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Thornburg KL, Valent AM. Maternal Malnutrition and Elevated Disease Risk in Offspring. Nutrients 2024; 16:2614. [PMID: 39203750 PMCID: PMC11357549 DOI: 10.3390/nu16162614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
US populations have seen dramatic increases in the prevalence of chronic disease over the past three generations. Rapid increases in type 2 diabetes and obesity have occurred in all the states but have been particularly striking in the Deep South. These increases have contributed to decreases in life expectancy and to painful elevations in health care costs. The causes of worsening population health are complex and incompletely understood. However, there is strong evidence that vulnerability to chronic conditions is determined in early life. Most chronic diseases are developmentally driven. There are specific stressors experienced in early life that influence epigenetic and structural changes during development. These include malnutrition, severe levels of social stress, toxic chemicals, and low oxygen levels. Most US populations have experienced a decrease in the quality of the food they consume as industrial foods have replaced garden-grown foods. Thus, the consumption of too few nutrients before and during pregnancy and during lactation influences the growth of the placenta and fetal organs and their level of resilience when faced with stresses in postnatal life and particularly as adults. Animal studies have shown that the effects of poor nutrition can be passed on to future generations. The most powerful way that the current epidemics of obesity and insulin resistance can be reversed is by providing key nutrients to prospective mothers and those already pregnant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kent L. Thornburg
- OHSU Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition and Wellness, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
- Center for Developmental Health, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Amy M. Valent
- OHSU Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition and Wellness, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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Varma S, Molangiri A, Mudavath S, Ananthan R, Rajanna A, Duttaroy AK, Basak S. Exposure to BPA and BPS during pregnancy disrupts the bone mineralization in the offspring. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 189:114772. [PMID: 38821392 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to plastic-derived estrogen-mimicking endocrine-disrupting bisphenols can have a long-lasting effect on bone health. However, gestational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogue, bisphenol S (BPS), on offspring's bone mineralization is unclear. The effects of in-utero bisphenol exposure were examined on the offspring's bone parameters. BPA and BPS (0.0, 0.4 μg/kg bw) were administered to pregnant Wistar rats via oral gavage from gestational day 4-21. Maternal exposure to BPA and BPS increased bone mineral content and density in the offspring aged 30 and 90 days (P < 0.05). Plasma analysis revealed that alkaline phosphatase, and Gla-type osteocalcin were significantly elevated in the BPS-exposed offspring (P < 0.05). The expression of BMP1, BMP4, and their signaling mediators SMAD1 mRNAs were decreased in BPS-exposed osteoblast SaOS-2 cells (P < 0.05). The expression of extracellular matrix proteins such as ALPL, COL1A1, DMP1, and FN1 were downregulated (P < 0.05). Bisphenol co-incubation with noggin decreased TGF-β1 expression, indicating its involvement in bone mineralization. Altered mineralization could be due to dysregulated expression of bone morphogenetic proteins and signalling mediators in the osteoblast cells. Thus, bisphenol exposure during gestation altered growth and bone mineralization in the offspring, possibly by modulating the expression of Smad-dependent BMP/TGF-β1 signalling mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saikanth Varma
- Molecular Biology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Archana Molangiri
- Molecular Biology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sreedhar Mudavath
- Food Chemistry Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Rajendran Ananthan
- Food Chemistry Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Ajumeera Rajanna
- Cell Biology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India
| | - Asim K Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sanjay Basak
- Molecular Biology Division, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad, India.
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Louwen F, Kreis NN, Ritter A, Yuan J. Maternal obesity and placental function: impaired maternal-fetal axis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:2279-2288. [PMID: 38494514 PMCID: PMC11147848 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-024-07462-w] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of maternal obesity rapidly increases, which represents a major public health concern worldwide. Maternal obesity is characteristic by metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation. It is associated with health problems in both mother and offspring. Increasing evidence indicates that the placenta is an axis connecting maternal obesity with poor outcomes in the offspring. In this brief review, we have summarized the current data regarding deregulated placental function in maternal obesity. The data show that maternal obesity induces numerous placental defects, including lipid and glucose metabolism, stress response, inflammation, immune regulation and epigenetics. These placental defects affect each other and result in a stressful intrauterine environment, which transduces and mediates the adverse effects of maternal obesity to the fetus. Further investigations are required to explore the exact molecular alterations in the placenta in maternal obesity, which may pave the way to develop specific interventions for preventing epigenetic and metabolic programming in the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Louwen
- Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Frankfurt, J. W. Goethe-University, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nina-Naomi Kreis
- Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Frankfurt, J. W. Goethe-University, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Ritter
- Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Frankfurt, J. W. Goethe-University, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Juping Yuan
- Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Frankfurt, J. W. Goethe-University, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Novillo-Del-Álamo B, Martínez-Varea A, Nieto-Tous M, Morales-Roselló J. Deprived areas and adverse perinatal outcome: a systematic review. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:1205-1218. [PMID: 38063892 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07300-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This systematic review aimed to assess if women living in deprived areas have worse perinatal outcomes than those residing in high-income areas. METHODS Datasets of PubMed, ScienceDirect, CENTRAL, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for studies comparing perinatal outcomes (preterm birth, small-for-gestational age, and stillbirth) in deprived and non-deprive areas. RESULTS A total of 46 studies were included. The systematic review of the literature revealed a higher risk for adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth, small for gestational age, and stillbirth in deprived areas. CONCLUSION Deprived areas are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. More multifactorial studies are needed to assess the weight of each factor that composes the socioeconomic gradient of health in adverse perinatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Novillo-Del-Álamo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alicia Martínez-Varea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Mar Nieto-Tous
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Morales-Roselló
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain
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Vanea C, Džigurski J, Rukins V, Dodi O, Siigur S, Salumäe L, Meir K, Parks WT, Hochner-Celnikier D, Fraser A, Hochner H, Laisk T, Ernst LM, Lindgren CM, Nellåker C. Mapping cell-to-tissue graphs across human placenta histology whole slide images using deep learning with HAPPY. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2710. [PMID: 38548713 PMCID: PMC10978962 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46986-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Accurate placenta pathology assessment is essential for managing maternal and newborn health, but the placenta's heterogeneity and temporal variability pose challenges for histology analysis. To address this issue, we developed the 'Histology Analysis Pipeline.PY' (HAPPY), a deep learning hierarchical method for quantifying the variability of cells and micro-anatomical tissue structures across placenta histology whole slide images. HAPPY differs from patch-based features or segmentation approaches by following an interpretable biological hierarchy, representing cells and cellular communities within tissues at a single-cell resolution across whole slide images. We present a set of quantitative metrics from healthy term placentas as a baseline for future assessments of placenta health and we show how these metrics deviate in placentas with clinically significant placental infarction. HAPPY's cell and tissue predictions closely replicate those from independent clinical experts and placental biology literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Vanea
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | | | - Omri Dodi
- Faculty of Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Siim Siigur
- Department of Pathology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Liis Salumäe
- Department of Pathology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Karen Meir
- Department of Pathology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - W Tony Parks
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Abigail Fraser
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hagit Hochner
- Braun School of Public Health, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Triin Laisk
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Linda M Ernst
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Chicago, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Cecilia M Lindgren
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Nuffield Department of Population Health Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christoffer Nellåker
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Sletner L, Yajnik CS, Turowski G, Michelsen TM, Sommer C, Birkeland KI, Roald B, Jenum AK. Placental weight, surface area, shape and thickness - Relations with maternal ethnicity and cardio-metabolic factors during pregnancy. Placenta 2024; 148:69-76. [PMID: 38417304 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.02.002] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A better understanding of the determinants of placental growth is needed. Our primary aim was to explore associations between maternal ethnic origin and cardio-metabolic factors during pregnancy, and placental weight, surface area, shape and thickness. METHODS A multi-ethnic population-based cohort study of 474 pregnant women examined at mean 15 and 28 weeks' gestation. Placentas were inspected after birth by a placental pathologist. Outcome measures were trimmed placental weight and three uncorrelated placental components; surface area, shape (oval vs round) and thickness, created through a principal components analysis. Multivariate linear regression models were used to explore the associations with maternal factors. RESULTS Compared with ethnic European women, mothers with South- and East Asian ethnicity had placentas with lower weight (-51 g (95% CI: 75, -27) and -55 g (-95, -14) respectively), primarily due to a smaller surface area. The association between South Asian ethnicity and placental surface area was still significant after adjusting for maternal characteristics and cardio-metabolic factors. Fat mass index in early pregnancy was associated with higher placental weight and thickness. Placental surface area was positively associated with mid-gestational increases in fat mass, fasting glucose and triglycerides and with the 2-h glucose value at the 28 week oral glucose tolerance test, and inversely with a mid-gestational increase in HDL-cholesterol. DISCUSSION Mid-gestational changes in fat mass, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol were associated with, but only partly explained ethnic differences in placental surface area, while maternal fat mass in early pregnancy was associated with placental thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Line Sletner
- Dept. of Pediatric and Adolescents Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
| | | | - Gitta Turowski
- Dept of Anatomic Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trond M Michelsen
- Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Sommer
- Dept. of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kåre I Birkeland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Borghild Roald
- Dept of Anatomic Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Karen Jenum
- General Practice Research Unit (AFE), Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Gloria A, Veronesi MC, Contri A. Does Placental Efficiency and Vascularization Affect Puppy Health? A Study in Boxer and Dobermann Dogs. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:423. [PMID: 38338066 PMCID: PMC10854954 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The anatomical and functional characteristics of the placenta influence the adaptive ability of the fetus to the extrauterine environment. Placental efficiency, measured as the gram of neonate produced by each gram of placenta, summarizes these characteristics. In the present study, placental efficiency and its impact on the 7-day postpartum life of the puppies were studied in canine large breeds. METHODS Placental efficiency (PE) was computed using chorioallantois weight (WPE) and surface (SPE) efficiency for puppies born from natural delivery or elective cesarean section. Capillary density was also histologically determined. Neonate viability was estimated by the APGAR score and the daily weight gain (DWG) was recorded on day 7 after delivery. RESULTS from 15 large-breed bitches, 69 live puppies were born by natural delivery (24 puppies) and elective cesarean section (45 puppies). Cluster analysis detected a group of neonates for which reduced placental efficiency (8 for the WPE, 9 for the SPE) was identified, despite a placental weight and surface within the mean and no difference in capillary density. In this group, the DWG was lower and the mortality within 7 days was higher. CONCLUSIONS the results suggest that placental efficiency could be an additional tool for the evaluation of a puppy in the first 7 days after delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Gloria
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Maria Cristina Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università, 26900 Lodi, Italy;
| | - Alberto Contri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
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Vestergaard AL, Andersen MK, Olesen RV, Bor P, Larsen A. High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation Significantly Affects the Placental Transcriptome. Nutrients 2023; 15:5032. [PMID: 38140291 PMCID: PMC10745524 DOI: 10.3390/nu15245032] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent obstetrical concern associated with an increased risk of complications like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and growth retardation. Vitamin D status in pregnancy is also linked to long-term offspring health, e.g., the risk of obesity, metabolic disease, and neurodevelopmental problems. Despite the suspected role of vitamin D in placental diseases and fetal development, there is limited knowledge on the effect of vitamin D on placental function. Thus, we performed next-generation RNA sequencing, comparing the placental transcriptome from uncomplicated term pregnancies receiving the often-recommended dose of 10 µg vitamin D/day (n = 36) with pregnancies receiving 90 µg/day (n = 34) from late first trimester to delivery. Maternal vitamin D status in the first trimester was also considered. We found that signaling pathways related to cell adhesion, immune function, and neurodevelopment were affected, supporting that increased vitamin D supplementation benefits placental function in established pregnancies without severe vitamin D deficiency, also underlining the importance of vitamin D in brain development. Specific effects of the first trimester vitamin D status and offspring sex were also identified. Further studies are warranted, addressing the optimal vitamin status during pregnancy with a focus on organ-specific vitamin D needs in individual pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Louise Vestergaard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Randers Regional Hospital, 8930 Randers, Denmark (P.B.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Matilde K. Andersen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Randers Regional Hospital, 8930 Randers, Denmark (P.B.)
