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Keenen MM, Yang L, Liang H, Farmer VJ, Singh R, Gladfelter AS, Coyne CB. Comparative analysis of the syncytiotrophoblast in placenta tissue and trophoblast organoids using snRNA sequencing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601571. [PMID: 39005304 PMCID: PMC11244908 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The outer surface of chorionic villi in the human placenta consists of a single multinucleated cell called the syncytiotrophoblast (STB). The unique cellular ultrastructure of the STB presents challenges in deciphering its gene expression signature at the single-cell level, as the STB contains billions of nuclei in a single cell. There are many gaps in understanding the molecular mechanisms and developmental trajectories involved in STB formation and differentiation. To identify the underlying control of the STB, we performed comparative single nucleus (SN) and single cell (SC) RNA sequencing on placental tissue and tissue-derived trophoblast organoids (TOs). We found that SN was essential to capture the STB population from both tissue and TOs. Differential gene expression and pseudotime analysis of TO-derived STB identified three distinct nuclear subtypes reminiscent of those recently identified in vivo . These included a juvenile nuclear population that exhibited both CTB and STB marker expression, a population enriched in genes involved in oxygen sensing, and a fully differentiated subtype. Notably, suspension culture conditions of TOs that restore the native orientation of the STB (STB out ) showed elevated expression of canonical STB markers and pregnancy hormones, along with a greater proportion of the terminally differentiated mature STB subtype, compared to those cultivated with an inverted STB polarity (STB in ). Gene regulatory analysis identified novel markers of STB differentiation conserved in tissue and TOs, including the chromatin remodeler RYBP, that exhibited STB-specific RNA and protein expression. Finally, we compared STB gene expression signatures amongst first trimester tissue, full-term tissue, and TOs, identifying many commonalities but also notable variability across each sample type. This indicates that STB gene expression is responsive to its environmental context. Our findings emphasize the utility of TOs to accurately model STB differentiation and the distinct nuclear subtypes observed in vivo , offering a versatile platform for unraveling the molecular mechanisms governing STB functions in placental biology and disease.
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Lestari B, Fukushima T, Utomo RY, Wahyuningsih MSH. Apoptotic and non-apoptotic roles of caspases in placenta physiology and pathology. Placenta 2024; 151:37-47. [PMID: 38703713 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.03.013] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Caspases, a family of cysteine proteases, are pivotal regulators of apoptosis, the tightly controlled cell death process crucial for eliminating excessive or unnecessary cells during development, including placental development. Collecting research has unveiled the multifaceted roles of caspases in the placenta, extending beyond apoptosis. Apart from their involvement in placental tissue remodeling via apoptosis, caspases actively participate in essential regulatory processes, such as trophoblast fusion and differentiation, significantly influencing placental growth and functionality. In addition, growing evidence indicates an elevation in caspase activity under pathological conditions like pre-eclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), leading to excessive cell death as well as inflammation. Drawing from advancements in caspase research and placental development under both normal and abnormal conditions, we examine the significance of caspases in both cell death (apoptosis) and non-cell death-related processes within the placenta. We also discuss potential therapeutics targeting caspase-related pathways for placenta disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beni Lestari
- Department Pharmacology and Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Toshiaki Fukushima
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
| | - Rohmad Yudi Utomo
- Cancer Chemoprevention Research Center, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia; Department Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Mae Sri Hartati Wahyuningsih
- Department Pharmacology and Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
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Islam M, Behura SK. Single-Cell Transcriptional Response of the Placenta to the Ablation of Caveolin-1: Insights into the Adaptive Regulation of Brain-Placental Axis in Mice. Cells 2024; 13:215. [PMID: 38334607 PMCID: PMC10854826 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030215] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Caveolin-1 (Cav1) is a major plasma membrane protein that plays important functions in cellular metabolism, proliferation, and senescence. Mice lacking Cav1 show abnormal gene expression in the fetal brain. Though evidence for placental influence on brain development is emerging, whether the ablation of Cav1 affects the regulation of the brain-placental axis remains unexamined. The current study tests the hypothesis that gene expression changes in specific cells of the placenta and the fetal brain are linked to the deregulation of the brain-placental axis in Cav1-null mice. By performing single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analyses, we show that the abundance of the extravillious trophoblast (EVT) and stromal cells, but not the cytotrophoblast (CTB) or syncytiotrophoblast (STB), are significantly impacted due to Cav1 ablation in mice. Interestingly, specific genes related to brain development and neurogenesis were significantly differentially expressed in trophoblast cells due to Cav1 deletion. Comparison of single-cell gene expression between the placenta and the fetal brain further showed that specific genes such as plexin A1 (Plxna1), phosphatase and actin regulator 1 (Phactr1) and amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (Aplp2) were differentially expressed between the EVT and STB cells of the placenta, and also, between the radial glia and ependymal cells of the fetal brain. Bulk RNA-seq analysis of the whole placenta and the fetal brain further identified genes differentially expressed in a similar manner between the placenta and the fetal brain due to the absence of Cav1. The deconvolution of reference cell types from the bulk RNA-seq data further showed that the loss of Cav1 impacted the abundance of EVT cells relative to the stromal cells in the placenta, and that of the glia cells relative to the neuronal cells in the fetal brain. Together, the results of this study suggest that the ablation of Cav1 causes deregulated gene expression in specific cell types of the placenta and the fetal brain in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliha Islam
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
| | - Susanta K. Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Reproduction and Health Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Nursalim YNS, Groom KM, Blenkiron C, Chamley LW. Isolation and Maintenance in Culture of Primary Human Trophoblast from Term Placentae. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2728:3-12. [PMID: 38019387 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3495-0_1] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Trophoblasts are placenta-specific epithelial cells that play an essential role in conducting nutrient, gas, and waste exchange between the fetus and the mother. Primary culture of human trophoblasts from donated term placentae is an important tool to study placental functions. Currently, there is a lack of general consensus of the optimal culture conditions for maintaining term trophoblast cells in vitro. A key problem with culturing trophoblasts from term placentae is overgrowth of the trophoblasts by rapidly proliferating cellular contaminants. Recently we reported a system to culture trophoblasts from term placentae which differentiate into syncytiotrophoblast-like multinucleated cells that can be maintained in culture for at least 30 days with minimal contamination. This chapter details our optimized approach for long-term, contaminant-free in vitro culture of primary trophoblasts from term placentae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohanes N S Nursalim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
- Hub for Extracellular Vesicles Investigations (HEVI), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Katie M Groom
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Cherie Blenkiron
- Hub for Extracellular Vesicles Investigations (HEVI), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lawrence W Chamley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Hub for Extracellular Vesicles Investigations (HEVI), University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Fives C, Toulouse A, Kenny L, Brosnan T, McCarthy J, Fitzgerald B. Cytology Techniques Can Provide Insight into Human Placental Structure Including Syncytiotrophoblast Nuclear Spatial Organisation. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:46. [PMID: 38132714 PMCID: PMC10743966 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11040046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide the first systematic description of human placental cytology appearances and to investigate syncytiotrophoblast nuclear organisation patterns using cytology techniques. Term placentas from normal pregnancies were sampled using fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and direct scrapes. Standard histological examination was also performed to exclude pathological changes in the placentas being studied. Both Papanicolaou-stained cytospin preparations and air-dried Giemsa slides from FNA provided high-quality material for cytological assessment with good cellularity. Among the key features of the cytology preparations were villous "microbiopsies" that allowed for the three-dimensional appreciation of villous branching patterns. Cytological appearances, including nuclear characteristics of villous cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, were also well demonstrated. In microbiopsies and detached villous trophoblast sheets, complex patterns of syncytiotrophoblast nuclear organisation, not previously described cytologically, were observed, including irregular spacing of nuclei, syncytioplasm windows and linear nuclear arrangements. This study showed that placental cytology (a) provides technically excellent material for cytological evaluation, (b) confirms the presence of complex nuclear organisational patterns in the syncytiotrophoblast by eliminating the possibility of tangential sectioning artefact, (c) provides superior nuclear detail over standard histological sections and (d) may be an untapped research resource for the investigation of normal and pathological processes because of its ability to look at the placenta in a novel way and through its potential for both ex vivo and in vivo placental sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie Fives
- Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital, T12 DC4A Cork, Ireland
| | - André Toulouse
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland
| | - Louise Kenny
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7TX, UK
| | - Therese Brosnan
- Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital, T12 DC4A Cork, Ireland
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, T12 YE02 Cork, Ireland
| | - Julie McCarthy
- Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital, T12 DC4A Cork, Ireland
| | - Brendan Fitzgerald
- Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital, T12 DC4A Cork, Ireland
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, T12 YE02 Cork, Ireland
