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Henriksen T, Sajjad MU, Haugen G, Michelsen TM. Placental energy metabolism: Evidence for a placental-maternal lactate-ketone trade in the human. Placenta 2024; 148:31-37. [PMID: 38350223 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glucose from placenta is the predominant energy source for the fetus. Individual placentas exhibit a range of glucose handling from apparent net production to high consumption, presumably reflecting an ability of placenta to secure both own and fetal energy needs. A dependency of placenta on glucose as the main energy source could impede fetal supply. Placenta seems to release lactate to maternal side implying loss of energy. Whether placenta takes up ketones is unclear. Our main hypothesis was that the human placenta can release lactate to the maternal side but take up maternal ketones. METHODS An in vivo study of term uncomplicated pregnancies including 56 women delivered by cesarean section. We measured uterine and umbilical blood flow by Doppler ultrasonography, combined with blood sampling from maternal radial artery, uterine vein, umbilical artery and vein. Lactate and ketones were determined by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS Placenta released lactate to the maternal side (median -36.65 μmol/min. Q1, Q3: 78.53, 13.29), p < 0.001), but not to the fetal side. A net uptake of maternal ketones was found (median (Q1, Q3): 59.12 (30.64, 131.46) μmol acetate equivalents/min, p < 0.001) which largely was metabolized by the uteroplacenta. The uptake of ketones was comparable in energy to the loss of lactate. DISCUSSION Placenta may release lactate to the maternal side. The energy lost by lactate may be compensated by uptake of maternal ketones. This lactate-ketone trade could benefit both placenta and the fetus by providing lactate for maternal gluconeogenesis and ketones for uteroplacental oxidative energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tore Henriksen
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Muhammad U Sajjad
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guttorm Haugen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Fetal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trond M Michelsen
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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2
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Laundon D, Sengers BG, Thompson J, Harris SE, Beasley O, Basford PJ, Katsamenis OL, Goggin P, Derisoud E, Fanelli D, Bocci C, Camillo F, Shotton J, Constable-Dakeyne G, Gostling NJ, Chavatte-Palmer P, Lewis RM. Convergently evolved placental villi show multiscale structural adaptations to differential placental invasiveness. Biol Lett 2024; 20:20240016. [PMID: 38531417 PMCID: PMC10965330 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2024.0016] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite having a single evolutionary origin and conserved function, the mammalian placenta exhibits radical structural diversity. The evolutionary drivers and functional consequences of placental structural diversity are poorly understood. Humans and equids both display treelike placental villi, however these villi evolved independently and exhibit starkly different levels of invasiveness into maternal tissue (i.e. the number of maternal tissue layers between placental tissue and maternal blood). The villi in these species therefore serve as a compelling evolutionary case study to explore whether placentas have developed structural adaptations to respond to the challenge of reduced nutrient availability in less invasive placentas. Here, we use three-dimensional X-ray microfocus computed tomography and electron microscopy to quantitatively evaluate key structures involved in exchange in human and equid placental villi. We find that equid villi have a higher surface area to volume ratio and deeper trophoblastic vessel indentation than human villi. Using illustrative computational models, we propose that these structural adaptations have evolved in equids to boost nutrient transfer to compensate for reduced invasiveness into maternal tissue. We discuss these findings in relation to the 'maternal-fetal conflict hypothesis' of placental evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis Laundon
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Bram G. Sengers
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - James Thompson
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Shelley E. Harris
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Olivia Beasley
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Rd, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Philip J. Basford
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- μ-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Orestis L. Katsamenis
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- μ-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Patricia Goggin
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Emilie Derisoud
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Diana Fanelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Via Livornese lato monte, 56121 San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlotta Bocci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Via Livornese lato monte, 56121 San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Camillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Via Livornese lato monte, 56121 San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy
| | - Justine Shotton
- Marwell Wildlife, Thompson's Lane, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH, UK
| | | | - Neil J. Gostling
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Rd, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Pascale Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Rohan M. Lewis
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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3
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Šantić K, Biljan B, Kos M, Serdarušić I, Rajc J, Kardum D. Placental Findings in Infants Gestational Age < 34 Weeks and Impact on Short-Term Outcomes. JOURNAL OF MOTHER AND CHILD 2023; 27:168-175. [PMID: 37920111 PMCID: PMC10623114 DOI: 10.34763/jmotherandchild.20222601.d-23-00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM To analyse placental changes in infants' gestational age < 34 weeks and its correlation to short-term respiratory outcomes or death until hospital discharge. MATERIAL AND METHODS Information regarding all in-house born preterm infants born before 34 weeks gestation and born from January 2009 until December 2014 were collected and included among others, placental pathology and relevant data on demographics and outcomes of infants. RESULTS Placental abnormalities was found in 157/253 (65.05%) cases. Acute placental inflammation was found to be the most common in both groups of premature neonates, followed by maternal vascular underperfusion. Maternal vascular underperfusion was significantly more common in GA ≤ 27 weeks compared to infants GA 28-33 weeks (35.2% vs. 13.7%; p = 0.018). Similarly, chronic placental inflammation was more common in infants GA ≤ 27 weeks compared to infants GA 28-33 weeks (14.3% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.014). Infants with placental pathology had a lower median birth weight (1460g vs. 1754g; p = 0.001, and were of shorter median GA at birth (31 vs. 32; p = 0.001). Infants with any placental disease had higher rates of death until hospital discharge (10.2% vs. 3.1%; p = 0.039) and higher rates of any stage of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (41.4% vs. 26.0%; p = 0.013). There were no significant differences in mechanical ventilation rates, duration of mechanical ventilation and duration of supplemental oxygen therapy. CONCLUSION Identifiable placental abnormalities were found in most infants born < 34 weeks gestation. Placental pathology is associated with increased rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and death until hospital discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krešimir Šantić
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
| | - Borna Biljan
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
| | - Martina Kos
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
| | - Ivana Serdarušić
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
- Faculty of Medicine, University J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
| | - Jasmina Rajc
- Faculty of Medicine, University J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
- Clinical Institute for Pathology and Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
| | - Darjan Kardum
- Faculty of Medicine, University J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Centre Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, 31000Osijek, Croatia
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4
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Mercuri ND, Cox BJ. The need for more research into reproductive health and disease. eLife 2022; 11:e75061. [PMID: 36511240 PMCID: PMC9771341 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive diseases have a significant impact on human health, especially on women's health: endometriosis affects 10% of all reproductive-aged women but is often undiagnosed for many years, and preeclampsia claims over 70,000 maternal and 500,000 neonatal lives every year. Infertility rates are also rising. However, relatively few new treatments or diagnostics for reproductive diseases have emerged in recent decades. Here, based on analyses of PubMed, we report that the number of research articles published on non-reproductive organs is 4.5 times higher than the number published on reproductive organs. Moreover, for the two most-researched reproductive organs (breast and prostate), the focus is on non-reproductive diseases such as cancer. Further, analyses of grant databases maintained by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the National Institutes of Health in the United States show that the number of grants for research on non-reproductive organs is 6-7 times higher than the number for reproductive organs. Our results suggest that there are too few researchers working in the field of reproductive health and disease, and that funders, educators and the research community must take action to combat this longstanding disregard for reproductive science.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian J Cox
- Department of Physiology, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
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5
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Ortega MA, Fraile-Martínez O, García-Montero C, Paradela A, Asunción Sánchez-Gil M, Rodriguez-Martin S, De León-Luis JA, Pereda-Cerquella C, Bujan J, Guijarro LG, Alvarez-Mon M, García-Honduvilla N. Unfolding the role of placental-derived Extracellular Vesicles in Pregnancy: From homeostasis to pathophysiology. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1060850. [PMID: 36478738 PMCID: PMC9720121 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1060850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The human placenta is a critical structure with multiple roles in pregnancy, including fetal nutrition and support, immunological, mechanical and chemical barrier as well as an endocrine activity. Besides, a growing body of evidence highlight the relevance of this organ on the maternofetal wellbeing not only during gestation, but also from birth onwards. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are complex macromolecular structures of different size and content, acting as carriers of a diverse set of molecules and information from donor to recipient cells. Since its early development, the production and function of placental-derived EVs are essential to ensure an adequate progress of pregnancy. In turn, the fetus receives and produce their own EVs, highlighting the importance of these components in the maternofetal communication. Moreover, several studies have shown the clinical relevance of EVs in different obstetric pathologies such as preeclampsia, infectious diseases or gestational diabetes, among others, suggesting that they could be used as pathophysiological biomarkers of these diseases. Overall, the aim of this article is to present an updated review of the published basic and translational knowledge focusing on the role of placental-derived EVs in normal and pathological pregnancies. We suggest as well future lines of research to take in this novel and promising field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Principe de Asturias University Hospital, Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martínez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cielo García-Montero
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - María Asunción Sánchez-Gil
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- University Defense Center of Madrid (CUD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Rodriguez-Martin
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Service of Pediatric, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Juan A. De León-Luis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Public and Maternal and Child Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Ma-drid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claude Pereda-Cerquella
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Julia Bujan
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis G. Guijarro
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en El Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas (CIBEREHD), Department of System Biology, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Melchor Alvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology, Oncology Service an Internal Medicine, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en El Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas (CIBEREHD), University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, Alcala de Henares, Spain
| | - Natalio García-Honduvilla
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcala de Henares, Spain
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Sanitary Research (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
- University Defense Center of Madrid (CUD), Madrid, Spain
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6
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Ochoa‐Moreno I, Hanson M. Obesity and diabetes in pregnancy: a perfect storm for transgenerational health. PRACTICAL DIABETES 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pdi.2403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Ochoa‐Moreno
- Institute of Developmental Sciences, School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Southampton UK
| | - Mark Hanson
- Institute of Developmental Sciences, School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton Southampton UK
- Southampton NIHR Biomedical Research Centre University Hospital Southampton UK
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7
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Abstract
Treatment with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in human primed pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) for generating trophoblast lineage cells has sparked debate that the resulting cells are closer to amnion lineage cells rather than trophoblast. This study reports that trophoblast stem-like cells (TSLCs) can be generated from human primed PSCs by a short-term treatment of BMP4 without amnion lineage marker expression. In addition, we describe that TSLCs are self-renewing in long-term culture and bipotent as they can differentiate into functional extravillous trophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts. We propose an alternative method to generate an available model for studying human placental development from human primed PSCs. The placenta is a transient but important multifunctional organ crucial for healthy pregnancy for both mother and fetus. Nevertheless, limited access to human placenta samples and the paucity of a proper in vitro model system have hampered our understanding of the mechanisms underlying early human placental development and placenta-associated pregnancy complications. To overcome these constraints, we established a simple procedure with a short-term treatment of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in trophoblast stem cell culture medium (TSCM) to convert human primed pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to trophoblast stem-like cells (TSLCs). These TSLCs show not only morphology and global gene expression profiles comparable to bona fide human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) but also long-term self-renewal capacity with bipotency that allows the cells to differentiate into functional extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) and syncytiotrophoblasts (ST). These indicate that TSLCs are equivalent to genuine human TSCs. Our data suggest a straightforward approach to make human TSCs directly from preexisting primed PSCs and provide a valuable opportunity to study human placenta development and pathology from patients with placenta-related diseases.