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark (A.L.)
| | - Rasmus V. Olesen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark (A.L.)
| | - Pinar Bor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Randers Regional Hospital, 8930 Randers, Denmark (P.B.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Agnete Larsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark (A.L.)
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Bakulski KM, Blostein F, London SJ. Linking Prenatal Environmental Exposures to Lifetime Health with Epigenome-Wide Association Studies: State-of-the-Science Review and Future Recommendations. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:126001. [PMID: 38048101 PMCID: PMC10695268 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prenatal environment influences lifetime health; epigenetic mechanisms likely predominate. In 2016, the first international consortium paper on cigarette smoking during pregnancy and offspring DNA methylation identified extensive, reproducible exposure signals. This finding raised expectations for epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of other exposures. OBJECTIVE We review the current state-of-the-science for DNA methylation associations across prenatal exposures in humans and provide future recommendations. METHODS We reviewed 134 prenatal environmental EWAS of DNA methylation in newborns, focusing on 51 epidemiological studies with meta-analysis or replication testing. Exposures spanned cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, air pollution, dietary factors, psychosocial stress, metals, other chemicals, and other exogenous factors. Of the reproducible DNA methylation signatures, we examined implementation as exposure biomarkers. RESULTS Only 19 (14%) of these prenatal EWAS were conducted in cohorts of 1,000 or more individuals, reflecting the still early stage of the field. To date, the largest perinatal EWAS sample size was 6,685 participants. For comparison, the most recent genome-wide association study for birth weight included more than 300,000 individuals. Replication, at some level, was successful with exposures to cigarette smoking, folate, dietary glycemic index, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μ m and < 2.5 μ m , nitrogen dioxide, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, electronic waste, PFAS, and DDT. Reproducible effects of a more limited set of prenatal exposures (smoking, folate) enabled robust methylation biomarker creation. DISCUSSION Current evidence demonstrates the scientific premise for reproducible DNA methylation exposure signatures. Better powered EWAS could identify signatures across many exposures and enable comprehensive biomarker development. Whether methylation biomarkers of exposures themselves cause health effects remains unclear. We expect that larger EWAS with enhanced coverage of epigenome and exposome, along with improved single-cell technologies and evolving methods for integrative multi-omics analyses and causal inference, will expand mechanistic understanding of causal links between environmental exposures, the epigenome, and health outcomes throughout the life course. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12956.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Freida Blostein
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Stephanie J. London
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Herrera CL, Kim MJ, Do QN, Owen DM, Fei B, Twickler DM, Spong CY. The human placenta project: Funded studies, imaging technologies, and future directions. Placenta 2023; 142:27-35. [PMID: 37634371 PMCID: PMC11257151 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.08.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The placenta plays a critical role in fetal development. It serves as a multi-functional organ that protects and nurtures the fetus during pregnancy. However, despite its importance, the intricacies of placental structure and function in normal and diseased states have remained largely unexplored. Thus, in 2014, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development launched the Human Placenta Project (HPP). As of May 2023, the HPP has awarded over $101 million in research funds, resulting in 41 funded studies and 459 publications. We conducted a comprehensive review of these studies and publications to identify areas of funded research, advances in those areas, limitations of current research, and continued areas of need. This paper will specifically review the funded studies by the HPP, followed by an in-depth discussion on advances and gaps within placental-focused imaging. We highlight the progress within magnetic reasonance imaging and ultrasound, including development of tools for the assessment of placental function and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Herrera
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Meredith J Kim
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Quyen N Do
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - David M Owen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Baowei Fei
- Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Diane M Twickler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA; Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Catherine Y Spong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Parkland Health Dallas, Texas, USA
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Josowitz R, Linn R, Rychik J. The Placenta in Congenital Heart Disease: Form, Function and Outcomes. Neoreviews 2023; 24:e569-e582. [PMID: 37653088 DOI: 10.1542/neo.24-9-e569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The maternal-fetal environment, controlled and modulated by the placenta, plays a critical role in the development and well-being of the fetus, with long-term impact through programming of lifelong health. The fetal cardiovascular system and placenta emerge at the same time embryologically, and thus placental form and function are altered in the presence of congenital heart disease (CHD). In this review, we report on what is known about the placenta from a structural and functional perspective when there is CHD. We describe the various unique pathologic findings as well as the diagnostic imaging tools used to characterize placental function in utero. With growing interest in the placenta, a standardized approach to characterizing placental pathology has emerged. Furthermore, application of ultrasonography techniques and magnetic resonance imaging now allow for insights into placental blood flow and functionality in vivo. An improved understanding of the intriguing relationship between the placenta and the fetal cardiovascular system will provide opportunities to develop novel ways to optimize outcomes. Once better understood, therapeutic modulation of placental function offered during the vulnerable period of fetal plasticity may be one of the most impactful ways to alter the course of CHD and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Josowitz
- Division of Cardiology, Fetal Heart Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Rebecca Linn
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jack Rychik
- Division of Cardiology, Fetal Heart Program, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Staud F, Pan X, Karahoda R, Dong X, Kastner P, Horackova H, Vachalova V, Markert UR, Abad C. Characterization of a human placental clearance system to regulate serotonin levels in the fetoplacental unit. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:74. [PMID: 37612712 PMCID: PMC10464227 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01128-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serotonin (5-HT) is a biogenic monoamine with diverse functions in multiple human organs and tissues. During pregnancy, tightly regulated levels of 5-HT in the fetoplacental unit are critical for proper placental functions, fetal development, and programming. Despite being a non-neuronal organ, the placenta expresses a suite of homeostatic proteins, membrane transporters and metabolizing enzymes, to regulate monoamine levels. We hypothesized that placental 5-HT clearance is important for maintaining 5-HT levels in the fetoplacental unit. We therefore investigated placental 5-HT uptake from the umbilical circulation at physiological and supraphysiological levels as well as placental metabolism of 5-HT to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 5-HIAA efflux from trophoblast cells. METHODS We employed a systematic approach using advanced organ-, tissue-, and cellular-level models of the human placenta to investigate the transport and metabolism of 5-HT in the fetoplacental unit. Human placentas from uncomplicated term pregnancies were used for perfusion studies, culturing explants, and isolating primary trophoblast cells. RESULTS Using the dually perfused placenta, we observed a high and concentration-dependent placental extraction of 5-HT from the fetal circulation. Subsequently, within the placenta, 5-HT was metabolized to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), which was then unidirectionally excreted to the maternal circulation. In the explant cultures and primary trophoblast cells, we show concentration- and inhibitor-dependent 5-HT uptake and metabolism and subsequent 5-HIAA release into the media. Droplet digital PCR revealed that the dominant gene in all models was MAO-A, supporting the crucial role of 5-HT metabolism in placental 5-HT clearance. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, we present transcriptional and functional evidence that the human placenta has an efficient 5-HT clearance system involving (1) removal of 5-HT from the fetal circulation by OCT3, (2) metabolism to 5-HIAA by MAO-A, and (3) selective 5-HIAA excretion to the maternal circulation via the MRP2 transporter. This synchronized mechanism is critical for regulating 5-HT in the fetoplacental unit; however, it can be compromised by external insults such as antidepressant drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - Xin Pan
- Placenta-Lab, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Rona Karahoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Xiaojing Dong
- Placenta-Lab, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Petr Kastner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Horackova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Vachalova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Udo R Markert
- Placenta-Lab, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Cilia Abad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Williams A, Saizy S, Mendola P, Grobman W, Subramaniam A, Stevens DR, Mumford SL, Larson K, Chen Z, Messer LC, Duncan V, Faye-Petersen O, Kumar R. Prenatal exposure to perceived stress, maternal asthma, and placental size. Placenta 2023; 139:127-133. [PMID: 37390516 PMCID: PMC10529282 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prenatal exposure to stress has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, yet evidence linking stress and placental size is limited. Asthma is associated with worse pregnancy outcomes and women with asthma may be more susceptible to stress. Using the asthma-enriched B-WELL-Mom cohort, we examined the association between perceived stress and placental size. METHODS Placental measures of weight, length, width, and thickness were available for 345 women (262 with asthma) via placental pathology report. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores were obtained in each trimester of pregnancy and categorized into quartiles (low quartile as reference). For associations between PSS and placental size, generalized estimating equations adjusted for maternal and infant factors were used to estimate regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Full models and models stratified by asthma status were run. RESULTS Compared to Quartile 1, high levels of stress (Quartile 4) were associated with smaller placental weight (-20.63 95% CI: -37.01,-4.26) and length (-0.55 95% CI: -0.96,-0.15), but not width or thickness. Results by asthma status show a stronger association between perceived stress and shorter placental length in those with asthma and a stronger association between perceived stress and smaller placental thickness in those without asthma. Findings were robust to sensitivity analyses DISCUSSION: Higher levels of perceived stress were associated with smaller placental size. Additional research is warranted to understand the relationship between stress and placental size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Williams
- Public Health Program, Department of Population Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, 1301 N Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA.