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Wang D, Tian Y, Wang S, Li Y, Li H, Jiang N, Xie Y, Yu M, Li A, Wang X, Zhou Q. Antisense oligonuleotides influences trophoblasts behaviors by changing LncNR_040117 expression in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome-induced recurrent pregnancy loss. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2023; 36:2183083. [PMID: 37080915 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2183083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study was to explore whether antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that reduce LncNR_040117 expression in patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS)-induced recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and further decrease apoptosis and improve trophoblasts invasion through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. This paper aimed to provide a new strategy to treat APS-induced RPL. METHODS In this study, we used quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to analyze the expression level of LncNR 040117 in HTR-8/SVneo cells following transfection with ASOs. Then we utilized Western blotting to test the expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and key molecules of MAPK pathways, including the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38. In addition, we examined the HTR-8/SVneo cells apoptosis by cell apoptosis assay, and migration and invasion by transwell antibody assay. Each experiment was repeated three times. The data are presented as the means ± SDs, and statistical comparisons were performed using Student's t-test. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULT Transfected with ASOs, LncNR_040117 was downregulated in trophoblasts compared with APS-induced RPL patients. And LncNR_040117 low expression induced IL-1β and downstream adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1expression level decreased, as well as MAPK pathways downregulation, including the ERK pathway, JNK pathway and p38/MAPK pathway. Furthermore, all these changes resulted in decreased apoptosis and increased migration and invasion of trophoblasts. CONCLUSION This study indicated that ASOs that decrease LncNR_040117 expression can reduce apoptosis and enhance the invasion and migration of trophoblasts by regulating the MAPK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yijia Tian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yilei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Yu Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Mengru Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Aihua Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Xietong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Laboratory of Placenta-related Diseases, Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, P.R. China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Laboratory of Placenta-related Diseases, Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, Jinan, Shandong, P.R. China
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Guerrero-Muñoz J, Medina L, Castillo C, Liempi A, Fernández-Moya A, Araneda S, Ortega Y, Rojas-Pirela M, Maya JD, Kemmerling U. MicroRNA-512-3p mediates Trypanosoma cruzi-induced apoptosis during ex vivo infection of human placental explants. Placenta 2023; 143:117-123. [PMID: 37898020 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.10.009] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Upon infection, Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite, crosses the placental barrier and causes congenital Chagas disease. Ex vivo infection of human placental explants (HPEs) with the parasite induces apoptotic cell death. This cellular process involves changes in gene expression, which are partially regulated by miRNAs. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-512-3p, a highly expressed miRNA in the placenta, in parasite-induced apoptosis. METHODS HPE cells were transfected with antagomirs or mimics of miR-512-3p and subsequently challenged with the parasite. The expression levels of miR-512-3p, caspase 3, caspase 8, and Livin were measured using RT-qPCR, and apoptotic cell death was analyzed based on caspase activity and DNA fragmentation assays. RESULTS Targeted inhibition of miR-512-3p effectively prevented parasite-induced expression and enzymatic activity of caspase 3 and caspase 8. However, it did not completely prevent DNA fragmentation, indicating the involvement of other factors in this process. Furthermore, the findings suggest that Livin may be regulated by miR-512-3p. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that miR-512-3p modulates parasite-induced apoptosis in the trophoblast. By understanding the mechanisms involved in this process, we can gain insights into the pathogenesis of congenital Chagas disease and develop targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Guerrero-Muñoz
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lisvaneth Medina
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christian Castillo
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Núcleo de Investigación Aplicada en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Chile
| | - Ana Liempi
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Fernández-Moya
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Araneda
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Patología y Medicina oral, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yessica Ortega
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Facultad de Farmacia y Bioanálisis, Universidad de Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela
| | - Maura Rojas-Pirela
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Biología Integrativa, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Mineo C, Shaul PW, Bermas BL. The pathogenesis of obstetric APS: a 2023 update. Clin Immunol 2023; 255:109745. [PMID: 37625670 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the persistent presence of antibodies directed against phospholipids and phospholipid-binding proteins that are associated with thrombosis and pregnancy-related morbidity. The latter includes fetal deaths, premature birth and maternal complications. In the early 1990s, a distinct set of autoantibodies, termed collectively antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), were identified as the causative agents of this disorder. Subsequently histological analyses of the placenta from APS pregnancies revealed various abnormalities, including inflammation at maternal-fetal interface and poor placentation manifested by reduced trophoblast invasion and limited uterine spiral artery remodeling. Further preclinical investigations identified the molecular targets of aPL and the downstream intracellular pathways of key placental cell types. While these discoveries suggest potential therapeutics for this disorder, definitive clinical trials have not been completed. This concise review focuses on the recent developments in the field of basic and translational research pursuing novel mechanisms underlying obstetric APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieko Mineo
- Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
| | - Philip W Shaul
- Center for Pulmonary and Vascular Biology, Department of Pediatrics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Bonnie L Bermas
- Division of Rheumatic Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Huang L, Tu Z, Wei L, Sun W, Wang Y, Bi S, He F, Du L, Chen J, Kzhyshkowska J, Wang H, Chen D, Zhang S. Generating Functional Multicellular Organoids from Human Placenta Villi. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301565. [PMID: 37438660 PMCID: PMC10502861 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between trophoblasts, stroma cells, and immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface constitutes the functional units of the placenta, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, the investigation of this intricate interplay is restricted due to the absence of efficient experimental models. To address this challenge, a robust, reliable methodology for generating placenta villi organoids (PVOs) from early, late, or diseased pregnancies using air-liquid surface culture is developed. PVOs contain cytotrophoblasts that can self-renew and differentiate directly, along with stromal elements that retain native immune cells. Analysis of scRNA sequencing and WES data reveals that PVOs faithfully recapitulate the cellular components and genetic alterations of the corresponding source tissue. Additionally, PVOs derived from patients with preeclampsia exhibit specific pathological features such as inflammation, antiangiogenic imbalance, and decreased syncytin expression. The PVO-based propagation of primary placenta villi should enable a deeper investigation of placenta development and exploration of the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutics of placenta-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Zhaowei Tu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Liudan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shilei Bi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Jingsi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and ImmunologyMedical Faculty MannheimUniversity of Heidelberg68167MannheimGermany
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health ResearchDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen UniversitySchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamen361005China
| | - Dunjin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong ProvinceGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
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10
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Chen J, Neil JA, Tan JP, Rudraraju R, Mohenska M, Sun YBY, Walters E, Bediaga NG, Sun G, Zhou Y, Li Y, Drew D, Pymm P, Tham WH, Wang Y, Rossello FJ, Nie G, Liu X, Subbarao K, Polo JM. A placental model of SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals ACE2-dependent susceptibility and differentiation impairment in syncytiotrophoblasts. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1223-1234. [PMID: 37443288 PMCID: PMC10415184 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01182-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19. Several clinical reports have linked COVID-19 during pregnancy to negative birth outcomes and placentitis. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning SARS-CoV-2 infection during placentation and early pregnancy are not clear. Here, to shed light on this, we used induced trophoblast stem cells to generate an in vitro early placenta infection model. We identified that syncytiotrophoblasts could be infected through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Using a co-culture model of vertical transmission, we confirmed the ability of the virus to infect syncytiotrophoblasts through a previous endometrial cell infection. We further demonstrated transcriptional changes in infected syncytiotrophoblasts that led to impairment of cellular processes, reduced secretion of HCG hormone and morphological changes vital for syncytiotrophoblast function. Furthermore, different antibody strategies and antiviral drugs restore these impairments. In summary, we have established a scalable and tractable platform to study early placental cell types and highlighted its use in studying strategies to protect the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - J A Neil
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - J P Tan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - R Rudraraju
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - M Mohenska
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y B Y Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - E Walters
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - N G Bediaga
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - G Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y Zhou
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y Li
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Drew
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - P Pymm
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - W H Tham
- Infectious Diseases and Immune Defences Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Y Wang
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - F J Rossello
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - G Nie
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - X Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, China
| | - K Subbarao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - J M Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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11
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Guibourdenche J, Leguy MC, Pidoux G, Hebert-Schuster M, Laguillier C, Anselem O, Grangé G, Bonnet F, Tsatsaris V. Biochemical Screening for Fetal Trisomy 21: Pathophysiology of Maternal Serum Markers and Involvement of the Placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087669. [PMID: 37108840 PMCID: PMC10146970 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It is now well established that maternal serum markers are often abnormal in fetal trisomy 21. Their determination is recommended for prenatal screening and pregnancy follow-up. However, mechanisms leading to abnormal maternal serum levels of such markers are still debated. Our objective was to help clinicians and scientists unravel the pathophysiology of these markers via a review of the main studies published in this field, both in vivo and in vitro, focusing on the six most widely used markers (hCG, its free subunit hCGβ, PAPP-A, AFP, uE3, and inhibin A) as well as cell-free feto-placental DNA. Analysis of the literature shows that mechanisms underlying each marker's regulation are multiple and not necessarily directly linked with the supernumerary chromosome 21. The crucial involvement of the placenta is also highlighted, which could be defective in one or several of its functions (turnover and apoptosis, endocrine production, and feto-maternal exchanges and transfer). These defects were neither constant nor specific for trisomy 21, and might be more or less pronounced, reflecting a high variability in placental immaturity and alteration. This explains why maternal serum markers can lack both specificity and sensitivity, and are thus restricted to screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Guibourdenche
