaneous preterm births (SPTB) and uncomplicated, spontaneous term pregnancies (NTP) during labor. Participants included 19 women with NTP and 11 with SPTB who were enrolled during admission for delivery. Maternal blood samples were obtained along with placental tissue for Gal-3 analysis and telomere length evaluation. Gal-3 protein expression in placental tissue was increased in SPTB compared to NTP (fold change: 1.89 ± 0.36, P < 0.05). Gal-3 immunohistochemistry demonstrated strong staining in placental extravillous trophoblast tissue from SPTB. Maternal blood levels of Gal-3 protein were elevated in SPTB compared to NTP (19.3 ± 1.3 ng/ml vs. 13.6 ± 1.07 ng/ml, P = 0.001). Placental samples from SPTB had a higher percentage of trophoblasts with short telomeres (47.6%) compared to NTP (15.6%, P < 0.0001). Aggregate formation was enhanced in SPTB (7.8%) compared to NTP (1.98%, P < 0.0001). Maternal blood and placental samples from SPTB had shorter telomeres and increased Gal-3 expression compared to NTP. These findings suggest that increased senescence and inflammation might be factors in the abnormal physiology of spontaneous preterm labor.
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13
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Wang C, Alfano R, Reimann B, Hogervorst J, Bustamante M, De Vivo I, Plusquin M, Nawrot TS, Martens DS. Genetic regulation of newborn telomere length is mediated and modified by DNA methylation. Front Genet 2022; 13:934277. [PMID: 36267401 PMCID: PMC9576874 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.934277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length at birth determines later life telomere length and potentially predicts ageing-related diseases. However, the genetic and epigenetic settings of telomere length in newborns have not been analyzed. In addition, no study yet has reported how the interplay between genetic variants and genome-wide cytosine methylation explains the variation in early-life telomere length. In this study based on 281 mother-newborn pairs from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, telomere length and whole-genome DNA methylation were assessed in cord blood and 26 candidate single nucleotide polymorphism related to ageing or telomere length were genotyped. We identified three genetic variants associated with cord blood telomere length and 57 cis methylation quantitative trait loci (cis-mQTLs) of which 22 mQTLs confirmed previous findings and 35 were newly identified. Five SNPs were found to have significant indirect effects on cord blood telomere length via the mediating CpGs. The association between rs911874 (SOD2) and newborn telomere length was modified by nearby DNA methylation indicated by a significant statistical interaction. Our results suggest that DNA methylation in cis might have a mediation or modification effect on the genetic difference in newborn telomere length. This novel approach warrants future follow-up studies that are needed to further confirm and extend these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congrong Wang
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Rossella Alfano
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Brigitte Reimann
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Immaculata De Vivo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Program in Genetic Epidemiology and Statistical Genetics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries S. Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Dries S. Martens,
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14
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Bao S, Zhou T, Yan C, Bao J, Yang F, Chao S, Zhou M, Xu Z. A blood-based miRNA signature for early non-invasive diagnosis of preeclampsia. BMC Med 2022; 20:303. [PMID: 36096786 PMCID: PMC9469544 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02495-x] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystemic maternal syndrome with substantial maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no clinically viable non-invasive biomarker assay for early detection, thus limiting the effective prevention and therapeutic strategies for PE. METHODS We conducted a discovery-training-validation three-phase retrospective and prospective study with cross-platform and multicenter cohorts. The initial biomarkers were discovered and verified in tissue specimens by small RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR. A miRNA signature (miR2PE-score) was developed using Firth's bias-reduced logistic regression analysis and subsequently validated in two independent multinational retrospective cohorts and two prospective plasma cohorts. RESULTS We initially identified five PE-associated differentially expressed miRNAs from miRNA sequencing data and subsequently validated two miRNAs (miR-196b-5p and miR-584-5p) as robust biomarkers by association analysis with clinical characteristics and qRT-PCR in tissue specimens in the discovery phase. Using Firth's bias-reduced logistic regression analysis, we developed the miR2PE-score for the early detection of PE. The miR2PE-score showed a high diagnostic performance with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.920, 0.848, 0.864, and 0.812 in training, internal, and two external validation cross-platform and multicenter cohorts, respectively. Finally, we demonstrated the non-invasive diagnostic performance of the miR2PE-score in two prospective plasma cohorts with AUROC of 0.933 and 0.787. Furthermore, the miR2PE-score revealed superior performance in non-invasive diagnosis compared with previously published miRNA biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS We developed and validated a novel and robust blood-based miRNA signature, which may serve as a promising clinically applicable non-invasive tool for the early detection of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Bao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Zhou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Congcong Yan
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiale Bao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Institutes for Shanghai Pudong Decoding Life, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Chao
- Institutes for Shanghai Pudong Decoding Life, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Zhou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhangye Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Farladansky-Gershnabel S, Heusler I, Biron-Shental T, Shechter-Maor G, Amiel A, Kidron D, Weisz A, Einbinder Y, Cohen-Hagai K, Benchetrit S, Zitman-Gal T. Elevated expression of galectin-3, thioredoxin and thioredoxin interacting protein in preeclampsia. Pregnancy Hypertens 2021; 26:95-101. [PMID: 34700108 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related syndrome characterized by the onset of hypertension and proteinuria that can lead to end-organ dysfunction. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is involved in cell growth, differentiation, inflammation and fibrosis. Thioredoxin (TXN) acts as antioxidant enzyme in several cellular processes, regulating inflammation and inhibiting apoptosis. TXNIP is an endogenous inhibitor of TXN. We evaluated changes in the inflammatory response of Gal-3, TXN, and TXNIP at the level of maternal blood, placenta, and umbilical cord blood of women with PE. STUDY DESIGN Ten women with PE and 20 with normal pregnancy (NP) were recruited during admission for delivery. Blood samples were obtained from parturients and umbilical cords, and placental tissue for analysis. RESULTS Gal-3 and TXNIP mRNA expression were higher in maternal plasma in PE group compared to NP and were lower in cord blood plasma and placentas in the PE group. In the PE group, TXN/TXNIP mRNA ratio was higher in cord blood plasma (2.07) compared to maternal plasma (1.09). TXN/TXNIP placental protein ratio was similar between PE (0.89) and NP (0.79). ELISA demonstrated that Gal-3 levels in maternal serum were significantly higher in the PE vs. the NP group. CONCLUSIONS Pro-inflammatory changes were expressed by high Gal-3 and TXNIP mRNA in maternal blood of PE women, but not in their placental and cord blood samples. These findings may imply that the placenta has a role in protecting the fetus from the damages of inflammatory response, which is more common in PE than in NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivan Farladansky-Gershnabel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ishai Heusler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tal Biron-Shental
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gil Shechter-Maor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Aliza Amiel
- School of Nursing, Academic College of Tel Aviv-Jaffo, Tel Aviv-Jaffo, Israel
| | - Debora Kidron
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Pathology Department, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Avivit Weisz
- Pathology Department, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Yael Einbinder
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Keren Cohen-Hagai
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Sydney Benchetrit
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Tali Zitman-Gal
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.