| | - Sadia Saizy
- Public Health Program, Department of Population Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, 1301 N Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA
| | - Pauline Mendola
- Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, 270 Farber Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14214, USA
| | - William Grobman
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, 370 W 9th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Akila Subramaniam
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine, 1670 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Danielle R Stevens
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, PO Box 12233, Mail Drop A3-05, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Sunni L Mumford
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6021, USA
| | - Kate Larson
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, 2420 2nd Ave N, Grand Forks, ND, 58203, USA
| | - Zhen Chen
- Division of Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6710B Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Lynne C Messer
- OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, 1805 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Virginia Duncan
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine, 1670 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Ona Faye-Petersen
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Heersink School of Medicine, 1670 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Lurie Children's Hospital, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 420 E Superior St, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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Kennedy EM, Hermetz K, Burt A, Pei D, Koestler DC, Hao K, Chen J, Gilbert-Diamond D, Ramakrishnan U, Karagas MR, Marsit CJ. Placental microRNAs relate to early childhood growth trajectories. Pediatr Res 2023; 94:341-348. [PMID: 36380070 PMCID: PMC10183479 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor placental function is a common cause of intrauterine growth restriction, which in turn is associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes. Our prior work suggests that birthweight and childhood obesity-associated genetic variants functionally impact placental function and that placental microRNA are associated with birthweight. To address the influence of the placenta beyond birth, we assessed the relationship between placental microRNAs and early childhood growth. METHODS Using the SITAR package, we generated two parameters that describe individual weight trajectories of children (0-5 years) in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS, n = 238). Using negative binomial generalized linear models, we identified placental microRNAs that relate to growth parameters (FDR < 0.1), while accounting for sex, gestational age at birth, and maternal parity. RESULTS Genes targeted by the six growth trajectory-associated microRNAs are enriched (FDR < 0.05) in growth factor signaling (TGF/beta: miR-876; EGF/R: miR-155, Let-7c; FGF/R: miR-155; IGF/R: Let-7c, miR-155), calmodulin signaling (miR-216a), and NOTCH signaling (miR-629). CONCLUSIONS Growth-trajectory microRNAs target pathways affecting placental proliferation, differentiation and function. Our results suggest a role for microRNAs in regulating placental cellular dynamics and supports the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis that fetal environment can have impacts beyond birth. IMPACT We found that growth trajectory associated placenta microRNAs target genes involved in signaling pathways central to the formation, maintenance and function of placenta; suggesting that placental cellular dynamics remain critical to infant growth to term and are under the control of microRNAs. Our results contribute to the existing body of research suggesting that the placenta plays a key role in programming health in the offspring. This is the first study to relate molecular patterns in placenta, specifically microRNAs, to early childhood growth trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Kennedy
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dong Pei
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Devin C Koestler
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diane Gilbert-Diamond
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Usha Ramakrishnan
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, Hanover, NH, USA
- Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
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15
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Warren BB, Moyer GC, Manco-Johnson MJ. Hemostasis in the Pregnant Woman, the Placenta, the Fetus, and the Newborn Infant. Semin Thromb Hemost 2023; 49:319-329. [PMID: 36750218 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1760332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The hemostasis system is composed of procoagulant, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic proteins that interact with endothelial and blood cells and with each other in a complex system of checks and balances to maintain blood flow while preventing both hemorrhage and thrombosis. Pregnancy is a unique physiological state in which biological alterations predispose both mother and fetus to both bleeding and clotting. The placenta is a vascular interface for maternal and fetal blood exchange which predisposes the mother to hemorrhage. Maternal hemostasis presents a compensatory hypercoagulability including elevated factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen and thrombin generation, decreased thrombin regulation with resistance to activated protein C and decreased free protein S, and decreased fibrinolysis with increased plasminogen activator inhibitors. The placental vascular surface is of fetal trophoblastic origin that derives many characteristics of endothelium but differs in that tissue factor is constitutively expressed. Ontogeny of fetal hemostasis is characteristic. Platelets, von Willebrand factor, factor VIII, and fibrinogen are expressed and mature early in gestation, while vitamin K-dependent and contact factors exhibit delayed development. The fetal hemostatic system has a decreased capacity to generate or regulate thrombin, resulting in a fragile balance with little capacity to compensate under stress conditions, particularly in the infant born prematurely. Dysfunction of the maternal/placental/fetal unit gives rise to gestational disorders including preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placental abruption, and premature delivery. Knowledge of normal hemostasis levels and function are critical to evaluate bleeding or clotting syndromes in the pregnant woman and her fetus or newborn infant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Boulden Warren
- University of Colorado Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Genevieve C Moyer
- University of Colorado Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Marilyn J Manco-Johnson
- University of Colorado Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
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16
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Dong J, Xu Q, Chen S, Lei H, Wang J, Yan S, Qian C, Wang X. Comparative Proteomic and Phospho-proteomic Analysis of Mouse Placentas Generated via In Vivo and In Vitro Fertilization. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:1143-1156. [PMID: 36280645 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01109-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Offspring conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have increased risk of suffering from gestational complications, and placental dysfunction is related with the adverse outcomes. Studies have revealed that abnormal or adaptive changes can occur in ART placentas, but the potential reasons are not fully understood. Hereby, we tried to use proteomics and phospho-proteomics to find the underlying mechanisms responsible for the changes of ART placentas. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was utilized to perform proteome and phospho-proteome detection on mouse placentas. The differential expressed proteins (DEPs) or phospho-proteins (DEPPs) were analyzed based on subcellular localization, functional classification, and enrichment. Western blot was used to verify the DEPs (Afadin, ZO-1, Ace2, Agt, Slc7a5, and Slc38a10) and measure mTOR signaling activities (mTOR, Rps6, and 4Ebp1). The data showed that 161 DEPs and 304 DEPPs were found in proteome and phospho-proteome, respectively. Multiple biological processes were enriched based on those DEPs and DEPPs, and renin-angiotensin system, cell junction, and PI3K-Akt pathway were investigated. By protein expression identification, two key proteins associated with renin-angiotensin system (Ace2 and Agt) were down-regulated, and the levels of Afadin and ZO-1 (related with cell junction) as well as Slc38a10 were increased in IVF placentas. In addition, mTOR downstream activities were increased as shown by p-Rps6 and p-4Ebp1 in IVF placentas. In conclusion, IVF leads to the changes of cell junction, renin-angiotensin system, amino acid transport, and increased mTOR signaling in mouse placentas, which may be associated with the altered structure and function of IVF placentas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Qian Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Shuqiang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Hui Lei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Song Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Chenxi Qian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi Province, China.
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17
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Humphries A, Simcox K, Howell B. A review of the literature: How does prenatal opioid exposure impact placental health and fetal brain development? Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22378. [PMID: 36946682 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a sixfold increase in the number of pregnant people with opioid use disorder (OUD). Rates of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS), previously known as neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), have significantly increased in virtually every state and demographic group (Healthcare Cost Utilization Project, HCUP, 2010). NOWS is a condition resulting from chronic exposure to either therapeutic opioid use (e.g., medication for OUD, chronic pain conditions) or nonprescribed opioid use. To date, there is no known prenatal treatment to help decrease the risk of infants developing NOWS and subsequent neurodevelopmental outcomes. Given the increasing support for how placental signaling, or placental programming, may play a role in downstream pathology, prospective research investigating how the placenta is affected by chronic opioid exposure morphologically, histologically, and at the cellular level may open up potential treatment opportunities in this field. In this review, we discuss literature exploring the physiological roles of nitric oxide and dopamine not only in the vascular development of the placenta, but also in fetal cerebral blood flow, neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, and neuronal activity. We also discuss histological preclinical studies that suggest chronic opioid exposure to induce some combination of placental dysfunction and hypoxia in a manner similar to other well-known placental pathologies, as denoted by the compensatory neovascularization and increased utilization of the placenta's supply of trophoblast cells, which play an essential role in placental angiogenesis. Overall, we found that the current literature, while limited, suggests chronic opioid exposure negatively impacts placental function and fetal brain development on a cellular and histopathological level. We conclude that it is worthwhile to consider the placenta as a therapeutic target with the ultimate goal of decreasing the incidence of NOWS and the long-term impacts of prenatal opioid exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Humphries
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Kim Simcox
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Brittany Howell
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Virginia Tech, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Pediatrics, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, United States
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18
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Meesters M, Van Eetvelde M, Martens DS, Nawrot TS, Dewulf M, Govaere J, Opsomer G. Prenatal environment impacts telomere length in newborn dairy heifers. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4672. [PMID: 36949104 PMCID: PMC10033676 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31943-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length is associated with longevity and survival in multiple species. In human population-based studies, multiple prenatal factors have been described to be associated with a newborn's telomere length. In the present study, we measured relative leukocyte telomere length in 210 Holstein Friesian heifers, within the first ten days of life. The dam's age, parity, and milk production parameters, as well as environmental factors during gestation were assessed for their potential effect on telomere length. We found that for both primi- and multiparous dams, the telomere length was 1.16% shorter for each day increase in the calf's age at sampling (P = 0.017). The dam's age at parturition (P = 0.045), and the median temperature-humidity index (THI) during the third trimester of gestation (P = 0.006) were also negatively associated with the calves' TL. Investigating multiparous dams separately, only the calf's age at sampling was significantly and negatively associated with the calves' TL (P = 0.025). Results of the present study support the hypothesis that in cattle, early life telomere length is influenced by prenatal factors. Furthermore, the results suggest that selecting heifers born in winter out of young dams might contribute to increased longevity in dairy cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Meesters
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | - Mieke Van Eetvelde
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Research Unit Environment and Health, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manon Dewulf
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Jan Govaere
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Geert Opsomer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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19
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Campbell KA, Colacino JA, Puttabyatappa M, Dou JF, Elkin ER, Hammoud SS, Domino SE, Dolinoy DC, Goodrich JM, Loch-Caruso R, Padmanabhan V, Bakulski KM. Placental cell type deconvolution reveals that cell proportions drive preeclampsia gene expression differences. Commun Biol 2023; 6:264. [PMID: 36914823 PMCID: PMC10011423 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04623-6] [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: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta mediates adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, which is characterized by gestational hypertension and proteinuria. Placental cell type heterogeneity in preeclampsia is not well-understood and limits mechanistic interpretation of bulk gene expression measures. We generated single-cell RNA-sequencing samples for integration with existing data to create the largest deconvolution reference of 19 fetal and 8 maternal cell types from placental villous tissue (n = 9 biological replicates) at term (n = 40,494 cells). We deconvoluted eight published microarray case-control studies of preeclampsia (n = 173 controls, 157 cases). Preeclampsia was associated with excess extravillous trophoblasts and fewer mesenchymal and Hofbauer cells. Adjustment for cellular composition reduced preeclampsia-associated differentially expressed genes (log2 fold-change cutoff = 0.1, FDR < 0.05) from 1154 to 0, whereas downregulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, aerobic respiration, and ribosome biogenesis were robust to cell type adjustment, suggesting direct changes to these pathways. Cellular composition mediated a substantial proportion of the association between preeclampsia and FLT1 (37.8%, 95% CI [27.5%, 48.8%]), LEP (34.5%, 95% CI [26.0%, 44.9%]), and ENG (34.5%, 95% CI [25.0%, 45.3%]) overexpression. Our findings indicate substantial placental cellular heterogeneity in preeclampsia contributes to previously observed bulk gene expression differences. This deconvolution reference lays the groundwork for cellular heterogeneity-aware investigation into placental dysfunction and adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A Campbell
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Justin A Colacino
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - John F Dou
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Elana R Elkin
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Saher S Hammoud
- Human Genetics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Urology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Steven E Domino
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jaclyn M Goodrich
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rita Loch-Caruso
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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20
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Comparison of methanol fixation versus cryopreservation of the placenta for metabolomics analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4063. [PMID: 36906704 PMCID: PMC10008642 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31287-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Methods for collection of placental tissue at room temperature for metabolic profiling are described. Specimens were excised from the maternal side of the placenta and immediately flash frozen or fixed and stored for 1, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h in 80% methanol. Untargeted metabolic profiling was performed on both the methanol-fixed tissue and the methanol extract. Data were analyzed using Gaussian generalized estimating equations, two sample t-tests with false discovery rate (FDR) corrections, and principal components analysis. Methanol-fixed tissue samples and methanol extracts had a similar number of metabolites (p = 0.45, p = 0.21 in positive vs. negative ion mode). In positive ion mode, when compared to flash frozen tissue, both the methanol extract and methanol-fixed tissue (6 h) had a higher number of metabolites detected (146 additional metabolites, pFDR = 0.020; 149 additional metabolites, pFDR = 0.017; respectively), but these associations were not found in negative ion mode (all pFDR ≥ 0.05). Principle components analysis demonstrated separation of the metabolite features in the methanol extract, but similarity between methanol-fixed tissue and flash frozen tissue. These results show that placental tissue samples collected in 80% methanol at room temperature can yield similar metabolic data to flash frozen specimens.