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8
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Davies R, Griffiths C, Askelund K, Palaiologou E, Cleal JK, Page A, Chatelet DS, Goggin P, Chamley L, Lewis RM. Microvillous tip vesicles may be an origin of placental extracellular vesicles. Placenta 2022; 123:24-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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9
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Cleal JK, Poore KR, Lewis RM. The placental exposome, placental epigenetic adaptations and lifelong cardio-metabolic health. Mol Aspects Med 2022; 87:101095. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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10
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DNA methylation mediates a randomized controlled trial home-visiting intervention during pregnancy and the Bayley infant's cognitive scores at 12 months of age. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2022; 13:556-565. [PMID: 35256034 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174421000738] [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: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The crosstalk between maternal stress exposure and fetal development may be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation (DNAm). To address this matter, we collect 32 cord blood samples from low-income Brazilian pregnant adolescents participants of a pilot randomized clinical intervention study (ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT02807818). We hypothesized that the association between the intervention and infant neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months of age would be mediated by DNAm. First, we searched genome methylation differences between cases and controls using different approaches, as well as differences in age acceleration (AA), represented by the difference of methylation age and birth age. According to an adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05 we identified 3090 differentially methylated positions- CpG sites (DMPs), 21 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and one comethylated module weakly preserved between groups. The intervention group presented a smaller AA compared to the control group (p = 0.025). A logistic regression controlled by sex and with gestational age indicated a coefficient of -0.35 towards intervention group (p = 0.016) considering AA. A higher cognitive domain score from Bayley III scale was observed in the intervention group at 12 months of age. Then, we performed a potential causal mediation analysis selecting only DMPs highly associated with the cognitive domain (adj. R2 > 0.4), DMRs and CpGs of hub genes from the weakly preserved comethylated module and epigenetic clock as raw values. DMPs in STXBP6, and PF4 DMR, mediated the association between the maternal intervention and the cognitive domain at 12 months of age. In conclusion, DNAm in different sites and regions mediated the association between intervention and cognitive outcome.
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11
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Ortega MA, Fraile-Martínez O, García-Montero C, Sáez MA, Álvarez-Mon MA, Torres-Carranza D, Álvarez-Mon M, Bujan J, García-Honduvilla N, Bravo C, Guijarro LG, De León-Luis JA. The Pivotal Role of the Placenta in Normal and Pathological Pregnancies: A Focus on Preeclampsia, Fetal Growth Restriction, and Maternal Chronic Venous Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030568. [PMID: 35159377 PMCID: PMC8833914 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a central structure in pregnancy and has pleiotropic functions. This organ grows incredibly rapidly during this period, acting as a mastermind behind different fetal and maternal processes. The relevance of the placenta extends far beyond the pregnancy, being crucial for fetal programming before birth. Having integrative knowledge of this maternofetal structure helps significantly in understanding the development of pregnancy either in a proper or pathophysiological context. Thus, the aim of this review is to summarize the main features of the placenta, with a special focus on its early development, cytoarchitecture, immunology, and functions in non-pathological conditions. In contraposition, the role of the placenta is examined in preeclampsia, a worrisome hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, in order to describe the pathophysiological implications of the placenta in this disease. Likewise, dysfunction of the placenta in fetal growth restriction, a major consequence of preeclampsia, is also discussed, emphasizing the potential clinical strategies derived. Finally, the emerging role of the placenta in maternal chronic venous disease either as a causative agent or as a consequence of the disease is equally treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A. Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Cancer Registry and Pathology Department, Hospital Universitario Principe de Asturias, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-91-885-4540; Fax: +34-91-885-4885
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martínez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Cielo García-Montero
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Miguel A. Sáez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Pathological Anatomy Service, Central University Hospital of Defence-UAH, 28047 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel Álvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Diego Torres-Carranza
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
| | - Melchor Álvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Immune System Diseases-Rheumatology and Oncology Service, University Hospital Príncipe de Asturias, CIBEREHD, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Bujan
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Natalio García-Honduvilla
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; (O.F.-M.); (C.G.-M.); (M.A.S.); (M.A.Á.-M.); (D.T.-C.); (M.Á.-M.); (J.B.); (N.G.-H.)
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Coral Bravo
- Department of Public and Maternal and Child Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.B.); (J.A.D.L.-L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, 28009 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón, 28009 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis G. Guijarro
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research (IRYCIS), 28034 Madrid, Spain;
- Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (CIBEREHD), Department of System Biology, University of Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A. De León-Luis
- Department of Public and Maternal and Child Health, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (C.B.); (J.A.D.L.-L.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, 28009 Madrid, Spain
- Health Research Institute Gregorio Marañón, 28009 Madrid, Spain
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12
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Carvalho DP, Dias AF, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Ortiga-Carvalho TM. Gaps in the knowledge of thyroid hormones and placental biology. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:1033-1048. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Thyroid hormones (THs) are required for the growth and development of the foetus, stimulating anabolism and oxygen consumption from the early stages of pregnancy to the period of foetal differentiation close to delivery. Maternal changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary thyroid axis are also well known. In contrast, several open questions remain regarding the relationships between the placenta and the maternal and foetal TH systems. The exact mechanism by which the placenta participates in regulating the TH concentration in the foetus and mother and the role of TH in the placenta are still poorly studied. In this review, we aim to summarize the available data in the area and highlight significant gaps in our understanding of the ontogeny and cell-specific localization of TH transporters, TH receptors and TH metabolic enzymes in the placenta in both human and rodent models. Significant deficiencies also exist in knowledge of the contribution of genomic and nongenomic effects of TH on the placenta and finally how the placenta reacts during pregnancy when the mother has thyroid disease. By addressing these key knowledge gaps, improved pregnancy outcomes and management of women with thyroid alterations may be possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pereira Carvalho
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ariane Fontes Dias
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Amanda Nancy Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Tania Maria Ortiga-Carvalho
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Laboratório de Endocrinologia Translacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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13
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Impact of intra-uterine life on future health. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2021; 83:54-58. [PMID: 34896342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Since the emergence of the concept of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), suggested by Barker in the 1980s, numerous epidemiological studies in humans have confirmed the relationship between maternal obesity during pregnancy and the risk of offspring developing various chronic adult illnesses. These effects of intrauterine life are independent of inheritance of disease susceptibility genes and/or socio-economic factors. Regarding potential mechanisms, recent data from animal models suggests a role of insulin resistance early in development. Another potential mechanism, in the case of maternal obesity, is increased placental nutrient transfer. The DOHaD concept also includes fetal exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs). A Danish group for the first time recently analyzed EED passage across the placenta in humans throughout pregnancy. This study showed different levels of bioaccumulation depending on the fetal organ, with greater vulnerability in male than female fetuses. Recent clinical studies suggested an association between fetal exposure to particular EEDs and precocious puberty, increased incidence of cryptorchidism and impaired sperm quality in adulthood. These modifications of the in-utero environment also appear to be responsible for epigenetic changes that are transmittable over several generations. A recent example of this is the demonstration of the transmission of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in mice. In summary, an increasing number of examples of the impact of intrauterine life on the health of offspring have appeared in recent years, illustrating the important role that endocrinologists can play in preventing particular pathologies in future generations.