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16
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Aushev VN, Li Q, Deyssenroth M, Zhang W, Finik J, Hurd YL, Nomura Y, Chen J. Placental gene network modules are associated with maternal stress during pregnancy and infant temperament. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21922. [PMID: 34533879 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100144rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Maternal psychosocial stress during pregnancy (MPSP) is a known contributor to maladaptive neurobehavioral development of the offspring; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms linking MPSP with childhood outcome remain largely unknown. Transcriptome-wide gene expression data were generated using RNA-seq from placenta samples collected in a multi-ethnic urban birth cohort in New York City (n = 129). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to characterize placental co-expression modules, which were then evaluated for their associations with MPSP and infant temperament. WGCNA revealed 16 gene coexpression modules. One module, enriched for regulation of chromosome organization/gene expression, was positively associated with MPSP and negatively associated with Regulatory Capacity (REG), a component of infant temperament. Two other modules, enriched for cotranslational protein targeting and cell cycle regulation, respectively, displayed negative associations with MPSP and positive associations with REG. A module enriched with oxidative phosphorylation/mitochondrial translation was positively associated with REG. These findings support the notion that the placenta provides a functional in utero link between MPSP and infant temperament, possibly through transcriptional regulation of placental gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasily N Aushev
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maya Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Psychology, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jackie Finik
- Department of Psychology at Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yasmin L Hurd
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yoko Nomura
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology at Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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17
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Mourad M, Jacob T, Sadovsky E, Bejerano S, Simone GSD, Bagalkot TR, Zucker J, Yin MT, Chang JY, Liu L, Debelenko L, Shawber CJ, Firestein M, Ouyang Y, Gyamfi-Bannerman C, Penn A, Sorkin A, Wapner R, Sadovsky Y. Placental response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14390. [PMID: 34257394 PMCID: PMC8277865 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93931-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected people at all ages. Whereas pregnant women seemed to have a worse course of disease than age-matched non-pregnant women, the risk of feto-placental infection is low. Using a cohort of 66 COVID-19-positive women in late pregnancy, we correlated clinical parameters with disease severity, placental histopathology, and the expression of viral entry and Interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) antiviral transcripts. All newborns were negative for SARS-CoV-2. None of the demographic parameters or placental histopathological characteristics were associated with disease severity. The fetal-maternal transfer ratio for IgG against the N or S viral proteins was commonly less than one, as recently reported. We found that the expression level of placental ACE2, but not TMPRSS2 or Furin, was higher in women with severe COVID-19. Placental expression of IFITM1 and IFITM3, which have been implicated in antiviral response, was higher in participants with severe disease. We also showed that IFITM3 protein expression, which localized to early and late endosomes, was enhanced in severe COVID-19. Our data suggest an association between disease severity and placental SARS-CoV-2 processing and antiviral pathways, implying a role for these proteins in placental response to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Mourad
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Taylor Jacob
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elena Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Shai Bejerano
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Glicella Salazar-De Simone
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jason Zucker
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael T Yin
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Y Chang
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lihong Liu
- Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Larisa Debelenko
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carrie J Shawber
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgan Firestein
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yingshi Ouyang
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna Penn
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Sorkin
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ronald Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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18
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Freedman AA, Smart BP, Keenan-Devlin LS, Romero J, Franklin A, Borders A, Ernst LM, Miller GE. Time-dependent changes in placental mRNA expression after delivery due to delayed specimen collection. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13452. [PMID: 34014593 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Current scientific guidelines recommend collecting placental specimens within two hours of delivery for gene expression analysis. However, collecting samples in a narrow time window is a challenge in the dynamic and unpredictable clinical setting, so delays in placental specimen collection are possible. The purpose of our analysis was to investigate temporal changes in placental gene expression by longitudinally sampling placentas over a 24 h period. METHOD OF STUDY Eight placentas from individuals with uncomplicated, term pregnancies delivered by scheduled cesarean section were collected and sampled following the placental delivery and again at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 24 h post-delivery. At each time point, biopsies of chorionic villous tissue were taken from 3 cotyledons to account for intra-placental heterogeneity. The 3 biopsies from each time point were pooled prior to RNA extraction. Expression of 382 mRNA transcripts was quantified using the NanoString nCounter System. Fold change values were calculated for each time point relative to delivery, and a fold change threshold of 1.25 was used to determine a meaningful change from delivery. RESULTS Based on a fold change threshold of 1.25, 84.3% of transcripts were stable for at least 1 h, 80.2% were stable for at least two hours, and 20.6% of transcripts were stable through the collection at 24 h. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that for some mRNA transcripts, expression changes as time to sample collection increases. We have developed a Web application to allow investigators to explore transcripts relevant to their research interests and to set appropriate thresholds to aid in determining whether placentas with delayed sample collection can be included in analyses (https://placentaexpression.foundationsofhealth.org/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa A Freedman
- Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Britney P Smart
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Lauren S Keenan-Devlin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Janedelie Romero
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Andrew Franklin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Ann Borders
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Linda M Ernst
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Gregory E Miller
- Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.,Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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19
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Lodefalk M, Allbrand M, Montgomery S. Duration of the pushing phase of labor is inversely associated with expression of TNF, IL6, IGF1 and IGF2 in human placenta. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 35:6476-6482. [PMID: 33910460 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1916459] [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: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gene expression in placenta differs between vaginal and cesarean deliveries, but the influence of the duration of labor on placental gene expression is incompletely known. Our aim was to investigate associations between duration of labor and expression of some genes involved in growth or inflammation in human placental tissue. METHODS Placenta samples (n = 126) were collected after an uncomplicated, singleton pregnancy and term vaginal delivery at Örebro University Hospital, Sweden. Duration of labor was recorded by the midwife in the delivery room. The expression of the following genes was analyzed by RT-qPCR: tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL6), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8, toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR4, insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1, IGF2, leptin, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and HGF receptor (MET). Multivariable linear regression models were used for the evaluation of associations with labor duration adjusting for potential confounding factors. The Benjamini-Hoschberg method was used to correct for multiple testing. RESULTS The expression of TNF, IL6, IGF1 and IGF2 was inversely associated with the duration of the pushing phase of labor (B coefficients (95% confidence interval) = -0.150 (-0.277 to -0.023), -0.159 (-0.289 to -0.029), -0.099 (-0.176 to -0.021), and -0.081 (-0.145 to -0.017), respectively). CONCLUSIONS Longer duration of pushing is associated with downregulation of the expression of genes in placenta from vaginal deliveries. Future research on gene expression in labored placenta should take into account associations with labor duration and especially the pushing phase. Potential impact of these associations on the mother, the fetus and the new-born infant should also be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lodefalk
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Marianne Allbrand
- Department of Women's Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Scott Montgomery
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK
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20
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Ayala-Ramírez P, Gámez T, Castro-Pontón DL, Silva J, García-Robles R, Olaya-C M. Expression of tissue factor and thrombomodulin in the placentas of pregnancies affected by early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2021; 47:2307-2317. [PMID: 33876519 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM To analyze the differential genetic expression and protein localization of thrombomodulin (THBD) and tissue factor (F3) in the placentas of pregnancies affected by preeclampsia. METHODS We assessed the expression of THBD and F3 by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in placentas from 20 PE cases: 10 early-onset PE placentas, 10 late-onset PE placentas, and 10 control cases (normal pregnancies). RESULTS In cases, we found higher THBD and F3 RNA levels in placental tissue. Protein expression in controls differed from that in late-onset PE placentas, which had lower THBD levels in syncytiotrophoblasts and amniotic cells. Likewise, late-onset PE placentas exhibited comparatively lower F3 expression in the perivillous fibrin. In contrast, early-onset PE had high F3 expression in the subdecidual fibrin. We found no significant differences in the F3/THBD ratio between the groups. CONCLUSION Our study supports evidence that shows the involvement of F3 and THBD in placental disorders. Furthermore, this finding contributes to a better understanding of the physio-pathological role that these molecules may play in the development of this heterogeneous disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Ayala-Ramírez
- Human Genetics Institute. Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Tatiana Gámez
- Human Genetics Institute. Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Derna L Castro-Pontón
- Department of Pathology. Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jaime Silva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Faculty of Medicine - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Reggie García-Robles
- Department of Physiological Sciences. Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mercedes Olaya-C
- Department of Pathology. Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
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21
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Caniçais C, Vasconcelos S, Ramalho C, Marques CJ, Dória S. Deregulation of imprinted genes expression and epigenetic regulators in placental tissue from intrauterine growth restriction. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:791-801. [PMID: 33389447 PMCID: PMC8079450 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02047-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a fetal growth complication that can be caused by ineffective nutrient transfer from the mother to the fetus via the placenta. Abnormal placental development and function have been correlated with abnormal expression of imprinted genes, which are regulated by epigenetic modifications at imprinting control regions (ICRs). In this study, we analyzed the expression of imprinted genes known to be involved in fetal growth and epigenetic regulators involved in DNA methylation, as well as DNA methylation at the KvDMR1 imprinting control region and global levels of DNA hydroxymethylation, in IUGR cases. METHODS Expression levels of imprinted genes and epigenetic regulators were analyzed in term placental samples from 21 IUGR cases and 9 non-IUGR (control) samples, by RT-qPCR. Additionally, KvDMR1 methylation was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing and combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) techniques. Moreover, global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation levels were also measured. RESULTS We observed increased expression of PHLDA2, CDKN1C, and PEG10 imprinted genes and of DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, and TET3 epigenetic regulators in IUGR placentas. No differences in methylation levels at the KvDMR1 were observed between the IUGR and control groups; similarly, no differences in global DNA methylation and hydromethylation were detected. CONCLUSION Our study shows that deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms, namely increased expression of imprinted genes and epigenetic regulators, might be associated with IUGR etiology. Therefore, this study adds knowledge to the molecular mechanisms underlying IUGR, which may contribute to novel prediction tools and future therapeutic options for the management of IUGR pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Caniçais
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Vasconcelos
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carla Ramalho
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - C Joana Marques
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sofia Dória
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.
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22
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Current knowledge on genetic variants shaping placental transcriptome and their link to gestational and postnatal health. Placenta 2021; 116:2-11. [PMID: 33663810 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite the indispensable role of the placenta in the successful course of pregnancy, regulation of its dynamic transcriptome is still underexplored. The purpose of this literature review was to give an overview and draw attention to the contribution of genetic variation in shaping the human placental gene expression. Studies of placental transcriptome shaped by chromosomal variants are limited and may be confounded by cellular mosaicism and somatic genomic rearrangements. Even in relatively simple cases, such as aneuploidies, the placental transcriptome appears to differ from the assumed systematically increased transcript levels of the involved chromosomes. Single nucleotide variants modulating placental gene expression referred to as expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) have been analyzed only in ten candidate gene and three genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The latter identified 417 confident placental eGenes, supported by at least two independent studies. Functional profiling of eGenes highlighted biological pathways important in pregnancy, such as immune response or transmembrane transport activity. A fraction of placental eQTLs (1-3%) co-localize with GWAS loci for adult disorders (metabolic, immunological, neurological), suggesting a co-contributory role of the placenta in the developmental programming of health. Some placental eQTLs have been identified as risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as rs4769613 (C > T), located near the FLT1 gene and confidently associated with preeclampsia. More studies are needed to map genetic variants shaping gene expression in different placental cell types across three trimesters in normal and complicated gestations and to clarify to what extent these heritable factors contribute to maternal and offspring disease risks.