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Mortillo M, Marsit CJ. Select Early-Life Environmental Exposures and DNA Methylation in the Placenta. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:22-34. [PMID: 36469294 PMCID: PMC10152976 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00385-1] [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] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent literature relating early-life environmental exposures on DNA methylation in the placenta, to identify how variation in placental methylation is regulated in an exposure-specific manner, and to encourage additional work in this area. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple studies have evaluated associations between prenatal environmental exposures and placental methylation in both gene-specific and epigenome-wide frameworks. Specific exposures lead to unique variability in methylation, and cross-exposure assessments have uncovered certain genes that demonstrate consistency in differential placental methylation. Exposure studies that assess methylation effects in a trimester-specific approach tend to find larger effects during the 1st trimester exposure. Earlier studies have more targeted gene-specific approaches to methylation, while later studies have shifted towards epigenome-wide, array-based approaches. Studies focusing on exposures such as air pollution, maternal smoking, environmental contaminants, and trace metals appear to be more abundant, while studies of socioeconomic adversity and circadian disruption are scarce but demonstrate remarkable effects. Understanding the impacts of early-life environmental exposures on placental methylation is critical to establishing the link between the maternal environment, epigenetic variation, and long-term health. Future studies into this field should incorporate repeated measures of exposure throughout pregnancy, in order to determine the critical windows in which placental methylation is most heavily affected. Additionally, the use of methylation-based scores and sequencing technology could provide important insights into epigenetic gestational age and uncovering more genomic regions where methylation is affected. Studies examining the impact of other exposures on methylation, including pesticides, alcohol, and other chemicals are also warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mortillo
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA.
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22
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Dockx Y, Täubel M, Hogervorst J, Luyten L, Peusens M, Rasking L, Sleurs H, Witters K, Plusquin M, Valkonen M, Nawrot TS, Casas L. Association of indoor dust microbiota with cognitive function and behavior in preschool-aged children. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:1. [PMID: 36593490 PMCID: PMC9806900 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01406-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cognitive development depends on neuroimmune interactions. Immunomodulation by early-life microbial exposure may influence neuropsychological function. In this study, we investigate the association between residential indoor microbiota and cognition and behavior among preschoolers. RESULTS Indoor-settled dust bacterial and fungal characteristics were assessed using 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing (microbial diversity) and qPCR measurements (microbial loads). Child behavior was assessed using four scales: peer relationship, emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity was assessed by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Cognitive function was assessed using four tasks of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) software. The first two tasks were designed to assess attention and psychomotor speed (Motor Screening (MOT) and Big/Little Circle (BLC)) and the last two to evaluate the child's visual recognition/working memory (Spatial Span (SSP) and Delayed Matching to Sample (DMS)). Among the 172 included children (age 4-6 years), we observed a 51% (95%CI;75%;9%) lower odds of children scoring not normal for hyperactivity and a decrease of 3.20% (95%CI, -6.01%; -0.30%) in BLC response time, for every IQR increase in fungal Shannon diversity. Contrarily, microbial loads were directly associated with SDQ scales and response time. For example, a 2-fold increase in Gram-positive bacterial load was associated with 70% (95%CI 18%; 156%) higher odds of scoring not normal for hyperactivity and an increase of 5.17% (95%CI 0.87%; 9.65%) in DMS response time. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that early-life exposure to diverse indoor fungal communities is associated with better behavioral and cognitive outcomes, whereas higher indoor microbial load was associated with worse outcomes. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Martin Täubel
- Environmental Health Unit, Department Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Janneke Hogervorst
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Leen Luyten
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Martien Peusens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Leen Rasking
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hanne Sleurs
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Katrien Witters
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Maria Valkonen
- Environmental Health Unit, Department Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tim S. Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49–706, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lidia Casas
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Herestraat 49–706, BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IMDO), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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23
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Chen Q, Lin L, Xu Q, Tong C, Li M, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Zhao Z, Ge RS. Effect of triadimefon on rat placental morphology, function, and gene expression. Toxicol Lett 2022; 371:25-37. [PMID: 36179991 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Triadimefon is a fungicide that is broadly used to treat fungal diseases of plants. It causes developmental toxicity in the animal model. Whether triadimefon disrupts the placental function and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Thirty-six female pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups and were orally administered via gavage of triadimefon (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day) for 10 days from gestational day (GD) 12-21. Triadimefon disrupted the structure of the placenta, leading to hypertrophy, abnormal hemodynamics, including fibrin exudation, edema, hemorrhage, infarction, and inflammation. RNA-seq analysis showed that triadimefon down-regulated the expression of developmental and metabolic genes, while up-regulating the immune/inflammatory genes. The qPCR showed that triadimefon markedly down-regulated the expression of Cpt1c, Scd2, Ldlr, Dvl1, Flt4, and Vwf and their proteins, while up-regulating the expression of Cyp1a1, Star, Ccl5, and Cx3cr1 and their proteins at 25-100 mg/kg. Western blot showed that triadimefon reduced the level of STAT3 at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg and the phosphorylation of AMPK at 100 mg/kg. In conclusion, triadimefon severely damages the structure and function of the placenta, leading to placental hypertrophy, local blood circulation disorders, and inflammation and this may be associated with its down-regulation of genes related to metabolism and nutrient transport and the up-regulation of inflammatory genes via STAT3 and AMPK signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanxu Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liben Lin
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Chenglin Tong
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Mengli Li
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Yang Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Zhiguang Zhao
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China.
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China; Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.
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24
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Karvas RM, David L, Theunissen TW. Accessing the human trophoblast stem cell state from pluripotent and somatic cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:604. [PMID: 36434136 PMCID: PMC9702929 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04549-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trophoblasts are specialized epithelial cells that perform critical functions during blastocyst implantation and mediate maternal-fetal communication during pregnancy. However, our understanding of human trophoblast biology remains limited since access to first-trimester placental tissue is scarce, especially between the first and fourth weeks of development. Moreover, animal models inadequately recapitulate unique aspects of human placental physiology. In the mouse system, the isolation of self-renewing trophoblast stem cells has provided a valuable in vitro model system of placental development, but the derivation of analogous human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) has remained elusive until recently. Building on a landmark study reporting the isolation of bona fide hTSCs from blastocysts and first-trimester placental tissues in 2018, several groups have developed methods to derive hTSCs from pluripotent and somatic cell sources. Here we review the biological and molecular properties that define authentic hTSCs, the trophoblast potential of distinct pluripotent states, and methods for inducing hTSCs in somatic cells by direct reprogramming. The generation of hTSCs from pluripotent and somatic cells presents exciting opportunities to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of human placental development and the etiology of pregnancy-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan M Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Laurent David
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, CR2TI, UMR 1064, 44000, Nantes, France.
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, Biocore, US 016, UAR 3556, 44000, Nantes, France.