- Hormonologie CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
- FHU Préma, 75014 Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Christelle Laguillier
- Hormonologie CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
- UMR-S1139, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Olivia Anselem
- FHU Préma, 75014 Paris, France
- Maternité Port Royal CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Gilles Grangé
- FHU Préma, 75014 Paris, France
- Maternité Port Royal CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Fidéline Bonnet
- Hormonologie CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Vassilis Tsatsaris
- Faculté de Santé, Université Paris Cité, 75014 Paris, France
- FHU Préma, 75014 Paris, France
- Maternité Port Royal CHU Cochin AP-HP, 75014 Paris, France
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12
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Kang M, Hisey C, Tsai B, Nursalim Y, Blenkiron C, Chamley LW. Placental Extracellular Vesicles Can Be Loaded with Plasmid DNA. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:1898-1913. [PMID: 36919912 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have garnered considerable interest as potential vehicles for drug delivery, including gene therapy. Although EVs from diverse sources have been investigated, current techniques used in the field for EV generation limit large-scale EV production. The placenta is essentially a tissue transplant and has unique properties that allow it to avoid the maternal immune system making it likely that placental EVs will not generate inflammatory responses and will avoid clearance by the immune system. We propose that placental EVs produced from explant cultures are an efficient method to produce considerable quantities of EVs that would be safe to administer, and we hypothesize that placental EVs can be loaded with large exogenous plasmids. To this end, we trialed three strategies to load plasmid DNA into placental EVs, including loading via electroporation of placental tissue prior to EV isolation and loading directly into placental EVs via electroporation or direct incubation of the EVs in plasmid solution. We report that the placenta releases vast quantities of EVs compared to placental cells in monolayer cultures. We show successful loading of plasmid DNA into both large- and small-EVs following both exogenous loading strategies with more plasmid encapsulated in large-EVs. Importantly, direct incubation did not alter EV size nor quantity. Further, we showed that the loading efficiency into EVs was dependent on the exogenous plasmid DNA dose and the DNA size. These results provide realistic estimates of plasmid loading capacity into placental EVs using current technologies and showcase the potential of placental EVs as DNA delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023 New Zealand
| | - Colin Hisey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023 New Zealand.,Department of biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210 United States
| | - Bridget Tsai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023 New Zealand
| | - Yohanes Nursalim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023 New Zealand
| | - Cherie Blenkiron
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023 New Zealand.,Auckland Cancer Society Research Center (ACSRC), University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023 New Zealand.,Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023 New Zealand
| | - Lawrence W Chamley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023 New Zealand
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13
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Motomura K, Hara M, Ito I, Morita H, Matsumoto K. Roles of human trophoblasts' pattern recognition receptors in host defense and pregnancy complications. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 156:103811. [PMID: 36669386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103811] [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: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The immune system in pregnancy is able to protect pregnant mothers and fetuses from pathogenic microorganisms even while permitting the mother to tolerate the semi-allogenic fetus. Trophoblasts, which are fetal-derived placental cells, play a central role on both sides of this duality at the maternal-fetal interface. In brief, the trophoblasts express pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and are involved in the local innate immune response in the placenta. That response eliminates pathogenic microbes but also causes tissue damage. In this review, we summarize the research findings to date regarding the roles of those human trophoblast PRRs. Multiple types of PRRs (Toll-like receptors, Nod-like receptors, and RIG-I-like receptors) are expressed in the placenta and on trophoblasts. Trophoblasts' PRRs participate in protecting the fetus against viruses, bacteria, and parasites by triggering production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the placenta. On the negative side, PRR signaling in trophoblasts can also initiate inflammation and trophoblast cell death, which can lead to placental inflammation-associated pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, and miscarriage. Further elucidation of these dual roles of trophoblasts' PRRs may shed light on the mechanisms by which fetuses are protected against congenital infections and also give us a better understanding of the etiologies of pregnancy complications, which can help us prevent/reduce adverse prenatal/neonatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichiro Motomura
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan; Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.
| | - Mariko Hara
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Ikuyo Ito
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hideaki Morita
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan; Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsumoto
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan.
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14
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Hermans S, Pilon J, Eschweiler D, Stegmaier J, Severens–Rijvers CAH, Al-Nasiry S, van Zandvoort M, Kapsokalyvas D. Definition and Quantification of Three-Dimensional Imaging Targets to Phenotype Pre-Eclampsia Subtypes: An Exploratory Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043240. [PMID: 36834652 PMCID: PMC9959375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia is a severe placenta-related complication of pregnancy with limited early diagnostic and therapeutic options. Aetiological knowledge is controversial, and there is no universal consensus on what constitutes the early and late phenotypes of pre-eclampsia. Phenotyping of native placental three-dimensional (3D) morphology offers a novel approach to improve our understanding of the structural placental abnormalities in pre-eclampsia. Healthy and pre-eclamptic placental tissues were imaged with multiphoton microscopy (MPM). Imaging based on inherent signal (collagen, and cytoplasm) and fluorescent staining (nuclei, and blood vessels) enabled the visualization of placental villous tissue with subcellular resolution. Images were analysed with a combination of open source (FIJI, VMTK, Stardist, MATLAB, DBSCAN), and commercially (MATLAB) available software. Trophoblast organization, 3D-villous tree structure, syncytial knots, fibrosis, and 3D-vascular networks were identified as quantifiable imaging targets. Preliminary data indicate increased syncytial knot density with characteristic elongated shape, higher occurrence of paddle-like villous sprouts, abnormal villous volume-to-surface ratio, and decreased vascular density in pre-eclampsia compared to control placentas. The preliminary data presented indicate the potential of quantifying 3D microscopic images for identifying different morphological features and phenotyping pre-eclampsia in placental villous tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy Hermans
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Pilon
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis Eschweiler
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Johannes Stegmaier
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Salwan Al-Nasiry
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GROW, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc van Zandvoort
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, GROW, CARIM, MHeNS, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research IMCAR, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Kapsokalyvas
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research IZKF, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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15
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Zhou H, Zhao C, Wang P, Yang W, Zhu H, Zhang S. Regulators involved in trophoblast syncytialization in the placenta of intrauterine growth restriction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1107182. [PMID: 36798658 PMCID: PMC9927020 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1107182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental dysfunction refers to the insufficiency of placental perfusion and chronic hypoxia during early pregnancy, which impairs placental function and causes inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, affecting fetal development and health. Fetal intrauterine growth restriction, one of the most common outcomes of pregnancy-induced hypertensions, can be caused by placental dysfunction, resulting from deficient trophoblast syncytialization, inadequate trophoblast invasion and impaired vascular remodeling. During placental development, cytotrophoblasts fuse to form a multinucleated syncytia barrier, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to meet the metabolic demands for fetal growth. A reduction in the cell fusion index and the number of nuclei in the syncytiotrophoblast are found in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR, suggesting that the occurrence of IUGR may be related to inadequate trophoblast syncytialization. During the multiple processes of trophoblasts syncytialization, specific proteins and several signaling pathways are involved in coordinating these events and regulating placental function. In addition, epigenetic modifications, cell metabolism, senescence, and autophagy are also involved. Study findings have indicated several abnormally expressed syncytialization-related proteins and signaling pathways in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR, suggesting that these elements may play a crucial role in the occurrence of IUGR. In this review, we discuss the regulators of trophoblast syncytialization and their abnormal expression in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjing Zhou
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenqiong Zhao
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peixin Wang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weijie Yang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Zhu
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Songying Zhang, ; Haiyan Zhu,
| | - Songying Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Songying Zhang, ; Haiyan Zhu,
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16
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Cindrova-Davies T, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Human placental development and function. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:66-77. [PMID: 35393235 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a transient fetal organ that plays a critical role in the health and wellbeing of both the fetus and its mother. Functionally, the placenta sustains the growth of the fetus as it facilitates delivery of oxygen and nutrients and removal of waste products. Not surprisingly, defective early placental development is the primary cause of common disorders of pregnancy, including recurrent miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and stillbirth. Adverse pregnancy conditions will also affect the life-long health of the fetus via developmental programming[1]. Despite its critical importance in reproductive success and life-long health, our understanding of placental development is not extensive, largely due to ethical limitations to studying early or chronological placental development, lack of long-term in vitro models, or comparative animal models. In this review, we examine current knowledge of early human placental development, discuss the critical role of the maternal endometrium and of the fetal-maternal dialogue in pregnancy success, and we explore the latest models of trophoblast and endometrial stem cells. In addition, we discuss the role of oxygen in placental formation and function, how nutrient delivery is mediated during the periods of histotrophic nutrition (uptake of uterine secretions) and haemotrophic nutrition (exchange between the maternal and fetal circulations), and how placental endocrine function facilitates fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Cindrova-Davies