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14
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Uhl O, Lewis RM, Hirschmugl B, Crozier S, Inskip H, Gazquez A, Harvey NC, Cooper C, Desoye G, Koletzko B, Wadsack C, Demmelmair H, Godfrey KM. Placental polar lipid composition is associated with placental gene expression and neonatal body composition. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158971. [PMID: 34029703 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158971] [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: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The polar-lipid composition of the placenta reflects its cellular heterogeneity and metabolism. This study explored relationships between placental polar-lipid composition, gene expression and neonatal body composition. Placental tissue and maternal and offspring data were collected in the Southampton Women's Survey. Lipid and RNA were extracted from placental tissue and polar lipids measured by mass spectrometry, while gene expression was assessed using the nCounter analysis platform. Principal component analysis was used to identify patterns within placental lipid composition and these were correlated with neonatal body composition and placental gene expression. In the analysis of placental lipids, the first three principal components explained 19.1%, 12.7% and 8.0% of variation in placental lipid composition, respectively. Principal component 2 was characterised by high principal component scores for acyl-alkyl-glycerophosphatidylcholines and lipid species containing DHA. Principal component 2 was associated with placental weight and neonatal lean mass; this component was associated with gene expression of APOE, PLIN2, FATP2, FABP4, LEP, G0S2, PNPLA2 and SRB1. Principal components 1 and 3 were not related to birth outcomes but they were associated with the gene expression of lipid related genes. Principal component 1 was associated with expression of LEP, APOE, FATP2 and ACAT2. Principal component 3 was associated with expression of PLIN2, PLIN3 and PNPLA2. This study demonstrates that placentas of different sizes have specific differences in polar-lipid composition and related gene expression. These differences in lipid composition were associated with birth weight and neonatal lean mass, suggesting that placental lipid composition may influence prenatal lean mass accretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Uhl
- Department of Paediatrics, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospitals, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany
| | | | - Birgit Hirschmugl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Sarah Crozier
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Wessex, Southampton Science Park, UK.
| | - Hazel Inskip
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
| | - Antonio Gazquez
- Department of Paediatrics, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospitals, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany; University of Murcia, Department of Physiology, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Nicholas C Harvey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Berthold Koletzko
- Department of Paediatrics, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospitals, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany.
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Hans Demmelmair
- Department of Paediatrics, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospitals, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany.
| | - Keith M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK.
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15
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On the use of multicompartment models of diffusion and relaxation for placental imaging. Placenta 2021; 112:197-203. [PMID: 34392172 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.302] [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: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Multi-compartment models of diffusion and relaxation are ubiquitous in magnetic resonance research especially applied to neuroimaging applications. These models are increasingly making their way into the world of placental imaging. This review provides a framework for their motivation and implementation and describes some of the outstanding questions that need to be answered before they can be routinely adopted.
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16
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Chevalier RL. Bioenergetic Evolution Explains Prevalence of Low Nephron Number at Birth: Risk Factor for CKD. KIDNEY360 2020; 1:863-879. [PMID: 35372951 PMCID: PMC8815749 DOI: 10.34067/kid.0002012020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
There is greater than tenfold variation in nephron number of the human kidney at birth. Although low nephron number is a recognized risk factor for CKD, its determinants are poorly understood. Evolutionary medicine represents a new discipline that seeks evolutionary explanations for disease, broadening perspectives on research and public health initiatives. Evolution of the kidney, an organ rich in mitochondria, has been driven by natural selection for reproductive fitness constrained by energy availability. Over the past 2 million years, rapid growth of an energy-demanding brain in Homo sapiens enabled hominid adaptation to environmental extremes through selection for mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA epigenetically regulated by allocation of energy to developing organs. Maternal undernutrition or hypoxia results in intrauterine growth restriction or preterm birth, resulting in low birth weight and low nephron number. Regulated through placental transfer, environmental oxygen and nutrients signal nephron progenitor cells to reprogram metabolism from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation. These processes are modulated by counterbalancing anabolic and catabolic metabolic pathways that evolved from prokaryote homologs and by hypoxia-driven and autophagy pathways that evolved in eukaryotes. Regulation of nephron differentiation by histone modifications and DNA methyltransferases provide epigenetic control of nephron number in response to energy available to the fetus. Developmental plasticity of nephrogenesis represents an evolved life history strategy that prioritizes energy to early brain growth with adequate kidney function through reproductive years, the trade-off being increasing prevalence of CKD delayed until later adulthood. The research implications of this evolutionary analysis are to identify regulatory pathways of energy allocation directing nephrogenesis while accounting for the different life history strategies of animal models such as the mouse. The clinical implications are to optimize nutrition and minimize hypoxic/toxic stressors in childbearing women and children in early postnatal development.
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17
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Sullivan-Pyke C, Mani S, Rhon-Calderon EA, Ord T, Coutifaris C, Bartolomei MS, Mainigi M. Timing of exposure to gonadotropins has differential effects on the conceptus: evidence from a mouse model†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:854-865. [PMID: 32584398 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Superovulation with gonadotropins alters the hormonal milieu during early embryo development and placentation, and may be responsible for fetal and placental changes observed after in vitro fertilization (IVF). We hypothesized that superovulation has differential effects depending on timing of exposure. To test our hypothesis, we isolated the effect of superovulation on pre- and peri-implantation mouse embryos. Blastocysts were obtained from either natural mating or following superovulation and mating, and were transferred into naturally mated or superovulated pseudopregnant recipient mice. Fetal weight was significantly lower after peri-implantation exposure to superovulation, regardless of preimplantation exposure (p = 0.006). Placentas derived from blastocysts exposed to superovulation pre- and peri-implantation were larger than placentas derived from natural blastocysts that are transferred into a natural or superovulated environment (p < 0.05). Fetal-to-placental weight ratio decreased following superovulation during the pre- or peri-implantation period (p = 0.05, 0.01, respectively) and these effects were additive. Peg3 DNA methylation levels were decreased in placentas derived from exposure to superovulation both pre- and peri-implantation compared with unexposed embryos and exposure of the preimplantation embryo only. Through RNA sequencing on placental tissue, changes were identified in genes involved in immune system regulation, specifically interferon signaling, which has been previously implicated in implantation and maintenance of early pregnancy in mice. Overall, we found that the timing of exposure to gonadotropin stimulation can have differential effects on fetal and placental growth. These findings could impact clinical practice and underscores the importance of dissecting the role of procedures utilized during IVF on pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sneha Mani
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eric A Rhon-Calderon
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Teri Ord
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christos Coutifaris
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Monica Mainigi
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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18
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Palaiologou E, Goggin P, Chatelet DS, Ribeiro de Souza R, Chiu W, Ashley B, Lofthouse EM, Sengers BG, Torrens C, Page AM, Cleal JK, Lewis RM. Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy reveals novel intercellular connections in human term placental microvasculature. J Anat 2020; 237:241-249. [PMID: 32242928 PMCID: PMC7369196 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The placental microvasculature is a conduit for fetal blood allowing solute exchange between the mother and the fetus. Serial block‐face scanning electron microscopy (SBF SEM) allows ultrastructure to be viewed in three dimensions and provides a new perspective on placental anatomy. This study used SBF SEM to study endothelial cells within the human placental microvasculature from uncomplicated pregnancies. Term human placental villi were aldehyde‐fixed and processed for imaging by SBF SEM. Manual segmentation was carried out on a terminal villous capillary and an intermediate villous arteriole and venule. Twenty‐seven SBF SEM stacks from terminal villi were analysed using stereological approaches to determine the volumes of microvascular components and the proportions of pericyte coverage. SBF SEM analysis of capillary endothelial cells revealed the presence of interendothelial protrusions (IEPs) originating from the donor cell at the endothelial junction and forming deep thin projections up to 7 μm into the adjacent endothelial cells. IEP density was estimated to be in the order of 35 million cm–3 placental tissue. Pericytes cover 15% of the fetal capillary surface area in terminal villi. In comparison, the cytotrophoblast covered 24% of the syncytiotrophoblast basal membrane. A trans‐endothelial channel was observed in a region of the vasculo‐syncytial capillary. Pericyte coverage was extensive in both arteriole and venule. Three‐dimensional imaging of the placental microvasculature identified novel ultrastructural features and provided an insight into factors that may influence capillary permeability and placental function. We hypothesise that the IEPs may allow mechanosensing between adjacent endothelial cells to assist in the maintenance of vessel integrity. The numbers of endothelial junctions, the presence of trans‐endothelial channels and the extent of pericyte coverage all provide an insight into the factors determining capillary permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Palaiologou
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Patricia Goggin
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - David S Chatelet
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Wendy Chiu
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Brogan Ashley
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Emma M Lofthouse
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Bram G Sengers
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Christopher Torrens
