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Murthi P, Kalionis B. Homeobox genes in the human placenta: Twists and turns on the path to find novel targets. Placenta 2024:S0143-4004(24)00284-4. [PMID: 38908943 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a clinically important human pregnancy disorder that is thought to originate early in pregnancy and while its aetiology is not well understood, the disorder is associated with placental insufficiency. Currently treatment for FGR is limited by increased surveillance using ultrasound monitoring and premature delivery, or corticosteroid medication in the third trimester to prolong pregnancy. There is a pressing need for novel strategies to detect and treat FGR at its early stage. Homeobox genes are well established as master regulators of early embryonic development and increasing evidence suggests they are also important in regulating early placental development. Most important is that specific homeobox genes are abnormally expressed in human FGR. This review focusses on identifying the molecular pathways controlled by homeobox genes in the normal and FGR-affected placenta. This information will begin to address the knowledge gap in the molecular aetiology of FGR and lay the foundation for identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Murthi
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital and Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Bill Kalionis
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital and Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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2
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Gardner JJ, Cushen SC, Oliveira da Silva RDN, Bradshaw JL, Hula N, Gorham IK, Tucker SM, Zhou Z, Cunningham RL, Phillips NR, Goulopoulou S. Oxidative stress induces release of mitochondrial DNA into the extracellular space in human placental villous trophoblast BeWo cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C1776-C1788. [PMID: 38738304 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00091.2024] [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: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) is an indicator of cell death, inflammation, and oxidative stress. ccf-mtDNA in pregnancies with placental dysfunction differs from that in healthy pregnancies, and the direction of this difference depends on gestational age and method of mtDNA quantification. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger release of mtDNA, yet it is unknown whether trophoblast cells release mtDNA in response to oxidative stress, a common feature of pregnancies with placental pathology. We hypothesized that oxidative stress would induce cell death and release of mtDNA from trophoblast cells. BeWo cells were treated with antimycin A (10-320 µM) or rotenone (0.2-50 µM) to induce oxidative stress. A multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was used to quantify mtDNA and nuclear DNA in membrane-bound, non-membrane-bound, and vesicle-bound forms in cell culture supernatants and cell lysates. Treatment with antimycin A increased ROS (P < 0.0001), induced cell necrosis (P = 0.0004) but not apoptosis (P = 0.6471), and was positively associated with release of membrane-bound and non-membrane-bound mtDNA (P < 0.0001). Antimycin A increased mtDNA content in exosome-like extracellular vesicles (vesicle-bound form; P = 0.0019) and reduced autophagy marker expression (LC3A/B, P = 0.0002; p62, P < 0.001). Rotenone treatment did not influence mtDNA release or cell death (P > 0.05). Oxidative stress induces release of mtDNA into the extracellular space and causes nonapoptotic cell death and a reduction in autophagy markers in BeWo cells, an established in vitro model of human trophoblast cells. Intersection between autophagy and necrosis may mediate the release of mtDNA from the placenta in pregnancies exposed to oxidative stress.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to test whether trophoblast cells release mitochondrial (mt)DNA in response to oxidative stress and to identify mechanisms of release and biological forms of mtDNA from this cellular type. This research identifies potential cellular mechanisms that can be used in future investigations to establish the source and biomarker potential of circulating mtDNA in preclinical experimental models and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Gardner
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Spencer C Cushen
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Reneé de Nazaré Oliveira da Silva
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Departments of Basic Sciences, Gynecology, and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, United States
| | - Jessica L Bradshaw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Nataliia Hula
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Departments of Basic Sciences, Gynecology, and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, United States
| | - Isabelle K Gorham
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Selina M Tucker
- Department of Physiology and Anatomy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Zhengyang Zhou
- Department of Population & Community Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Rebecca L Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, System College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Nicole R Phillips
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
| | - Styliani Goulopoulou
- Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Departments of Basic Sciences, Gynecology, and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, United States
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3
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Vidal MS, Radnaa E, Vora N, Khanipov K, Antich C, Ferrer M, Urrabaz-Garza R, Jacob JE, Menon R. Establishment and comparison of human term placenta-derived trophoblast cells†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:950-970. [PMID: 38330185 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae026] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on the biology of fetal-maternal barriers has been limited by access to physiologically relevant cells, including trophoblast cells. In this study, we describe the development of a human term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line (hPTCCTB) derived from the basal plate. Human-term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line cells are comparable to their primary cells of origin in terms of morphology, marker expression, and functional responses. We demonstrate that these can transform into syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblasts. We also compared the hPTCCTB cells to immortalized chorionic trophoblasts (hFM-CTC), trophoblasts of the chorionic plate, and BeWo cells, choriocarcinoma cell lines of conventional use. Human-term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line and hFM-CTCs displayed more similarity to each other than to BeWos, but these differ in syncytialization ability. Overall, this study (1) demonstrates that the immortalized hPTCCTB generated are cells of higher physiological relevance and (2) provides a look into the distinction between the spatially distinct placental and fetal barrier trophoblasts cells, hPTCCTB and hFM-CTC, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel S Vidal
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Natasha Vora
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Cristina Antich
- 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marc Ferrer
- 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jeena E Jacob
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
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Vidal MS, Richardson LS, Kumar Kammala A, Kim S, Lam PY, Cherukuri R, Thomas TJ, Bettayeb M, Han A, Rusyn I, Menon R. Endocrine-disrupting compounds and their impact on human placental function: evidence from placenta organ-on-chip studies. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1727-1749. [PMID: 38334486 PMCID: PMC10998263 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00998j] [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] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The effects of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) on the placenta, a critical gestational organ for xenobiotic protection, are well reported; however, models to determine the role of EDCs in placental disruption are limited. An advanced 2nd-trimester human placenta organ-on-chip model (2TPLA-OOC) was developed and validated, with six representative cells of the maternal and the fetal interface interconnected with microchannels. Various EDCs (150 ng mL-1 each of bisphenol A, bisphenol S, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers-47 and -99) were gradually propagated across the chip for 72 hours, and their various effects were determined. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE), an environmental risk factor, was used as a positive control. EDCs produced overall oxidative stress in the placental/decidual cells, induced cell-specific endocrine effects, caused limited (<10%) apoptosis/necrosis in trophoblasts and mesenchymal cells, induced localized inflammation but an overall anti-inflammatory shift, did not change immune cell migration from stroma to decidua, and did not affect placental nutrient transport. Overall, (1) the humanized 2TPLA-OOC recreated the placental organ and generated data distinct from the trophoblast and other cells studied in isolation, and (2) at doses associated with adverse pregnancies, EDCs produced limited and localized insults, and the whole organ compensated for the exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel S Vidal
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Lauren S Richardson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Po Yi Lam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Rahul Cherukuri
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tilu Jain Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Mohammed Bettayeb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, USA.
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5
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Gardner JJ, Cushen SC, Oliveira da Silva RDN, Bradshaw JL, Hula N, Gorham IK, Tucker SM, Zhou Z, Cunningham RL, Phillips NR, Goulopoulou S. Oxidative stress induces release of mitochondrial DNA into the extracellular space in human placental villous trophoblast BeWo cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.02.578433. [PMID: 38352590 PMCID: PMC10862877 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.02.578433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) is an indicator of cell death, inflammation, and oxidative stress. ccf-mtDNA differs in pregnancies with placental dysfunction from healthy pregnancies and the direction of this difference depends on gestational age and method of mtDNA quantification. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger release of mtDNA from non-placental cells; yet it is unknown whether trophoblast cells release mtDNA in response to oxidative stress, a common feature of pregnancies with placental pathology. We hypothesized that oxidative stress would induce cell death and release of mtDNA from trophoblast cells. BeWo cells were treated with antimycin A (10-320 μM) or rotenone (0.2-50 μM) to induce oxidative stress. A multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay was used to quantify mtDNA and nuclear DNA in membrane bound, non-membrane bound, and vesicular-bound forms in cell culture supernatants and cell lysates. Treatment with antimycin A increased ROS (p<0.0001), induced cell necrosis (p=0.0004) but not apoptosis (p=0.6471) and was positively associated with release of membrane-bound and non-membrane bound mtDNA (p<0.0001). Antimycin A increased mtDNA content in exosome-like extracellular vesicles (vesicular-bound form; p=0.0019) and reduced autophagy marker expression (LC3A/B, p=0.0002; p62, p<0.001). Rotenone treatment did not influence mtDNA release or cell death (p>0.05). Oxidative stress induces release of mtDNA into the extracellular space and causes non-apoptotic cell death and a reduction in autophagy markers in BeWo cells, an established in vitro model of human trophoblast cells. Intersection between autophagy and necrosis may mediate the release of mtDNA from the placenta in pregnancies exposed to oxidative stress. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to test whether trophoblast cells release mitochondrial DNA in response to oxidative stress and to identify mechanisms of release and biological forms of mtDNA from this cellular type. This research identifies potential cellular mechanisms that can be used in future investigations to establish the source and biomarker potential of circulating mitochondrial DNA in preclinical experimental models and humans.