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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25
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Ferrari L, Iodice S, Cantone L, Solazzo G, Dioni L, Hoxha M, Vicenzi M, Mozzoni P, Bergamaschi E, Persico N, Bollati V. Extracellular vesicles and their miRNA contents counterbalance the pro-inflammatory effect of air pollution during physiological pregnancy: A focus on Syncytin-1 positive vesicles. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 169:107502. [PMID: 36095930 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The impact of exposure to respirable particulate matter (PM) during pregnancy is a growing concern, as several studies have associated increased risks of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, and impaired intrauterine growth with air pollution. The molecular mechanisms responsible for such effects are still under debate. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which travel in body fluids and transfer microRNAs (miRNAs) between tissues (e.g., pulmonary environment and placenta), might play an important role in PM-induced risk. We sought to determine whether the levels of PM with aerodynamic diameters of ≤10 µm (PM10) and ≤2.5 µm (PM2.5) are associated with changes in plasmatic EV release and EV-miRNA content by investigating 518 women enrolled in the INSIDE study during the first trimester of pregnancy. In all models, we included both the 90-day averages of PM (long-term effects) and the differences between the daily estimate of PM and the 90-day average (short-term effects). Short-term PM10 and PM2.5 were associated with increased concentrations of all seven EV types that we assayed (positive for human antigen leukocyte G (HLA-G), Syncytin-1 (Sync-1), CD14, CD105, CD62e, CD61, or CD25 determinants), while long-term PM10 showed a trend towards decreased EV concentrations. Increased Sync-1 + EV levels were associated with the plasmatic decrease of sVCAM-1, but not of sICAM-1, which are circulating biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction. Thirteen EV-miRNAs were downregulated in response to long-term PM10 and PM2.5 variations, while seven were upregulated (p-value < 0.05, false discovery rate p-value (qFDR) < 0.1). Only one EV-miRNA (hsa-miR-221-3p) was downregulated after short-term variations. The identified PM-modulated EV-miRNAs exhibited putative roles in inflammation, gestational hypertension, and pre-eclampsia, as highlighted by miRNA target analysis. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that EVs have an important role in modulating PM exposure effects during pregnancy, possibly through their miRNA cargo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Ferrari
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Iodice
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Cantone
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Solazzo
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Dioni
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirjam Hoxha
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Vicenzi
- Cardiovascular Disease Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Mozzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Enrico Bergamaschi
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Paediatrics, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Nicola Persico
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- EPIGET LAB, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Preventive Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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26
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Gao H, Geng ML, Huang K, Zhu BB, Zhang C, Gan H, Tong J, Wu XL, Hu CY, Zhang SY, Zhu P, Wang QN, Tao FB. Relationship of individual and mixed prenatal phthalate exposure with placental structure and efficiency in the prospective Ma'anshan Birth Cohort Study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156498. [PMID: 35667428 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure and placental structure and function with inconsistent conclusions. METHODS Nested on the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort study, 2723 women provided spot urine samples during the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy to analyze six phthalate metabolites. The outcomes of interest were placental weight, efficiency (birth weight/placental weight), chorionic disc area and disc eccentricity. The relationships of prenatal exposure to a single phthalate with placental measures were analyzed. The associations between prenatal phthalate mixture exposure and placental measures were also evaluated. RESULTS Most phthalate metabolites were significantly associated with placental weight, efficiency and chorionic disc area during the whole gestation and in each trimester of pregnancy, with different directions of relationships. Sensitivity analyses revealed similar findings, indicating the robustness of the statistical results. Furthermore, inverted U-shaped nonlinear relationships of prenatal exposure to some phthalate metabolites with placental weight, efficiency and chorionic plate area were observed. However, quantile g-computation mixture models did not reveal any association between maternal combined exposure to the total phthalate metabolites and placental measures. CONCLUSIONS Maternal exposure to most phthalates and their metabolites was associated with placental weight, efficiency and chorionic plate area in both a linear manner and an inverted U-shaped nonlinear manner. However, the mixture of multiple phthalate metabolites was not observed to be associated with any placental measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Gao
- Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No.218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Meng-Long Geng
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Bei-Bei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Cancer Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Hong Gan
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Juan Tong
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xiu-Long Wu
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Cheng-Yang Hu
- Department of Humanistic Medicine, School of Humanistic Medicine, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Si-Ying Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Peng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Qu-Nan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Fang-Biao Tao
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
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Laporta J, Lemley C, Chavatte-Palmer P. Editorial: The Influences of Early Life Experiences on Future Health and Productivity. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.962580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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28
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The Update of Fetal Growth Restriction Associated with Biomarkers. MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1097/fm9.0000000000000156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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29
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Zhong C, Shah R, Rando J, Park B, Girardi T, Walker CK, Croen LA, Fallin MD, Hertz-Picciotto I, Lee BK, Schmidt RJ, Volk HE, Newschaffer CJ, Salafia CM, Lyall K. Placental morphology in association with autism-related traits in the EARLI study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:525. [PMID: 35764940 PMCID: PMC9241175 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04851-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In prior work we observed differences in morphology features in placentas from an autism-enriched cohort as compared to those from a general population sample. Here we sought to examine whether these differences associate with ASD-related outcomes in the child. Methods Participants (n = 101) were drawn from the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation (EARLI), a cohort following younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD-related outcomes, including the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) Early Learning Composite, and ASD diagnosis, were assessed at age 3. Crude and adjusted linear regression was used to examine associations between placental morphological features (parametrized continuously and in quartiles) and SRS and MSEL scores; comparisons by ASD case status were explored as secondary analyses due to the small number of cases (n = 20). Results In adjusted analyses, we observed a modest positive association between umbilical cord eccentricity, defined as the ratio of the maximum:minimum radius from the cord insertion point, and SRS scores (Beta = 1.68, 95%CI = 0.45, 2.9). Positive associations were also suggested between placental maximum thickness and cord centrality and SRS scores, though these were estimated with little precision. Associations between other placental morphological features and outcomes were not observed. Conclusions Our analyses suggested a potential association between umbilical cord features and ASD-related traits, of interest as non-central cord insertion may reflect reduced placenta efficiency. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further examine these and other placental features in association with ASD-related outcomes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04851-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caichen Zhong
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | | | - Juliette Rando
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bo Park
- Department of Public Health, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | | | - Cheryl K Walker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Lisa A Croen
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - M Daniele Fallin
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences and the MIND Institute, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Brian K Lee
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rebecca J Schmidt
- Department of Public Health Sciences and the MIND Institute, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Heather E Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Craig J Newschaffer
- Department of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | | | - Kristen Lyall
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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30
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Schroeder M, Badini G, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Albrecht C. The Consequences of Assisted Reproduction Technologies on the Offspring Health Throughout Life: A Placental Contribution. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:906240. [PMID: 35747691 PMCID: PMC9210138 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.906240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) worldwide has led to the conception and birth of over eight million babies since being implemented in 1978. ART use is currently on the rise, given growing infertility and the increase in conception age among men and women in industrialized countries. Though obstetric and perinatal outcomes have improved over the years, pregnancies achieved by ART still bear increased risks for the mother and the unborn child. Moreover, given that the first generation of ART offspring is now only reaching their forties, the long-term effects of ART are currently unknown. This is important, as there is a wealth of data showing that life-long health can be predetermined by poor conditions during intrauterine development, including irregularities in the structure and functioning of the placenta. In the current review, we aim to summarize the latest available findings examining the effects of ART on the cardiometabolic, cognitive/neurodevelopmental, and behavioral outcomes in the perinatal period, childhood and adolescence/adulthood; and to examine placental intrinsic factors that may contribute to the developmental outcomes of ART offspring. Altogether, the latest knowledge about life outcomes beyond adolescence for those conceived by ART appears to suggest a better long-term outcome than previously predicted. There are also changes in placenta structure and functional capacity with ART. However, more work in this area is critically required, since the potential consequences of ART may still emerge as the offspring gets older. In addition, knowledge of the placenta may help to foresee and mitigate any adverse outcomes in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Schroeder
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gina Badini
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Dockx Y, Bijnens E, Saenen N, Aerts R, Aerts JM, Casas L, Delcloo A, Dendoncker N, Linard C, Plusquin M, Stas M, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Van Orshoven J, Somers B, Nawrot T. Residential green space in association with the methylation status in a CpG site within the promoter region of the placental serotonin receptor HTR2A. Epigenetics 2022; 17:1863-1874. [PMID: 35723001 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2088464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Green space could influence adult cognition and childhood neurodevelopment , and is hypothesized to be partly driven by epigenetic modifications. However, it remains unknown whether some of these associations are already evident during foetal development. Similar biological signals shape the developmental processes in the foetal brain and placenta.Therefore, we hypothesize that green space can modify epigenetic processes of cognition-related pathways in placental tissue, such as DNA-methylation of the serotonin receptor HTR2A. HTR2A-methylation was determined within 327 placentas from the ENVIRONAGE (ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGEing) birth cohort using bisulphite-PCR-pyrosequencing. Total green space exposure was calculated using high-resolution land cover data derived from the Green Map of Flanders in seven buffers (50 m-3 km) and stratified into low (<3 m) and high (≥3 m) vegetation. Residential nature was calculated using the Land use Map of Flanders. We performed multivariate regression models adjusted for several a priori chosen covariables. For an IQR increment in total green space within a 1,000 m, 2,000 m and 3,000 m buffer the methylation of HTR2A increased with 1.47% (95%CI:0.17;2.78), 1.52% (95%CI:0.21;2.83) and 1.42% (95%CI:0.15;2.69), respectively. Additionally,, we found 3.00% (95%CI:1.09;4.91) and 1.98% (95%CI:0.28;3.68) higher HTR2A-methylation when comparing residences with and without the presence of nature in a 50 m and 100 m buffer, respectively. The methylation status of HTR2A in placental tissue is positively associated with maternal green space exposure. Future research is needed to understand better how these epigenetic changes are related to functional modifications in the placenta and the consequent implications for foetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Esmée Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nelly Saenen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Raf Aerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium.,Division Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Mycology and Aerobiology, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Marie Aerts