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23
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Gottlieb A, Flor I, Nimzyk R, Burchardt L, Helmke B, Langenbuch M, Spiekermann M, Feidicker S, Bullerdiek J. The expression of miRNA encoded by C19MC and miR-371-3 strongly varies among individual placentas but does not differ between spontaneous and induced abortions. PROTOPLASMA 2021; 258:209-218. [PMID: 33034783 PMCID: PMC7782366 DOI: 10.1007/s00709-020-01548-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
miRNAs of the largest human miRNA gene cluster at all, i.e., C19MC, are almost exclusively expressed in the placenta. Nevertheless, only little is known about the interindividual variation of their expression and even about possible influence of gestational age, conflicting data is reported as well as for miRNAs of the much smaller miR-371-3 cluster. Our present study aims at the analyses of the expression of miRNAs from both clusters at different times of pregnancy, possible differences between placenta samples obtained from spontaneous or induced abortions in the first trimester, and the possible variation of miRNA expression at different sites within same placentas. miR-371a-3p, miR-372-3p, miR-373-3p, miR-517a-3p, and miR-520c-3p were quantified in 85 samples and miR-371a-3p was quantified in maternal serum samples taken immediately before delivery. While for miRNA-517a-3p and miR-520c-3p the expression increased with increasing gestational age, the present study revealed strong interindividual differences in the expression of miR-371-3 in full-term placental tissue as well as for miRNAs of the C19MC cluster, where the levels differed to a much lesser extent than for the former microRNAs. Also, strong interindividual differences were noted between the serum samples but differences related to the site of the placenta where the sample has been taken from were excluded. For neither of the data from placental tissue, the study revealed differences between the spontaneous and induced abortion group. Thus, the differences do not in general seem to be related to first trimester abortion. It remains to be elucidated whether or not they affect other prenatal processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gottlieb
- Center of Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse 2, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Inga Flor
- Center of Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse 2, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Rolf Nimzyk
- Center of Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse 2, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lars Burchardt
- Center of Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse 2, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Burkhard Helmke
- Institute for Pathology, Elbe Clinic Stade-Buxtehude, Bremervörder Strasse 111, 21682, Stade, Germany
| | - Marc Langenbuch
- Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Helios Clinic, Altenwalder Chaussee 10, 27474, Cuxhaven, Germany
| | - Meike Spiekermann
- Center of Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse 2, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Susanne Feidicker
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Evang. Diakonie-Hospital, Gröpelinger Heerstrasse 406-408, 28239, Bremen, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jörn Bullerdiek
- Center of Human Genetics, University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse 2, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
- Institute for Medical Genetics, University of Rostock, University Medicine, Ernst-Heydemann-Strasse 8, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
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Abstract
The recently identified ferroptotic cell death is characterized by excessive accumulation of hydroperoxy-arachidonoyl (C20:4)- or adrenoyl (C22:4)- phosphatidylethanolamine (Hp-PE). The selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) inhibits ferroptosis, converting unstable ferroptotic lipid hydroperoxides to nontoxic lipid alcohols in a tissue-specific manner. While placental oxidative stress and lipotoxicity are hallmarks of placental dysfunction, the possible role of ferroptosis in placental dysfunction is largely unknown. We found that spontaneous preterm birth is associated with ferroptosis and that inhibition of GPX4 causes ferroptotic injury in primary human trophoblasts and during mouse pregnancy. Importantly, we uncovered a role for the phospholipase PLA2G6 (PNPLA9, iPLA2beta), known to metabolize Hp-PE to lyso-PE and oxidized fatty acid, in mitigating ferroptosis induced by GPX4 inhibition in vitro or by hypoxia/reoxygenation injury in vivo. Together, we identified ferroptosis signaling in the human and mouse placenta, established a role for PLA2G6 in attenuating trophoblastic ferroptosis, and provided mechanistic insights into the ill-defined placental lipotoxicity that may inspire PLA2G6-targeted therapeutic strategies.
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25
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Influence of labor on direct and indirect determinants of placental 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2020; 303:401-408. [PMID: 32880710 PMCID: PMC7858211 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-020-05755-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Labor is a complex process involving multiple para-, auto- and endocrine cascades. The interaction of cortisol, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and progesterone is essential. The action of cortisol on the human feto-placental unit is regulated by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2/HSD11B2) that converts cortisol into inactive cortisone. The majority of studies on the assessment of placental 11β-HSD2 function determined indirect activity parameters. It remains elusive if indirect measurements correlate with enzymatic function and if these parameters are affected by potential confounders (e.g., mode of delivery). Thus, we compared determinants of indirect 11β-HSD2 tissue activity with its direct enzymatic turnover rate in placental samples from spontaneous births and cesarean (C)-sections. Methods Using LC–MS/MS, we determined CRH, cortisol, cortisone, progesterone and 17-hydroxy(OH)-progesterone in human term placentas (spontaneous birth vs. C-section, n = 5 each) and measured the enzymatic glucocorticoid conversion rates in placental microsomes. Expression of HSD11B1, 2 and CRH was determined via qRT-PCR in the same samples. Results Cortisol–cortisone ratio correlated with direct microsomal enzymatic turnover. While this observation seemed independent of sampling site, a strong influence of mode of delivery on tissue steroids was observed. The mRNA expression of HSD11B2 correlated with indirect and direct cortisol turnover rates in C-section placentas only. In contrast to C-sections, CRH, cortisol and cortisone levels were significantly increased in placental samples following spontaneous birth. Conclusion Labor involves a series of complex hormonal processes including activation of placental CRH and glucocorticoid metabolism. This has to be taken into account when selecting human cohorts for comparative analysis of placental steroids. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00404-020-05755-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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26
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Frazier S, McBride MW, Mulvana H, Graham D. From animal models to patients: the role of placental microRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148a/152 in preeclampsia. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:1001-1025. [PMID: 32337535 PMCID: PMC7239341 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the placental transcriptome and play a pathological role in preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Three PE rodent model studies explored the role of placental miRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 respectively, by examining expression of the miRNAs, their inducers, and potential gene targets. This review evaluates the role of miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 in PE by comparing findings from the three rodent model studies with in vitro studies, other animal models, and preeclamptic patients to provide comprehensive insight into genetic components and pathological processes in the placenta contributing to PE. The majority of studies demonstrate miR-210 is upregulated in PE in part driven by HIF-1α and NF-κBp50, stimulated by hypoxia and/or immune-mediated processes. Elevated miR-210 may contribute to PE via inhibiting anti-inflammatory Th2-cytokines. Studies report an up- and downregulation of miR-126, arguably reflecting differences in expression between cell types and its multifunctional capacity. MiR-126 may play a pro-angiogenic role by mediating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Most studies report miR-148/152 family members are upregulated in PE. Evidence suggests they may inhibit DNA methylation of genes involved in metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Given the genetic heterogeneity of PE, it is unlikely that a single placental miRNA is a suitable therapeutic target for all patients. Investigating miRNAs in PE subtypes in patients and animal models may represent a more appropriate approach going forward. Developing methods for targeting placental miRNAs and specific placental cell types remains crucial for research seeking to target placental miRNAs as a novel treatment for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Frazier
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Martin W. McBride
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Helen Mulvana
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K
| | - Delyth Graham
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, U.K
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Piñuñuri R, Castaño-Moreno E, Llanos MN, Ronco AM. Epigenetic regulation of folate receptor-α (FOLR1) in human placenta of preterm newborns. Placenta 2020; 94:20-25. [PMID: 32421530 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Folates are essential nutrients for fetal development and pregnancy outcomes; they are transported to the fetus during gestation through specific folate transporters located in the placenta. In preterm newborns, we previously showed a lower placental mRNA expression of FOLR1 along with higher folate and lower vitamin B12 cord blood levels. Thereby we aimed to explore FOLR1 methylation in placentas of preterm newborns and hypothesized an increased FOLR1 methylation associated with cord blood folates and vitamin B12 concentrations. METHODS FOLR1 methylation and mRNA were determined by methylation sensitive - high resolution melting (MS-HRM) and by real-time PCR respectively, in two placental sides of placental tissues: maternal (basal, BP) and fetal plates (chorionic, CP) of moderate preterm infants (32-36 gestational age) and term birth (37-41 gestational weeks). Folates and vitamin B12 were determined by electrochemiluminescence in umbilical cord blood samples from term and preterm newborns. RESULTS We found that in preterm newborns, FOLR1 mRNA was lower in both plates of placenta compared with term newborns (p < 0,05) and was negatively associated with methylation of FOLR1 in CP. Preterm newborns presented higher folate and lower vitB12 concentrations in cord blood which correlated with increased placental FOLR1 methylation. DISCUSSION In preterm newborns, placental FOLR1 expression is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms and presumably by maternal concentrations of folate and vitamin B12.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Piñuñuri
- Laboratorio de Nutrición y Regulación Metabólica, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA)- Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile; Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - E Castaño-Moreno
- Laboratorio de Nutrición y Regulación Metabólica, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA)- Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - M N Llanos
- Laboratorio de Nutrición y Regulación Metabólica, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA)- Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - A M Ronco
- Laboratorio de Nutrición y Regulación Metabólica, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos Doctor Fernando Monckeberg Barros (INTA)- Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