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Anton M Page
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jane K Cleal
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Rohan M Lewis
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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19
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Chevalier RL. Evolution, kidney development, and chronic kidney disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 91:119-131. [PMID: 29857053 PMCID: PMC6281795 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
There is a global epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) characterized by a progressive loss of nephrons, ascribed in large part to a rising incidence of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. There is a ten-fold variation in nephron number at birth in the general population, and a 50% overall decrease in nephron number in the last decades of life. The vicious cycle of nephron loss stimulating hypertrophy by remaining nephrons and resulting in glomerulosclerosis has been regarded as maladaptive, and only partially responsive to angiotensin inhibition. Advances over the past century in kidney physiology, genetics, and development have elucidated many aspects of nephron formation, structure and function. Parallel advances have been achieved in evolutionary biology, with the emergence of evolutionary medicine, a discipline that promises to provide new insight into the treatment of chronic disease. This review provides a framework for understanding the origins of contemporary developmental nephrology, and recent progress in evolutionary biology. The establishment of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), ecological developmental biology (eco-devo), and developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) followed the discovery of the hox gene family, the recognition of the contribution of cumulative environmental stressors to the changing phenotype over the life cycle, and mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. The maturation of evolutionary medicine has contributed to new investigative approaches to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and infectious disease, and promises the same for CKD. By incorporating these principles, developmental nephrology is ideally positioned to answer important questions regarding the fate of nephrons from embryo through senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Chevalier
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Virginia, P.O. Box 800386, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
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20
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Lewis RM, Childs CE, Calder PC. New perspectives on placental fatty acid transfer. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2018; 138:24-29. [PMID: 30392577 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The human foetus depends on placental transfer for the fatty acids required for its growth and development. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) may specifically influence neurodevelopment. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms of placental transfer of LC-PUFAs. The simple view of placental fatty acid transfer is that it occurs by diffusion down the maternal to foetal gradient, facilitated by membrane transporters. This view has been complicated by studies highlighting the role of placental metabolism in fatty acid transfer. Most fatty acids taken up by the placenta will be esterified and incorporated into lipid rather than diffusing directly across to the foetus. Furthermore, this esterification is likely to mean that placental intracellular "free" fatty acid concentrations are lower than in foetal plasma which would not be conducive to simple diffusion of fatty acids to the foetus. Placental structure poses additional questions, in particular how fatty acids cross the hydrophilic villous stroma separating the trophoblast from the endothelium and how they cross the endothelium itself. The understanding of placental fatty acid transfer needs to evolve to address these questions. The role of the placenta is not simply to mediate solute transfer; it is also a central endocrine organ of pregnancy. Placental-derived lipid mediators, such as prostaglandins, have well-established roles in parturition and, almost certainly, throughout gestation. Metabolic targeting of specific fatty acids to different lipid pools in the placenta may determine their availability as both nutrients and signalling molecules. Placental transfer will determine fatty acid availability within the foetus as well as influencing maternal levels. Fatty acids and their derivatives may also act as signals to the placenta indicating metabolic states in both mother and foetus. Placental uptake and metabolism of LC-PUFAs are important to meet both foetal and placental demands. This paper will review placental fatty acid transfer and metabolism and highlight issues which need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan M Lewis
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 887, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
| | - Caroline E Childs
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 887, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Philip C Calder
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, MP 887, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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21
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Romero R, Kim YM, Pacora P, Kim CJ, Benshalom-Tirosh N, Jaiman S, Bhatti G, Kim JS, Qureshi F, Jacques SM, Jung EJ, Yeo L, Panaitescu B, Maymon E, Hassan SS, Hsu CD, Erez O. The frequency and type of placental histologic lesions in term pregnancies with normal outcome. J Perinat Med 2018; 46:613-630. [PMID: 30044764 PMCID: PMC6174692 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2018-0055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective To determine the frequency and type of histopathologic lesions in placentas delivered by women with a normal pregnancy outcome. Methods This retrospective cohort study included placental samples from 944 women with a singleton gestation who delivered at term without obstetrical complications. Placental lesions were classified into the following four categories as defined by the Society for Pediatric Pathology and by our unit: (1) acute placental inflammation, (2) chronic placental inflammation, (3) maternal vascular malperfusion and (4) fetal vascular malperfusion. Results (1) Seventy-eight percent of the placentas had lesions consistent with inflammatory or vascular lesions; (2) acute inflammatory lesions were the most prevalent, observed in 42.3% of the placentas, but only 1.0% of the lesions were severe; (3) acute inflammatory lesions were more common in the placentas of women with labor than in those without labor; (4) chronic inflammatory lesions of the placenta were present in 29.9%; and (5) maternal and fetal vascular lesions of malperfusion were detected in 35.7% and 19.7%, respectively. Two or more lesions with maternal or fetal vascular features consistent with malperfusion (high-burden lesions) were present in 7.4% and 0.7%, respectively. Conclusion Most placentas had lesions consistent with inflammatory or vascular lesions, but severe and/or high-burden lesions were infrequent. Mild placental lesions may be interpreted either as acute changes associated with parturition or as representative of a subclinical pathological process (intra-amniotic infection or sterile intra-amniotic inflammation) that did not affect the clinical course of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Yeon Mee Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Pathology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Percy Pacora
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Chong Jai Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Neta Benshalom-Tirosh
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Sunil Jaiman
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Pathology, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Jung-Sun Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Pathology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Faisal Qureshi
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Pathology, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Suzanne M. Jacques
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Pathology, Hutzel Women’s Hospital, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Eun Jung Jung
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Lami Yeo
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Bogdan Panaitescu
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Eli Maymon
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Sonia S. Hassan
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Chaur-Dong Hsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
| | - Offer Erez
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
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Paauw ND, Lely AT, Joles JA, Franx A, Nikkels PG, Mokry M, van Rijn BB. H3K27 acetylation and gene expression analysis reveals differences in placental chromatin activity in fetal growth restriction. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:85. [PMID: 29983832 PMCID: PMC6020235 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0508-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Posttranslational modification of histone tails such as histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) is tightly coupled to epigenetic regulation of gene expression. To explore whether this is involved in placenta pathology, we probed genome-wide H3K27ac occupancy by chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) in healthy placentas and placentas from pathological pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR). Furthermore, we related specific acetylation profiles of FGR placentas to gene expression changes. Results Analysis of H3K27ac occupancy in FGR compared to healthy placentas showed 970 differentially acetylated regions distributed throughout the genome. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering revealed complete segregation of the FGR and control group. Next, we identified 569 upregulated genes and 521 downregulated genes in FGR placentas by RNA sequencing. Differential gene transcription largely corresponded to expected direction based on H3K27ac status. Pathway analysis on upregulated transcripts originating from hyperacetylated sites revealed genes related to the HIF-1-alpha transcription factor network and several other genes with known involvement in placental pathology (LEP, FLT1, HK2, ENG, FOS). Downregulated transcripts in the vicinity of hypoacetylated sites were related to the immune system and growth hormone receptor signaling. Additionally, we found enrichment of 141 transcription factor binding motifs within differentially acetylated regions. Of the corresponding transcription factors, four were upregulated, SP1, ARNT2, HEY2, and VDR, and two downregulated, FOSL and NR4A1. Conclusion We demonstrate a key role for genome-wide alterations in H3K27ac in FGR placentas corresponding with changes in transcription profiles of regions relevant to placental function. Future studies on the role of H3K27ac in FGR and placental-fetal development may help to identify novel targets for therapy of this currently incurable disease. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13148-018-0508-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- N D Paauw
- 1Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Birth Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,6Division Woman and Baby, University Medical Center Utrecht, Postbus 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A T Lely
- 1Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Birth Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - J A Joles
- 2Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A Franx
- 1Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Birth Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - P G Nikkels
- 3Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - M Mokry
- 4Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - B B van Rijn
- 1Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Birth Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,5Academic Unit of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,6Division Woman and Baby, University Medical Center Utrecht, Postbus 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, the Netherlands