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6
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Bulka CM, Everson TM, Burt AA, Marsit CJ, Karagas MR, Boyle KE, Niemiec S, Kechris K, Davidson EJ, Yang IV, Feinberg JI, Volk HE, Ladd-Acosta C, Breton CV, O’Shea TM, Fry RC. Sex-based differences in placental DNA methylation profiles related to gestational age: an NIH ECHO meta-analysis. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2179726. [PMID: 36840948 PMCID: PMC9980626 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2179726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta undergoes many changes throughout gestation to support the evolving needs of the foetus. There is also a growing appreciation that male and female foetuses develop differently in utero, with unique epigenetic changes in placental tissue. Here, we report meta-analysed sex-specific associations between gestational age and placental DNA methylation from four cohorts in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Programme (355 females/419 males, gestational ages 23-42 weeks). We identified 407 cytosine-guanine dinucleotides (CpGs) in females and 794 in males where placental methylation levels were associated with gestational age. After cell-type adjustment, 55 CpGs in females and 826 in males were significant. These were enriched for biological processes critical to the immune system in females and transmembrane transport in males. Our findings are distinct between the sexes: in females, associations with gestational age are largely explained by differences in placental cellular composition, whereas in males, gestational age is directly associated with numerous alterations in methylation levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M. Bulka
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Todd M. Everson
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber A. Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Kristen E. Boyle
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Colorado School of Public Health, The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sierra Niemiec
- Colorado School of Public Health, The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Katerina Kechris
- Colorado School of Public Health, The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Ivana V. Yang
- Colorado School of Public Health, The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jason I. Feinberg
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, ML, USA
| | - Heather E. Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, ML, USA
| | - Christine Ladd-Acosta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, ML, USA
| | - Carrie V. Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - T. Michael O’Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Li C, Yang D, Yang W, Wang Y, Li D, Li Y, Xiao B, Zhang H, Zhao H, Dong H, Zhang J, Chu G, Wang A, Jin Y, Liu Y, Chen H. Hypoxia activation attenuates progesterone synthesis in goat trophoblast cells via NR1D1 inhibition of StAR expression†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:720-735. [PMID: 37552055 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Trophoblast plays a crucial role in gestation maintenance and embryo implantation, partly due to the synthesis of progesterone. It has been demonstrated that hypoxia regulates invasion, proliferation, and differentiation of trophoblast cells. Additionally, human trophoblasts display rhythmic expression of circadian clock genes. However, it remains unclear if the circadian clock system is present in goat trophoblast cells (GTCs), and its involvement in hypoxia regulation of steroid hormone synthesis remains elusive. In this study, immunofluorescence staining revealed that both BMAL1 and NR1D1 (two circadian clock components) were highly expressed in GTCs. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that several circadian clock genes were rhythmically expressed in forskolin-synchronized GTCs. To mimic hypoxia, GTCs were treated with hypoxia-inducing reagents (CoCl2 or DMOG). Quantitative real-time PCR results demonstrated that hypoxia perturbed the mRNA expression of circadian clock genes and StAR. Notably, the increased expression of NR1D1 and the reduction of StAR expression in hypoxic GTCs were also detected by western blotting. In addition, progesterone secretion exhibited a notable decline in hypoxic GTCs. SR9009, an NR1D1 agonist, significantly decreased StAR expression at both the mRNA and protein levels and markedly inhibited progesterone secretion in GTCs. Moreover, SR8278, an NR1D1 antagonist, partially reversed the inhibitory effect of CoCl2 on mRNA and protein expression levels of StAR and progesterone synthesis in GTCs. Our results demonstrate that hypoxia reduces StAR expression via the activation of NR1D1 signaling in GTCs, thus inhibiting progesterone synthesis. These findings provide new insights into the NR1D1 regulation of progesterone synthesis in GTCs under hypoxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Li
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wanghao Yang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yiqun Wang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yating Li
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bonan Xiao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haisen Zhang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hongcong Zhao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hao Dong
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guiyan Chu
- Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition & Muscle Development, Department of Animal Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Aihua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yaping Jin
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yingqiu Liu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huatao Chen
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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8
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Liu X, Wang G, Huang H, Lv X, Si Y, Bai L, Wang G, Li Q, Yang W. Exploring maternal-fetal interface with in vitro placental and trophoblastic models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1279227. [PMID: 38033854 PMCID: PMC10682727 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1279227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta, being a temporary organ, plays a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of nutrients and gases between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. Any abnormalities in the development of this vital organ not only lead to various pregnancy-related disorders that can result in fetal injury or death, but also have long-term effects on maternal health. In vitro models have been employed to study the physiological features and molecular regulatory mechanisms of placental development, aiming to gain a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of pregnancy-related diseases. Among these models, trophoblast stem cell culture and organoids show great promise. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current mature trophoblast stem cell models and emerging organoid models, while also discussing other models in a systematic manner. We believe that this knowledge will be valuable in guiding further exploration of the complex maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlu Liu
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Haiqin Huang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Lv
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yanru Si
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Lixia Bai
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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9
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Chen YC, Liao CC, Shui HA, Huang PH, Shih LJ. A Proteomics-Based Identification of the Biological Networks Mediating the Impact of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Trophoblast Cell Migration and Invasion, with Potential Implications for Maternal and Fetal Health. Proteomes 2023; 11:31. [PMID: 37873873 PMCID: PMC10594419 DOI: 10.3390/proteomes11040031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Trophoblast migration and invasion play crucial roles in placental development. However, the effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on trophoblast cell functions remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the impact of EGCG on the survival of trophoblast cells and employed a proteomics analysis to evaluate its influence on trophoblast cell migration and invasion. Be-Wo trophoblast cells were treated with EGCG, and a zone closure assay was conducted to assess the cell migration and invasion. Subsequently, a proteomics analysis was performed on the treated and control groups, followed by a bioinformatics analysis to evaluate the affected biological pathways and protein networks. A quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were carried out to validate the proteomics findings. Our results showed that EGCG significantly suppressed the trophoblast migration and invasion at a concentration not affecting cell survival. The proteomics analysis revealed notable differences in the protein expression between the EGCG-treated and control groups. Specifically, EGCG downregulated the signaling pathways related to EIF2, mTOR, and estrogen response, as well as the processes associated with the cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and protein translation. Conversely, EGCG upregulated the pathways linked to lipid degradation and oxidative metabolism. The quantitative PCR showed that EGCG modulated protein expression by regulating gene transcription, and the Western blot analysis confirmed its impact on cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix reorganization. These findings suggest EGCG may inhibit trophoblast migration and invasion through multiple signaling pathways, highlighting the potential risks associated with consuming EGCG-containing products during pregnancy. Future research should investigate the impact of EGCG intake on maternal and fetal proteoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Chung Chen
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan;
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Renai Branch, Taipei 106243, Taiwan
- Department of Health Promotion and Gerontological Care, Taipei University of Marine Technology, Taipei 111078, Taiwan
- Department of Special Education, University of Taipei, Taipei 100234, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chung Liao
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Instrumentation Resource Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.)
- Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Ai Shui
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Hsuan Huang
- Mass Spectrometry Facility, Instrumentation Resource Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan; (C.-C.L.)
| | - Li-Jane Shih
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114201, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Taoyuan Armed Forces General Hospital, Longtan, Taoyuan 325208, Taiwan
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10
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Stapleton PA. The Application of Engineered Nanomaterials in Perinatal Therapeutics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2303072. [PMID: 37438678 PMCID: PMC10784409 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a vulnerable life stage for the mother and developing fetus. Because of this dual concern, approved therapeutic options for pre-existing conditions or pregnancy-induced pathologies, placental deformities, or fetal concerns are extremely limited. These cases often leave patients and clinicians having to choose between maternal health and fetal development. Recent advancements in nanomedicine and nanotherapeutic devices have made the development of perinatal therapeutics an attractive objective. However, perinatal medicine requires a multifaceted approach given the interactions between maternal, placental, and fetal physiology. Maternal-fetal interactions are centralized to the placenta, a specialized transient barrier organ, to allow for nutrient and waste exchange. Perinatal nanotherapeutics must be designed for placental avoidance or uptake. In this review, pregnancy-related conditions, experimental models, and modes of drug delivery during pregnancy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe A Stapleton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
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11
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Geisler HC, Safford HC, Mitchell MJ. Rational Design of Nanomedicine for Placental Disorders: Birthing a New Era in Women's Reproductive Health. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2300852. [PMID: 37191231 PMCID: PMC10651803 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a transient organ that forms during pregnancy and acts as a biological barrier, mediating exchange between maternal and fetal circulation. Placental disorders, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placenta accreta spectrum, and gestational trophoblastic disease, originate in dysfunctional placental development during pregnancy and can lead to severe complications for both the mother and fetus. Unfortunately, treatment options for these disorders are severely lacking. Challenges in designing therapeutics for use during pregnancy involve selectively delivering payloads to the placenta while protecting the fetus from potential toxic side effects. Nanomedicine holds great promise in overcoming these barriers; the versatile and modular nature of nanocarriers, including prolonged circulation times, intracellular delivery, and organ-specific targeting, can control how therapeutics interact with the placenta. In this review, nanomedicine strategies are discussed to treat and diagnose placental disorders with an emphasis on understanding the unique pathophysiology behind each of these diseases. Finally, prior study of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these placental disorders has revealed novel disease targets. These targets are highlighted here to motivate the rational design of precision nanocarriers to improve therapeutic options for placental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah C. Geisler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
| | - Hannah C. Safford
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
| | - Michael J. Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
- Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
- Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19014, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, USA
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12
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Nashif SK, Mahr RM, Jena S, Jo S, Nelson AB, Sadowski D, Crawford PA, Puchalska P, Alejandro EU, Gearhart MD, Wernimont SA. Metformin impairs trophoblast metabolism and differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1167097. [PMID: 37250894 PMCID: PMC10213689 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1167097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin is a widely prescribed medication whose mechanism of action is not completely defined and whose role in gestational diabetes management remains controversial. In addition to increasing the risk of fetal growth abnormalities and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes is associated with abnormalities in placental development including impairments in trophoblast differentiation. Given that metformin impacts cellular differentiation events in other systems, we assessed metformin's impact on trophoblast metabolism and differentiation. Using established cell culture models of trophoblast differentiation, oxygen consumption rates and relative metabolite abundance were determined following 200 µM (therapeutic range) and 2000 µM (supra-therapeutic range) metformin treatment using Seahorse and mass-spectrometry approaches. While no differences in oxygen consumption rates or relative metabolite abundance were detected between vehicle and 200 µM metformin-treated cells, 2000 µM metformin impaired oxidative metabolism and increased the abundance of lactate and TCA cycle intermediates, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, and malate. Examining differentiation, treatment with 2000 μM, but not 200 µM metformin, impaired HCG production and expression of multiple trophoblast differentiation markers. Overall, this work suggests that supra-therapeutic concentrations of metformin impair trophoblast metabolism and differentiation whereas metformin concentrations in the therapeutic range do not strongly impact these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sereen K. Nashif