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Sahay AS, Jadhav AT, Sundrani DP, Wagh GN, Joshi SR. Differential Expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Different Regions of Normal and Preeclampsia Placentae. Clin Exp Hypertens 2019; 42:360-364. [PMID: 31522565 DOI: 10.1080/10641963.2019.1665677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Background: Our recent study indicates differential protein levels of neurotrophins and angiogenic factors in various regions of the normotensive and preeclampsia (PE) placenta. These changes may be in a response to differential mRNA expression of neurotrophins.Methods: This study examines the mRNA levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in different regions of the placenta in normotensive control (NC) women and women with PE. Thirty NC women and forty one women with PE (18 delivered at term [T-PE] and 23 delivered preterm [PT-PE]) were included in the study. Placental samples were taken from four regions: central basal (CM), central chorionic (CF), peripheral basal (PM), and peripheral chorionic (PF). The mRNA levels of neurotrophins were measured by quantitative real-time PCR.Results: The BDNF mRNA levels were higher in peripheral fetal region as compared to peripheral basal region in NC (p < 0.05) group, PE group (p < 0.05) and term PE group (p < 0.01). The BDNF mRNA levels were lower in the central basal region of preterm PE group (p < 0.05) as compared to the NC group.Conclusion: The present study indicates that NGF and BDNF are expressed differentially across various regions of the placenta. This has implications for selection of the sampling site in the placenta while carrying out placental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akriti S Sahay
- Mother and Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
| | - Anjali T Jadhav
- Mother and Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
| | - Deepali P Sundrani
- Mother and Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
| | - Girija N Wagh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bharati Medical College and Hospital, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
| | - Sadhana R Joshi
- Mother and Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, India
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Larose TL, Sætrom P, Martinussen MP, Skogseth H, Sandanger TM, Scélo G, McHale CM, Jacobsen GW, Smith MT. In utero exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, micro-RNA profiles, and fetal growth: a pilot study protocol. J Public Health Res 2019; 8:1550. [PMID: 31572695 PMCID: PMC6747021 DOI: 10.4081/jphr.2019.1550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The developing fetus is particularly vulnerable to the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Molecular fingerprints of EDCs can be identified via microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles and may be etiologically implicated in the developmental origin of disease (DOHaD). Methods/design: This pilot study includes pregnant women at high risk (smoking at conception), and low risk (non-smoking at conception) for SGA birth (birthweight<10th percentile for gestational age). We have randomly selected 12 mothers (3 high-risk SGA birth, 3 low-risk SGA birth, 3 high-risk non-SGA birth, 3 low-risk non-SGA birth), with EDC measurements from gestational week 17. All offspring are female. We aim to test the stability of our samples (maternal serum, cord blood, placenta tissue), observe the differential expression of miRNA profiles over time (gestational weeks 17, 25, 33, 37, birth), and study the consistency between maternal EDC measures and miRNA expression profiles across our repeated measures. Expected impact of the study for Public Health: Results from this pilot study will inform the development of a larger cohort wide analysis, and will impact the current state of knowledge in the fields of public health, epigenetics, and the DOHaD. Significance for public health This research focuses on the developmental origin of disease with particular emphasis on maternal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy and fetal growth by examining microRNA profiles in maternal serum, placenta tissue, and cord blood. Pregnant mothers and offspring are the most vulnerable populations affected by environmental exposures including exposure to pesticides, metals, and contaminants in food. Results from our pilot study will inform a larger project proposal that will look not only at epigenetic modifications and fetal development, but also the epigenetic effects on longer term neurodevelopmental and metabolic outcomes in childhood and early adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tricia L Larose
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Pål Sætrom
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.,Bioinformatics core facility - BioCore, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marit P Martinussen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Håkon Skogseth
- Biobank 1, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Torkjel M Sandanger
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT-the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ghislaine Scélo
- Genetic Epidemiology Group, Section of Genetics, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France
| | - Cliona M McHale
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Geir W Jacobsen
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Martyn T Smith
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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30
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Allbrand M, Åman J, Nilsson K, Cao Y, Lodefalk M. Expression of genes involved in inflammation and growth - does sampling site in human full-term placenta matter? J Perinat Med 2019; 47:539-546. [PMID: 30920955 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2018-0290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the placental gene expression of substances in the inflammatory cascade and growth factors at nine different well-defined sampling sites in full-term placentas from 12 normal weight healthy non-smoking women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy. Methods All placentas (six girls and six boys) were delivered vaginally. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze toll receptor-2 and -4, interleukin-6 and -8, tumor necrosis factor-α, leptin, ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor-1 and -2, hepatocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor receptor and insulin receptor (IR). Results The leptin gene and the IR gene showed higher expression in lateral regions near the chorionic plate compared to central regions near the basal plate (P = 0.028 and P = 0.041, respectively). Conclusion Our results suggest that the sampling site may influence the gene expression for leptin and IR in placental tissue obtained from full-term normal pregnancies. We speculate that this may be due to differences in placental structure and perfusion and may be important when future studies are designed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Allbrand
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Jan Åman
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Nilsson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Yang Cao
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Unit of Biostatistics, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Lodefalk
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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31
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Roberts VH, Gaffney JE, Lewandowski KS, Schabel MC, Morgan TK, Frias AE. A standardized method for collection of human placenta samples in the age of functional magnetic resonance imaging. Biotechniques 2019; 67:45-49. [PMID: 31184493 PMCID: PMC7027198 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2019-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Current methods for placental tissue collection assess a delivered organ without direct functional correlates; therefore, the four-quadrant biopsy protocol utilized by many researchers may provide reasonable representation of tissue across a large organ, and offer a snapshot for molecular analysis of the placenta. However, the recent impetus to understand the placenta in real time, and the use of functional imaging to comprehend placental biology, warrants a different sampling approach. Here we present a method to standardize placental tissue collection in a format designed to facilitate correlation of in vivo function with ex vivo assessments. Additionally, we draw comparisons to the quadrant biopsy regimen, and highlight a pathological case of placental infarction detected by in utero imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Hj Roberts
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Jessica E Gaffney
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Katherine S Lewandowski
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Matthias C Schabel
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Terry K Morgan
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Antonio E Frias
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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32
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Paquette AG, Chu T, Wu X, Wang K, Price ND, Sadovsky Y. Distinct communication patterns of trophoblastic miRNA among the maternal-placental-fetal compartments. Placenta 2018; 72-73:28-35. [PMID: 30501878 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The placenta produces microRNAs (miRNA) that may traffic to the maternal or fetal compartments and influence the physiology of pregnancy. The trafficking patterns of miRNA expressed from the large human chromosome 19 and chromosome 14 clusters (C19MC and C14MC), remains unclear. We interrogated the cross-sectional landscape of miRNA expression within the human placenta, fetal and maternal plasma to elucidate miRNA trafficking. We hypothesized that C19MC and C14MC miRNAs have similar expression patterns across the maternal-fetal compartments. METHODS Placental biopsies, maternal and fetal venous plasma were collected from 25 pregnancies, and RNA was quantified using next generation sequencing. We identified expression and correlations differences among the compartments, and uncovered distinct miRNA expression patterns using consensus clustering. RESULTS We found that the placenta exhibits the highest total abundance, average miRNA expression and lowest variance of both C19MC and C14MC miRNAs. The C19MC miRNAs had a comparable expression and variance in fetal and maternal plasma and higher expression in the placenta. In contrast, the C14MC miRNAs had comparable expression between the placenta and fetal plasma, which was higher than the maternal plasma. We also identified 5 distinct groups of trophoblastic miRNAs with different expression patterns in each compartment. DISCUSSION This is the first comprehensive analysis of C19MC and C14MC miRNA expression patterns in the human placental, maternal and fetal compartments. Our findings suggest that C14MC miRNAs are produced by both the fetus and placenta, but C19MC miRNAs are produced primarily in the placenta and are trafficked to the fetal and maternal compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tianjiao Chu
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Xiaogang Wu
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, 98119, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, 98119, USA
| | | | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA; Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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33