- Division Animal and Human Health Engineering, Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), KU LeuvenMeasure, Model & Manage Bioresponses (M3-BIORES), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lidia Casas
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.,Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IMDO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Andy Delcloo
- Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Dendoncker
- Department of Geography, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.,Institute for Life, Earth and Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Catherine Linard
- Department of Geography, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.,Institute for Life, Earth and Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michiel Stas
- Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division Animal and Human Health Engineering, Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), KU LeuvenMeasure, Model & Manage Bioresponses (M3-BIORES), Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Jos Van Orshoven
- Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ben Somers
- Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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Reed SA, Ashley R, Silver G, Splaine C, Jones AK, Pillai SM, Peterson ML, Zinn SA, Govoni KE. Maternal nutrient restriction and over-feeding during gestation alter expression of key factors involved in placental development and vascularization. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6596678. [PMID: 35648126 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor maternal nutrition can negatively affect fetal and placental growth and development. However, the mechanism(s) that contribute to altered placenta growth and function are not well understood. We hypothesized that poor maternal diet would impact signaling through the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 12-CXCL4 axis and/or placental expression of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis. Using our established sheep model of poor maternal nutrition, we examined the effects of restricted- and over-feeding on ewe placentome gene and protein expression. Specifically, ewes were fed a control (CON; 100%), restricted (RES; 60%), or over (OVER; 140%) diet beginning at day 30.2 ± 0.02 of gestation, and samples were collected at days 45, 90, and 135 of gestation, representing periods of active placentation, peak placental growth, and near term, respectively. Placentomes were separated into cotyledon and caruncle, and samples snap frozen. Protein was determined by western blot and mRNA expression by real-time PCR. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and significance determined at P ≤ 0.05. Ewes fed a RES diet had decreased CXCL12 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α protein compared with CON ewes in caruncle at day 45 (P ≤0.05). In day 45 cotyledon, CXCR7 protein was increased and mTOR was decreased in RES relative to CON (P ≤0.05). At day 90, CXCR4 and CXCR7 were reduced in RES caruncle compared with CON, whereas VEGF was reduced and mTOR increased in cotyledon of RES ewes relative to CON (P ≤0.05). In OVER caruncle, at day 45 CXCR4 and VEGF were reduced and at day 90 CXCR4, CXCR7, and TNFα were reduced in caruncle compared with CON (P ≤0.05). There was no observed effect of OVER diet on protein abundance in the cotyledon (P > 0.05). Expression of IGF-II mRNA was increased in OVER at day 45 and IGFBP-3 was reduced in RES at day 90 in caruncle relative to CON (P ≤0.05). Maternal diet did not alter placentome diameter or weight (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that restricted- and over-feeding negatively impact protein and mRNA expression of key chemokines and growth factors implicated in proper placenta development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Reed
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Ryan Ashley
- Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Gail Silver
- Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Caitlyn Splaine
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Amanda K Jones
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Sambhu M Pillai
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Maria L Peterson
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Steven A Zinn
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Kristen E Govoni
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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Oumer A, Abraham M, Nuri A. Predictors of Major Dietary Patterns Among Pregnant Women Attending Public Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia: A New Epidemiological Approach. Front Nutr 2022; 9:855149. [PMID: 35548559 PMCID: PMC9085216 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.855149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dietary pattern analysis is a robust statistical procedure that efficiently characterize the dietary intakes of individuals. However, there is a lack of robust dietary intake evidence beyond nutrient intake in Ethiopia. This study was to answer, what are the major dietary consumption patterns and its predictors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based survey among 380 randomly selected pregnant women using a contextualized food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) over 1 month recall was used. The frequency of food consumption was standardized to daily frequency equivalents, and a sequential exploratory factor analysis was used to derive major dietary patterns. A multivariable ordinary logistic regression model was fitted with all its assumptions. Results Three major dietary patterns (“fruits and animal-source foods,” “cereals, tubers, and sweet foods,” “legumes and vegetables”), explaining 65% of the total variation were identified. Women snacks (AOR = 1.93; 1.23–2.75), without food aversion (AOR = 1.59; 1.08–2.35), non-fasting (AOR = 0.75; 1.12–2.12), and receiving nutritional counseling (AOR = 1.96; 1.25–3.07) were significantly positively associated with a higher tercile of fruits and animal-source food consumption. Non-working mothers (AOR = 1.8;1.23–2.76), chronic disease (AOR = 1.88; 1.14–3.09), or received nutritional counseling (AOR = 1.33; 0.88–2.01), were fasting (AOR = 1.33;0.88–2.01), and no food cravings (AOR = 4.27;2.67–6.84), and aversion (AOR = 1.60;1.04–2.44) had significantly higher odds of consuming cereals, tubers, and sweet foods. Literacy (AOR = 1.87; 1.14–3.09), urban residence (AOR = 2.10; 1.10–3.93), low socioeconomic class (AOR = 2.68; 1.30–5.23), and skipping meals (AOR = 1.73; 1.15–2.62) were associated with higher odds of legume and vegetable consumption. Conclusion Socioeconomic class, literacy, occupation, getting nutritional counseling, habits of food craving, food aversion, and fasting can predict a woman’s dietary pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdu Oumer
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Mihret Abraham
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Aliya Nuri
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
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Hamza HA, Oumer A, Kabthymer RH, Ali Y, Ahmed Mohammed A, Shaka MF, Assefa K. Individual and community-level factors associated with animal source food consumption among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia: Multilevel mixed effects logistic regression model. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265899. [PMID: 35381049 PMCID: PMC8982870 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diversified diet in childhood has irreplaceable role for optimal growth. However, multi-level factors related to low animal source food consumption among children were poorly understood in Ethiopia, where such evidences are needed for decision making. OBJECTIVES To investigate the magnitude and individual- and community-level predictors of animal source food (ASF) consumption among children aged 6-23 months in Ethiopia. METHODS We utilized a cross-sectional pooled data from 2016/19 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys. A stratified two-stage cluster design was employed to select households with survey weights were applied to account for complex sample design. We fitted mixed-effects logit regression models on 4,423 children nested within 645 clusters. The fixed effect models were fitted and expressed as adjusted odds ratio with their 95% confidence intervals and measures of variation were explained by intra-class correlation coefficients, median odds ratio and proportional change in variance. The deviance information criterion and Akaike information Criterion were used as model fitness criteria. RESULT in Ethiopia, only 22.7% (20.5%-23.9%) of children aged 6-23 months consumed ASF. Younger children aged 6-8 months (AOR = 3.1; 95%CI: 2.4-4.1), home delivered children (AOR = 1.8; 1.4-2.3), from low socioeconomic class (AOR = 2.43; 1.7-3.5); low educational level of mothers (AOR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.48-2.45) and children from multiple risk pregnancy were significant predictors of low animal source consumption at individual level. While children from high community poverty level (AOR = 1.53; 1.2-1.95); rural residence (AOR = 2.2; 95%CI: 1.7-2.8) and pastoralist areas (AOR = 5.4; 3.4-8.5) significantly predict animal source food consumption at community level. About 38% of the variation of ASF consumption is explained by the combined predictors at the individual and community-level while 17.8% of the variation is attributed to differences between clusters. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrates that the current ASF consumption among children is poor and a multiple interacting individual- and community level factors determine ASF consumption. In designing and implementing nutritional interventions addressing diversified diet consumption shall give a due consideration and account for these potential predictors of ASF consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassen Ali Hamza
- Quality Improvement Unit Coordinator at Mekane-selam General Hospital, Mekane-selam, Ethiopia
| | - Abdu Oumer
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Southwest, Ethiopia
| | - Robel Hussen Kabthymer
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
| | - Yeshimebet Ali
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Abbas Ahmed Mohammed
- Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Feyisso Shaka
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
| | - Kenzudin Assefa
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Southwest, Ethiopia
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35
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Plante I, Winn LM, Vaillancourt C, Grigorova P, Parent L. Killing two birds with one stone: Pregnancy is a sensitive window for endocrine effects on both the mother and the fetus. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 205:112435. [PMID: 34843719 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a complex process requiring tremendous physiological changes in the mother in order to fulfill the needs of the growing fetus, and to give birth, expel the placenta and nurse the newborn. These physiological modifications are accompanied with psychological changes, as well as with variations in habits and behaviors. As a result, this period of life is considered as a sensitive window as impaired functional and physiological changes in the mother can have short- and long-term impacts on her health. In addition, dysregulation of the placenta and of mechanisms governing placentation have been linked to chronic diseases later-on in life for the fetus, in a concept known as the Developmental Origin of Health and Diseases (DOHaD). This concept stipulates that any change in the environment during the pre-conception and perinatal (in utero life and neonatal) period to puberty, can be "imprinted" in the organism, thereby impacting the health and risk of chronic diseases later in life. Pregnancy is a succession of events that is regulated, in large part, by hormones and growth factors. Therefore, small changes in hormonal balance can have important effects on both the mother and the developing fetus. An increasing number of studies demonstrate that exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) affect both the mother and the fetus giving rise to growing concerns surrounding these exposures. This review will give an overview of changes that happen during pregnancy with respect to the mother, the placenta, and the fetus, and of the current literature regarding the effects of EDCs during this specific sensitive window of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Plante
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada.