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Renee M. Mahr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Snehalata Jena
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Alisa B. Nelson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Danielle Sadowski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Peter A. Crawford
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Patrycja Puchalska
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Emilyn U. Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Micah D. Gearhart
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sarah A. Wernimont
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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13
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Mahr RM, Jena S, Nashif SK, Nelson AB, Rauckhorst AJ, Rome FI, Sheldon RD, Hughey CC, Puchalska P, Gearhart MD, Taylor EB, Crawford PA, Wernimont SA. Mitochondrial citrate metabolism and efflux regulate BeWo differentiation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7387. [PMID: 37149697 PMCID: PMC10164164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34435-x] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotrophoblasts fuse to form and renew syncytiotrophoblasts necessary to maintain placental health throughout gestation. During cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, cells undergo regulated metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming. Mitochondria play a critical role in differentiation events in cellular systems, thus we hypothesized that mitochondrial metabolism played a central role in trophoblast differentiation. In this work, we employed static and stable isotope tracing untargeted metabolomics methods along with gene expression and histone acetylation studies in an established BeWo cell culture model of trophoblast differentiation. Differentiation was associated with increased abundance of the TCA cycle intermediates citrate and α-ketoglutarate. Citrate was preferentially exported from mitochondria in the undifferentiated state but was retained to a larger extent within mitochondria upon differentiation. Correspondingly, differentiation was associated with decreased expression of the mitochondrial citrate transporter (CIC). CRISPR/Cas9 disruption of the mitochondrial citrate carrier showed that CIC is required for biochemical differentiation of trophoblasts. Loss of CIC resulted in broad alterations in gene expression and histone acetylation. These gene expression changes were partially rescued through acetate supplementation. Taken together, these results highlight a central role for mitochondrial citrate metabolism in orchestrating histone acetylation and gene expression during trophoblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee M Mahr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Snehalata Jena
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sereen K Nashif
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Alisa B Nelson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adam J Rauckhorst
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ferrol I Rome
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ryan D Sheldon
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Curtis C Hughey
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Patrycja Puchalska
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Micah D Gearhart
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Eric B Taylor
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peter A Crawford
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sarah A Wernimont
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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14
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Swingle KL, Safford HC, Geisler HC, Hamilton AG, Thatte AS, Billingsley MM, Joseph RA, Mrksich K, Padilla MS, Ghalsasi AA, Alameh MG, Weissman D, Mitchell MJ. Ionizable Lipid Nanoparticles for In Vivo mRNA Delivery to the Placenta during Pregnancy. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:4691-4706. [PMID: 36789893 PMCID: PMC9992266 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c12893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are the most clinically advanced nonviral platform for mRNA delivery. While they have been explored for applications including vaccines and gene editing, LNPs have not been investigated for placental insufficiency during pregnancy. Placental insufficiency is caused by inadequate blood flow in the placenta, which results in increased maternal blood pressure and restricted fetal growth. Therefore, improving vasodilation in the placenta can benefit both maternal and fetal health. Here, we engineered ionizable LNPs for mRNA delivery to the placenta with applications in mediating placental vasodilation. We designed a library of ionizable lipids to formulate LNPs for mRNA delivery to placental cells and identified a lead LNP that enables in vivo mRNA delivery to trophoblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells in the placenta. Delivery of this top LNP formulation encapsulated with VEGF-A mRNA engendered placental vasodilation, demonstrating the potential of mRNA LNPs for protein replacement therapy during pregnancy to treat placental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L Swingle
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Hannah C Safford
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Hannah C Geisler
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Alex G Hamilton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ajay S Thatte
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Margaret M Billingsley
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Ryann A Joseph
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Kaitlin Mrksich
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Marshall S Padilla
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Aditi A Ghalsasi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Michael J Mitchell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States.,Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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15
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Dusza HM, van Boxel J, van Duursen MBM, Forsberg MM, Legler J, Vähäkangas KH. Experimental human placental models for studying uptake, transport and toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160403. [PMID: 36417947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and have recently been found in human lungs, blood and placenta. However, data on the possible effects of MNPs on human health is extremely scarce. The potential toxicity of MNPs during pregnancy, a period of increased susceptibility to environmental insults, is of particular concern. The placenta provides a unique interface between maternal and fetal circulation which is essential for in utero survival and healthy pregnancy. Placental toxicokinetics and toxicity of MNPs are still largely unexplored and the limited studies performed up to now focus mainly on polystyrene particles. Practical and ethical considerations limit research options in humans, and extrapolation from animal studies is challenging due to marked differences between species. Nevertheless, diverse in vitro and ex vivo human placental models exist e.g., plasma membrane vesicles, mono-culture and co-culture of placental cells, placenta-on-a-chip, villous tissue explants, and placental perfusion that can be used to advance this research area. The objective of this concise review is to recapitulate different human placental models, summarize the current understanding of placental uptake, transport and toxicity of MNPs and define knowledge gaps. Moreover, we provide perspectives for future research urgently needed to assess the potential hazards and risks of MNP exposure to maternal and fetal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M Dusza
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeske van Boxel
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Majorie B M van Duursen
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Markus M Forsberg
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juliette Legler
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kirsi H Vähäkangas
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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16
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Nashif SK, Mahr RM, Jena S, Jo S, Nelson AB, Sadowski D, Crawford PA, Puchalska P, Alejandro EU, Gearhart MD, Wernimont SA. Metformin impairs trophoblast metabolism and differentiation in dose dependent manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.14.528531. [PMID: 36824783 PMCID: PMC9949099 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.14.528531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Metformin is a widely prescribed medication whose mechanism of action is not completely defined and whose role in gestational diabetes management remains controversial. In addition to increasing risks of fetal growth abnormalities and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes is associated with abnormalities in placental development including impairments in trophoblast differentiation. Given that metformin impacts cellular differentiation events in other systems, we assessed metformin's impact on trophoblast metabolism and differentiation. Using established cell culture models of trophoblast differentiation, oxygen consumption rates and relative metabolite abundance were determined following 200 μM (therapeutic range) and 2000 μM (supra-therapeutic range) metformin treatment using Seahorse and mass-spectrometry approaches. While no differences in oxygen consumption rates or relative metabolite abundance were detected between vehicle and 200 μM metformin treated cells, 2000 μM metformin impaired oxidative metabolism and increased abundance of lactate and TCA cycle intermediates, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, and malate. Examining differentiation, treatment with 2000 μM, but not 200 μM metformin, impaired HCG production and expression of multiple trophoblast differentiation markers. Overall, this work suggests that supra-therapeutic concentrations of metformin impairs trophoblast metabolism and differentiation whereas metformin concentrations in the therapeutic range do not strongly impact these processes.
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17
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Fliedel L, Mignet N, Fournier T, Andrieux K, Alhareth K. Quantification of a Fluorescent Lipid DOPE-NBD by an HPLC Method in Biological Tissue: Application to Study Liposomes' Uptake by Human Placenta. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2622:289-302. [PMID: 36781771 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2954-3_26] [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: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanomedicine offers the possibility of modifying the distribution of encapsulated drugs and biomolecules. Nanomedicine could limit the transplacental passage and/or enhance the concentration of drugs in placental tissue; this approach could be exploited for the treatment of pregnancy disorders. In the context of pregnancy, tackling the biological fate of both the nanocarrier and the drug has high importance in ensuring both the mother's and the fetus' safety.In this study, we propose a method for quantifying the uptake of liposomes inside placental tissue using covalently labeled liposomes and adapting a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using a fluorescent detector. An optimized protocol for liquid-liquid extraction of fluorescent lipids from placental tissue extracts, followed by HPLC analysis, is detailed in this chapter. The HPLC method allows the quantification of fluorescent lipids using a calibration curve, including the biological matrix and extraction procedures. The internalization rate of fluorescent liposomes within human villous placental explants was quantitatively assessed, thanks to the HPLC developed method and suitable analytical tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Fliedel
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité des Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Paris, France.,Université Paris Cité, INSERM, Pathophysiology and Pharmacotoxicology of the Human Placenta, Pre and Postnatal Microbiota Unit (3PHM), Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Mignet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité des Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Fournier
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM, Pathophysiology and Pharmacotoxicology of the Human Placenta, Pre and Postnatal Microbiota Unit (3PHM), Paris, France
| | - Karine Andrieux
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité des Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Paris, France
| | - Khair Alhareth
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, INSERM, UTCBS, Unité des Technologies Chimiques et Biologiques pour la Santé, Paris, France.
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18
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Mahr RM, Jena S, Nashif SK, Nelson AB, Rauckhorst AJ, Rome FI, Sheldon RD, Hughey CC, Puchalska P, Gearhart MD, Taylor EB, Crawford PA, Wernimont SA. Mitochondrial citrate metabolism and efflux regulates trophoblast differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.22.525071. [PMID: 36711862 PMCID: PMC9882289 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.22.525071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cytotrophoblasts fuse to form and renew syncytiotrophoblasts necessary to maintain placental health throughout gestation. During cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, cells undergo regulated metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming. Mitochondria play a critical role in differentiation events in cellular systems, thus we hypothesized that mitochondrial metabolism played a central role in trophoblast differentiation. In this work, we employed static and stable isotope tracing untargeted metabolomics methods along with gene expression and histone acetylation studies in an established cell culture model of trophoblast differentiation. Trophoblast differentiation was associated with increased abundance of the TCA cycle intermediates citrate and α-ketoglutarate. Citrate was preferentially exported from mitochondria in the undifferentiated state but was retained to a larger extent within mitochondria upon differentiation. Correspondingly, differentiation was associated with decreased expression of the mitochondrial citrate transporter (CIC). CRISPR/Cas9 disruption of the mitochondrial citrate carrier showed that CIC is required for biochemical differentiation of trophoblasts. Loss of CIC resulted in broad alterations in gene expression and histone acetylation. These gene expression changes were partially rescued through acetate supplementation. Taken together, these results highlight a central role for mitochondrial citrate metabolism in orchestrating histone acetylation and gene expression during trophoblast differentiation.