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Than NG, Romero R, Tarca AL, Kekesi KA, Xu Y, Xu Z, Juhasz K, Bhatti G, Leavitt RJ, Gelencser Z, Palhalmi J, Chung TH, Gyorffy BA, Orosz L, Demeter A, Szecsi A, Hunyadi-Gulyas E, Darula Z, Simor A, Eder K, Szabo S, Topping V, El-Azzamy H, LaJeunesse C, Balogh A, Szalai G, Land S, Torok O, Dong Z, Kovalszky I, Falus A, Meiri H, Draghici S, Hassan SS, Chaiworapongsa T, Krispin M, Knöfler M, Erez O, Burton GJ, Kim CJ, Juhasz G, Papp Z. Integrated Systems Biology Approach Identifies Novel Maternal and Placental Pathways of Preeclampsia. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1661. [PMID: 30135684 PMCID: PMC6092567 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a disease of the mother, fetus, and placenta, and the gaps in our understanding of the complex interactions among their respective disease pathways preclude successful treatment and prevention. The placenta has a key role in the pathogenesis of the terminal pathway characterized by exaggerated maternal systemic inflammation, generalized endothelial damage, hypertension, and proteinuria. This sine qua non of preeclampsia may be triggered by distinct underlying mechanisms that occur at early stages of pregnancy and induce different phenotypes. To gain insights into these molecular pathways, we employed a systems biology approach and integrated different "omics," clinical, placental, and functional data from patients with distinct phenotypes of preeclampsia. First trimester maternal blood proteomics uncovered an altered abundance of proteins of the renin-angiotensin and immune systems, complement, and coagulation cascades in patients with term or preterm preeclampsia. Moreover, first trimester maternal blood from preterm preeclamptic patients in vitro dysregulated trophoblastic gene expression. Placental transcriptomics of women with preterm preeclampsia identified distinct gene modules associated with maternal or fetal disease. Placental "virtual" liquid biopsy showed that the dysregulation of these disease gene modules originates during the first trimester. In vitro experiments on hub transcription factors of these gene modules demonstrated that DNA hypermethylation in the regulatory region of ZNF554 leads to gene down-regulation and impaired trophoblast invasion, while BCL6 and ARNT2 up-regulation sensitizes the trophoblast to ischemia, hallmarks of preterm preeclampsia. In summary, our data suggest that there are distinct maternal and placental disease pathways, and their interaction influences the clinical presentation of preeclampsia. The activation of maternal disease pathways can be detected in all phenotypes of preeclampsia earlier and upstream of placental dysfunction, not only downstream as described before, and distinct placental disease pathways are superimposed on these maternal pathways. This is a paradigm shift, which, in agreement with epidemiological studies, warrants for the central pathologic role of preexisting maternal diseases or perturbed maternal-fetal-placental immune interactions in preeclampsia. The description of these novel pathways in the "molecular phase" of preeclampsia and the identification of their hub molecules may enable timely molecular characterization of patients with distinct preeclampsia phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandor Gabor Than
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Maternity Private Department, Kutvolgyi Clinical Block, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- First Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Adi Laurentiu Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Katalin Adrienna Kekesi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, ELTE Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Zhonghui Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kata Juhasz
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Zsolt Gelencser
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Janos Palhalmi
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Balazs Andras Gyorffy
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, ELTE Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Laszlo Orosz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Amanda Demeter
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anett Szecsi
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eva Hunyadi-Gulyas
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Darula
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Simor
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, ELTE Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Katalin Eder
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Szilvia Szabo
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Morphology and Physiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Vanessa Topping
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Haidy El-Azzamy
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Christopher LaJeunesse
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Andrea Balogh
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabor Szalai
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Susan Land
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Olga Torok
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zhong Dong
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Ilona Kovalszky
- First Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andras Falus
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Sorin Draghici
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Clinical and Translational Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Sonia S. Hassan
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Martin Knöfler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Offer Erez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Graham J. Burton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chong Jai Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Gabor Juhasz
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, ELTE Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltan Papp
- Maternity Private Department, Kutvolgyi Clinical Block, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Braun F, Hardt AK, Ehrlich L, Sloboda DM, Challis JRG, Plagemann A, Henrich W, Braun T. Sex-specific and lasting effects of a single course of antenatal betamethasone treatment on human placental 11β-HSD2. Placenta 2018; 69:9-19. [PMID: 30213491 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We have previously shown that even a single course of antenatal betamethasone (BET) as an inductor for lung maturity reduces birth weight and head circumference. Moreover, animal studies link BET administration to alterations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-gland-axis (HPA). The unhindered development of the fetal HPA axis is dependent on the function and activity of 11β-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2), a transplacental cortisol barrier. Therefore, we investigated the effects of BET on this transplacental barrier and fetal growth. METHODS Pregnant women treated with a single course of BET between 23 + 5 to 34 + 0 weeks of gestation were compared to gestational-age-matched controls. Placental size and neonatal anthropometrics were taken. Cortisol and ACTH levels were measured in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples. Placental 11β-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) protein levels and 11β-HSD2 protein and activity levels were determined. Parameters were analyzed independent of sex, and in subgroups divided by gender and gestational age. RESULTS In term born females, BET administration was associated with reduced head circumference and decreased 11β-HSD2 protein levels and enzyme activity. Males treated with BET, especially those born prematurely, showed increased 11β-HSD2 protein levels. CONCLUSION A single course of BET alters placental glucocorticoid metabolism in a sex-specific manner. Decreased 11β-HSD2 levels in term born females may lead to an increased placental transfer of maternal cortisol and therefore result in a reduced head circumference and a higher risk for altered stress response in adulthood. Further research is needed to conclude the significance of increased 11β-HSD2 levels in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Braun
- Department of Obstetrics and Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics̔, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - A K Hardt
- Department of Obstetrics and Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics̔, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - L Ehrlich
- Department of Obstetrics and Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics̔, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - D M Sloboda
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Main Street West, Ontario L8S4L8, Hamilton, 1280, Canada
| | - J R G Challis
- Department of Physiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto King's College Circle, Ontario M5S 1A8, Toronto, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, University Drive, 8888, B.C, V5A 1S6, Burnaby, Canada
| | - A Plagemann
- Department of Obstetrics and Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics̔, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - W Henrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics̔, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - T Braun
- Department of Obstetrics and Division of 'Experimental Obstetrics̔, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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Iñiguez G, Gallardo P, Castro JJ, Gonzalez R, Garcia M, Kakarieka E, San Martin S, Johnson MC, Mericq V, Cassorla F. Klotho Gene and Protein in Human Placentas According to Birth Weight and Gestational Age. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:797. [PMID: 30697189 PMCID: PMC6340928 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Fetal growth restriction may be the consequence of maternal, fetal, or placental factors. The insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are major determinants of fetal growth, and are expressed in the mother, fetus and placenta in most species. Previously we reported higher placental protein content of IGF-I, IGF-IR, and AKT in small (SGA) compared with those from appropriate for gestational age (AGA) placentas. The protein Klotho, has been reported in placenta and may regulate IGF-I activity. In this study we determined Klotho gene expression and protein immunostaining in term (T-SGA y T-AGA) and preterm (PT-SGA y PT-AGA) human placentas. In addition, we assessed the effect of Klotho on the IGF-IR and AKT activation induced by IGF-I. Methods: Placentas (n = 1 17) from 32 T-SGA (birth weight (BW) = -1.74 ± 0.08 SDS), 37 T-AGA (BW = 0.12 ± 0.12 SDS), 20 PT-SGA (BW = -2.08 ± 0.14 SDS), and 28 PT-AGA (BW = -0.43 ± 0.13 SDS) newborns were collected. mRNA expression by RT-PCR in the chorionic (CP) and basal (BP) plates of the placentas, and the presence of Klotho was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (integral optical density, IOD). In addition, we developed placental explants that were incubated with IGF-I in the presence or absence of Klotho. Results: We found a lower mRNA expression and protein immunoreactivity of Klotho in the CP of SGA (term and preterm) compared with AGA placentas. We also observed a significant reduction in IGF-IR tyrosine activation induced by IGF-I 10 nM when preincubated with 2.0 nM of Klotho (2.4 ± 0.5 arbitrary units vs. 1.3 ± 0.3 AU), and similar results we observed on AKT and ERK42/44 activation. Conclusion: We describe for the first time that Klotho mRNA and protein varies according to fetal growth and gestational age. In addition, Klotho appears to down-regulate the activation induced by IGF-I on IGF-IR and AKT, suggesting that Klotho may be regulating IGF-I activity in human placentas according to intrauterine fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán Iñiguez
- School of Medicine, Maternal and Child Research Institute (IDIMI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Germán Iñiguez
| | - Pedro Gallardo
- School of Medicine, Maternal and Child Research Institute (IDIMI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Jose Castro
- School of Medicine, Maternal and Child Research Institute (IDIMI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rene Gonzalez
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Mirna Garcia
- Neonatology Unit, San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Elena Kakarieka
- Pathology Unit, San Borja Arriarán Clinical Hospital, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian San Martin
- Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Maria Cecilia Johnson
- School of Medicine, Maternal and Child Research Institute (IDIMI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Mericq
- School of Medicine, Maternal and Child Research Institute (IDIMI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Cassorla
- School of Medicine, Maternal and Child Research Institute (IDIMI), University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Robles M, Peugnet PM, Valentino SA, Dubois C, Dahirel M, Aubrière MC, Reigner F, Serteyn D, Wimel L, Couturier-Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P. Placental alterations in structure and function in intra-uterine growth-retarded horses. Equine Vet J 2017; 50:405-414. [DOI: 10.1111/evj.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Robles
- UMR, BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay; Jouy en Josas France
| | - P. M. Peugnet
- UMR, BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay; Jouy en Josas France
| | - S. A. Valentino
- UMR, BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay; Jouy en Josas France
| | - C. Dubois
- IFCE, Station Expérimentale; Chamberet France
| | - M. Dahirel
- UMR, BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay; Jouy en Josas France
| | - M.-C. Aubrière
- UMR, BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay; Jouy en Josas France
| | | | - D. Serteyn
- Clinique équine; Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire; CORD; Université de Liège; Liège Belgique