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23
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Hirschmugl B, Crozier S, Matthews N, Kitzinger E, Klymiuk I, Inskip HM, Harvey NC, Cooper C, Sibley CP, Glazier J, Wadsack C, Godfrey KM, Desoye G, Lewis RM. Relation of placental alkaline phosphatase expression in human term placenta with maternal and offspring fat mass. Int J Obes (Lond) 2018; 42:1202-1210. [PMID: 29899523 PMCID: PMC6173293 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-018-0136-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alkaline phosphatase is implicated in intestinal lipid transport and in the development of obesity. Placental alkaline phosphatase is localised to the microvillous plasma membrane of the placental syncytiotrophoblast at the maternal-fetal interface, but its role is unclear. We investigated the relations of placental alkaline phosphatase activity and mRNA expression with maternal body composition and offspring fat mass in humans. METHODS Term human placentas from the UK Birthright cohort (n = 52) and the Southampton Women's Survey (SWS) (n = 95) were studied. In the Birthright cohort, alkaline phosphatase activity was measured in placental microvillous plasma membrane vesicles. In the SWS, alkaline phosphatase mRNA was measured using Nanostring. Alkaline phosphatase gene expression was compared to other lipid-related genes. RESULTS In Birthright samples placental microvillous plasma membrane alkaline phosphatase activity was positively associated with maternal triceps skinfold thickness and BMI (β = 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01-0.06) and β = 0.02 (0.00-0.03) µmol/mg protein/min per SD, P = 0.002 and P = 0.05, respectively) after adjusting for potential confounders. In SWS samples placental alkaline phosphatase mRNA expression in term placenta was positively associated with maternal triceps skinfold (β = 0.24 (0.04, 0.44) SD/SD, P = 0.02), had no association with neonatal %fat mass (β = 0.01 (-0.20 to 0.21) SD/SD, P = 0.93) and was negatively correlated with %fat mass at ages 4 (β = -0.28 (-0.52 to -0.04) SD/SD, P = 0.02), 6-7 (β = -0.25 (-0.49 to -0.02) SD/SD, P = 0.03) years. When compared with placental expression of other genes, alkaline phosphatase expression was positively related to genes including the lysophosphatidylcholine transporter MFSD2A (major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A, P < 0.001) and negatively related to genes including the fatty acid transport proteins 2 and 3 (P = 0.001, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest relationships between placental alkaline phosphatase and both maternal and childhood adiposity. The inverse relationship between placental alkaline phosphatase gene expression and childhood %fat mass suggests that placental alkaline phosphatase may help to protect the foetus from the adverse effects of maternal obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Hirschmugl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sarah Crozier
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Nina Matthews
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Eva Kitzinger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ingeborg Klymiuk
- Core Facility Molecular Biology, Centre for Medical Research, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Hazel M Inskip
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Nicholas C Harvey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Colin P Sibley
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Jocelyn Glazier
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Keith M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rohan M Lewis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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24
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Heerwagen MJR, Gumina DL, Hernandez TL, Van Pelt RE, Kramer AW, Janssen RC, Jensen DR, Powell TL, Friedman JE, Winn VD, Barbour LA. Placental lipoprotein lipase activity is positively associated with newborn adiposity. Placenta 2018; 64:53-60. [PMID: 29626981 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Recent data suggest that in addition to glucose, fetal growth is related to maternal triglycerides (TG). To reach the fetus, TG must be hydrolyzed to free fatty acids (FFA) and transported across the placenta, but regulation is uncertain. Placental lipoprotein lipase (pLPL) hydrolyzes TG, both dietary chylomicron TG (CM-TG) and very-low density lipoprotein TG (VLDL-TG), to FFA. This may promote fetal fat accretion by increasing the available FFA pool for placental uptake. We tested the novel hypothesis that pLPL activity, but not maternal adipose tissue LPL activity, is associated with newborn adiposity and higher maternal TG. METHODS Twenty mothers (n = 13 normal-weight; n = 7 obese) were prospectively recruited. Maternal glucose, insulin, TG (total, CM-TG, VLDL-TG), and FFA were measured at 14-16, 26-28, and 36-37 weeks, and adipose tissue LPL was measured at 26-28 weeks. At term delivery, placental villous biopsies were immediately analyzed for pLPL enzymatic activity. Newborn percent body fat (newborn %fat) was assessed by skinfolds. RESULTS Placental LPL activity was positively correlated with birthweight (r = 0.48;P = 0.03) and newborn %fat (r = 0.59;P = 0.006), further strengthened by correcting for gestational age at delivery (r = 0.75;P = 0.0001), but adipose tissue LPL was not. Maternal TG and BMI were not correlated with pLPL activity. Additionally, pLPL gene expression, while modestly correlated with enzymatic activity (r = 0.53;P < 0.05), was not correlated with newborn adiposity. DISCUSSION This is the first study to show a positive correlation between pLPL activity and newborn %fat. Placental lipase regulation and the role of pLPL in pregnancies characterized by nutrient excess and fetal overgrowth warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret J R Heerwagen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Diane L Gumina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Teri L Hernandez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; College of Nursing, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rachael E Van Pelt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anita W Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rachel C Janssen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dalan R Jensen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jacob E Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Virginia D Winn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Linda A Barbour
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Abstract
Environmental conditions during pregnancy affect fetal growth and development and program the offspring for poor future health. These effects may be mediated by the placenta, which develops to transfer nutrients from the mother to the fetus for growth. The ability to measure the unidirectional maternofetal transfer of non-metabolizable radio-analogues of glucose and amino acid by the placenta in vivo has thus been invaluable to our understanding of the regulation of fetal growth, particularly in small animal models. Herein, I describe the method by which in vivo placental transfer function can be quantified in the mouse, an animal model widely used in studies of in utero disease programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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26
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Transplacental nutrient transfer in the human in vivo determined by 4 vessel sampling. Placenta 2017; 59 Suppl 1:S26-S31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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27
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Simner C, Novakovic B, Lillycrop KA, Bell CG, Harvey NC, Cooper C, Saffery R, Lewis RM, Cleal JK. DNA methylation of amino acid transporter genes in the human placenta. Placenta 2017; 60:64-73. [PMID: 29208242 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Placental transfer of amino acids via amino acid transporters is essential for fetal growth. Little is known about the epigenetic regulation of amino acid transporters in placenta. This study investigates the DNA methylation status of amino acid transporters and their expression across gestation in human placenta. METHODS BeWo cells were treated with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine to inhibit methylation and assess the effects on amino acid transporter gene expression. The DNA methylation levels of amino acid transporter genes in human placenta were determined across gestation using DNA methylation array data. Placental amino acid transporter gene expression across gestation was also analysed using data from publically available Gene Expression Omnibus data sets. The expression levels of these transporters at term were established using RNA sequencing data. RESULTS Inhibition of DNA methylation in BeWo cells demonstrated that expression of specific amino acid transporters can be inversely associated with DNA methylation. Amino acid transporters expressed in term placenta generally showed low levels of promoter DNA methylation. Transporters with little or no expression in term placenta tended to be more highly methylated at gene promoter regions. The transporter genes SLC1A2, SLC1A3, SLC1A4, SLC7A5, SLC7A11 and SLC7A10 had significant changes in enhancer DNA methylation across gestation, as well as gene expression changes across gestation. CONCLUSION This study implicates DNA methylation in the regulation of amino acid transporter gene expression. However, in human placenta, DNA methylation of these genes remains low across gestation and does not always play an obvious role in regulating gene expression, despite clear evidence for differential expression as gestation proceeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Simner
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - B Novakovic
- Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - K A Lillycrop
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; Centre for Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - C G Bell
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK
| | - N C Harvey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - C Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust, UK; NIHR Oxford Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, UK
| | - R Saffery
- Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - R M Lewis
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - J K Cleal
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.
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28
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Heywood WE, Preece RL, Pryce J, Hallqvist J, Clayton R, Virasami A, Mills K, Sebire NJ. Proteomic profiling reveals sub proteomes of the human placenta. Placenta 2017; 59:69-72. [PMID: 29108639 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Proteomic characterisation of the placenta has largely been focused on effect of disease, anatomical features or specific cell types. We describe an unbiased proteomic mapping analysis to investigate how the placental proteome changes throughout the organ. A transverse slice of a human placenta was sectioned into 1 × 1cm samples. Sections were analysed using label free proteomics. Analysis revealed two distinct sub-proteomes that did not have anatomical significance. One had a muscular proteome and the other had distinct immunomodulation functions. Chorionic plate enriched proteins highlighted the fetal tissues high energy requirements whilst mechanisms of the decidua observed included modulation of cortisone levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy E Heywood
- Centre for Translational Omics, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH UK
| | - Rhian-Lauren Preece
- Histopathology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Jeremy Pryce
- Histopathology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Jenny Hallqvist
- Centre for Translational Omics, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH UK
| | - Robert Clayton
- Centre for Translational Omics, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH UK
| | - Alex Virasami
- Histopathology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK
| | - Kevin Mills
- Centre for Translational Omics, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH UK
| | - Neil J Sebire
- Histopathology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK.