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19
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Ghorbanpour SM, Richards C, Pienaar D, Sesperez K, Aboulkheyr Es H, Nikolic VN, Karadzov Orlic N, Mikovic Z, Stefanovic M, Cakic Z, Alqudah A, Cole L, Gorrie C, McGrath K, Kavurma MM, Ebrahimi Warkiani M, McClements L. A placenta-on-a-chip model to determine the regulation of FKBPL and galectin-3 in preeclampsia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:44. [PMID: 36652019 PMCID: PMC9849194 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04648-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific cardiovascular disorder, involving significant maternal endothelial dysfunction. Although inappropriate placentation due to aberrant angiogenesis, inflammation and shallow trophoblast invasion are the root causes of preeclampsia, pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood, particularly in early pregnancy. Here, we first confirm the abnormal expression of important vascular and inflammatory proteins, FK506-binding protein-like (FKBPL) and galectin-3 (Gal-3), in human plasma and placental tissues from women with preeclampsia and normotensive controls. We then employ a three-dimensional microfluidic placental model incorporating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a first trimester trophoblast cell line (ACH-3P) to investigate FKBPL and Gal-3 signaling in inflammatory conditions. In human samples, both circulating (n = 17 controls; n = 30 preeclampsia) and placental (n ≥ 6) FKBPL and Gal-3 levels were increased in preeclampsia compared to controls (plasma: FKBPL, p < 0.0001; Gal-3, p < 0.01; placenta: FKBPL, p < 0.05; Gal-3, p < 0.01), indicative of vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia. In our placenta-on-a-chip model, we show that endothelial cells are critical for trophoblast-mediated migration and that trophoblasts effectively remodel endothelial vascular networks. Inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α (10 ng/mL) modulates both FKBPL and Gal-3 signaling in conjunction with trophoblast migration and impairs vascular network formation (p < 0.005). Our placenta-on-a-chip recapitulates aspects of inappropriate placental development and vascular dysfunction in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Masoumeh Ghorbanpour
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Heart Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire Richards
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dillan Pienaar
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kimberly Sesperez
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hamidreza Aboulkheyr Es
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Valentina N Nikolic
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Niš, Serbia
| | - Natasa Karadzov Orlic
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Narodni Front, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zeljko Mikovic
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Narodni Front, Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Stefanovic
- Department of Internal Medicine-Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Niš, Serbia
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Centre Nis, Niš, Serbia
| | - Zoran Cakic
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital of Leskovac, Leskovac, Serbia
| | - Abdelrahim Alqudah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Louise Cole
- Australian Institute of Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Catherine Gorrie
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kristine McGrath
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mary M Kavurma
- Heart Research Institute,The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Lana McClements
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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20
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Zheng L, Xia B, Yuan Y, Wang Y, Wang Y. Low-molecular-weight heparin in addition to low-dose aspirin for preventing preeclampsia and its complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1073148. [PMID: 36568564 PMCID: PMC9780488 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1073148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In this systematic review, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of adding low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin to low-dose aspirin (LDA) started ≤16 weeks'gestation in the prevention of preeclampsia (PE) in high-risk women. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from their inception to April 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that to determine whether the combined treatment of LMWH and LDA is better than single anticoagulant drugs in preventing PE and improving live birth rate of fetus in high-risk women with pregnancy ≤16 weeks. We also searched Embase, OVID MEDLINE and OVID MEDLINE in-process using the OVID platform. Results 14 RCTs involving 1,966 women were found. The LMWH (or unfractionated heparin) and LDA groups included 1,165 wemen, and the LDA group included 960 women. The meta-analysis showed that the addition of LMWH to LDA reduced the risk of PE (RR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.44-0.79, P < 0.05), small-for-gestational age (SGA, RR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52-0.97, P = 0.03), fetal and neonatal death (RR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.23-0.88, P = 0.02) and gestational hypertension (RR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25-0.90, P = 0.02). It is worth emphasizing that LMWH (or unfractionated heparin) combined with LDA did not increase the risk of bleeding. Conclusions LMWH combined with LDA can effectively improve the pregnancy outcome of women with high risk factors for PE and its complications. Although this study showed that combined medication also did not increase the risk of bleeding, but such results lack the support of large sample size studies. The clinical safety analysis of LMWH combined with LDA in patients with PE should be more carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation 731 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Binbin Xia
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Luhe Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Dermatology, Gansu Provincial Central Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuran Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation 731 Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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21
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Human Maternal-Fetal Interface Cellular Models to Assess Antiviral Drug Toxicity during Pregnancy. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed3040024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a period of elevated risk for viral disease severity, resulting in serious health consequences for both the mother and the fetus; yet antiviral drugs lack comprehensive safety and efficacy data for use among pregnant women. In fact, pregnant women are systematically excluded from therapeutic clinical trials to prevent potential fetal harm. Current FDA-recommended reproductive toxicity assessments are studied using small animals which often do not accurately predict the human toxicological profiles of drug candidates. Here, we review the potential of human maternal-fetal interface cellular models in reproductive toxicity assessment of antiviral drugs. We specifically focus on the 2- and 3-dimensional maternal placental models of different gestational stages and those of fetal embryogenesis and organ development. Screening of drug candidates in physiologically relevant human maternal-fetal cellular models will be beneficial to prioritize selection of safe antiviral therapeutics for clinical trials in pregnant women.
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22
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Establishment of human induced trophoblast stem cells via reprogramming of fibroblasts. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:2739-2759. [PMID: 36241724 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00742-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
During early mammalian embryonic development, trophoblast cells play an essential role in establishing cell-cell interactions at the maternal-fetal interface to ensure a successful pregnancy. In a recent study, we showed that human fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into induced trophoblast stem (iTS) cells by transcription factor-mediated nuclear reprogramming using the Yamanaka factors OCT4, KLF4, SOX2 and c-MYC (OKSM) and a selection of TS cell culture conditions. The derivation of TS cells from human blastocysts or first-trimester placenta can be limited by difficulties in obtaining adequate material as well as ethical implications. By contrast, the described approach allows the generation of iTS cells from the adult cells of individuals with diverse genetic backgrounds, which are readily accessible to many laboratories around the world. Here we describe a step-by-step protocol for the generation and establishment of human iTS cells directly from dermal fibroblasts using a non-integrative reprogramming method. The protocol consists of four main sections: (1) recovery of cryopreserved human dermal fibroblasts, (2) somatic cell reprogramming, (3) passaging of reprogramming intermediates and (4) derivation of iTS cell cultures followed by routine maintenance of iTS cells. These iTS cell lines can be established in 2-3 weeks and cultured long term over 50 passages. We also discuss several characterization methods that can be performed to validate the iTS cells derived using this approach. Our protocol allows researchers to generate patient-specific iTS cells to interrogate the trophoblast and placenta biology as well as their interactions with embryonic cells in health and diseases.
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23
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Mosavati B, Oleinikov A, Du E. 3D microfluidics-assisted modeling of glucose transport in placental malaria. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15278. [PMID: 36088464 PMCID: PMC9464215 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19422-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta is a critical organ, mediating the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between fetus and mother. Placental malaria (PM) resulted from Plasmodium falciparum infections causes up to 200 thousand newborn deaths annually, mainly due to low birth weight, as well as 10 thousand mother deaths. In this work, a placenta-on-a-chip model is developed to mimic the nutrient exchange between the fetus and mother under the influence of PM. In this model, trophoblasts cells (facing infected or uninfected blood simulating maternal blood and termed “trophoblast side”) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (facing uninfected blood simulating fetal blood and termed “endothelial” side) are cultured on the opposite sides of an extracellular matrix gel in a compartmental microfluidic system, forming a physiological barrier between the co-flow tubular structure to mimic a simplified maternal–fetal interface in placental villi. The influences of infected erythrocytes (IEs) sequestration through cytoadhesion to chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) expressed on the surface of trophoblast cells, a critical feature of PM, on glucose transfer efficiency across the placental barrier was studied. To create glucose gradients across the barrier, uninfected erythrocyte or IE suspension with a higher glucose concentration was introduced into the “trophoblast side” and a culture medium with lower glucose concentration was introduced into the “endothelial side”. The glucose levels in the endothelial channel in response to CSA-adherent erythrocytes infected with CS2 line of parasites in trophoblast channel under flow conditions was monitored. Uninfected erythrocytes served as a negative control. The results demonstrated that CSA-binding IEs added resistance to the simulated placental barrier for glucose perfusion and decreased the glucose transfer across this barrier. The results of this study can be used for better understanding of PM pathology and development of models useful in studying potential treatment of PM.
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24
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Dusza HM, Katrukha EA, Nijmeijer SM, Akhmanova A, Vethaak AD, Walker DI, Legler J. Uptake, Transport, and Toxicity of Pristine and Weathered Micro- and Nanoplastics in Human Placenta Cells. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:97006. [PMID: 36129437 PMCID: PMC9491364 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first evidence of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure in the human placenta is emerging. However, the toxicokinetics and toxicity of MNPs in the placenta, specifically environmentally relevant particles, remain unclear. OBJECTIVES We examined the transport, uptake, and toxicity of pristine and experimentally weathered MNPs in nonsyncytialized and syncytialized BeWo b30 choriocarcinoma cells. METHODS We performed untargeted chemical characterization of pristine and weathered MNPs using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry to evaluate compositional differences following particle weathering. We investigated cellular internalization of pristine and weathered polystyrene (PS; 0.05-10μm) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE; 0-80μm) particles using high-resolution confocal imaging and three-dimensional rendering. We investigated the influence of particle coating with human plasma on the cellular transport of PS particles using a transwell setup and examined the influence of acute MNP exposure on cell viability, damage to the plasma membrane, and expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis. RESULTS Chemical characterization of MNPs showed a significantly higher number of unique features in pristine particles in comparison with weathered particles. Size-dependent placental uptake of pristine and weathered MNPs was observed in both placental cell types after 24 h exposure. Cellular transport was limited and size-dependent and was not influenced by particle coating with human plasma. None of the MNPs affected cell viability. Damage to the plasma membrane was observed only for 0.05μm PS particles in the nonsyncytialized cells at the highest concentration tested (100μg/mL). Modest down-regulation of hsd17b1 was observed in syncytialized cells exposed to pristine MNPs. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that pristine and weathered MNPs are internalized and translocated in placental cells in vitro. Effects on gene expression observed upon pristine PS and HDPE particle exposure warrant further examination. More in-depth investigations are needed to better understand the potential health risks of MNP and chemicals associated with them under environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10873.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M. Dusza
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Eugene A. Katrukha
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra M. Nijmeijer
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Akhmanova
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A. Dick Vethaak
- Deltares, Delft, the Netherlands
- Department of Environment and Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Douglas I. Walker
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Juliette Legler
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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25
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Furer LA, Abad ÁD, Manser P, Hannig Y, Schuerle S, Fortunato G, Buerki-Thurnherr T. Novel electrospun chitosan/PEO membranes for more predictive nanoparticle transport studies at biological barriers. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:12136-12152. [PMID: 35968642 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr01742c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The design of safe and effective nanoparticles (NPs) for commercial and medical applications requires a profound understanding of NP translocation and effects at biological barriers. To gain mechanistic insights, physiologically relevant and accurate human in vitro biobarrier models are indispensable. However, current transfer models largely rely on artificial porous polymer membranes for the cultivation of cells, which do not provide a close mimic of the natural basal membrane and intrinsically provide limited permeability for NPs. In this study, electrospinning is exploited to develop thin chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) membranes with a high porosity and nanofibrous morphology for more predictive NP transfer studies. The nanofiber membranes allow the cultivation of a tight and functional placental monolayer (BeWo trophoblasts). Translocation studies with differently sized molecules and NPs (Na-fluorescein; 40 kDa FITC-Dextran; 25 nm PMMA; 70, 180 and 520 nm polystyrene NPs) across empty and cell containing membranes reveal a considerably enhanced permeability compared to commercial microporous membranes. Importantly, the transfer data of NPs is highly similar to data from ex vivo perfusion studies of intact human placental tissue. Therefore, the newly developed membranes may decisively contribute to establish physiologically relevant in vitro biobarrier transfer models with superior permeability for a wide range of molecules and particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea A Furer