| | - L. Wimel
- IFCE, Station Expérimentale; Chamberet France
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Garcia-Martin I, Janssen AB, Jones RE, Grimstead JW, Penketh RJA, Baird DM, John RM. Telomere length heterogeneity in placenta revealed with high-resolution telomere length analysis. Placenta 2017; 59:61-68. [PMID: 29108638 PMCID: PMC5687939 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Telomeres, are composed of tandem repeat sequences located at the ends of chromosomes and are required to maintain genomic stability. Telomeres can become shorter due to cell division and specific lifestyle factors. Critically shortened telomeres are linked to cellular dysfunction, senescence and aging. A number of studies have used low resolution techniques to assess telomere length in the placenta. In this study, we applied Single Telomere Length Analysis (STELA) which provides high-resolution chromosome specific telomere length profiles to ask whether we could obtain more detailed information on the length of individual telomeres in the placenta. METHODS Term placentas (37-42 weeks) were collected from women delivering at University Hospital of Wales or Royal Gwent Hospital within 2 h of delivery. Multiple telomere-length distributions were determined using STELA. Intraplacental variation of telomere length was analysed (N = 5). Telomere length distributions were compared between labouring (N = 10) and non-labouring (N = 11) participants. Finally, telomere length was compared between female (N = 17) and male (N = 20) placenta. RESULTS There were no significant influences of sampling site, mode of delivery or foetal sex on the telomere-length distributions obtained. The mean telomere length was 7.7 kb ranging from 5.0 kb to 11.7 kb across all samples (N = 42) and longer compared with other human tissues at birth. STELA also revealed considerable telomere length heterogeneity within samples. CONCLUSIONS We have shown that STELA can be used to study telomere length homeostasis in the placenta regardless of sampling site, mode of delivery and foetal sex. Moreover, as each amplicon is derived from a single telomeric molecule, from a single cell, STELA can reveal the full detail of telomere-length distributions, including telomeres within the length ranges observed in senescent cells. STELA thus provides a new tool to interrogate the relationship between telomere length and pregnancy complications linked to placental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Garcia-Martin
- Division of Biomedicine, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, UK
| | - A B Janssen
- Division of Biomedicine, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, UK
| | - R E Jones
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XN, UK
| | - J W Grimstead
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XN, UK
| | - R J A Penketh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XW, UK
| | - D M Baird
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XN, UK
| | - R M John
- Division of Biomedicine, Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, UK.
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Schulz EV, Cruze L, Wei W, Gehris J, Wagner CL. Maternal vitamin D sufficiency and reduced placental gene expression in angiogenic biomarkers related to comorbidities of pregnancy. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 173:273-279. [PMID: 28216083 PMCID: PMC6349226 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] has been shown to optimize production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] during pregnancy at approximately 100nmoles/L, which has pronounced effects on fetal health outcomes. Additionally, associations are noted between low maternal 25(OH)D concentrations and vascular pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia. To further elucidate the effects of vitamin D activity in pregnancy, we investigated the role of maternal 25(OH)D, the nutritional indicator of vitamin D status, in relation to placental maintenance and, specifically, expression of placental gene targets related to angiogenesis and vitamin D metabolism. METHODS A focused analysis of placental mRNA expression related to angiogenesis, pregnancy maintenance, and vitamin D metabolism was conducted in placentas from 43 subjects enrolled in a randomized controlled trial supplementing 400IU or 4400IU of vitamin D3 per day during pregnancy. Placental mRNA was isolated from biopsies within one hour of delivery, followed by quantitative PCR. We classified pregnant women with circulating concentrations of <100nmoles/L as deficient and those with ≥100nmoles/L as sufficient. The value of each gene's change in the PCR cycle threshold (ΔCT), which is a relative measure of target concentration, was compared with maternal 25(OH)D concentrations <100nmoles/L and ≥100nmoles/L based on a two-sample Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression was significantly downregulated in the maternal subgroup with circulating 25(OH)D ≥100ng/mL compared to the subgroup <100ng/mL. DISCUSSION Here, we report a significant association between maternal vitamin D status and the expression of sFlt-1 and VEGF at the mRNA level. Achieving maternal circulating 25(OH)D ≥100nmoles/L suggests the impact of maternal vitamin D3 supplementation on gene transcription in the placenta, thereby potentially decreasing antiangiogenic factors that may contribute to vascular pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth V Schulz
- Departments of Pediatrics, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - Lori Cruze
- OB/GYN, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Wei Wei
- Public Health Sciences, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - John Gehris
- Comparative Medicine Medical University of South Carolina, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Carol L Wagner
- Departments of Pediatrics, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
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Withers CN, Brown DM, Byiringiro I, Allen MR, Condon KW, Satin J, Andres DA. Rad GTPase is essential for the regulation of bone density and bone marrow adipose tissue in mice. Bone 2017; 103:270-280. [PMID: 28732776 PMCID: PMC6886723 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The small GTP-binding protein Rad (RRAD, Ras associated with diabetes) is the founding member of the RGK (Rad, Rem, Rem2, and Gem/Kir) family that regulates cardiac voltage-gated Ca2+ channel function. However, its cellular and physiological functions outside of the heart remain to be elucidated. Here we report that Rad GTPase function is required for normal bone homeostasis in mice, as Rad deletion results in significantly lower bone mass and higher bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT) levels. Dynamic histomorphometry in vivo and primary calvarial osteoblast assays in vitro demonstrate that bone formation and osteoblast mineralization rates are depressed, while in vitro osteoclast differentiation is increased, in the absence of Rad. Microarray analysis revealed that canonical osteogenic gene expression (Runx2, osterix, etc.) is not altered in Rad-/- calvarial osteoblasts; instead robust up-regulation of matrix Gla protein (MGP, +11-fold), an inhibitor of extracellular matrix mineralization and a protein secreted during adipocyte differentiation, was observed. Strikingly, Rad deficiency also resulted in significantly higher marrow adipose tissue levels in vivo and promoted spontaneous in vitro adipogenesis of primary calvarial osteoblasts. Adipogenic differentiation of wildtype calvarial osteoblasts resulted in the loss of endogenous Rad protein, further supporting a role for Rad in the control of BMAT levels. These findings reveal a novel in vivo function for Rad and establish a role for Rad signaling in the complex physiological control of skeletal homeostasis and bone marrow adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine N Withers
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, BBSRB, 741 S Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0509, USA.
| | - Drew M Brown
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5120, USA.
| | - Innocent Byiringiro
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5120, USA.
| | - Matthew R Allen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5120, USA.
| | - Keith W Condon
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5120, USA.
| | - Jonathan Satin
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA.
| | - Douglas A Andres
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, BBSRB, 741 S Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0509, USA.
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Peng S, Deyssenroth MA, Di Narzo AF, Lambertini L, Marsit CJ, Chen J, Hao K. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) in human placentas suggest developmental origins of complex diseases. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:3432-3441. [PMID: 28854703 PMCID: PMC5886245 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies support that at least part of the risk of chronic diseases in childhood and even adulthood may have an in utero origin, and the placenta is a key organ that plays a pivotal role in fetal growth and development. The transcriptomes of 159 human placenta tissues were profiled by genome-wide RNA sequencing (Illumina High-Seq 2500), and linked to fetal genotypes assessed by a high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array (Illumina MegaEx). Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) across all annotated transcripts were mapped and examined for enrichment for disease susceptibility loci annotated in the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) catalog. We discovered 3218 cis- and 35 trans-eQTLs at ≤10% false discovery rate in human placentas. Among the 16 439 known disease loci of genome-wide significance, 835 were placental eSNPs (enrichment fold = 1.68, P = 7.41e-42). Stronger effect sizes were observed between GWAS SNPs and gene expression in placentas than what has been reported in other tissues, such as the correlation between asthma risk allele, rs7216389-T and Gasdermin-B (GSDMB) in placenta (r2=27%) versus lung (r2=6%). Finally, our results suggest the placental eQTLs may mediate the function of GWAS loci on postnatal disease susceptibility. Results suggest that transcripts in placenta are under tight genetic control, and that placental gene networks may influence postnatal risk of multiple human diseases lending support for the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouneng Peng
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology
| | | | - Antonio F. Di Narzo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health
- Department of Pediatrics
- Department of Oncological Sciences
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences
- Icahn Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology
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VEGF and VEGFR1 levels in different regions of the normal and preeclampsia placentae. Mol Cell Biochem 2017; 438:141-152. [PMID: 28770473 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-017-3121-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Altered placental angiogenesis is implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. We have earlier reported placental regional differences in oxidative stress markers and neurotrophins. Oxidative stress and neurotrophins are reported to regulate angiogenesis. This study aims to examine protein and mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) in four regions [central maternal (CM), central fetal (CF), peripheral maternal (PM), and peripheral fetal (PF)] of the placenta in normotensive control (NC) women (n = 51) and women with preeclampsia (PE) (n = 43) [18 delivered at term (T-PE) and 25 delivered preterm (PT-PE)]. In all groups, CF region reported highest VEGF protein levels compared to all other regions. VEGF mRNA level was higher in CF region as compared to CM region in PE group (p < 0.05). VEGF levels were lower in all regions of PE, T-PE, and PT-PE groups (p < 0.05) as compared to their respective regions in NC group. VEGFR1 levels were lower in CF (p < 0.05) and PF (p < 0.01) regions as compared to CM region only in control. However, VEGFR1 levels were higher in CF (p < 0.05) and PF (p < 0.01) regions of PT-PE group as compared to control. VEGFR1 mRNA level was higher in PM region of PE group and T-PE group (p < 0.05 for both) as compared to control. VEGF levels in the PF region were positively associated with birth weight and placental weight. This study describes placental regional changes in angiogenic factors particularly highlighting increased VEGF in CF region possibly in response to hypoxic conditions prevailing in placenta.