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29
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Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes of Patients with History of First-Trimester Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:4359424. [PMID: 28798930 PMCID: PMC5536133 DOI: 10.1155/2017/4359424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although a history of first-trimester recurrent spontaneous abortion (FRSA) is regarded as a risk factor in antenatal care, the characteristic of subsequent pregnancy outcome is not clearly elucidated. Here, a retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 492 singleton pregnant women. 164 of them with the history of FRSA were enrolled in study group, compared to 328 deliveries without the history of FRSA. For maternal outcomes, patients in the study group delivered earlier with mean gestational age and the incidences of cesarean section and postpartum hemorrhage were higher compared to the control group. For placental outcomes, the incidence of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (PMPC) in the study group increased in terms of late-onset preeclampsia, oligohydramnios, early-onset fetal growth restriction, and second-trimester abortion. Patients in the study group were more likely to suffer from placenta accreta, placenta increta, and placenta percreta. For perinatal outcomes, the proportion of birth defects of newborns in the study group was greater. At last, logistic regression analyses showed that the history of FRSA was an independent risk factor for cesarean section and pregnancy complications. In conclusion, women with the history of FRSA are often exposed to an elevated incidence of maternal-placental-perinatal adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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30
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Li M, Cheng W, Luo J, Hu X, Nie T, Lai H, Zheng X, Li F, Li H. Loss of selenocysteine insertion sequence binding protein 2 suppresses the proliferation, migration/invasion and hormone secretion of human trophoblast cells via the PI3K/Akt and ERK signaling pathway. Placenta 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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31
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Reduced fetal vitamin D status by maternal undernutrition during discrete gestational windows in sheep. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2017; 8:370-381. [PMID: 28327211 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174417000149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Placental transport of vitamin D and other nutrients (e.g. amino acids, fats and glucose) to the fetus is sensitive to maternal and fetal nutritional cues. We studied the effect of maternal calorific restriction on fetal vitamin D status and the placental expression of genes for nutrient transport [aromatic T-type amino acid transporter-1 (TAT-1); triglyceride hydrolase/lipoprotein uptake facilitator lipoprotein lipase (LPL)] and vitamin D homeostasis [CYP27B1; vitamin D receptor (VDR)], and their association with markers of fetal cardiovascular function and skeletal muscle growth. Pregnant sheep received 100% total metabolizable energy (ME) requirements (control), 40% total ME requirements peri-implantation [PI40, 1-31 days of gestation (dGA)] or 50% total ME requirements in late gestation (L, 104-127 dGA). Fetal, but not maternal, plasma 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) concentration was lower in PI40 and L maternal undernutrition groups (P<0.01) compared with the control group at 0.86 gestation. PI40 group placental CYP27B1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were increased (P<0.05) compared with the control group. Across all groups, higher fetal plasma 25OHD concentration was associated with higher skeletal muscle myofibre and capillary density (P<0.05). In the placenta, higher VDR mRNA levels were associated with higher TAT-1 (P<0.05) and LPL (P<0.01) mRNA levels. In the PI40 maternal undernutrition group only, reduced fetal plasma 25OHD concentration may be mediated in part by altered placental CYP27B1. The association between placental mRNA levels of VDR and nutrient transport genes suggests a way in which the placenta may integrate nutritional cues in the face of maternal dietary challenges and alter fetal physiology.
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32
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Banu SK, Stanley JA, Sivakumar KK, Taylor RJ, Arosh JA, Burghardt RC. Editor's Highlight: Exposure to CrVI during Early Pregnancy Increases Oxidative Stress and Disrupts the Expression of Antioxidant Proteins in Placental Compartments. Toxicol Sci 2017; 155:497-511. [PMID: 28077780 PMCID: PMC5291216 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfw231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies document relationships between chromium VI (CrVI) exposure and increased risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, preterm birth, and neonatal death in pregnant women. Environmental contamination with CrVI is a growing problem both in the United States and developing countries. CrVI is widely used in numerous industries. This study was designed to understand the mechanism of CrVI toxicity on placental oxidative stress and antioxidant (AOX) machinery. Pregnant mother rats were treated with or without CrVI (50 ppm K2Cr2O7) through drinking water from gestational day (GD) 9.5-14.5, and placentas were analyzed on GD 18.5. Results indicated that CrVI reduced the trophoblast cell population. CrVI increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased the expression of AOX proteins. CrVI disrupts the trophoblast proliferation of the placenta. This study provides insight into the critical role of AOXs in placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakhila K Banu
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Mail stop TAMU 4458, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Jone A Stanley
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Mail stop TAMU 4458, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Kirthiram K Sivakumar
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Mail stop TAMU 4458, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Robert J Taylor
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Mail stop TAMU 4458, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Joe A Arosh
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Mail stop TAMU 4458, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
| | - Robert C Burghardt
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Mail stop TAMU 4458, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843
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Infant's DNA Methylation Age at Birth and Epigenetic Aging Accelerators. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:4515928. [PMID: 28058257 PMCID: PMC5183755 DOI: 10.1155/2016/4515928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2016] [Revised: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Knowing the biological age of the neonates enables us to evaluate and better understand the health and maturity comprehensively. However, because of dearth of biomarkers, it is difficult to quantify the neonatal biological age. Here we sought to quantify and assess the variability in biological age at birth and to better understand how the aging rates before birth are influenced by exposure in intrauterine period by employing a novel epigenetic biomarker of aging (epigenetic clock). We observed that the methylation age at birth was independent of the infant's sex but was significantly influenced by race. Partial correlation analysis showed a significant negative relationship between maternal socioeconomic status and infants' methylation age (rs = −0.48, Ps = 0.005). A significant association with the risk of fast aging was observed for prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke with OR (95% CI) of 3.17 (1.05–9.56). Both estimated cell abundance measures and lymphocyte subpopulations in cord blood showed that tobacco exposed group exhibit an altered T cell compartment, specifically substantial loss of naive T cells. Present study provides the first evidence that common perinatal exposure (such as maternal smoking and lower socioeconomic status) may be important aging accelerators and substantial loss of naive T cells may play a role in the smoking-related fast aging phenomenon.
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Placenta plays a critical role in maternal-fetal resource allocation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:11066-11068. [PMID: 27660237 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613437113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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"Cumulative Stress": The Effects of Maternal and Neonatal Oxidative Stress and Oxidative Stress-Inducible Genes on Programming of Atopy. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2016; 2016:8651820. [PMID: 27504149 PMCID: PMC4967692 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8651820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although extensive epidemiological and laboratory studies have been performed to identify the environmental and immunological causes of atopy, genetic predisposition seems to be the biggest risk factor for allergic diseases. The onset of atopic diseases may be the result of heritable changes of gene expression, without any alteration in DNA sequences occurring in response to early environmental stimuli. Findings suggest that the establishment of a peculiar epigenetic pattern may also be generated by oxidative stress (OS) and perpetuated by the activation of OS-related genes. Analyzing the role of maternal and neonatal oxidative stress and oxidative stress-inducible genes, the purpose of this review was to summarize what is known about the relationship between maternal and neonatal OS-related genes and the development of atopic diseases.
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36
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The 'Developmental Origins' Hypothesis: relevance to the obstetrician and gynecologist. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2016; 6:415-24. [PMID: 26347389 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174415001324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The recognition of 'fetal origins of adult disease' has placed new responsibilities on the obstetrician, as antenatal care is no longer simply about ensuring good perinatal outcomes, but also needs to plan for optimal long-term health for mother and baby. Recently, it has become clear that the intrauterine environment has a broad and long-lasting impact, influencing fetal and childhood growth and development as well as future cardiovascular health, non-communicable disease risk and fertility. This article looks specifically at the importance of the developmental origins of ovarian reserve and ageing, the role of the placenta and maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy. It also reviews recent insights in developmental medicine of relevance to the obstetrician, and outlines emerging evidence supporting a proactive clinical approach to optimizing periconceptional as well as antenatal care aimed to protect newborns against long-term disease susceptibility.
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Maternal fructose drives placental uric acid production leading to adverse fetal outcomes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25091. [PMID: 27125896 PMCID: PMC4850405 DOI: 10.1038/srep25091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal metabolic diseases increase offspring risk for low birth weight and cardiometabolic diseases in adulthood. Excess fructose consumption may confer metabolic risks for both women and their offspring. However, the direct consequences of fructose intake per se are unknown. We assessed the impact of a maternal high-fructose diet on the fetal-placental unit in mice in the absence of metabolic syndrome and determined the association between maternal serum fructose and placental uric acid levels in humans. In mice, maternal fructose consumption led to placental inefficiency, fetal growth restriction, elevated fetal serum glucose and triglyceride levels. In the placenta, fructose induced de novo uric acid synthesis by activating the activities of the enzymes AMP deaminase and xanthine oxidase. Moreover, the placentas had increased lipids and altered expression of genes that control oxidative stress. Treatment of mothers with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol reduced placental uric acid levels, prevented placental inefficiency, and improved fetal weights and serum triglycerides. Finally, in 18 women delivering at term, maternal serum fructose levels significantly correlated with placental uric acid levels. These findings suggest that in mice, excess maternal fructose consumption impairs placental function via a xanthine oxidase/uric acid-dependent mechanism, and similar effects may occur in humans.