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
- ETH Zürich, Responsive Biomedical Systems Lab, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ángela Díaz Abad
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Pius Manser
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Yvette Hannig
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Simone Schuerle
- ETH Zürich, Responsive Biomedical Systems Lab, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppino Fortunato
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Laboratory for Particles-Biology Interactions, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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26
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Yang S, Feng T, Ma C, Wang T, Chen H, Li L, Liu Y, Zhou B, Zhou R, Li H. Early Pregnancy Human Decidua Gamma/Delta T Cells Exhibit Tissue Resident and Specific Functional Characteristics. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6618535. [PMID: 35758607 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A successful pregnancy is a complicated process that builds upon two aspects of the maternal immune system that need to be balanced. As one of the indispensable groups of immune cell at the maternal-fetal interface, the decidual gamma/delta (γδ) T cells have attracted research attention in normal pregnancy and miscarriage. However, the role of γδ T cells in fetal growth remains poorly understood. Here we found that the γδ T cell population resident in decidua during early pregnancy was enriched and secreted growth factors including growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and bone morphogenetic protein 1 (BMP1). A diminution in such growth factors may impair fetal development and result in fetal growth restriction. We also observed that early decidual γδ T cells exhibited stronger cytokine-secretion characteristics, but that their cytotoxic actions against A549 cells were weaker, compared with γδ T cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, the functional abilities of early decidual γδ T cells in promoting trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation were also significantly more robust than in γδ T cells of PBMCs. These findings highlight the importance of γδ T cells in fetal growth and maternal immunotolerance during pregnancy, and show that they differ from γδ T cells in PBMCs. We thus recommend additional investigation in this research area to further elucidate a role for γδ T cells in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Yang
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Feng
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - ChengYong Ma
- West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tiehao Wang
- West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongqin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital,Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liman Li
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital,Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Li
- Center of Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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27
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Placental Models for Evaluation of Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Systems for Pregnancy Associated Disorders. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050936. [PMID: 35625672 PMCID: PMC9138319 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated disorders affect around 20% of pregnancies each year around the world. The risk associated with pregnancy therapeutic management categorizes pregnant women as “drug orphan” patients. In the last few decades, nanocarriers have demonstrated relevant properties for controlled drug delivery, which have been studied for pregnancy-associated disorders. To develop new drug dosage forms it is mandatory to have access to the right evaluation models to ensure their usage safety and efficacy. This review exposes the various placental-based models suitable for nanocarrier evaluation for pregnancy-associated therapies. We first review the current knowledge about nanocarriers as drug delivery systems and how placenta can be used as an evaluation model. Models are divided into three categories: in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo placental models. We then examine the recent studies using those models to evaluate nanocarriers behavior towards the placental barrier and which information can be gathered from these results. Finally, we propose a flow chart on the usage and the combination of models regarding the nanocarriers and nanoparticles studied and the intended therapeutic strategy.
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28
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Cruz-Lemini M, Vázquez JC, Ullmo J, Llurba E. Low-molecular-weight heparin for prevention of preeclampsia and other placenta-mediated complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:S1126-S1144.e17. [PMID: 34301348 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence on the impact of low-molecular-weight heparin, alone or in combination with low-dose aspirin, for the prevention for preeclampsia in high-risk patients is conflicting. OBJECTIVE We conducted a meta-analysis of studies published to assess the effectiveness of low-molecular-weight heparin for the prevention of preeclampsia and other placenta-related complications in high-risk women. DATA SOURCES A systematic search was performed to identify relevant studies, using the databases PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, without publication time restrictions. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials comparing treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin or unfractionated heparin (with or without low-dose aspirin), in high-risk women, defined as either history of preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal demise, or miscarriage or being at high risk after first-trimester screening of preeclampsia. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS The systematic review was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook guidelines. The primary outcome was the development of preeclampsia. We performed prespecified subgroup analyses according to combination with low-dose aspirin, low-molecular-weight heparin type, gestational age when treatment was started, and study population (patients with thrombophilia, at high risk of preeclampsia or miscarriage). Secondary outcomes included small for gestational age, perinatal death, miscarriage, and placental abruption. Pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a random-effects model. Quality of evidence was assessed using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation methodology. RESULTS A total of 15 studies (2795 participants) were included. In high-risk women, treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin was associated with a reduction in the development of preeclampsia (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.90; P=.010); small for gestational age (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-0.85; P=.003), and perinatal death (odds ratio, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.25-0.94; P=.030). This reduction was stronger if low-molecular-weight heparin was started before 16 weeks' gestation (13 studies, 2474 participants) for preeclampsia (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.39-0.76; P=.0004). When only studies including low-dose aspirin as an intervention were analyzed (6 randomized controlled trials, 920 participants), a significant reduction was observed in those with combined treatment (low-molecular-weight heparin plus low-dose aspirin) compared with low-dose aspirin alone (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.95; P=.030). Overall, adverse events were neither serious nor significantly different. Quality of evidence ranged from very low to moderate, mostly because of the lack of blinding, imprecision, and inconsistency. CONCLUSION Low-molecular-weight heparin use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of preeclampsia and other placenta-mediated complications in high-risk women and when treatment was started before 16 weeks' gestation. Combined treatment with low-dose aspirin was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of preeclampsia compared with low-dose aspirin alone. However, there exists important clinical and statistical heterogeneity, and therefore, these results merit confirmation in large well-designed clinical trials.
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29
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Colson A, Depoix CL, Hubinont C, Debiève F. Isolation of Primary Cytotrophoblasts From Human Placenta at Term. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e4185. [PMID: 34722831 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4185] [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: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a multifaceted organ, fulfilling critical functions for the fetus and the mother. Therefore, it is a critical regulator of the pregnancy, and its dysfunction leads to diseases, including fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. Studying the placenta is a difficult task since its existence is transient, and its structure is specific to our species. In vitro differentiation of primary cytotrophoblast isolated from term human placenta has been widely used in the placental research field as it represents a reliable model to study cellular differentiation and function. Direct alternatives include trophoblastic cell lines, explants, and organoids, but this protocol, based on the separation of the cells on a Percoll gradient, presents the advantage of being relatively cheap and easy to perform in every research laboratory. Furthermore, the 2D culture is a flexible method that can be adapted to various experimental conditions (transfection, drug exposure, metabolic study, observations, etc.), allowing mechanistic explorations of cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Colson
- Pole of Obstetrics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christophe Louis Depoix
- Pole of Obstetrics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Corinne Hubinont
- Pole of Obstetrics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Debiève
- Pole of Obstetrics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
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Costa J, Mackay R, de Aguiar Greca SC, Corti A, Silva E, Karteris E, Ahluwalia A. The Role of the 3Rs for Understanding and Modeling the Human Placenta. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10153444. [PMID: 34362227 PMCID: PMC8347836 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10153444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Modeling the physiology of the human placenta is still a challenge, despite the great number of scientific advancements made in the field. Animal models cannot fully replicate the structure and function of the human placenta and pose ethical and financial hurdles. In addition, increasingly stricter animal welfare legislation worldwide is incentivizing the use of 3R (reduction, refinement, replacement) practices. What efforts have been made to develop alternative models for the placenta so far? How effective are they? How can we improve them to make them more predictive of human pathophysiology? To address these questions, this review aims at presenting and discussing the current models used to study phenomena at the placenta level: in vivo, ex vivo, in vitro and in silico. We describe the main achievements and opportunities for improvement of each type of model and critically assess their individual and collective impact on the pursuit of predictive studies of the placenta in line with the 3Rs and European legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Costa
- Centro di Ricerca E.Piaggio, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (J.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Ruth Mackay
- Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK;
| | | | - Alessandro Corti
- Centro di Ricerca E.Piaggio, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (J.C.); (A.C.)
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisabete Silva
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (S.-C.d.A.G.); (E.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Emmanouil Karteris
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK; (S.-C.d.A.G.); (E.S.); (E.K.)
| | - Arti Ahluwalia
- Centro di Ricerca E.Piaggio, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (J.C.); (A.C.)
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy
- Interuniversity Centro for the Promotion of 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research (Centro3R), Italy
- Correspondence:
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Li M, Sun F, Qian J, Chen L, Li D, Wang S, Du M. Tim-3/CTLA-4 pathways regulate decidual immune cells-extravillous trophoblasts interaction by IL-4 and IL-10. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21754. [PMID: 34191338 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100142r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
To obtain a successful pregnancy, the establishment of maternal-fetal tolerance and successful placentation are required to be established. Disruption of this immune balance and/or inadequate placental perfusion is believed to be associated with a lot of pregnancy-related complications, such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, and fetal intrauterine growth restriction. Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) have the unique ability to instruct decidual immune cells (DICs) to develop a regulatory phenotype for fetal tolerance. Utilizing immortalized human first trimester extravillous trophoblast cells and primary EVTs, we found that DICs promote EVT function and placental development. We have previously shown that checkpoints T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) are important for DIC function. In the present study, we showed that blockade of Tim-3 and CTLA-4 pathways leaded to the abnormal DICs-EVTs interaction, poor placental development, and increased fetal loss. Treatment with IL-4 and IL-10 could rescue the adverse effects of targeting Tim-3 and CTLA-4 on the pregnancy outcome. Hence, the reproductive safety must be a criterion considered in the assessment of immuno-therapeutic agents. In addition, IL-4 and IL-10 may represent novel therapeutic strategies to prevent pregnancy loss induced by checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdie Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Fengrun Sun
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jinfeng Qian
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Lanting Chen
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Dajin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Songcun Wang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Meirong Du
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, P.R. China
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The Downregulation of Placental Lumican Promotes the Progression of Preeclampsia. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:3147-3154. [PMID: 34231169 PMCID: PMC8526455 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00660-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Multiple pieces of evidence illustrate that impaired trophoblast function results in preeclampsia (PE), and migration/invasion of human trophoblast cells is stringently regulated by extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Many studies have indicated abnormal expressions of placental ECM components are associated with preeclampsia. However, the change and influence of lumican, a vital member of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, on trophoblast cells during preeclampsia remain unclear. This study examines the possibility that the roles of lumican in trophoblast cells contribute to PE. To address this issue, the expression of lumican in human placental tissues was observed using immunohistochemistry, fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blot technology. After the HTR-8/SVneo cell line was transfected with pcDNA3.1-human lumican, pGPU6-human lumican shRNA, and their negative controls, the impact of lumican on the HTR-8/SVneo cell line was investigated. Lumican was expressed in human placental tissues. Compared with the control group, its expression was significantly lower in PE placentas. Lumican downregulation inhibited cell proliferation significantly and reduced Bcl-2 expression, but increased P53 expression. These results indicate that the downregulation of placental lumican may drive PE development via promoting the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression and upregulation of P53.