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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17
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Mezzano L, Morán JP, Moreira-Espinoza MJ, Triquell MF, Mezzano J, Díaz-Luján CM, Fretes RE. Chagas disease affects the human placental barrier's turnover dynamics during pregnancy. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2022; 117:e210304. [PMID: 35766782 PMCID: PMC9239690 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760210304] [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: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trypanosoma cruzi crosses the placental barrier and produces the congenital transmission of Chagas disease (CD). Structural alterations of the chorionic villi by this parasite have been described in vitro, but little is known about trophoblast turnover in placentas from women with CD. OBJECTIVE To analyze the proliferation and fusion processes in placentas from women with CD. METHODS Archived human term placenta paraffin-embedded blocks were used, from women with CD (CDP), and no pathology (NP). Immunohistochemistry tests were performed for Ki67 to calculate the proliferation index (PI) of cytotrophoblast (CTB) and Syncytin-1, a fusion marker of syncytiotrophoblast (STB). Hematoxylin/Eosin stained sections were employed to analyze STB percentages, STB detachment areas and syncytial knots quantity. Non parametric Student's t-tests were performed (p < 0.05). RESULTS Syncytial knots and STB detachment significantly increased in placental villi from the CDP group. STB percentage was significantly lower in the CDP group as well as the PI and Syncytin-1 expression significantly decreased in these placentas, compared with control (NP). CONCLUSION Dynamic of trophoblast turnover is altered in placentas from women with CD. These changes may lead into a gap in the placental barrier possibly allowing the parasite entry into the chorionic villi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Mezzano
- National University of Córdoba, Institute of Research in Health Sciences (CONICET), Medicine School, Cellular Biology Institute, Cathedra of Cellular Biology, Histology and Embryology, Córdoba, Argentina,+ Corresponding authors: /
| | - Joana Paola Morán
- National University of Córdoba, Institute of Research in Health Sciences (CONICET), Medicine School, Cellular Biology Institute, Cathedra of Cellular Biology, Histology and Embryology, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María José Moreira-Espinoza
- National University of Córdoba, Institute of Research in Health Sciences (CONICET), Medicine School, Cellular Biology Institute, Cathedra of Cellular Biology, Histology and Embryology, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Fernanda Triquell
- National University of Córdoba, Institute of Research in Health Sciences (CONICET), Medicine School, Cellular Biology Institute, Cathedra of Cellular Biology, Histology and Embryology, Córdoba, Argentina,National University of Villa María, Institute of Human Sciences, Histology, Cytology and Embryology Department, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Julieta Mezzano
- Tufts University, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cintia María Díaz-Luján
- National University of Córdoba, Institute of Research in Health Sciences (CONICET), Medicine School, Cellular Biology Institute, Cathedra of Cellular Biology, Histology and Embryology, Córdoba, Argentina,National University of Villa María, Institute of Human Sciences, Histology, Cytology and Embryology Department, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ricardo Emilio Fretes
- National University of Córdoba, Institute of Research in Health Sciences (CONICET), Medicine School, Cellular Biology Institute, Cathedra of Cellular Biology, Histology and Embryology, Córdoba, Argentina,National University of Villa María, Institute of Human Sciences, Histology, Cytology and Embryology Department, Córdoba, Argentina,+ Corresponding authors: /
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18
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James JL, Lissaman A, Nursalim YNS, Chamley LW. Modelling human placental villous development: designing cultures that reflect anatomy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:384. [PMID: 35753002 PMCID: PMC9234034 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The use of in vitro tools to study trophoblast differentiation and function is essential to improve understanding of normal and abnormal placental development. The relative accessibility of human placentae enables the use of primary trophoblasts and placental explants in a range of in vitro systems. Recent advances in stem cell models, three-dimensional organoid cultures, and organ-on-a-chip systems have further shed light on the complex microenvironment and cell-cell crosstalk involved in placental development. However, understanding each model's strengths and limitations, and which in vivo aspects of human placentation in vitro data acquired does, or does not, accurately reflect, is key to interpret findings appropriately. To help researchers use and design anatomically accurate culture models, this review both outlines our current understanding of placental development, and critically considers the range of established and emerging culture models used to study this, with a focus on those derived from primary tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L James
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Abbey Lissaman
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yohanes N S Nursalim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lawrence W Chamley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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19
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Chen J, Du L, Wang F, Shao X, Wang X, Yu W, Bi S, Chen D, Pan X, Zeng S, Huang L, Liang Y, Li Y, Chen R, Xue F, Li X, Wang S, Zhuang M, Liu M, Lin L, Yan H, He F, Yu L, Jiang Q, Xiong Z, Zhang L, Cao B, Wang Y, Chen D. Cellular and molecular atlas of the placenta from a COVID-19 pregnant woman infected at midgestation highlights the defective impacts on foetal health. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13204. [PMID: 35141964 PMCID: PMC9055894 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The impacts of the current COVID-19 pandemic on maternal and foetal health are enormous and of serious concern. However, the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at early-to-mid gestation on maternal and foetal health remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS Here, we report the follow-up study of a pregnant woman of her whole infective course of SARS-CoV-2, from asymptomatic infection at gestational week 20 to mild and then severe illness state, and finally cured at Week 24. Following caesarean section due to incomplete uterine rupture at Week 28, histological examinations on the placenta and foetal tissues as well as single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) for the placenta were performed. RESULTS Compared with the gestational age-matched control placentas, the placenta from this COVID-19 case exhibited more syncytial knots and lowered expression of syncytiotrophoblast-related genes. The scRNA-seq analysis demonstrated impaired trophoblast differentiation, activation of antiviral and inflammatory CD8 T cells, as well as the tight association of increased inflammatory responses in the placenta with complement over-activation in macrophages. In addition, levels of several inflammatory factors increased in the placenta and foetal blood. CONCLUSION These findings illustrate a systematic cellular and molecular signature of placental insufficiency and immune activation at the maternal-foetal interface that may be attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection at the midgestation stage, which highly suggests the extensive care for maternal and foetal outcomes in pregnant women suffering from COVID-19.
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20
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Ex Vivo Infection of Human Placental Explants by Trypanosoma cruzi Reveals a microRNA Profile Similar to That Seen in Trophoblast Differentiation. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030361. [PMID: 35335686 PMCID: PMC8952303 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is responsible for 22.5% of new cases each year. However, placental transmission occurs in only 5% of infected mothers and it has been proposed that the epithelial turnover of the trophoblast can be considered a local placental defense against the parasite. Thus, Trypanosoma cruzi induces cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptotic cell death in the trophoblast, which are regulated, among other mechanisms, by small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs. On the other hand, ex vivo infection of human placental explants induces a specific microRNA profile that includes microRNAs related to trophoblast differentiation such as miR-512-3p miR-515-5p, codified at the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster. Here we determined the expression validated target genes of miR-512-3p and miR-515-5p, specifically human glial cells missing 1 transcription factor and cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein, as well as the expression of the main trophoblast differentiation marker human chorionic gonadotrophin during ex vivo infection of human placental explants, and examined how the inhibition or overexpression of both microRNAs affects parasite infection. We conclude that Trypanosoma cruzi-induced trophoblast epithelial turnover, particularly trophoblast differentiation, is at least partially mediated by placenta-specific miR-512-3p and miR-515-5p and that both miRNAs mediate placental susceptibility to ex vivo infection of human placental explants. Knowledge about the role of parasite-modulated microRNAs in the placenta might enable their use as biomarkers, as prognostic and therapeutic tools for congenital Chagas disease in the future.
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21
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Pęksa M, Kamieniecki A, Gabrych A, Lew-Tusk A, Preis K, Świątkowska-Freund M. Loss of E-Cadherin Staining Continuity in the Trophoblastic Basal Membrane Correlates with Increased Resistance in Uterine Arteries and Proteinuria in Patients with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030668. [PMID: 35160120 PMCID: PMC8836559 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), especially when complicated with pre-eclampsia (PE), could be a life-threatening complication of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality in women. Pre-eclampsia is mainly characterized by hypertension and kidney damage with proteinuria. Abnormal placentation and altered structure of the placental barrier are believed to participate in the pathogenesis of pregnancy-induced hypertension, leading to PE. In the current study, we aimed to analyze the immunohistochemical expression pattern of E-cadherin and p120, two markers of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, in placental samples derived from a group of 55 patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension, including pre-eclampsia and 37 healthy pregnant controls. The results were correlated with the presence of an obtained early uterine artery flow notching during diastole on Doppler ultrasound. We observed a higher frequency of discontinuous E-cadherin staining in the basement membrane of syncytiotrophoblast in patients with PIH/PE compared to controls (p < 0.001, Fisher’s exact test). Moreover, the loss of continuity of E-cadherin expression correlated with the presence of a bilateral early diastolic notch on Doppler ultrasound (p < 0.001, Fisher’s exact test) and the presence of proteinuria (p = 0.013, Fisher’s exact test). These findings suggest that E-cadherin contributes to the integrity of the placental barrier, and its loss could be an immunohistochemical marker of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pęksa
- Department of Obstetrics, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Debinki Street, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland; (K.P.); (M.Ś.-F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-584-4100
| | - Alexandra Kamieniecki
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Debinki Street, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Anna Gabrych
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology, and Oncology, Medical University of Gdansk, 7 Debinki Street, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Anna Lew-Tusk
- Department of Neonatology, St. Adalbert’s Hospital, 80-462 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Krzysztof Preis
- Department of Obstetrics, Medical University of Gdańsk, 7 Debinki Street, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland; (K.P.); (M.Ś.-F.)