| | - Louise M Winn
- Queen's University, School of Environmental Studies, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | - Petya Grigorova
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TELUQ, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lise Parent
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TELUQ, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Belay M, Oumer A, Abdureshid N, Ale A. Overnutrition and Associated Factors Among High School Adolescents in Mid COVID-19 Pandemic in Ethiopia: Neglected Public Health Concern. Adolesc Health Med Ther 2022; 13:1-14. [PMID: 35082546 PMCID: PMC8784252 DOI: 10.2147/ahmt.s349189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent overnutrition is becoming a global public health problem, increasing at an alarming rate in developing countries. Overnutrition increases the risks of serious diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. However, there is limited evidence on the magnitude and risk factors of overnutrition in the study area. OBJECTIVE To determine the magnitude of overnutrition and associated factors among school adolescents in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2021 among 498 adolescent students selected using a multi-stage sampling procedure. A systematic random sampling technique was employed. Self-administered questionnaires, including food frequency and anthropometric measurement, were used to collect the data. The BMI-for-age Z score was calculated using the WHO Anthro-Plus. A binary logistic regression model was fitted with an odds ratio, and 95% confidence levels. Statistical significance is declared at a p-value below 0.05. RESULTS A total of 498 (98.4%) were included with the overall prevalence of overnutrition of 26.1% (95% CI: 22.3-29.9), where 23.7% and 2.4% had overweight and obesity, respectively. Being female (AOR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.65-6.63), attending at private school (AOR = 4.97; 95% CI: 1.72-14.35), having sweet food preferences (AOR = 6.26; 95% CI: 3.14-12.5), snacking (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.11-8.36), sedentary behavior (AOR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.67-6.09), and eating while watching TV (AOR= 2.95; 95% CI: 1.47-5.95) were significantly associated with overnutrition. CONCLUSION Overnutrition is a major emerging public health problem in eastern Ethiopia. School type, sex, sweet food preferences, habits of snacking, sedentary behaviors, and eating while watching TV were significantly associated with overnutrition. Therefore, public health strategies to curb overweight and obesity among high school adolescents are urgently needed in order to reduce the prevalence and its adverse complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Belay
- Department of public health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Abdu Oumer
- Department of public health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Neil Abdureshid
- Department of Midwifery and College Quality Improvement Coordinator, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmed Ale
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
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Peres KG, Nascimento GG, Gupta A, Singh A, Cassiano LS, Rugg-Gunn AJ. Scoping Review of Oral Health-Related Birth Cohort Studies: Toward a Global Consortium. J Dent Res 2022; 101:632-646. [PMID: 35012400 PMCID: PMC9125142 DOI: 10.1177/00220345211062475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The multidisciplinary nature and long duration of birth cohort studies allow investigation of the relationship between general and oral health and indicate the most appropriate stages in life to intervene. To date, the worldwide distribution of oral health-related birth cohort studies (OHRBCSs) has not been mapped, and a synthesis of information on methodological characteristics and outcomes is not available. We mapped published literature on OHRBCSs, describing their oral health-related data and methodological aspects. A 3-step search strategy was adopted to identify published studies using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and OVID databases. Studies with baseline data collection during pregnancy or within the first year of life or linked future oral health data to exposures during either of these 2 life stages were included. Studies examining only mothers' oral health and specific populations were excluded. In total, 1,721 articles were suitable for initial screening of titles and abstracts, and 528 articles were included in the review, identifying 120 unique OHRBCSs from 34 countries in all continents. The review comprised literature from the mid-1940s to the 21st century. Fifty-four percent of the OHRBCSs started from 2000 onward, and 75% of the cohorts were from high-income and only 2 from low-income countries. The participation rate between the baseline and the last oral health follow-up varied between 7% and 93%. Ten cohorts that included interventions were mostly from 2000 and with fewer than 1,000 participants. Seven data-linkage cohorts focused mostly on upstream characteristics and biological aspects. The most frequent clinical assessment was dental caries, widely presented as decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT/dmft). Periodontal conditions were primarily applied as isolated outcomes or as part of a classification system. Socioeconomic classification, ethnicity, and country- or language-specific assessment tools varied across countries. Harmonizing definitions will allow combining data from different studies, adding considerable strength to data analyses; this will be facilitated by forming a global consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- K G Peres
- National Dental Research Institute Singapore, National Dental Centre Singapore, Singapore.,Oral Health ACP, Health Services and Systems Research Programme Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - G G Nascimento
- Section for Periodontology, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - A Gupta
- Deakin University, Geelong, Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Australia
| | - A Singh
- Melbourne Dental School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - L Schertel Cassiano
- Section for Periodontology, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - A J Rugg-Gunn
- The Borrow Foundation, Waterlooville, UK.,School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Masiero BC, Calsa B, Oliveira CA, Moretti de Andrade TA, Esquisatto MAM, Catisti R. Morphofunctional and immunological cardiac evaluation of protein restriction on rat offspring. Ann Anat 2022; 241:151889. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2022.151889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Paternal Exercise Improves the Metabolic Health of Offspring via Epigenetic Modulation of the Germline. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010001. [PMID: 35008427 PMCID: PMC8744992 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Epigenetic regulation is considered the main molecular mechanism underlying the developmental origin of health and disease's (DOHAD) hypothesis. Previous studies that have investigated the role of paternal exercise on the metabolic health of the offspring did not control for the amount and intensity of the training or possible effects of adaptation to exercise and produced conflicting results regarding the benefits of parental exercise to the next generation. We employed a precisely regulated exercise regimen to study the transgenerational inheritance of improved metabolic health. METHODS We subjected male mice to a well-controlled exercise -training program to investigate the effects of paternal exercise on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in their adult progeny. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance, we determined chromatin markers in the skeletal muscle of the offspring and the paternal sperm. RESULTS Offspring of trained male mice exhibited improved glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Paternal exercise modulated the DNA methylation profile of PI3Kca and the imprinted H19/Igf2 locus at specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the skeletal muscle of the offspring, which affected their gene expression. Remarkably, a similar DNA methylation profile at the PI3Kca, H19, and Igf2 genes was present in the progenitor sperm indicating that exercise-induced epigenetic changes that occurred during germ cell development contributed to transgenerational transmission. CONCLUSION Paternal exercise might be considered as a strategy that could promote metabolic health in the offspring as the benefits can be inherited transgenerationally.
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40
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Murthy GG, Prideaux MA, Armstrong M, Kenney HM, Latchney SE, Susiarjo M, Murphy SP. Characterization of the temporal, cell-specific and interferon-inducible patterns of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) expression in the human placenta across gestation. Placenta 2021; 115:129-138. [PMID: 34619429 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The human placenta performs multiple functions necessary for successful pregnancy, but the metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating placental development and functions remain incompletely understood. Catabolism of the essential amino acid tryptophan has numerous critical roles in normal physiology, including inflammation. The kynurenine pathway, which accounts for ∼90% of tryptophan breakdown, is mediated by indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in the placenta. In pregnant mice, alterations of IDO1 activity or expression result in fetal resorption and a preeclampsia-like phenotype. Decreased IDO1 expression at the maternal-fetal interface has also been linked to preeclampsia, in utero growth restriction and recurrent miscarriage in humans. These collective observations suggest essential role(s) for IDO1 in maintaining healthy pregnancy. Despite these important roles, the precise temporal, cell-specific and inflammatory cytokine-mediated patterns of IDO1 expression in the human placenta have not been thoroughly characterized across gestation. METHODS Western blot and whole mount immunofluorescence (WMIF) were utilized to characterize and quantify basal and interferon (IFN)-inducible IDO1 expression in 1st trimester (7-13 weeks), 2nd trimester (14-22 weeks) and term (39-41 weeks) placental villi. RESULTS IDO1 expression is activated in the human placenta between the 13th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, increases through the 2nd trimester and remains elevated at term. Constitutive IDO1 expression is restricted to placental endothelial cells. Interestingly, different types of IFNs have distinct effects on IDO1 expression in the human placenta. DISCUSSION Our collective results are consistent with potential role(s) for IDO1 in the regulation of vascular functions in placental villi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Guru Murthy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Mallory A Prideaux
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Madison Armstrong
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - H Mark Kenney
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Sarah E Latchney
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Martha Susiarjo
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Shawn P Murphy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
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Estrada-Cortés E, Ortiz W, Rabaglino MB, Block J, Rae O, Jannaman EA, Xiao Y, Hansen PJ. Choline acts during preimplantation development of the bovine embryo to program postnatal growth and alter muscle DNA methylation. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21926. [PMID: 34533870 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100991r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The preimplantation period of embryonic development can be a key window for programming of postnatal development because extensive epigenetic remodeling occurs during this time. It was hypothesized that modification of one-carbon metabolism of the bovine embryo by addition of the methyl-donor choline to culture medium would change postnatal phenotype through epigenetic modification. Embryos produced in vitro were cultured with 1.8 mM choline chloride or control medium. Blastocysts were transferred into females and pregnancy outcomes and postnatal phenotype of the resultant calves determined. Exposure of embryos to choline increased gestation length and calf birth weight. Calves derived from choline-treated embryos were also heavier at weaning and had increased ratio of body weight to hip height than control calves. Choline altered muscle DNA methylation of calves 4 months after birth. A total of 670 of the 8149 CpG examined were differentially methylated, with the predominant effect of choline being hypomethylation. Among the genes associated with differentially methylated CpG were ribosomal RNAs and genes in AMPK, mTOR, integrin, and BEX2 canonical pathways and cellular functions involved in growth and proliferation. Results demonstrate that provision of the methyl-donor choline to the preimplantation embryo can alter its developmental program to increase gestation length, birth weight, and weaning weight and cause postnatal changes in muscle DNA methylation including those associated with genes related to anabolic processes and cellular growth. The importance of the nutritional status of the embryo with respect to one-carbon metabolism for ensuring health and well-being after birth is emphasized by these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliab Estrada-Cortés
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Campo Experimental Centro Altos de Jalisco, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Mexico
| | - William Ortiz
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Maria B Rabaglino
- Quantitative Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Group, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jeremy Block
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
| | - Owen Rae
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Jannaman
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Peter J Hansen
- Department of Animal Sciences and D.H. Barron Reproductive and Perinatal Biology Research Program, and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Lorenzon F, Gregorio T, Niebisch F, Stolte RCK, Dos Santos GJ, Rafacho A, Lima FB. Maternal vitamin D administration attenuates metabolic disturbances induced by prenatal exposure to dexamethasone in a sex-dependent manner. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 212:105941. [PMID: 34147644 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The overexposure to synthetic glucocorticoids (GC) during pregnancy can predispose to metabolic diseases during adulthood. Vitamin D is not only crucial for fetal development, but also exerts direct effects on the GC sensitivity and down-regulates GC receptors. Given the vitamin D effects on glucocorticoid-related parameters, we aimed to investigate a possible protective role of maternal vitamin D administration on the glucose homeostasis of rats exposed to dexamethasone in utero. METHODS Pregnant rats received dexamethasone (0.1 mg/kg, Dex) daily between the 14th and 19th days of pregnancy. A subgroup of dexamethasone-treated dams received oral administration of vitamin D (500UI, DexVD) during the whole gestation. The corresponding control groups of dams were included (CTL and VD groups, respectively). Male and female offspring were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months of age. RESULTS Prenatal exposure to dexamethasone caused metabolic disruption in an age and sex-dependent manner being the older male offspring more susceptible to insulin resistance, fatty liver and beta-cell mass expansion than females. Furthermore, we demonstrated that prenatal GC led to glucose intolerance in male and female offspring in an age-dependent manner. Maternal vitamin D administration did not influence glucose intolerance but attenuated the insulin resistance, liver lipid accumulation and prevented the beta-cell mass expansion caused by prenatal dexamethasone in the male offspring. CONCLUSION Maternal vitamin D administration mitigates metabolic disturbances that occur later in life in male rats exposed to GC in utero. Moreover, our data suggest vitamin D as an important nutritional supplement for pregnant overexposed to GC during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flaviano Lorenzon
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Tamires Gregorio
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Niebisch
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Rafaela C K Stolte
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Gustavo J Dos Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Alex Rafacho
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Fernanda B Lima
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - UFSC, Campus Trindade, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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Marinello WP, Patisaul HB. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and placental function: Impact on fetal brain development. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2021; 92:347-400. [PMID: 34452690 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a critical time of vulnerability for the development of the fetal brain. Exposure to environmental pollutants at any point in pregnancy can negatively impact many aspects of fetal development, especially the organization and differentiation of the brain. The placenta performs a variety of functions that can help protect the fetus and sustain brain development. However, disruption of any of these functions can have negative impacts on both the pregnancy outcome and fetal neurodevelopment. This review presents current understanding of how environmental exposures, specifically to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interfere with placental function and, in turn, neurodevelopment. Some of the key differences in placental development between animal models are presented, as well as how placental functions such as serving as a xenobiotic barrier and exchange organ, immune interface, regulator of growth and fetal oxygenation, and a neuroendocrine organ, could be vulnerable to environmental exposure. This review illustrates the importance of the placenta as a modulator of fetal brain development and suggests critical unexplored areas and possible vulnerabilities to environmental exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P Marinello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.