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Stern C, Mayer-Pickel K, Weiss EC, Kutllovci-Hasani K, Nanda M, Eberhard K, Cervar-Zivkovic M, Prüller F. Low Dose Aspirin in high-risk pregnancies: The volatile effect of acetylsalicylic acid on the inhibition of platelets uncovered by G. Born's light transmission aggregometry. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 145:103320. [PMID: 33962140 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia still represents a life-threatening pregnancy complication, associated with severe maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Low-dose Aspirin is advised to avoid preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies worldwide. As Aspirin does not cover all women at risk, the prescription raises questions concerning optimal target population, dosage, and onset of therapy. The aim of this study was to test platelet responsiveness on Aspirin by optical aggegrometry, to gain robust biochemically assessment data of Aspirin in an obstetric cohort. 248 women at high risk for development of preeclampsia were included in the study. Aspirin-prophylaxis was administered either in 100 mg (n = 229) or 150 mg (n = 90) daily. Dosing of 100 mg Aspirin was maintained if testing revealed a sufficient platelet inhibition. If platelet inhibition was insufficient, dosage was increased to 150 mg Aspirin and re-testing was advised. 91 patients (91/229 = 39.7%) presented a sufficient inhibitory Aspirin effect at a dosage of 100 mg, but in 138 patients LTA showed an inadequate Aspirin response (138/229 = 60.3%). In 19 women 150 mg Aspirin was administered as starting dose due to new recommendations. Of all women at 150 mg Aspirin 64 did not properly respond (35.4%). The overall rate of sufficient responding women regardless the Aspirin dose was 64.6%. This study demonstrates still an insufficient inhibition of platelet aggregation in about 1/3 of women even with a dosage of 150 mg Aspirin daily, who might potentially benefit from further increase. These data show, that there is a need for further research to allow a personalized approach for individualized Aspirin therapy, maximizing the preventive benefit for mother and child.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Stern
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - K Mayer-Pickel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - E-C Weiss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - K Kutllovci-Hasani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - M Nanda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - K Eberhard
- Core Facility Computational Bioanalytics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - M Cervar-Zivkovic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - F Prüller
- Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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Shojaei S, Ali MS, Suresh M, Upreti T, Mogourian V, Helewa M, Labouta HI. Dynamic placenta-on-a-chip model for fetal risk assessment of nanoparticles intended to treat pregnancy-associated diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166131. [PMID: 33766738 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pregnant women often have to take medication either for pregnancy-related diseases or for previously existing medical conditions. Current maternal medications pose fetal risks due to off target accumulation in the fetus. Nanoparticles, engineered particles in the nanometer scale, have been used for targeted drug delivery to the site of action without off-target effects. This has opened new avenues for treatment of pregnancy-associated diseases while minimizing risks on the fetus. It is therefore instrumental to study the potential transfer of nanoparticles from the mother to the fetus. Due to limitations of in vivo and ex vivo models, an in vitro model mimicking the in vivo situation is essential. Placenta-on-a-chip provides a microphysiological recapitulation of the human placenta. Here, we reviewed the fetal risks associated with current therapeutic approaches during pregnancy, analyzed the advantages and limitations of current models used for nanoparticle assessment, and highlighted the current need for using dynamic placenta-on-a-chip models for assessing the safety of novel nanoparticle-based therapies during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahla Shojaei
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | - Moustafa S Ali
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | - Madhumita Suresh
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | - Tushar Upreti
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | - Victoria Mogourian
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | - Michael Helewa
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | - Hagar I Labouta
- College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Biomedical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
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35
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Elkin ER, Bakulski KM, Colacino JA, Bridges D, Kilburn BA, Armant DR, Loch-Caruso R. Transcriptional profiling of the response to the trichloroethylene metabolite S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine revealed activation of the eIF2α/ATF4 integrated stress response in two in vitro placental models. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:1595-1619. [PMID: 33725128 PMCID: PMC7961173 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03011-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an industrial solvent and widespread environmental contaminant. Although TCE exposure is prevalent, epidemiological studies of TCE exposure associations with adverse birth outcomes are inconclusive. Prior studies show that the TCE metabolite S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-l-cysteine (DCVC) exhibits toxicity in a placental cell line. In the current study, genome-wide gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses were used to identify novel genes and pathway alterations in the HTR-8/SVneo human trophoblast cell line and human placental villous explants treated with DCVC at concentrations relevant to human exposures. In the cells, concentration- and time-dependent effects were observed, as evidenced by the magnitude of altered gene expression after treatment with 20 µM DCVC versus 10 µM, and 12-h versus 6-h of treatment. Comparing the two models for the transcriptional response to 12-h 20 µM DCVC treatment, no differentially expressed genes reached significance in villous explants, whereas 301 differentially expressed genes were detected in HTR-8/SVneo cells compared with non-treated controls (FDR < 0.05 + LogFC > 0.35 [FC > 1.3]). GSEA revealed five upregulated enriched pathways in common between explants and cells (FDR < 0.05). Moreover, all 12-h DCVC treatment groups from both models contained upregulated pathways enriched for genes regulated by the ATF4 transcription factor. The overrepresentation of ATF4 regulation of differentially expressed genes indicated activation of the integrated stress response (ISR), a condition triggered by multiple stress stimuli, including the unfolded protein response. DCVC-induced ISR activation was confirmed by elevated eIF2α phosphorylation, ATF4 protein concentrations, and decreased global protein synthesis in HTR-8/SVneo cells. This study identifies a mechanism of DCVC-induced cytotoxicity by revealing the involvement of a specific stress signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elana R Elkin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA.
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Justin A Colacino
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA.,Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dave Bridges
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Brian A Kilburn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - D Randall Armant
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Rita Loch-Caruso
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, USA
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Bogacz A, Mikołajczak PŁ, Wolek M, Górska A, Szulc M, Ożarowski M, Kujawski R, Czerny B, Wolski H, Karpiński TM, Seremak-Mrozikiewicz A. Combined Effects of Methyldopa and Flavonoids on the Expression of Selected Factors Related to Inflammatory Processes and Vascular Diseases in Human Placenta Cells-An In Vitro Study. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26051259. [PMID: 33652665 PMCID: PMC7956652 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26051259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate combined effects of flavonoids (apigenin, baicalein, chrysin, quercetin, and scutellarin) and methyldopa on the expression of selected proinflammatory and vascular factors in vitro for prediction of their action in pregnancy-induced hypertension. The research was conducted on a trophoblast-derived human choriocarcinoma cell line and a primary human umbilical vein endothelial cell line. Cytotoxicity of compounds in selected concentrations (20, 40, and 100 µmol) was measured using the MTT test and the concentration of 40 µmol was selected for further analysis. Subsequently, their effects with methyldopa on the expression of selected markers responsible for inflammation (TNF-α; IL-1β; IL-6) and vascular effects (hypoxia-inducible factor 1α—HIF-1α; placental growth factor—PIGF; transforming growth factor β—TGF-β; vascular endothelial growth factor—VEGF) at the mRNA and protein levels were assessed. It was found that every combined administration of a flavonoid and methyldopa in these cells induced a down-regulating effect on all tested factors, except PIGF, especially at the mRNA expression level. As hypertension generally raises TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, HIF-1α, TGF-β, and VEGF mRNA expression and/or protein levels, the results obtained in the studied model may provide a positive prognostic factor for such activity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bogacz
- Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Kolejowa 2, 62-064 Plewiska, Poland; (A.B.); (P.Ł.M.); (A.S.-M.)
| | - Przemysław Ł. Mikołajczak
- Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Kolejowa 2, 62-064 Plewiska, Poland; (A.B.); (P.Ł.M.); (A.S.-M.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5a, 60-806 Poznań, Poland; (M.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Marlena Wolek
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Kolejowa 2, 62-064 Plewiska, Poland; (M.W.); (A.G.); (B.C.)
| | - Aleksandra Górska
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Kolejowa 2, 62-064 Plewiska, Poland; (M.W.); (A.G.); (B.C.)
| | - Michał Szulc
- Department of Pharmacology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5a, 60-806 Poznań, Poland; (M.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Marcin Ożarowski
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, WojskaPolskiego 71b, 60-630 Poznań, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Radosław Kujawski
- Department of Pharmacology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 5a, 60-806 Poznań, Poland; (M.S.); (R.K.)
| | - Bogusław Czerny
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Kolejowa 2, 62-064 Plewiska, Poland; (M.W.); (A.G.); (B.C.)
- Department of General Pharmacology and Pharmacoeconomics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska 48, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Hubert Wolski
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Podhale Multidisciplinary Hospital, 34-400 NowyTarg, Poland;
- Division of Perinatology and Women’s Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Polna 33, 60-535 Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz M. Karpiński
- Chair and Department of Medical Microbiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Wieniawskiego 3, 61-712 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Seremak-Mrozikiewicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Phytochemistry, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Kolejowa 2, 62-064 Plewiska, Poland; (A.B.); (P.Ł.M.); (A.S.-M.)