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Deyssenroth MA, Peng S, Hao K, Lambertini L, Marsit CJ, Chen J. Whole-transcriptome analysis delineates the human placenta gene network and its associations with fetal growth. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:520. [PMID: 28693416 PMCID: PMC5502484 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3878-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is the principal organ regulating intrauterine growth and development, performing critical functions on behalf of the developing fetus. The delineation of functional networks and pathways driving placental processes has the potential to provide key insight into intrauterine perturbations that result in adverse birth as well as later life health outcomes. RESULTS We generated the transcriptome-wide profile of 200 term human placenta using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform and characterized the functional placental gene network using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). We identified 17 placental coexpression network modules that were dominated by functional processes including growth, organ development, gas exchange and immune response. Five network modules, enriched for processes including cellular respiration, amino acid transport, hormone signaling, histone modifications and gene expression, were associated with birth weight; hub genes of all five modules (CREB3, DDX3X, DNAJC14, GRHL1 and C21orf91) were significantly associated with fetal growth restriction, and one hub gene (CREB3) was additionally associated with fetal overgrowth. CONCLUSIONS In this largest RNA-Seq based transcriptome-wide profiling study of human term placenta conducted to date, we delineated a placental gene network with functional relevance to fetal growth using a network-based approach with superior scale reduction capacity. Our study findings not only implicate potential molecular mechanisms underlying fetal growth but also provide a reference placenta gene network to inform future studies investigating placental dysfunction as a route to future disease endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A. Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Shouneng Peng
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
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Obesity during pregnancy affects sex steroid concentrations depending on fetal gender. Int J Obes (Lond) 2017; 41:1636-1645. [PMID: 28676682 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2017.159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE It is not clear whether maternal obesity along with fetal gender affect sex steroid metabolism during pregnancy. Therefore, we compared sex steroid concentrations and placental expression of steroidogenic enzymes between non-obese and obese pregnant women with non-pathological pregnancies, and investigated the influence of fetal gender on these parameters. METHODS In 35 normal weight (body mass index (BMI) 20-24.9 kg m-2) (controls) and 36 obese women (BMI 30-36 kg m-2) (obese), a fasting blood sample was obtained at first and at third trimester of gestation to measure progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, androstenedione, testosterone and estradiol by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and estrone by radioimmunoassay. In a subset of women, placental mRNA and protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes was measured by quantitative PCR and western blot, respectively. The comparisons were primarily made between controls and obese, and then separately according to fetal gender. RESULTS At first and third trimesters of gestation serum progesterone was lower whereas testosterone was higher in obese women (P<0.05, respectively). Upon analyzing according to fetal gender, lower progesterone levels were present in obese pregnant women with male fetuses at first trimester and with female fetuses at third trimester (P<0.05, respectively). Testosterone was higher in obese women with male fetuses compared to control women with male fetuses (P<0.05). The placental protein expression of P450scc was higher in obese women compared to controls (P<0.05). P450 aromatase was higher in obese women with female fetuses (P=0.009), whereas in obese women with male fetuses P450 aromatase was lower compared to control women (P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS Obesity in non-pathological pregnancies alters the maternal serum progesterone and testosterone concentrations depending on fetal gender. These changes can be attributed to gender-related placental adaptations, as the expression of P450 aromatase is different in placentas from females compared to males.
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Chang G, Mouillet JF, Mishima T, Chu T, Sadovsky E, Coyne CB, Parks WT, Surti U, Sadovsky Y. Expression and trafficking of placental microRNAs at the feto-maternal interface. FASEB J 2017; 31:2760-2770. [PMID: 28289056 PMCID: PMC5471515 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601146r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, placental trophoblasts at the feto-maternal interface produce a broad repertoire of microRNA (miRNA) species. These species include miRNA from the primate-specific chromosome 19 miRNA cluster (C19MC), which is expressed nearly exclusively in the placenta. Trafficking of these miRNAs among the maternal, placental, and fetal compartments is unknown. To determine miRNA expression and trafficking patterns during pregnancy, we sequenced miRNAs in triads of human placenta and of maternal and fetal blood and found large subject-to-subject variability, with C19MC exhibiting compartment-specific expression. We therefore created humanized mice that transgenically express the entire 160-kb human C19MC locus or lentivirally express C19MC miRNA members selectively in the placenta. C19MC transgenic mice expressed a low level of C19MC miRNAs in diverse organs. When pregnant, female C19MC mice exhibited a strikingly elevated (>40-fold) expression of C19MC miRNA in the placenta, compared with other organs, that resembled C19MC miRNAs patterns in humans. Our mouse models showed that placental miRNA traffic primarily to the maternal circulation and that maternal miRNA can traffic to the placenta and even into the fetal compartment. These findings define an extraordinary means of nonhormonal, miRNA-based communication between the placenta and feto-maternal compartments.-Chang, G., Mouillet, J.-F., Mishima, T., Chu, T., Sadovsky, E., Coyne, C. B., Parks, W. T., Surti, U., Sadovsky, Y. Expression and trafficking of placental microRNAs at the feto-maternal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guojing Chang
- Magee-Womens Research Institute
- Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jean-François Mouillet
- Magee-Womens Research Institute
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
| | - Takuya Mishima
- Magee-Womens Research Institute
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
| | - Tianjiao Chu
- Magee-Womens Research Institute
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
| | - Elena Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
| | - Carolyn B Coyne
- Magee-Womens Research Institute
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
| | - W Tony Parks
- Magee-Womens Research Institute
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
- Department of Pathology, and
| | - Urvashi Surti
- Magee-Womens Research Institute
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
- Pittsburgh Cytogenetics Laboratory, Center for Medical Genetics and Genomics, Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; and
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health
| | - Yoel Sadovsky
- Magee-Womens Research Institute,
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
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Reiman M, Laan M, Rull K, Sõber S. Effects of RNA integrity on transcript quantification by total RNA sequencing of clinically collected human placental samples. FASEB J 2017; 31:3298-3308. [PMID: 28446590 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601031rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
RNA degradation is a ubiquitous process that occurs in living and dead cells, as well as during handling and storage of extracted RNA. Reduced RNA quality caused by degradation is an established source of uncertainty for all RNA-based gene expression quantification techniques. RNA sequencing is an increasingly preferred method for transcriptome analyses, and dependence of its results on input RNA integrity is of significant practical importance. This study aimed to characterize the effects of varying input RNA integrity [estimated as RNA integrity number (RIN)] on transcript level estimates and delineate the characteristic differences between transcripts that differ in degradation rate. The study used ribodepleted total RNA sequencing data from a real-life clinically collected set (n = 32) of human solid tissue (placenta) samples. RIN-dependent alterations in gene expression profiles were quantified by using DESeq2 software. Our results indicate that small differences in RNA integrity affect gene expression quantification by introducing a moderate and pervasive bias in expression level estimates that significantly affected 8.1% of studied genes. The rapidly degrading transcript pool was enriched in pseudogenes, short noncoding RNAs, and transcripts with extended 3' untranslated regions. Typical slowly degrading transcripts (median length, 2389 nt) represented protein coding genes with 4-10 exons and high guanine-cytosine content.-Reiman, M., Laan, M., Rull, K., Sõber, S. Effects of RNA integrity on transcript quantification by total RNA sequencing of clinically collected human placental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Reiman
- Human Molecular Genetics Research Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maris Laan
- Human Molecular Genetics Research Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kristiina Rull
- Human Molecular Genetics Research Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Women's Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Siim Sõber
- Human Molecular Genetics Research Group, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; .,Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Stallone G, Matteo M, Netti GS, Infante B, Di Lorenzo A, Prattichizzo C, Carlucci S, Trezza F, Gesualdo L, Greco P, Grandaliano G. Semaphorin 3F expression is reduced in pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. An observational clinical study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174400. [PMID: 28350837 PMCID: PMC5370113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Preeclampsia is a systemic disorder, affecting 2–10% of pregnancies, characterized by a deregulated pro- and anti-angiogenic balance. Semaphorin 3F is an angiogenesis inhibitor. We aimed to investigate whether semaphorin 3F expression is modulated in preeclampsia. Design, setting, participants, and measurements We performed two observational single center cohort studies between March 2013 and August 2014. In the first we enrolled 110 consecutive women, undergoing an elective cesarean section; in the second we included 150 consecutive women undergoing amniocentesis for routine clinical indications at 16–18 week of gestation. Semaphorin 3F concentration was evaluated in maternal peripheral blood, venous umbilical blood and amniotic fluid, along with its placenta protein expression at the time of delivery in the first study group and in the amniotic fluid at 16–18 weeks of gestation in the second study group. Results In the first study 19 patients presented at delivery with preeclampsia. Semaphorin 3F placenta tissue expression was significantly reduced in preeclampsia. In addition, semaphorin 3F level at delivery was significantly lower in serum, amniotic fluid and venous umbilical blood of preeclamptic patients compared with normal pregnant women. In the prospective cohort study 14 women developed preeclampsia. In this setting, semaphorin 3F amniotic level at 16–18 weeks of gestation was reduced in women who subsequently developed preeclampsia compared to women with a normal pregnancy. ROC curve analysis showed that semaphorin 3F amniotic levels could identify women at higher risk of preeclampsia. Conclusions Semaphorin 3F might represent a predictive biomarker of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Stallone
- Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Matteo
- Gynaecologic and Obstetric Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Stefano Netti
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Barbara Infante
- Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Adelaide Di Lorenzo
- Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Clelia Prattichizzo
- Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefania Carlucci
- Gynaecologic and Obstetric Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Federica Trezza
- Gynaecologic and Obstetric Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Loreto Gesualdo
- Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Dept. of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari, Italy
| | - Pantaleo Greco
- Gynaecologic and Obstetric Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grandaliano
- Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Dept. of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Durhan G, Ünverdi H, Deveci C, Büyükşireci M, Karakaya J, Değirmenci T, Bayrak A, Koşar P, Hücümenoğlu S, Ergün Y. Placental Elasticity and Histopathological Findings in Normal and Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction Pregnancies Assessed with Strain Elastography in Ex Vivo Placenta. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2017; 43:111-118. [PMID: 27742142 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2016.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of placental elasticity between intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and normal pregnancies to show whether or not there is any association between histopathological changes and placental elasticity. Fifty-five human placentas were collected at delivery, including 25 with IUGR and 30 controls. Strain elastography (SE) was performed ex vivo and all placentas were examined histopathologically. Elasticity index (EI) and histopathological findings were compared between groups. The placental stiffness and presence of histopathological changes were higher in the IUGR group than in controls (p < 0.05). Also, histopathological findings were associated with decreased EI values, but no specific patterns of histologic abnormalities were identified except villitis and delayed villous maturity. Distinct reduced placental elasticity could be the result of the cumulative effects of all the histologic findings in IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Durhan
- Department of Radiology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Hatice Ünverdi
- Department of Pathology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Canan Deveci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Büyükşireci
- Department of Radiology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Jale Karakaya
- Department of Biostatistics, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tülin Değirmenci
- Department of Radiology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Bayrak
- Department of Radiology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Pınar Koşar
- Department of Radiology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sema Hücümenoğlu
- Department of Pathology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Ergün
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
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Endler M, Saltvedt S, Eweida M, Åkerud H. Oxidative stress and inflammation in retained placenta: a pilot study of protein and gene expression of GPX1 and NFκB. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2016; 16:384. [PMID: 27923344 PMCID: PMC5139037 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-016-1135-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retained placenta is associated with severe postpartum hemorrhage. Its etiology is unknown and its biochemistry has not been studied. We aimed to assess whether levels of the antioxidative enzyme Glutathione Peroxidase 1 (GPX1) and the transcription factor Nuclear Factor κβ (NFκβ), as markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, were affected in retained placentas compared to spontaneously released placentas from otherwise normal full term pregnancies. METHODS In a pilot study we assessed concentrations of GPX1 by ELISA and gene (mRNA) expression of GPX1, NFκβ and its inhibitor Iκβα, by quantitative real-time-PCR in periumbilical and peripheral samples from retained (n = 29) and non-retained (n = 31) placental tissue. RESULTS Median periumbilical GPX1 concentrations were 13.32 ng/ml in retained placentas and 17.96 ng/ml in non-retained placentas (p = 0.22), peripheral concentrations were 13.27 ng/ml and 19.09 ng/ml (p = 0.08). Retained placental tissue was more likely to have a low GPX1 protein concentration (OR 3.82, p = 0.02 for periumbilical and OR 3.95, p = 0.02 for peripheral samples). Median periumbilical GPX1 gene expressions were 1.13 for retained placentas and 0.88 for non-retained placentas (p = 0.08), peripheral expression was 1.32 and 1.18 (p = 0.46). Gene expressions of NFκβ and Iκβα were not significantly different between retained and non-retained placental tissue. CONCLUSIONS Women with retained placenta were more likely to have a low level of GPX1 protein concentration in placental tissue compared to women without retained placenta and retained placental tissue showed a tendency of lower median concentrations of GPX1 protein expression. This may indicate decreased antioxidative capacity as a component in this disorder but requires a larger sample to corroborate results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Endler
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden ,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Södersjukhuset, Sjukhusbacken 10, Stockholm, 118 83 Sweden
| | - Sissel Saltvedt
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden ,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Eweida
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helena Åkerud
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Pudney J, He X, Masheeb Z, Kindelberger DW, Kuohung W, Ingalls RR. Differential expression of toll-like receptors in the human placenta across early gestation. Placenta 2016; 46:1-10. [PMID: 27697215 PMCID: PMC5119647 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are an essential component of the innate immune system. While a number of studies have described TLR expression in the female reproductive tract, few have examined the temporal expression of TLRs within the human placenta. We hypothesized that the pattern of TLR expression in the placenta changes throughout the first and second trimester, coincident with physiological changes in placental function and the demands of innate immunity. We collected first and second trimester placental tissue and conducted quantitative PCR analysis for TLRs 1-10, followed by immunohistochemistry to define the cell specific expression pattern of a subset of these receptors. Except for the very earliest time points, RNA expression for TLRs 1-10 was stable out to 20 weeks gestation. However, the pattern of protein expression evolved over time. Early first trimester placenta demonstrated a strong, uniform pattern predominantly in the inner villous cytotrophoblast layer. As the placenta matured through the second trimester, both the villous cytotrophoblasts and the pattern of TLR expression within them became disorganized and patchy, with putative Hofbauer cells now identifiable in the tissue also staining positive. We conclude from this data that placental TLR expression changes over the course of gestation, with a tight barrier of TLRs forming a wall of defense along the cytotrophoblast layer in the early first trimester that breaks down as pregnancy progresses. These data are relevant to understanding placental immunity against pathogen exposure throughout pregnancy and may aid in our understanding of the vulnerable period for fetal exposure to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Pudney
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xianbao He
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zahrah Masheeb
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David W Kindelberger
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wendy Kuohung
- Division of Reproductive Immunology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Robin R Ingalls
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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Systematic Review of Micro-RNA Expression in Pre-Eclampsia Identifies a Number of Common Pathways Associated with the Disease. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160808. [PMID: 27529341 PMCID: PMC4986940 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a complex, multi-systemic condition of pregnancy which greatly impacts maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. MicroRNAs (miRs) are differentially expressed in PE and may be important in helping to understand the condition and its pathogenesis. Methods Case-control studies investigating expression of miRs in PE were collected through a systematic literature search. Data was extracted and compared from 58 studies to identify the most promising miRs associated with PE pathogenesis and identify areas of methodology which could account for often conflicting results. Results Some of the most frequently differentially expressed miRs in PE include miR-210, miR-223 and miR-126/126* which associate strongly with the etiological domains of hypoxia, immunology and angiogenesis. Members of the miR-515 family belonging to the imprinted chromosome 19 miR cluster with putative roles in trophoblast invasion were also found to be differentially expressed. Certain miRs appear to associate with more severe forms of PE such as miR-210 and the immune-related miR-181a and miR-15 families. Patterns of miR expression may help pinpoint key pathways (e.g. IL-6/miR-223/STAT3) and aid in untangling the heterogeneous nature of PE. The detectable presence of many PE-associated miRs in antenatal circulatory samples suggests their usefulness as predictive biomarkers. Further progress in ascertaining the clinical value of miRs and in understanding how they might contribute to pathogenesis is predicated upon resolving current methodological challenges in studies. These include differences in diagnostic criteria, cohort characteristics, sampling technique, RNA isolation and platform-dependent variation in miR profiling. Conclusion Reviewing studies of PE-associated miRs has revealed their potential as informants of underlying target genes and pathways relating to PE pathogenesis. However, the incongruity in results across current studies hampers their capacity to be useful biomarkers of the condition.
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