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22
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Gao Y, Tang Y, Sun Q, Guan G, Wu X, Shi F, Zhou Z, Yang W. Circular RNA FOXP1 relieves trophoblastic cell dysfunction in recurrent pregnancy loss via the miR-143-3p/S100A11 cascade. Bioengineered 2021; 12:9081-9093. [PMID: 34654357 PMCID: PMC8806990 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1988374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is closely associated with insufficient functions of trophoblastic cells. Circular RNA forkhead box P1 (circFOXP1) can regulate cell activities in different types of diseases. However, its effects on trophoblastic cells and its role in RPL development remain unknown. In this study, gene expressions were detected by RT-qPCR. Protein levels were detected by Western blotting. Trophoblastic cell viability, apoptosis, invasion, and migration were respectively analyzed via CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays. The association between miR–143–3p and circFOXP1 or S100A11 (S100 calcium binding protein A11) was explored and confirmed by bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay. Herein, miR–143–3p was upregulated in RPL. Furthermore, miR–143–3p upregulation induced apoptosis and suppressed proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, and metastatic capabilities of trophoblastic cells; whereas, miR–143–3p inhibition exert opposite effects. MiR–143–3p targeted S100A11 and was adversely regulated by circFOXP1 expression. S100A11 inhibition partially offset the effect of miR–143–3p knockdown on trophoblastic cell viability, apoptosis, EMT, invasion, and migration. In addition, circFOXP1 competitively combined with miR–143–3p, thus regulating S100A11 expression. Moreover, circFOXP1 regulated trophoblastic cell functions through the miR–143–3p/S100A11 cascade. To sum up, our study, for the first time, demonstrated that circFOXP1 could improve dysfunction of trophoblastic cells through the miR–143–3p/S100A11 axis, providing novel biomarkers and diagnostic targets for RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, P.R. China
| | - Yukun Tang
- Department of Ultrasound, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, P.R. China
| | - Qian Sun
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, P.R. China
| | - Guixue Guan
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, P.R. China
| | - Fan Shi
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, P.R. China
| | - Zihao Zhou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Gynecology, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, P.R. China
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23
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Wang J, Ding J, Zhang S, Chen X, Yan S, Zhang Y, Yin T. Decreased USP2a Expression Inhibits Trophoblast Invasion and Associates With Recurrent Miscarriage. Front Immunol 2021; 12:717370. [PMID: 34489969 PMCID: PMC8416978 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.717370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
An appropriate development of the placenta consisting of trophoblast cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and apoptosis, is essential to establishing and maintaining a successful pregnancy. Ubiquitin‐specific protease 2a (USP2a) regulates the processes of metastasis in multiple tumor cells. Yet, no known research has focused on exploring the effect of USP2a on trophoblasts and its possible mechanism in the pathogenies of recurrent miscarriage (RM). In this study, we first detected the decreased mRNA levels and the protein levels of USP2a in placental villous tissue samples from the RM patients. In vitro assays verified that overexpression of USP2a promoted human trophoblast proliferation, migration, invasion, whereas knockdown of USP2a inhibited these processes. Mechanistically, USP2a activated PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway to promote nuclear translocation of β‐catenin and further activated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the trophoblasts. Moreover, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) up-regulated USP2a expression in trophoblasts. Interestingly, M2 macrophage secreted TGF-β induced trophoblast migration and invasion, and an anti-TGF-β antibody alleviated this effect. Collectively, this study indicated that USP2a regulated trophoblast invasion and that abnormal USP2a expression might lead to aberrant trophoblast invasion, thus contributing to RM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinli Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sainan Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sisi Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tailang Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Schwartz DA, Bugatti M, Santoro A, Facchetti F. Molecular Pathology Demonstration of SARS-CoV-2 in Cytotrophoblast from Placental Tissue with Chronic Histiocytic Intervillositis, Trophoblast Necrosis and COVID-19. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:33. [PMID: 34449643 PMCID: PMC8395857 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9030033] [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: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A subset of placentas from pregnant women having the SARS-CoV-2 infection have been found to be infected with the coronavirus using molecular pathology methods including immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization. These infected placentas can demonstrate several unusual findings which occur together-chronic histiocytic intervillositis, trophoblast necrosis and positive staining of the syncytiotrophoblast for SARS-CoV-2. They frequently also have increased fibrin deposition, which can be massive in some cases. Syncytiotrophoblast is the most frequent fetal-derived cell type to be positive for SARS-CoV-2. It has recently been shown that in a small number of infected placentas, villous stromal macrophages, termed Hofbauer cells, and villous capillary endothelial cells can also stain positive for SARS-CoV-2. This report describes a placenta from a pregnant woman with SARS-CoV-2 that had chronic histiocytic intervillositis, trophoblast necrosis, increased fibrin deposition and positive staining of the syncytiotrophoblast for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, molecular pathology testing including RNAscope and immunohistochemistry for SARS-CoV-2 and double-staining immunohistochemistry using antibodies to E-cadherin and GATA3 revealed that cytotrophoblast cells stained intensely for SARS-CoV-2. All of the cytotrophoblast cells that demonstrated positive staining for SARS-CoV-2 were in direct physical contact with overlying syncytiotrophoblast that also stained positive for the virus. The pattern of cytotrophoblast staining for SARS-CoV-2 was patchy, and there were chorionic villi having diffuse positive staining of the syncytiotrophoblast for SARS-CoV-2, but without staining of cytotrophoblast. This first detailed description of cytotrophoblast involvement by SARS-CoV-2 adds another fetal cell type from infected placentas that demonstrate viral staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Schwartz
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Mattia Bugatti
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.B.); (A.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Amerigo Santoro
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.B.); (A.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Fabio Facchetti
- Pathology Unit, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (M.B.); (A.S.); (F.F.)