- Division of Perinatology and Women’s Diseases, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Polna 33, 60-535 Poznań, Poland
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Ma J, Hu H, Lin M, Chen L, Liu M, Li H, Quan S. ELABELA alleviates syncytiotrophoblast hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and preeclampsia-like symptoms in mice by reducing apoptosis. Placenta 2021; 106:30-39. [PMID: 33610935 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with increased syncytiotrophoblast apoptosis. ELABELA (ELA) is a circulating hormone secreted by the placenta. Here, we investigated the involvement of ELA in the pathogenesis of PE. METHODS We measured ELA expression in the placental villi of patients with severe PE and healthy controls. A cellular model of hypoxia and reoxygenation was used to simulate PE hypoxia, and changes in the proliferation and apoptosis of trophoblasts in response to different ELA concentrations were measured. In addition, we used NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) to generate a mouse model of pregnancy-induced hypertension and explore whether ELA can improve the symptoms of PE. RESULTS ELA expression was decreased in severe PE. ELA promoted the proliferation of BeWo cells and improved the decreased cell proliferation rate after hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. ELA reversed the phenotypes of l-NAME-induced PE mice and regulated the expression of mouse placental apoptosis factors. DISCUSSION ELA reduced apoptosis in BeWo cells and improved PE-like symptoms in mice, suggesting its value as a potential novel treatment for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haoyue Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miaoling Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mian Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Song Quan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Pastor-Fernández I, Collantes-Fernández E, Jiménez-Pelayo L, Ortega-Mora LM, Horcajo P. Modeling the Ruminant Placenta-Pathogen Interactions in Apicomplexan Parasites: Current and Future Perspectives. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:634458. [PMID: 33553293 PMCID: PMC7859336 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.634458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are one of the main concerns of the livestock sector as they cause important economic losses in ruminants due to the reproductive failure. It is well-known that the interaction of these parasites with the placenta determines the course of infection, leading to fetal death or parasite transmission to the offspring. However, to advance the development of effective vaccines and treatments, there are still important gaps on knowledge on the placental host-parasite interactions that need to be addressed. Ruminant animal models are still an indispensable tool for providing a global view of the pathogenesis, lesions, and immune responses, but their utilization embraces important economic and ethics restrictions. Alternative in vitro systems based on caruncular and trophoblast cells, the key cellular components of placentomes, have emerged in the last years, but their use can only offer a partial view of the processes triggered after infection as they cannot mimic the complex placental architecture and neglect the activity of resident immune cells. These drawbacks could be solved using placental explants, broadly employed in human medicine, and able to preserve its cellular architecture and function. Despite the availability of such materials is constrained by their short shelf-life, the development of adequate cryopreservation protocols could expand their use for research purposes. Herein, we review and discuss existing (and potential) in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo ruminant placental models that have proven useful to unravel the pathogenic mechanisms and the host immune responses responsible for fetal death (or protection) caused by neosporosis and toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Pilar Horcajo
- Animal Health and Zoonoses (SALUVET) Group, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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39
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Block LN, Bowman BD, Schmidt JK, Keding LT, Stanic AK, Golos TG. The promise of placental extracellular vesicles: models and challenges for diagnosing placental dysfunction in utero†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:27-57. [PMID: 32856695 PMCID: PMC7786267 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring the health of a pregnancy is of utmost importance to both the fetus and the mother. The diagnosis of pregnancy complications typically occurs after the manifestation of symptoms, and limited preventative measures or effective treatments are available. Traditionally, pregnancy health is evaluated by analyzing maternal serum hormone levels, genetic testing, ultrasonographic imaging, and monitoring maternal symptoms. However, researchers have reported a difference in extracellular vesicle (EV) quantity and cargo between healthy and at-risk pregnancies. Thus, placental EVs (PEVs) may help to understand normal and aberrant placental development, monitor pregnancy health in terms of developing placental pathologies, and assess the impact of environmental influences, such as infection, on pregnancy. The diagnostic potential of PEVs could allow for earlier detection of pregnancy complications via noninvasive sampling and frequent monitoring. Understanding how PEVs serve as a means of communication with maternal cells and recognizing their potential utility as a readout of placental health have sparked a growing interest in basic and translational research. However, to date, PEV research with animal models lags behind human studies. The strength of animal pregnancy models is that they can be used to assess placental pathologies in conjunction with isolation of PEVs from fluid samples at different time points throughout gestation. Assessing PEV cargo in animals within normal and complicated pregnancies will accelerate the translation of PEV analysis into the clinic for potential use in prognostics. We propose that appropriate animal models of human pregnancy complications must be established in the PEV field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey N Block
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Brittany D Bowman
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jenna Kropp Schmidt
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Logan T Keding
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Aleksandar K Stanic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Thaddeus G Golos
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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40
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Todosijević J, Scherbakov A, Volkova Y, Jurišić V. Investigation of the effect of steroidal imidazoheterocycles hormone derivatives on JEG-3 trophoblast cells of choriocarcinoma. KRAGUJEVAC JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.5937/kgjsci2143099t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the biological activities of unique steroid hormone derivatives-steroidal imidazoheterocycles. The activity synthesized steroidal compounds were tested for the viability of JEG-3 trophoblast cells of choriocarcinoma. The results of the MTT cytotoxicity test showed that most of the examined steroidal imidazoheterocycles act proliferatively on the JEG-3 cell line, except (E, F, and J). Antiproliferative activity of these derivates is probably influenced by different substituents at position 17-C atom in the chemical structure of the hormone and by different substituents on the oxygen atom of acetamide group in the hormone molecule. In order to better confirm the antiproliferative activity of these derivatives, it is necessary to performed complex research on a large panel of cancer cell lines and by different assay.
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41
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McLeese RH, Zhao J, Fu D, Yu JY, Brazil DP, Lyons TJ. Effects of modified lipoproteins on human trophoblast cells: a role in pre-eclampsia in pregnancies complicated by diabetes. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2021; 9:9/1/e001696. [PMID: 33504507 PMCID: PMC7843297 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pre-eclampsia (PE) is increased ~4-fold by maternal diabetes. Elevated plasma antiangiogenic factors, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFLT-1) and soluble endoglin (sENG), precede PE onset. We investigated whether diabetes-related stresses, modified lipoproteins and elevated glucose enhance trophoblast sFLT-1 and sENG release and/or alter placental barrier function and whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) is in placental tissue. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS HTR8/SVneo cells were exposed to 'heavily-oxidized, glycated' LDL (HOG-LDL) versus native LDL (N-LDL) (10-200 mg protein/L) for 24 hours ±pretreatment with glucose (30 mmol/L, 72 hours). Concentrations of sFLT-1 and sENG in supernatants (by ELISA) and expressions of sFLT-1-I13 and sFLT-1-E15A isoforms, endoglin (ENG) and matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP-14; by RT-PCR) were quantified. For barrier studies, JAR cells were cultured in Transwell plates (12-14 days), then exposed to LDL. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) was measured after 6, 12 and 24 hours. In placental sections from women with and without type 1 diabetes, immunostaining of apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB, a marker of LDL), Ox-LDL and lipoxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal was performed. RESULTS HOG-LDL (50 mg/L) increased sFLT-1 (2.7-fold, p<0.01) and sENG (6.4-fold, p<0.001) in supernatants versus N-LDL. HOG-LDL increased expression of sFLT-1-I13 (twofold, p<0.05), sFLT-1-E15A (1.9-fold, p<0.05), ENG (1.6-fold, p<0.01) and MMP-14 (1.8-fold, p<0.05) versus N-LDL. High glucose did not by itself alter sFLT-1 or sENG concentrations, but potentiated effects of HOG-LDL on sFLT-1 by 1.5-fold (p<0.05) and on sENG by 1.8-fold (p<0.01). HOG-LDL (200 mg/L) induced trophoblast barrier impairment, decreasing TEER at 6 hours (p<0.01), 12 hours (p<0.01) and 24 hours (p<0.05) versus N-LDL. Immunostaining of term placental samples from women both with and without diabetes revealed presence of intravillous modified lipoproteins. CONCLUSION These findings may explain, in part, the high risk for PE in women with diabetes. The trophoblast culture model has potential for evaluating novel therapies targeting barrier dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Helen McLeese
- Division of Endocrinology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Jiawu Zhao
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Dongxu Fu
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Jeremy Y Yu
- Division of Endocrinology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Derek P Brazil
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Timothy J Lyons
- Division of Endocrinology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Io S, Kondoh E, Chigusa Y, Kawasaki K, Mandai M, Yamada AS. New era of trophoblast research: integrating morphological and molecular approaches. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:611-633. [PMID: 32728695 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pregnancy complications are the result of dysfunction in the placenta. The pathogenic mechanisms of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications, however, are unclear. Abnormal placental development in these conditions begins in the first trimester, but no symptoms are observed during this period. To elucidate effective preventative treatments, understanding the differentiation and development of human placenta is crucial. This review elucidates the uniqueness of the human placenta in early development from the aspect of structural characteristics and molecular markers. We summarise the morphogenesis of human placenta based on human specimens and then compile molecular markers that have been clarified by immunostaining and RNA-sequencing data across species. Relevant studies were identified using the PubMed database and Google Scholar search engines up to March 2020. All articles were independently screened for eligibility by the authors based on titles and abstracts. In particular, the authors carefully examined literature on human placentation. This review integrates the development of human placentation from morphological approaches in comparison with other species and provides new insights into trophoblast molecular markers. The morphological features of human early placentation are described in Carnegie stages (CS), from CS3 (floating blastocyst) to CS9 (emerging point of tertiary villi). Molecular markers are described for each type of trophoblast involved in human placental development. We summarise the character of human trophoblast cell lines and explain how long-term culture system of human cytotrophoblast, both monolayer and spheroid, established in recent studies allows for the generation of human trophoblast cell lines. Due to differences in developmental features among species, it is desirable to understand early placentation in humans. In addition, reliable molecular markers that reflect normal human trophoblast are needed to advance trophoblast research. In the clinical setting, these markers can be valuable means for morphologically and functionally assessing placenta-mediated pregnancy complications and provide early prediction and management of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Io
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research & Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiji Kondoh
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Chigusa
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaoru Kawasaki
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masaki Mandai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - And Shigehito Yamada
- Human Health Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Congenital Anomaly Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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43
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Post-Vaccination Yellow Fever Antiserum Reduces Zika Virus in Embryoid Bodies When Placental Cells are Present. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040752. [PMID: 33322247 PMCID: PMC7768546 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040752] [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: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus that originated in Africa but emerged in Latin America in 2015. In this region, other flaviviruses such as Dengue (DENV), West Nile, and Yellow Fever virus (YFV) also circulate, allowing for possible antigenic cross-reactivity to impact viral infections and immune responses. Studies have found antibody-mediated enhancement between DENV and ZIKV, but the impact of YFV antibodies on ZIKV infection has not been fully explored. ZIKV infections cause congenital syndromes, such as microcephaly, necessitating further research into ZIKV vertical transmission through the placental barrier. Recent advancements in biomedical engineering have generated co-culture methods that allow for the in vitro recapitulation of the maternal–fetal interface. This study utilized a transwell assay, which was a co-culture model utilizing human placental syncytiotrophoblasts, fetal umbilical cells, and a differentiating embryoid body, to replicate the maternal–fetal axis. To determine if cross-reactive YFV vaccine antibodies impacted the pathogenesis of ZIKV across the maternal–fetal axis, syncytiotrophoblasts were inoculated with ZIKV or ZIKV incubated with YFV vaccine antisera, and the viral load was measured 72 h post-inoculation. Here, we report that BeWo and HUVEC cells were permissive to ZIKV and that the impact of YFV post-vaccination antibodies on ZIKV replication was cell line-dependent. Embryoid bodies were also permissive to ZIKV, and the presence of YFV antibodies collected 4–14 months post-vaccination reduced ZIKV infection when placental cells were present. However, when directly infected with ZIKV, the embryoid bodies displayed significantly increased viral loads in the presence of YFV antiserum taken 30 days post-vaccination. The data show that each of the cell lines and EBs have a unique response to ZIKV complexed with post-vaccination serum, suggesting there may be cell-specific mechanisms that impact congenital ZIKV infections. Since ZIKV infections can cause severe congenital syndromes, it is crucial to understand any potential enhancement or protection offered from cross-reactive, post-vaccination antibodies.