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Panitchob N, Widdows KL, Crocker IP, Johnstone ED, Please CP, Sibley CP, Glazier JD, Lewis RM, Sengers BG. Computational modelling of placental amino acid transfer as an integrated system. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:1451-61. [PMID: 27045077 PMCID: PMC4884669 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Placental amino acid transfer is essential for fetal development and its impairment is associated with poor fetal growth. Amino acid transfer is mediated by a broad array of specific plasma membrane transporters with overlapping substrate specificity. However, it is not fully understood how these different transporters work together to mediate net flux across the placenta. Therefore the aim of this study was to develop a new computational model to describe how human placental amino acid transfer functions as an integrated system. Amino acid transfer from mother to fetus requires transport across the two plasma membranes of the placental syncytiotrophoblast, each of which contains a distinct complement of transporter proteins. A compartmental modelling approach was combined with a carrier based modelling framework to represent the kinetics of the individual accumulative, exchange and facilitative classes of transporters on each plasma membrane. The model successfully captured the principal features of transplacental transfer. Modelling results clearly demonstrate how modulating transporter activity and conditions such as phenylketonuria, can increase the transfer of certain groups of amino acids, but that this comes at the cost of decreasing the transfer of others, which has implications for developing clinical treatment options in the placenta and other transporting epithelia. First computational model of placental amino acid transfer as an integrated system Increased activity of a transporter does not mean increased transfer to the fetus. Increasing transfer of certain amino acids can reduce the transfer of others. Amino acid composition as well as concentration determines transfer to the fetus. Modelling of phenylketonuria suggests inhibition by excess maternal phenylalanine.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Panitchob
- Bioengineering Science Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, UK
| | - K L Widdows
- Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, UK; St. Mary's Hospital & Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
| | - I P Crocker
- Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, UK; St. Mary's Hospital & Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
| | - E D Johnstone
- Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, UK; St. Mary's Hospital & Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
| | - C P Please
- Mathematical Institute, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - C P Sibley
- Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, UK; St. Mary's Hospital & Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
| | - J D Glazier
- Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, UK; St. Mary's Hospital & Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
| | - R M Lewis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - B G Sengers
- Bioengineering Science Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.
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Denner J. Expression and function of endogenous retroviruses in the placenta. APMIS 2016; 124:31-43. [DOI: 10.1111/apm.12474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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May PA, Hamrick KJ, Corbin KD, Hasken JM, Marais AS, Blankenship J, Hoyme HE, Gossage JP. Maternal nutritional status as a contributing factor for the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 59:101-8. [PMID: 26656914 PMCID: PMC4783250 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Compare nutritional status of 57 South African mothers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) with 148 mothers of controls. METHODS Dietary data were analyzed for macronutrients, micronutrients, and fats via estimated average requirements (EAR) and adequate intakes (AI) for pregnant women. RESULTS Virtually all mothers were likely deficient on most micronutrients by either EAR (<50%) or AI values. Mothers of FASD children consumed more of 13 of 25 micronutrients. For percentage below EAR, only vitamin D was significantly higher for FASD mothers. Despite no difference in total food intake, control mothers had a higher mean body mass index (BMI) than FASD mothers. Maternal BMI is more significant for positive child outcomes than any individual nutrient. CONCLUSIONS Most mothers have inadequate dietary intake. Minor advantages in nutrient intake are overpowered by teratogenic effects of alcohol. Further study is needed of the interaction of alcohol, maternal nutrition, and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip A May
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nutrition Research Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, USA; The University of New Mexico Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA), Albuquerque, USA.
| | | | - Karen D Corbin
- Florida Hospital, Translational Research Institute for Metabolism and Diabetes, USA
| | - Julie M Hasken
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nutrition Research Institute, Gillings School of Global Public Health, USA
| | - Anna-Susan Marais
- Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tygerberg, South Africa; University of Cape Town, Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jason Blankenship
- The University of New Mexico Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA), Albuquerque, USA
| | - H Eugene Hoyme
- Sanford School of Medicine, The University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, USA
| | - J Phillip Gossage
- The University of New Mexico Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions (CASAA), Albuquerque, USA
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Otto T, Gellhaus A, Lüschen N, Scheidler J, Bendix I, Dunk C, Wolf N, Lennartz K, Köninger A, Schmidt M, Kimmig R, Fandrey J, Winterhager E. Oxygen Sensitivity of Placental Trophoblast Connexins 43 and 46: A Role in Preeclampsia? J Cell Biochem 2015; 116:2924-37. [PMID: 26018820 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Several gap junction connexins have been shown to be essential for appropriate placental development and function. It is known that the expression and distribution of connexins change in response to environmental oxygen levels. The placenta develops under various oxygen levels, beginning at a low oxygen tension of approximately 2% and increasing to a tension of 8% after the onset of the uteroplacental circulation. Moreover, it has been shown that during preeclampsia (PE) placentas are subjected to chronic hypoxia. Therefore, we investigated oxygen sensitivity of placental connexins 43 and 46. Using the trophoblast cell line Jar, we demonstrated that the expression of connexin43 increased during acute hypoxia but decreased during chronic hypoxia. Chronic hypoxia resulted in the translocation of connexin43 from the membrane to the cytoplasm and in a reduction in its communication properties. In contrast, the expression of connexin46 was down-regulated during chronic hypoxia and was translocated from perinuclear areas to the cell membrane. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) knockdown showed that the translocation of connexin43 but not that of connexin46 was HIF-2α dependent and was mediated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase. The up-regulation of connexin43 in combination with the down-regulation of connexin46 was confirmed in placental explants cultivated under low oxygen and in placentas with early-onset PE. Taken together, in Jar cells, placental connexins 43 and 46 are regulated during periods of low oxygen in opposite manners. The oxygen sensing of connexins in the trophoblast may play a role in physiological and pathophysiological oxygen conditions and thus may contribute to PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Otto
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute of Physiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Navina Lüschen
- Institute of Physiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Scheidler
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ivo Bendix
- Department of Pediatrics I, Neonatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Caroline Dunk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nadine Wolf
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Klaus Lennartz
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Markus Schmidt
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Klinikum Duisburg, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Joachim Fandrey
- Institute of Physiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elke Winterhager
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Carolan-Olah M, Duarte-Gardea M, Lechuga J. A critical review: early life nutrition and prenatal programming for adult disease. J Clin Nurs 2015; 24:3716-29. [PMID: 26255862 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIM AND OBJECTIVE To present the evidence in relation to early life nutrition and foetal programming for adult disease. BACKGROUND Epigenetics is a new and growing area of study investigating the impact of the intrauterine environment on the lifelong health of individuals. DESIGN Discursive paper. METHOD Searches were conducted in a range of electronic health databases. Hand searches located additional articles for review. Maternal search terms included: pregnancy; nutrition; diet; obesity; over nutrition; under nutrition. Offspring related search terms included: macrosomia; intrauterine growth restriction; epigenetics; foetal programming; childhood obesity; adolescent obesity; adolescent type 2 diabetes. DISCUSSION Results indicate that foetal programming for adult disease occurs in response to particular insults during vulnerable developmental periods. Four main areas of foetal exposure were identified in this review: (1) under nutrition; (2) over nutrition; (3) gestational diabetes mellitus; and (4) infant catch-up growth. Numerous studies also described the trans-generational nature of foetal programming. CONCLUSIONS Overall, foetal exposure to excess or insufficient nutrition during vulnerable developmental periods appears to result in a lifelong predisposition to obesity and adult disease, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiac disease. For the infant who has been undernourished during early life, a predisposition to renal disease also occurs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Pregnancy is a time when women are engaged in health systems and are receptive to health messages. These factors suggest that pregnancy may be an optimal time for dietary education and intervention. There is a particular need for education on healthy diet and for interventions which aim to limit over consumption of calories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Carolan-Olah
- College of Health and Biomedicine, Nursing and Midwifery, St Alban's Campus, Victoria University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Maria Duarte-Gardea
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Julia Lechuga
- Department of Psychology, College of Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
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43
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Meinhardt G, Kaltenberger S, Fiala C, Knöfler M, Pollheimer J. ERBB2 gene amplification increases during the transition of proximal EGFR(+) to distal HLA-G(+) first trimester cell column trophoblasts. Placenta 2015; 36:803-8. [PMID: 26071215 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although, DNA copy-number alterations (CNAs) have been well documented in a number of adverse phenotypic conditions, accumulating data suggest that CNAs also occur during physiological processes. Interestingly, extravillous trophoblasts induce the expression of the transforming, proto-oncogene ERBB2, which is frequently amplified in human cancer. However, no data are available to address whether trophoblast-related ERBB2 expression might also be linked to genomic amplification. METHODS Dual color silver as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses were carried out to evaluate frequency and degree of ERBB2 gene and chromosome 17 copy numbers in first trimester placental cell columns and isolated trophoblasts. Proliferative EGFR(+) and differentiated HLA-G(+) trophoblasts were identified or separated by means of in situ immunofluorescence co-stainings and magnetic beads cell isolation, respectively. RESULTS ERBB2 gene amplification is detected in approximately 40% of isolated HLA-G(+) trophoblasts. Although already detectable in EGFR(+) cells, the percentage and extent of ERBB2 amplification was markedly increased in HLA-G(+) trophoblasts in situ and after isolation. Accordingly, HLA-G(+) trophoblasts highly express ERBB2 on protein level. Finally, ERBB2 copy number variations occur independently of aneuploidy as the majority of ERBB2 amplifying cells were cytogenetically diploid for chromosome 17. DISCUSSION ERBB2 gene amplification is a frequent event during EVT differentiation. This finding challenges the long standing paradigm, which associates gene amplification with pathological conditions and further supports recent evidences suggesting that CNAs are a normal feature of developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Meinhardt