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25
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Jaremek A, Jeyarajah MJ, Jaju Bhattad G, Renaud SJ. Omics Approaches to Study Formation and Function of Human Placental Syncytiotrophoblast. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:674162. [PMID: 34211975 PMCID: PMC8240757 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.674162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper development of the placenta is vital for pregnancy success. The placenta regulates exchange of nutrients and gases between maternal and fetal blood and produces hormones essential to maintain pregnancy. The placental cell lineage primarily responsible for performing these functions is a multinucleated entity called syncytiotrophoblast. Syncytiotrophoblast is continuously replenished throughout pregnancy by fusion of underlying progenitor cells called cytotrophoblasts. Dysregulated syncytiotrophoblast formation disrupts the integrity of the placental exchange surface, which can be detrimental to maternal and fetal health. Moreover, various factors produced by syncytiotrophoblast enter into maternal circulation, where they profoundly impact maternal physiology and are promising diagnostic indicators of pregnancy health. Despite the multifunctional importance of syncytiotrophoblast for pregnancy success, there is still much to learn about how its formation is regulated in normal and diseased states. ‘Omics’ approaches are gaining traction in many fields to provide a more holistic perspective of cell, tissue, and organ function. Herein, we review human syncytiotrophoblast development and current model systems used for its study, discuss how ‘omics’ strategies have been used to provide multidimensional insights into its formation and function, and highlight limitations of current platforms as well as consider future avenues for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Jaremek
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mariyan J Jeyarajah
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gargi Jaju Bhattad
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Renaud
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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26
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Aplin JD, Jones CJP. Cell dynamics in human villous trophoblast. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 27:904-922. [PMID: 34125187 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Villous cytotrophoblast (vCTB) is a precursor cell population that supports the development of syncytiotrophoblast (vSTB), the high surface area barrier epithelium of the placental villus, and the primary interface between maternal and fetal tissue. In light of increasing evidence that the placenta can adapt to changing maternal environments or, under stress, can trigger maternal disease, we consider what properties of these cells empower them to exert a controlling influence on pregnancy progression and outcome. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE How are cytotrophoblast proliferation and differentiation regulated in the human placental villus to allow for the increasing demands of the fetal and environmental challenges and stresses that may arise during pregnancy? SEARCH METHODS PubMed was interrogated using relevant keywords and word roots combining trophoblast, villus/villous, syncytio/syncytium, placenta, stem, transcription factor (and the individual genes), signalling, apoptosis, autophagy (and the respective genes) from 1960 to the present. Since removal of trophoblast from its tissue environment is known to fundamentally change cell growth and differentiation kinetics, research that relied exclusively on cell culture has not been the main focus of this review, though it is mentioned where appropriate. Work on non-human placenta is not systematically covered, though mention is made where relevant hypotheses have emerged. OUTCOMES The synthesis of data from the literature has led to a new hypothesis for vCTB dynamics. We propose that a reversible transition can occur from a reserve population in G0 to a mitotically active state. Cells from the in-cycle population can then differentiate irreversibly to intermediate cells that leave the cycle and turn on genes that confer the capacity to fuse with the overlying vSTB as well as other functions associated with syncytial barrier and transport function. We speculate that alterations in the rate of entry to the cell cycle, or return of cells in the mitotic fraction to G0, can occur in response to environmental challenge. We also review evidence on the life cycle of trophoblast from the time that fusion occurs, and point to gaps in knowledge of how large quantities of fetal DNA arrive in maternal circulation. We critique historical methodology and make a case for research to re-address questions about trophoblast lifecycle and dynamics in normal pregnancy and the common diseases of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction, where altered trophoblast kinetics have long been postulated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The hypothesis requires experimental testing, moving research away from currently accepted methodology towards a new standard that includes representative cell and tissue sampling, assessment of cell cycle and differentiation parameters, and robust classification of cell subpopulations in villous trophoblast, with due attention to gestational age, maternal and fetal phenotype, disease and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Aplin
- Maternal and Fetal Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Carolyn J P Jones
- Maternal and Fetal Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
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27
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Syncytiotrophoblast stress in early onset preeclampsia: The issues perpetuating the syndrome. Placenta 2021; 113:57-66. [PMID: 34053733 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome characterized by a sudden increase in blood pressure accompanied by proteinuria and/or maternal multi-system damage associated to poor fetal outcome. In early-onset preeclampsia, utero-placental perfusion is altered, causing constant and progressive damage to the syncytiotrophoblast, generating syncytiotrophoblast stress. The latter leads to the detachment and release of syncytiotrophoblast fragments, anti-angiogenic factors and pro-inflammatory molecules into maternal circulation, resulting in the emergence and persistence of the characteristic symptoms of this syndrome during pregnancy. Therefore, understanding the origin and consequences of syncytiotrophoblast stress in preeclampsia is vital to develop new therapeutic alternatives, focused on reducing the burden of this syndrome. In this review, we describe five central characteristics of syncytial stress that should be targeted or prevented in order to reduce preeclampsia symptoms: histological alterations, syncytiotrophoblast damage, antiangiogenic protein export, placental deportation, and altered syncytiotrophoblast turnover. Therapeutic management of these characteristics may improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
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28
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Fakhr Y, Brindley DN, Hemmings DG. Physiological and pathological functions of sphingolipids in pregnancy. Cell Signal 2021; 85:110041. [PMID: 33991614 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Signaling by the bioactive sphingolipid, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), and its precursors are emerging areas in pregnancy research. S1P and ceramide levels increase towards end of gestation, suggesting a physiological role in parturition. However, high levels of circulating S1P and ceramide are correlated with pregnancy disorders such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus and intrauterine growth restriction. Expression of placental and decidual enzymes that metabolize S1P and S1P receptors are also dysregulated during pregnancy complications. In this review, we provide an in-depth examination of the signaling mechanism of S1P and ceramide in various reproductive tissues during gestation. These factors determine implantation and early pregnancy success by modulating corpus luteum function from progesterone production to luteolysis through to apoptosis. We also highlight the role of S1P through receptor signaling in inducing decidualization and angiogenesis in the decidua, as well as regulating extravillous trophoblast migration to anchor the placenta into the uterine wall. Recent advances on the role of the S1P:ceramide rheostat in controlling the fate of villous trophoblasts and the role of S1P as a negative regulator of trophoblast syncytialization to a multinucleated placental barrier are discussed. This review also explores the role of S1P in anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory signaling, its role as a vasoconstrictor, and the effects of S1P metabolizing enzymes and receptors in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Fakhr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada; Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - David N Brindley
- Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada; Signal Transduction Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada; Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Denise G Hemmings
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada; Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada.
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29
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A simple method to isolate term trophoblasts and maintain them in extended culture. Placenta 2021; 108:1-10. [PMID: 33780666 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary trophoblast cultures obtained from term placentae are an important research tool. Term trophoblasts, while isolated as mononuclear cells, spontaneously fuse to form multinucleated syncytial clusters. Since term trophoblast cells do not replicate in vitro, contaminating cells can overgrow the culture limiting the lifespan of primary trophoblast cultures to about seven days. We aimed to develop a method that would allow the prolonged culture of term trophoblasts. METHODS Trophoblasts were isolated from term placentae, following vaginal or cesarean section delivery, using either trypsin/DNase or dispase/DNase to digest the tissue. Purity of the trophoblasts was confirmed using flow cytometry prior to plating and during culture using immunocytochemistry. Cell death was examined with propidium iodide and trophoblast fusion monitored using PKH67 membrane stain. RESULTS Digestion of term villous tissue with dispase/DNase resulted in the release of significantly more trophoblasts than digestion with trypsin/DNase (n = 8, p = 0.0051). Viability of the trophoblasts was unaffected by enzyme choice. The use of Advanced DMEM/F12 supplemented with 2% fetal bovine serum allowed culture of the trophoblasts with minimal cell death or contamination for 30 days. Despite prolonged culture over half of the trophoblasts remained mononuclear. DISCUSSION We report a simple, optimized method to isolate and culture trophoblasts from term placentae for prolonged periods without substantial contamination with other cell types. Consistent with previous findings, trophoblasts cultured using our method were able to syncytialise, forming multi-nucleated syncytia. This extended growth time allows long term in vitro experimentation to further understand the nature of trophoblasts.
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30
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Io S, Kondoh E, Chigusa Y, Kawasaki K, Mandai M, Yamada AS. New era of trophoblast research: integrating morphological and molecular approaches. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:611-633. [PMID: 32728695 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Many pregnancy complications are the result of dysfunction in the placenta. The pathogenic mechanisms of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications, however, are unclear. Abnormal placental development in these conditions begins in the first trimester, but no symptoms are observed during this period. To elucidate effective preventative treatments, understanding the differentiation and development of human placenta is crucial. This review elucidates the uniqueness of the human placenta in early development from the aspect of structural characteristics and molecular markers. We summarise the morphogenesis of human placenta based on human specimens and then compile molecular markers that have been clarified by immunostaining and RNA-sequencing data across species. Relevant studies were identified using the PubMed database and Google Scholar search engines up to March 2020. All articles were independently screened for eligibility by the authors based on titles and abstracts. In particular, the authors carefully examined literature on human placentation. This review integrates the development of human placentation from morphological approaches in comparison with other species and provides new insights into trophoblast molecular markers. The morphological features of human early placentation are described in Carnegie stages (CS), from CS3 (floating blastocyst) to CS9 (emerging point of tertiary villi). Molecular markers are described for each type of trophoblast involved in human placental development. We summarise the character of human trophoblast cell lines and explain how long-term culture system of human cytotrophoblast, both monolayer and spheroid, established in recent studies allows for the generation of human trophoblast cell lines. Due to differences in developmental features among species, it is desirable to understand early placentation in humans. In addition, reliable molecular markers that reflect normal human trophoblast are needed to advance trophoblast research. In the clinical setting, these markers can be valuable means for morphologically and functionally assessing placenta-mediated pregnancy complications and provide early prediction and management of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Io
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research & Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiji Kondoh