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Soongsatitanon A, Phupong V. Prediction of preeclampsia using first trimester placental protein 13 and uterine artery Doppler. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:4412-4417. [PMID: 33198548 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1849127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the predictive value for preeclampsia by using serum placental protein 13 (PP13) levels and uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) in the first trimester. METHODS This is a prospective observational study that was conducted in pregnant women with gestational age 11-13+6 weeks. Transabdominal uterine artery Doppler and serum PP13 level were performed at the first trimester aneuploidy screening visit. The predictive values of these tests were calculated. RESULTS Data from 353 pregnant women were analyzed. Twenty-nine cases developed preeclampsia. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of serum PP13 levels in predicting preeclampsia were 51.7, 65.7, 11.9, and 93.8%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the uterine artery PI in predicting preeclampsia were 10.3, 95.7, 17.7, and 92.3%, respectively. When a combination of serum PP13 levels and uterine artery PI were used to predict preeclampsia, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 58.6, 62.9, 12.4 and 94.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that the combination of serum PP13 level and uterine artery Doppler in the first trimester was increased the sensitivity for predicting preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adjima Soongsatitanon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Placental Related diseases Research Unit & Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Vorapong Phupong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Placental Related diseases Research Unit & Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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45
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Gorczyca L, Du J, Bircsak KM, Wen X, Vetrano AM, Aleksunes LM. Low oxygen tension differentially regulates the expression of placental solute carriers and ABC transporters. FEBS Lett 2020; 595:811-827. [PMID: 32978975 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Low oxygen concentration, or hypoxia, is an important physiological regulator of placental function including chemical disposition. Here, we compared the ability of low oxygen tension to alter the expression of solute carriers (SLC) and ABC transporters in two human placental models, namely BeWo cells and term placental explants. We found that exposure to low oxygen concentration differentially regulates transporter expression in BeWo cells, including downregulation of ENT1, OATP4A1, OCTN2, BCRP, and MRP2/3/5, and upregulation of CNT1, OAT4, OATP2B1, SERT, SOAT, and MRP1. Similar upregulation of MRP1 and downregulation of MRP5 and BCRP were observed in explants, whereas uptake transporters were decreased or unchanged. Furthermore, a screening of transcriptional regulators of transporters revealed that hypoxia leads to a decrease in the mRNA levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, and retinoid x receptor alpha in both human placental models. These data suggest that transporter expression is differentially regulated by oxygen concentration across experimental human placental models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludwik Gorczyca
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.,Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jianyao Du
- China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kristin M Bircsak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.,Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Xia Wen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Anna M Vetrano
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Lauren M Aleksunes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.,Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.,Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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46
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Irvin-Choy NS, Nelson KM, Gleghorn JP, Day ES. Design of nanomaterials for applications in maternal/fetal medicine. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:6548-6561. [PMID: 32452510 PMCID: PMC7429305 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb00612b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy complications are commonplace and the challenges of treatment during pregnancy with few options available pose a risk to the health of both the mother and baby. Patients suffering from conditions such as preeclampsia, placenta accreta, and intrauterine growth restriction have few treatment options apart from emergency caesarean section. Fortunately, researchers are beginning to develop nanomedicine-based therapies that could be utilized to treat conditions affecting the mother, placenta, or fetus to improve the prognosis for mothers and their unborn children. This review summarizes the field's current understanding of nanoparticle biodistribution and therapeutic effect following systemic or vaginal administration and overviews the design parameters researchers should consider when developing nanomedicines for maternal/fetal health. It also describes safety considerations for nanomedicines to limit undesirable maternal or fetal side effects and discusses future work that should be performed to advance nanomedicine for maternal/fetal health. With additional development and implementation, the application of nanomedicine to treat pregnancy complications may mitigate the need for emergency caesarean sections and allow pregnancies to extend to term.
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Affiliation(s)
- N'Dea S Irvin-Choy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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Gundacker C, Ellinger I. The unique applicability of the human placenta to the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) concept: the placenta provides fundamental insights into human organ functions at multiple levels of biological organization. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:273-281. [PMID: 32768559 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite the short lifespan of the human placenta, the proper formation and function of the organ is of crucial importance for fetal development. Placental dysfunction increases the risk of complications for mother and child during pregnancy and childbirth and beyond as it predisposes to fetal programming. The placenta is an upstream organ of the fetus. It performs the functions of fetal lungs, liver, intestines, kidneys and glands as long as these organs are not fully functional. Furthermore, it is the only human organ that is non-invasively available either after elective abortion or after birth. This is a crucial point given that the conceptual framework of Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) requires data on organ function. In vitro and ex vivo placental studies, combined with epidemiological and clinical data on pregnant women, newborns, and infants can uniquely cover all levels of information needed to develop new AOPs and complement existing AOPs related to reproductive toxicity and beyond. To stimulate further research in this area and to support researchers in future studies dealing with the development of AOPs related to the placenta, this review first gives a brief description of placental structure, placental development and relevant pregnancy diseases. The state of knowledge about the available placental models, their particularities and limitations are briefly discussed. Finally, the use of placental research for the development of AOPs is presented with an illustrative example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Isabella Ellinger
- Institute for Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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48
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Saso A, Kampmann B. Maternal Immunization: Nature Meets Nurture. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1499. [PMID: 32849319 PMCID: PMC7396522 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinating women in pregnancy (i.e., maternal immunization) has emerged as a promising tool to tackle infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This approach nurtures a 'gift of nature,' whereby antibody is transferred from mother to fetus transplacentally during pregnancy, or postnatally in breast milk, thereby providing passive, antigen-specific protection against infections in the first few months of life, a period of increased immune vulnerability for the infant. In this review, we briefly summarize the rationale for maternal immunization programs and the landscape of vaccines currently in use or in the pipeline. We then direct the focus to the underlying biological phenomena, including the main mechanisms by which maternally derived antibody is transferred efficiently to the infant, at the placental interface or in breast milk; important research models and methodological approaches to interrogate these processes, particularly in the context of recent advances in systems vaccinology; the potential biological and clinical impact of high maternal antibody titres on neonatal ontogeny and subsequent infant vaccine responses; and key vaccine- and host-related factors influencing the maternal-infant dyad across different environments. Finally, we outline important gaps in knowledge and suggest future avenues of research on this topic, proposing potential strategies to ensure optimal testing, delivery and implementation of maternal vaccination programs worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Saso
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
| | - Beate Kampmann
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Vaccines and Immunity Theme, MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM, Banjul, Gambia
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Heidari-Khoei H, Esfandiari F, Hajari MA, Ghorbaninejad Z, Piryaei A, Baharvand H. Organoid technology in female reproductive biomedicine. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2020; 18:64. [PMID: 32552764 PMCID: PMC7301968 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-020-00621-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent developments in organoid technology are revolutionizing our knowledge about the biology, physiology, and function of various organs. Female reproductive biology and medicine also benefit from this technology. Organoids recapitulate features of different reproductive organs including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, as well as trophoblasts. The genetic stability of organoids and long-lasting commitment to their tissue of origin during long-term culture makes them attractive substitutes for animal and in vitro models. Despite current limitations, organoids offer a promising platform to address fundamental questions regarding the reproductive system's physiology and pathology. They provide a human source to harness stem cells for regenerative medicine, heal damaged epithelia in specific diseases, and study biological processes in healthy and pathological conditions. The combination of male and female reproductive organoids with other technologies, such as microfluidics technology, would enable scientists to create a multi-organoid-on-a-chip platform for the next step to human-on-a-chip platforms for clinical applications, drug discovery, and toxicology studies. The present review discusses recent advances in producing organoid models of reproductive organs and highlights their applications, as well as technical challenges and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidar Heidari-Khoei
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 16635-148, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Esfandiari
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 16635-148, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Hajari
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 16635-148, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran
| | - Zeynab Ghorbaninejad
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 16635-148, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran
| | - Abbas Piryaei
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 19395-4719, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, P.O. Box: 16635-148, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran.
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran.
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50
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Shi Y, Qian J, Zhang Q, Hu Y, Sun D, Jiang L. Advanced glycation end products increased placental vascular permeability of human BeWo cells via RAGE/NF-kB signaling pathway. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 250:93-100. [PMID: 32413668 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on cell tight conjunction and placental vascular permeability in BeWo cells. STUDY DESIGN Monolayer permeability assay and transmission electron microscopy were employed to reveal the transformation of the placental vascular permeability and cell tight conjunction. Immunofluorescence, western blot and RT-qPCR were adopted to determine the protein and mRNA levels. Anti-RAGE and NF-kB inhibitor (PDTC) were used to inactivate the RAGE/NF-kB signaling pathway. RESULTS AGEs significantly decreased trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER), while increased paracellular permeability (P < 0.05). TEM showed that AGEs made cell junction loose. AGEs inhibited ZO-1 and Occludin expressions, while anti-RAGE or PDTC partially restored their levels. AGEs also significantly increased mRNA RAGE and NF-kB expressions in BeWo cells (P < 0.05), and their expressions were inhibited by anti-RAGEy or PDTC. CONCLUSION AGEs could reduce the expressions of ZO-1 and Occludin by activating RAGE/NF-kB signaling pathway, thus increasing placental vascular permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehua Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Qian
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Qinfen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dongdong Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
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