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - S Kaltenberger
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - C Fiala
- Gynmed Clinic, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Knöfler
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - J Pollheimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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45
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Review: Endocrine regulation of placental phenotype. Placenta 2015; 36 Suppl 1:S50-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2014] [Revised: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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46
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Gundling WE, Wildman DE. A review of inter- and intraspecific variation in the eutherian placenta. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2015; 370:20140072. [PMID: 25602076 PMCID: PMC4305173 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is one of the most morphologically variable mammalian organs. Four major characteristics are typically discussed when comparing the placentas of different eutherian species: placental shape, maternal-fetal interdigitation, intimacy of the maternal-fetal interface and the pattern of maternal-fetal blood flow. Here, we describe the evolution of three of these features as well as other key aspects of eutherian placentation. In addition to interspecific anatomical variation, there is also variation in placental anatomy and function within a single species. Much of this intraspecific variation occurs in response to different environmental conditions such as altitude and poor maternal nutrition. Examinations of variation in the placenta from both intra- and interspecies perspectives elucidate different aspects of placental function and dysfunction at the maternal-fetal interface. Comparisons within species identify candidate mechanisms that are activated in response to environmental stressors ultimately contributing to the aetiology of obstetric syndromes such as pre-eclampsia. Comparisons above the species level identify the evolutionary lineages on which the potential for the development of obstetric syndromes emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Gundling
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Derek E Wildman
- Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, USA Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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47
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Regional differences in birth size: a comparison between the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study and contemporaneous births on the Åland Islands. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2015; 6:263-7. [PMID: 25686806 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174415000136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The Åland Islands were recently ranked as Finland's healthiest region with lower prevalence of several non-communicable diseases compared with the national mean. We have compared birth characteristics of 1697 individuals born on the Åland Islands between 1937 and 1944 with contemporaneous data from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study (HBCS; n=11,808). This is a first step towards a potential future analysis of Ålandic health from a life-course perspective. Mean birth weight and length were calculated for both cohorts. Birth weight was entered into a multiple linear regression model with sex, maternal age, marital status and birth year as predictors. Mean birth weight in the Åland cohort was 3499 g, 87 g (95% CI 62; 111) higher compared with the HBCS. Sex and maternal marital status were the strongest predictors of birth weight. More detailed studies are needed to explore the potential effects of this difference in average birth weight between cohorts.
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Torricelli M, Vannuccini S, Moncini I, Cannoni A, Voltolini C, Conti N, Di Tommaso M, Severi FM, Petraglia F. Anterior placental location influences onset and progress of labor and postpartum outcome. Placenta 2014; 36:463-6. [PMID: 25573094 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Revised: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of the study is to evaluate whether placental location at term is associated with delivery outcome. METHODS A prospective study including 2354 patients with singleton pregnancy at term admitted for vaginal delivery was conducted. Placental position was determined before delivery by ultrasonographic examination performed transabdominally with women in the supine position. Maternal characteristics and delivery outcome such as premature rupture of membranes, induction of labor, mode and gestational age at delivery, indication for cesarean section, duration of the third stage, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and manual removal of placenta were correlated with anterior, posterior or fundal placental locations. RESULTS Among women enrolled: i) 1164 had an anterior placenta, ii) 1087 a posterior placenta, iii) 103 a fundal placenta. Women with anterior placenta showed: i) a higher incidence of induction of labor (p = 0.0001), especially for postdate pregnancies and prolonged prelabor rupture of membranes (p < 0.0001), ii) a higher rate of cesarean section rate for failure to progress in labor (p = 0.02), iii) a prolonged third stage (p = 0.01), iv) a higher incidence of manual removal of placenta (p = 0.003) and a higher rate of PPH in vaginal deliveries (p = 0.02). DISCUSSION The present study showed the influence of anterior placental location on the course of labor, with a later onset of labor, a higher rate of induction and cesarean section and postpartum complications. The reason for this influence on labor and delivery complications remains to be elucidated.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Cesarean Section/adverse effects
- Female
- Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture/epidemiology
- Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture/etiology
- Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture/therapy
- Gestational Age
- Hospitals, University
- Humans
- Incidence
- Italy/epidemiology
- Labor, Induced/adverse effects
- Obstetric Labor Complications/epidemiology
- Obstetric Labor Complications/etiology
- Obstetric Labor Complications/therapy
- Placenta/diagnostic imaging
- Postpartum Hemorrhage/epidemiology
- Postpartum Hemorrhage/etiology
- Postpartum Hemorrhage/therapy
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Outcome
- Pregnancy, Angular/diagnostic imaging
- Pregnancy, Angular/physiopathology
- Pregnancy, Angular/therapy
- Pregnancy, Prolonged/epidemiology
- Pregnancy, Prolonged/etiology
- Pregnancy, Prolonged/therapy
- Prospective Studies
- Ultrasonography, Prenatal
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- M Torricelli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - S Vannuccini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - I Moncini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - A Cannoni
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - C Voltolini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - N Conti
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - M Di Tommaso
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - F M Severi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - F Petraglia
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
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Computational modelling of amino acid exchange and facilitated transport in placental membrane vesicles. J Theor Biol 2014; 365:352-64. [PMID: 25451528 PMCID: PMC4271776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Placental amino acid transport is required for fetal development and impaired transport has been associated with poor fetal growth. It is well known that placental amino acid transport is mediated by a broad array of specific membrane transporters with overlapping substrate specificity. However, it is not fully understood how these transporters function, both individually and as an integrated system. We propose that mathematical modelling could help in further elucidating the underlying mechanisms of how these transporters mediate placental amino acid transport. The aim of this work is to model the sodium independent transport of serine, which has been assumed to follow an obligatory exchange mechanism. However, previous amino acid uptake experiments in human placental microvillous plasma membrane vesicles have persistently produced results that are seemingly incompatible with such a mechanism; i.e. transport has been observed under zero-trans conditions, in the absence of internal substrates inside the vesicles to drive exchange. This observation raises two alternative hypotheses; (i) either exchange is not fully obligatory, or (ii) exchange is indeed obligatory, but an unforeseen initial concentration of amino acid substrate is present within the vesicle which could drive exchange. To investigate these possibilities, a mathematical model for tracer uptake was developed based on carrier mediated transport, which can represent either facilitated diffusion or obligatory exchange (also referred to as uniport and antiport mechanisms, respectively). In vitro measurements of serine uptake by placental microvillous membrane vesicles were carried out and the model applied to interpret the results based on the measured apparent Michaelis–Menten parameters Km and Vmax. In addition, based on model predictions, a new time series experiment was implemented to distinguish the hypothesised transporter mechanisms. Analysis of the results indicated the presence of a facilitated transport component, while based on the model no evidence for substantial levels of endogenous amino acids within the vesicle was found. Initial rate and time course data for serine uptake in placental membrane vesicles. Integrated model analysisof facilitative diffusion vs obligatory exchange. Dependency apparent Michaelis–Menten constants on internal concentrations. Uptake in placental vesicles was consistent with a facilitative transport component. No effects of any internal endogenous substrate in vesicles were apparent.
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Placental Evolution within the Supraordinal Clades of Eutheria with the Perspective of Alternative Animal Models for Human Placentation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/639274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Here a survey of placental evolution is conducted. Placentation is a key factor for the evolution of placental mammals that had evolved an astonishing diversity. As a temporary organ that does not allow easy access, it is still not well understood. The lack of data also is a restriction for better understanding of placental development, structure, and function in the human. Animal models are essential, because experimental access to the human placenta is naturally restricted. However, there is not a single ideal model that is entirely similar to humans. It is particularly important to establish other models than the mouse, which is characterised by a short gestation period and poorly developed neonates that may provide insights only for early human pregnancy. In conclusion, current evolutionary studies have contributed essentially to providing a pool of experimental models for recent and future approaches that may also meet the requirements of a long gestation period and advanced developmental status of the newborn in the human. Suitability and limitations of taxa as alternative animal models are discussed. However, further investigations especially in wildlife taxa should be conducted in order to learn more about the full evolutionary plasticity of the placenta system.
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