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshitsugu Chigusa
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaoru Kawasaki
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masaki Mandai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - And Shigehito Yamada
- Human Health Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Congenital Anomaly Research Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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31
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Cattini PA, Jin Y, Jarmasz JS, Noorjahan N, Bock ME. Obesity and regulation of human placental lactogen production in pregnancy. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12859. [PMID: 32500948 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The four genes coding for placental members of the human (h) growth hormone (GH) family include two that code independently for placental lactogen (PL), also known as chorionic somatomammotrophin hormone, one that codes for placental growth hormone (PGH) and a pseudogene for which RNA but no protein product is reported. These genes are expressed preferentially in the villus syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta in pregnancy. In higher primates, the placental members, including hPL and PGH, are the result of multiple duplication events of the GH gene. This contrasts with rodents and ruminants, where PLs result from duplication of the prolactin (PRL) gene. Thus, unlike their mouse counterparts, the hPL and PGH hormones bind both lactogenic and somatogenic receptors with varying affinity. Roles influenced by nutrient availability in both metabolic control in pregnancy and maternal behaviour are supported. However, the effect maternal obesity has on the activation of placental members of the hGH gene family, particularly the expression and function of those genes, is poorly understood. Evidence from partially humanised hGH/PL transgenic mice indicates that both the remote upstream hPL locus control region (LCR) and more gene-related regulatory regions are required for placental expression in vivo. Furthermore, a specific pattern of interactions between the LCR and hPL gene promoter regions is detected in term placenta chromatin from women with a normal body mass index (BMI) in the range 18.5-25 kg m-2 by chromosome conformation capture assay. This pattern is disrupted with maternal obesity (class II BMI > 35 kg m-2 ) and associated with a > 40% decrease in term hPL RNA levels, as well as serum hPL but not PRL levels, during pregnancy. The relative importance of the chromosomal architecture and predicted properties for transcription factor participation in terms of hPL production and response to obesity are considered, based on comparison with components required for efficient human pituitary GH gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Cattini
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jessica S Jarmasz
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Noshin Noorjahan
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Margaret E Bock
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Ritter A, Roth S, Kreis NN, Friemel A, Hoock SC, Steglich Souto A, Eichbaum C, Neuhoff A, Chen Q, Solbach C, Louwen F, Yuan J. Primary Cilia in Trophoblastic Cells: Potential Involvement in Preeclampsia. Hypertension 2020; 76:1491-1505. [PMID: 33026915 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.15433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related disease, is not completely understood. The primary cilium transduces a diverse array of signaling pathways important for vital cellular activities. Primary cilia were reported to facilitate trophoblastic cell invasion. We hypothesized their further functions in trophoblasts and were interested in related molecular mechanisms. We systematically examined the presence, length and percentage of the primary cilium, its mediated signal transduction, and its connection to trophoblast function. Various cellular and molecular methods were used including immunofluorescence staining, spheroid formation, gene analysis, invasion and tube formation assays with trophoblastic cell lines, primary trophoblasts, and placental tissues. We show that primary cilia are present in various trophoblastic cell lines derived from first trimester placentas. Cilia are also observable in primary trophoblasts, though in a small quantity. Importantly, primary cilia are shortened in trophoblastic cells derived from preeclamptic placentas. Mechanistically, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α or sera from patients with preeclampsia are able to reduce the length of primary cilia and impair the important sonic hedgehog signaling pathway. Functionally, trophoblastic cells with defective cilia display severe failures in their key functions, like migration, invasion and tube formation, also observed in trophoblastic cells depleted of the intraflagellar transport protein 88. This is accompanied by reduced gene expression of matrix metallopeptidases, vascular endothelial growth factor, and placental growth factor. This work highlights the significance of primary cilia in the functions of trophoblastic cells. Dysfunctional cilia may lead to compromised migration, invasion, and endothelial remodeling of trophoblastic cells, contributing to the development of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Ritter
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Susanne Roth
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Nina-Naomi Kreis
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Alexandra Friemel
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Samira Catharina Hoock
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Alice Steglich Souto
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Christine Eichbaum
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Annemarie Neuhoff
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, New Zealand (Q.C.).,Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China (Q.C.)
| | - Christine Solbach
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Frank Louwen
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
| | - Juping Yuan
- From the Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Goethe University, Germany (A.R., S.R., N.-N.K., A.F., S.C.H., A.S.S., C.E., A.N., C.S., F.L., J.Y.)
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Sheridan MA, Fernando RC, Gardner L, Hollinshead MS, Burton GJ, Moffett A, Turco MY. Establishment and differentiation of long-term trophoblast organoid cultures from the human placenta. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:3441-3463. [PMID: 32908314 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-0381-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The human placenta is essential for successful reproduction. There is great variation in the anatomy and development of the placenta in different species, meaning that animal models provide limited information about human placental development and function. Until recently, it has been impossible to isolate trophoblast cells from the human placenta that proliferate in vitro. This has limited our ability to understand pregnancy disorders. Generating an in vitro model that recapitulates the unique features of the human placenta has been challenging. The first in vitro model system of human trophoblast that could be cultured long term and differentiated to syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) was a two-dimensional (2D) culture system of human trophoblast stem cells. Here, we describe a protocol to isolate trophoblast from first-trimester human placentas that can be grown long term in a three-dimensional (3D) organoid culture system. Trophoblast organoids can be established within 2-3 weeks, passaged every 7-10 d, and cultured for over a year. The structural organization of these human trophoblast organoids closely resembles the villous placenta with a layer of cytotrophoblast (VCT) that differentiates into superimposed SCT. Altering the composition of the medium leads to differentiation of the trophoblast organoids into HLA-G+ EVT cells which rapidly migrate and invade through the Matrigel droplet in which they are cultured. Our previous research confirmed that there is similarity between the trophoblast organoids and in vivo placentas in their transcriptomes and ability to produce placental hormones. This organoid culture system provides an experimental model to investigate human placental development and function as well as interactions of trophoblast cells with the local and systemic maternal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Sheridan
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ridma C Fernando
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lucy Gardner
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Graham J Burton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Neurobiology and Development, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Margherita Y Turco
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Endoplasmic reticulum stress occurs in association with the extrusion of toxic extracellular vesicles from human placentae treated with antiphospholipid antibodies. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:459-472. [PMID: 32068238 PMCID: PMC7056451 DOI: 10.1042/cs20191245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Antiphospholipid autoantibodies (aPLs), a major maternal risk factor for preeclampsia, are taken into the syncytiotrophoblast where they bind intracellular vesicles and mitochondria. Subsequently, large quantities of extracellular vesicles (EVs) extruded from syncytiotrophoblast into the maternal circulation are altered such that they cause maternal endothelial cell activation. However, the mechanism driving this change is unknown. First trimester placental explants were treated with aPL for 18 h. The EVs were then collected by different centrifugation. The levels of HSP 70, misfolded proteins, caspase 8 activity, and Mixed Lineage Kinase domain-Like (MLKL) were measured in placental explants and EVs. In addition, the levels of TNF-α and CD95 in conditioned medium were also measured. Treating placental explants with aPL caused an increase in levels of HSP 70, misfolded proteins and MLKL in placental explants and EVs. Increased activity of caspase 8 was also seen in placental explants. Higher levels of TNF-α were seen conditioned medium from aPL-treated placental explant cultures. aPLs appear to induce endoplasmic reticulum stress in the syncytiotrophoblast in a manner that involved caspase 8 and TNF-α. To avoid accumulation of the associated misfolded proteins and MLKL, the syncytiotrophoblast exports these potentially dangerous proteins in EVs. It is likely that the dangerous proteins that are loaded into placental EVs in preeclampsia contribute to dysfunction of the maternal cells.
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Szilagyi A, Gelencser Z, Romero R, Xu Y, Kiraly P, Demeter A, Palhalmi J, Gyorffy BA, Juhasz K, Hupuczi P, Kekesi KA, Meinhardt G, Papp Z, Draghici S, Erez O, Tarca AL, Knöfler M, Than NG. Placenta-Specific Genes, Their Regulation During Villous Trophoblast Differentiation and Dysregulation in Preterm Preeclampsia. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020628. [PMID: 31963593 PMCID: PMC7013556 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta maintains pregnancy and supports the developing fetus by providing nutrition, gas-waste exchange, hormonal regulation, and an immunological barrier from the maternal immune system. The villous syncytiotrophoblast carries most of these functions and provides the interface between the maternal and fetal circulatory systems. The syncytiotrophoblast is generated by the biochemical and morphological differentiation of underlying cytotrophoblast progenitor cells. The dysfunction of the villous trophoblast development is implicated in placenta-mediated pregnancy complications. Herein, we describe gene modules and clusters involved in the dynamic differentiation of villous cytotrophoblasts into the syncytiotrophoblast. During this process, the immune defense functions are first established, followed by structural and metabolic changes, and then by peptide hormone synthesis. We describe key transcription regulatory molecules that regulate gene modules involved in placental functions. Based on transcriptomic evidence, we infer how villous trophoblast differentiation and functions are dysregulated in preterm preeclampsia, a life-threatening placenta-mediated obstetrical syndrome for the mother and fetus. In the conclusion, we uncover the blueprint for villous trophoblast development and its impairment in preterm preeclampsia, which may aid in the future development of non-invasive biomarkers for placental functions and early identification of women at risk for preterm preeclampsia as well as other placenta-mediated pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andras Szilagyi
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (Z.G.); (P.K.); (A.D.); (J.P.); (K.J.)
| | - Zsolt Gelencser
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (Z.G.); (P.K.); (A.D.); (J.P.); (K.J.)
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20692, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (R.R.); (Y.X.); (O.E.); (A.L.T.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20692, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (R.R.); (Y.X.); (O.E.); (A.L.T.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Peter Kiraly
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (Z.G.); (P.K.); (A.D.); (J.P.); (K.J.)
| | - Amanda Demeter
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (Z.G.); (P.K.); (A.D.); (J.P.); (K.J.)
| | - Janos Palhalmi
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (Z.G.); (P.K.); (A.D.); (J.P.); (K.J.)
| | - Balazs A. Gyorffy
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eotvos Lorand University, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (B.A.G.); (K.A.K.)
| | - Kata Juhasz
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (Z.G.); (P.K.); (A.D.); (J.P.); (K.J.)
| | - Petronella Hupuczi
- Maternity Private Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, H-1126 Budapest, Hungary; (P.H.); (Z.P.)
| | - Katalin Adrienna Kekesi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Biology, Eotvos Lorand University, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (B.A.G.); (K.A.K.)