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Lee BK, Kim J. Integrating High-Throughput Approaches and in vitro Human Trophoblast Models to Decipher Mechanisms Underlying Early Human Placenta Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:673065. [PMID: 34150768 PMCID: PMC8206641 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.673065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a temporary but pivotal organ for human pregnancy. It consists of multiple specialized trophoblast cell types originating from the trophectoderm of the blastocyst stage of the embryo. While impaired trophoblast differentiation results in pregnancy disorders affecting both mother and fetus, the molecular mechanisms underlying early human placenta development have been poorly understood, partially due to the limited access to developing human placentas and the lack of suitable human in vitro trophoblast models. Recent success in establishing human trophoblast stem cells and other human in vitro trophoblast models with their differentiation protocols into more specialized cell types, such as syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast, has provided a tremendous opportunity to understand early human placenta development. Unfortunately, while high-throughput research methods and omics tools have addressed numerous molecular-level questions in various research fields, these tools have not been widely applied to the above-mentioned human trophoblast models. This review aims to provide an overview of various omics approaches that can be utilized in the study of human in vitro placenta models by exemplifying some important lessons obtained from omics studies of mouse model systems and introducing recently available human in vitro trophoblast model systems. We also highlight some key unknown questions that might be addressed by such techniques. Integrating high-throughput omics approaches and human in vitro model systems will facilitate our understanding of molecular-level regulatory mechanisms underlying early human placenta development as well as placenta-associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bum-Kyu Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Research Center, University at Albany-State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Jonghwan Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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Mitku AA, Zewotir T, North D, Jeena P, Naidoo RN. Effects of prenatal exposure factors on birth outcomes through mediation of favorable fetal growth conditions using structural equation modeling. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249664. [PMID: 33905420 PMCID: PMC8078817 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Birth weight, birth length, and gestational age are major indicators of newborn health. Several prenatal exposure factors influence the fetal environment. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure factors, including socio-demographic, behavioural, dietary, physical activity, clinical and environmental on birth outcomes through the mediation of Favourable Fetal Growth Conditions (FFGC). Methods Data was obtained from six hundred and fifty-six Mother and Child in the Environment birth cohort study in Durban, South Africa from 2013 to 2017. We adopted structural equation models which evaluate the direct and indirect effects by allowing multiple simultaneous equations to incorporate confounding and mediation. Results A significant direct and indirect effect of FFGC on newborn weight, length, and gestational age was seen. Gestational weight gain and maternal body mass index in the first trimester exerted a mediation effect between maternal behavioural risk factors and FFGC. Similarly, the level of physical activity during pregnancy was associated with decreased gestational weight gain. The effects of maternal characteristics on newborn weight, length, and gestational age were largely indirect, operating through FFGC as a latent variable. Conclusions Gestational weight gain and maternal pre-gestational BMI were observed to mediate the association between prenatal behavioural risk factors and favourable fetal growth conditions. Trial registration Retrospectively registered from 01 March 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aweke A. Mitku
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Statistics, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Temesgen Zewotir
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Delia North
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Prakash Jeena
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Rajen N. Naidoo
- Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Betancourt DM, Llana MN, Sarnacki SH, Cerquetti MC, Monzalve LS, Pustovrh MC, Giacomodonato MN. Salmonella Enteritidis foodborne infection induces altered placental morphometrics in the murine model. Placenta 2021; 109:11-18. [PMID: 33915480 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Salmonella foodborne disease during pregnancy causes a significant fetal loss in domestic livestock and preterm birth, chorioamnionitis and miscarriage in humans. These complications could be associated with alterations in placental structure. This study was aimed to determine how a low dose of Salmonella Enteritidis during late gestation affects placental histomorphometric in mice. METHODS We used a self-limiting enterocolitis murine model. BALB/c pregnant animals received a low dose of Salmonella Enteritidis (3-4 x 102 CFU/mouse) on gestational day (GD) 15. At day 3 post infection bacterial loads, serum cytokines expression and placental histomorphometrics parameters were analyzed. RESULTS We found that a sub-lethal infection with Salmonella induced a significant drop in fetal weight -to-placental weight-ratio and an increase in the placental coefficient. After bacterial inoculation maternal organs were colonized, inducing placental morphometric alterations, including increased placental thickness, reduced surface area, and diminished major and minor diameters. Also, foci of necrosis accompanied by acute leukocyte infiltration in decidual zone, reduction of vascular spaces and vascular congestion in labyrinth zone, were also evident in placentas from infected females on GD 18. Our data shows that placentas from infected mothers are phenotypically different from control ones. Furthermore, expression of IFN-gamma and IL-6 was up regulated in response to Salmonella in maternal serum. DISCUSSION Our findings demonstrate that a low dose of Salmonella during late gestation alters the placental morphometry leading to negative consequences on pregnancy outcome such as significant reduction in fetal body weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Betancourt
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Mariángeles Noto Llana
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Sebastián H Sarnacki
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - M Cristina Cerquetti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | - María C Pustovrh
- Departamento de Morfología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
| | - Mónica N Giacomodonato
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Microbiología, Parasitología e Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling decreases levels of O-GlcNAc transferase and increases serotonin release in the human placenta. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 134:3123-3136. [PMID: 33215629 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Changes in placental function, in particular down-regulation of placental O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) in response to maternal stress and increased placental secretion of serotonin into the fetal circulation following maternal infection, have been mechanistically linked to adverse neurodevelopment in mice. We hypothesized that mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is a key regulator of trophoblast serotonin synthesis and OGT protein expression and that serotonin is secreted by the human placenta into the fetal circulation. Placental homogenates (n=46) from elective terminations at 8-22 weeks of gestation and from healthy-term women were sexed and the protein levels of OGT and enzymes involved in serotonin synthesis was determined. Primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells were isolated from normal term placenta (n=27), cultured and transfected (n=8) with siRNA targeting a scramble sequence (control), raptor (inhibits mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1)), or rictor (inhibits mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2)). Subsequently, conditioned media and PHT cell lysates were collected. Free serotonin concentration was measured using ELISA in cell culture media and in platelet-depleted normal term umbilical vein and artery plasma (n=38). Both mTORC1 and mTORC2 inhibition down-regulated OGT levels in PHT cells. The level of serotonin synthesis enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH-1) was higher in early gestation female placentas and at term serotonin concentration was three-fold higher in the umbilical vein than in the umbilical artery. Inhibition of mTORC2, but not mTORC1, increased cultured PHT cell serotonin secretion. Our data are consistent with the model that mTOR signaling is a key regulator of trophoblast serotonin synthesis and OGT protein expression.
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Dini P, Carossino M, Balasuriya UBR, El-Sheikh Ali H, Loux SC, Esteller-Vico A, Scoggin KE, Loynachan AT, Kalbfleisch T, De Spiegelaere W, Daels P, Ball BA. Paternally expressed retrotransposon Gag-like 1 gene, RTL1, is one of the crucial elements for placental angiogenesis in horses†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:1386-1399. [PMID: 33693478 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
RTL1 (retrotransposon Gag-like 1) is an essential gene in the development of the human and murine placenta. Several fetal and placental abnormalities such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and hydrops conditions have been associated with altered expression of this gene. However, the function of RTL1 has not been identified. RTL1 is located on a highly conserved region in eutherian mammals. Therefore, the genetic and molecular analysis in horses could hold important implications for other species, including humans. Here, we demonstrated that RTL1 is paternally expressed and is localized within the endothelial cells of the equine (Equus caballus) chorioallantois. We developed an equine placental microvasculature primary cell culture and demonstrated that RTL1 knockdown leads to loss of the sprouting ability of these endothelial cells. We further demonstrated an association between abnormal expression of RTL1 and development of hydrallantois. Our data suggest that RTL1 may be essential for placental angiogenesis, and its abnormal expression can lead to placental insufficiency. This placental insufficiency could be the reason for IUGR and hydrops conditions reported in other species, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pouya Dini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.,Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Mariano Carossino
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Udeni B R Balasuriya
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Shavahn C Loux
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Alejandro Esteller-Vico
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Kirsten E Scoggin
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Alan T Loynachan
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Theodore Kalbfleisch
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Ward De Spiegelaere
- Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Peter Daels
- Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging and Small Animal Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Barry A Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Taylor LA, Gallagher K, Ott KA, Gernand AD. How often is the placenta included in human pregnancy research? A rapid systematic review of the literature. Gates Open Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13215.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The placenta is a complex organ that plays a vital role not only in nutrient transfer but also in directing maternal and fetal physiological processes across pregnancy. Due to its multi-functionality, assessing the placenta can provide critical information about maternal and child health and risks of adverse outcomes. Objective: We aimed to quantify the percentage of human pregnancy studies that include placenta data. Methods: We conducted a rapid review of pregnancy studies conducted in the US that were published as original research in PubMed in 2018. Human studies conducted during the second trimester, third trimester, or labor and/or delivery were eligible. The systematic search produced 1,448 publications. After screening and full article review, 290 studies met all eligibility criteria. We then extracted data on study design, reporting of placenta data, time and type of data collection, and study objective categorization. Results: In total, 32% of studies were randomized controlled trials; the remaining were observational studies. Only 14% included placenta data of any kind. A total of 10% included placenta data during pregnancy and 7% included data after delivery; only 2% included both. Most data during pregnancy were collected by ultrasound and most data on the delivered placenta were from pathology exams. Study objectives were focused on maternal and/or infant outcomes (99.7%), while only one study had a placenta outcome. Conclusion: Based on this rapid review, a small proportion of pregnancy studies use placenta data in research. The placenta, an essential component of understanding healthy or adverse outcomes, deserves much more attention in pregnancy research.
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Extensive Placental Methylation Profiling in Normal Pregnancies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042136. [PMID: 33669975 PMCID: PMC7924820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The placental methylation pattern is crucial for the regulation of genes involved in trophoblast invasion and placental development, both key events for fetal growth. We investigated LINE-1 methylation and methylome profiling using a methylation EPIC array and the targeted methylation sequencing of 154 normal, full-term pregnancies, stratified by birth weight percentiles. LINE-1 methylation showed evidence of a more pronounced hypomethylation in small neonates compared with normal and large for gestational age. Genome-wide methylation, performed in two subsets of pregnancies, showed very similar methylation profiles among cord blood samples while placentae from different pregnancies appeared very variable. A unique methylation profile emerged in each placenta, which could represent the sum of adjustments that the placenta made during the pregnancy to preserve the epigenetic homeostasis of the fetus. Investigations into the 1000 most variable sites between cord blood and the placenta showed that promoters and gene bodies that are hypermethylated in the placenta are associated with blood-specific functions, whereas those that are hypomethylated belong mainly to pathways involved in cancer. These features support the functional analogies between a placenta and cancer. Our results, which provide a comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation profiling in the human placenta, suggest that its peculiar dynamicity can be relevant for understanding placental plasticity in response to the environment.
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