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Eotvos Lorand University, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gudrun Meinhardt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria; (G.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Zoltan Papp
- Maternity Private Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, H-1126 Budapest, Hungary; (P.H.); (Z.P.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sorin Draghici
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
| | - Offer Erez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20692, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (R.R.); (Y.X.); (O.E.); (A.L.T.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84101, Israel
| | - Adi Laurentiu Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20692, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (R.R.); (Y.X.); (O.E.); (A.L.T.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Martin Knöfler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria; (G.M.); (M.K.)
| | - Nandor Gabor Than
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (Z.G.); (P.K.); (A.D.); (J.P.); (K.J.)
- Perinatology Research Branch, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20692, and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; (R.R.); (Y.X.); (O.E.); (A.L.T.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
- Maternity Private Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, H-1126 Budapest, Hungary; (P.H.); (Z.P.)
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, H-1085 Budapest, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-1-382-6788
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Abstract
The placenta is essential for normal in utero development in mammals. In humans, defective placental formation underpins common pregnancy disorders such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The great variation in placental types across mammals means that animal models have been of limited use in understanding human placental development. However, new tools for studying human placental development, including 3D organoids, stem cell culture systems and single cell RNA sequencing, have brought new insights into this field. Here, we review the morphological, molecular and functional aspects of human placental formation, with a focus on the defining cell of the placenta - the trophoblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Y Turco
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience and Development, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Ashley Moffett
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
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Higuchi S, Miyamoto T, Kobara H, Yamada S, Asaka R, Kikuchi N, Kashima H, Ohira S, Shiozawa T. Trophoblast type-specific expression of senescence markers in the human placenta. Placenta 2019; 85:56-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.06.377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Kemmerling U, Osuna A, Schijman AG, Truyens C. Congenital Transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi: A Review About the Interactions Between the Parasite, the Placenta, the Maternal and the Fetal/Neonatal Immune Responses. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1854. [PMID: 31474955 PMCID: PMC6702454 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD), caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is considered a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization. Congenital transmission of CD is an increasingly relevant public health problem. It progressively becomes the main transmission route over others and can occur in both endemic and non-endemic countries. Though most congenitally infected newborns are asymptomatic at birth, they display higher frequencies of prematurity, low birth weight, and lower Apgar scores compared to uninfected ones, and some suffer from severe symptoms. If not diagnosed and treated, infected newborns are at risk of developing disabling and life-threatening chronic pathologies later in life. The success or failure of congenital transmission depends on interactions between the parasite, the placenta, the mother, and the fetus. We review and discuss here the current knowledge about these parameters, including parasite virulence factors such as exovesicles, placental tropism, potential placental defense mechanisms, the placental transcriptome of infected women, gene polymorphism, and the maternal and fetal/neonatal immune responses, that might modulate the risk of T. cruzi congenital transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Grupo de Bioquímica y Parasitología Molecular, Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Alejandro Gabriel Schijman
- Molecular Biology of Chagas Disease Laboratory, Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology Research Institute Dr. Héctor Torres (INGEBI-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carine Truyens
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Jiang SW, Zhou W, Wang J, Little LM, Leaphart L, Jay J, Igbinigie E, Chen H, Li J. Gene expression patterns associated with human placental trophoblast differentiation. Clin Chim Acta 2019; 495:637-645. [PMID: 29329728 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cell fusion is a hallmark of placental trophoblast cell differentiation and the mature syncytiotrophoblasts play essential roles for fetal-maternal exchange and production of pregnancy-related hormones. Using a well-established in vitro trophoblast differentiation model, we performed a microarray analysis on mRNA expression in trophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cell cultures. Dramatic changes in gene expression patterns were detected during trophoblast differentiation. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed the reliability of the microarray data. As many as 3524 novel and known genes have been found to be up- or down-regulated for >2-fold. A number of cell cycle regulator including CDC6, CDC20, Cyclins B2, L1 and E2, were down-regulated in the syncytiotrophoblast, providing a mechanism for the loss of mitotic activity during trophoblast differentiation. Further characterization on the identified genes may lead to better understanding of placental patho-physiology in obstetric diseases such as preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Wen Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China; Department of Biomedical Science, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Memorial Health Hospital, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, Chongqing 400013, China
| | - Jianhao Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
| | - Lauren M Little
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Memorial Health Hospital, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Lynn Leaphart
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Memorial Health Hospital, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Jacob Jay
- Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Eseosaserea Igbinigie
- Department of Biomedical Science, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA
| | - Haibin Chen
- Department of Histology & Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China.
| | - Jinping Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China; Department of Biomedical Science, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Memorial Health Hospital, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA 31404, USA; School of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China.
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Lv H, Zhou Q, Li L, Wang S. HLA-C promotes proliferation and cell cycle progression in trophoblast cells. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 34:512-518. [PMID: 31018729 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1611772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: The development of maternal-fetal immune tolerance and adequate trophoblast function are essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA), the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen specific to humans, plays an important role in placentation and is involved in many pregnancy-associated diseases. HLA-C is the only classical MHC I gene expressed at the maternal-fetal interface. To investigate whether HLA-C plays an independent role in regulating the development of trophoblasts, we explored the effect of HLA-C expression on placental development.Methods: The role of HLA-C in the growth and migration of trophoblast JAR and HTR-8/Svneo cell lines was investigated after HLA-C-expressing lentivirus transfection.Results: The MTT assay and colony formation assay showed that HLA-C promoted cell proliferation. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis showed that HLA-C overexpression accelerated the transition of trophoblast cells from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase. However, FACS analysis and migration assay indicated that HLA-C had no significant influence on trophoblast apoptosis and migration.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated for the first time that besides being involved in immune tolerance, HLA-C can directly promote placental growth without interacting with immune cells, which could provide a new insight into studying the functions of HLA-C at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lv
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Lie Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Shan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Ding J, Cheng Y, Zhang Y, Liao S, Yin T, Yang J. The miR‐27a‐3p/USP25 axis participates in the pathogenesis of recurrent miscarriage by inhibiting trophoblast migration and invasion. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:19951-19963. [PMID: 30953360 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinli Ding
- Reproductive Medical Center Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
- Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development Wuhan China
| | - Yanxiang Cheng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
- Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development Wuhan China
| | - Shujie Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology Wuhan China
| | - Tailang Yin
- Reproductive Medical Center Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
- Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development Wuhan China
| | - Jing Yang
- Reproductive Medical Center Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University Wuhan China
- Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development Wuhan China
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The Density of Cell Nuclei at the Materno-Fetal Exchange Barrier is Sexually Dimorphic in Normal Placentas, but not in IUGR. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2359. [PMID: 30787322 PMCID: PMC6382753 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38739-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental sexual dimorphism is of special interest in prenatal programming. Various postnatal diseases with gender dependent incidence, especially neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders, have prenatal risk factors established. However, the functional relevance of placental microarchitecture in prenatal programming is poorly investigated, mainly due to a lack of statistically efficient methods. We hypothesized that the recently established 3D microscopic analysis of villous trees would be able to identify microscopic structural correlates of human placental sexual dimorphism. We analyzed the density of cell nuclei of villous trophoblast, i.e. the materno-fetal exchange barrier, in placentas from term pregnancies. The cell nuclei were grouped into proliferative and non-proliferative nuclei by detection of a proliferation marker (PCNA). Normal female placentas showed a higher density of non-proliferating nuclei (PCNA-negative) in villous trophoblast than normal male placentas. The density of PCNA-negative cell nuclei was higher in placentas of pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) than in control placentas. The data of the present study shows that the density of non-proliferative cell nuclei in the syncytial layer of villous trophoblast is influenced by fetal sex and by IUGR, while proliferation remains unchanged. A novel concept of post-fusion regulation of syncytial structure and function is proposed.
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Shoaito H, Petit J, Chissey A, Auzeil N, Guibourdenche J, Gil S, Laprévote O, Fournier T, Degrelle SA. The Role of Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) in Mono(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (MEHP)-Mediated Cytotrophoblast Differentiation. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2019; 127:27003. [PMID: 30810372 PMCID: PMC6752943 DOI: 10.1289/ehp3730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates are environmental contaminants commonly used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products. Recently, exposure to phthalates has been associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and pregnancy loss. There is limited information about the possible mechanisms linking maternal phthalate exposure and placental development, but one such mechanism may be mediated by peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ). PPARγ belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily that regulates, in a ligand-dependent manner, the transcription of target genes. Studies of PPARγ-deficient mice have demonstrated its essential role in lipid metabolism and placental development. In the human placenta, PPARγ is expressed in the villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) and is activated during its differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to investigate the action of mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on PPARγ activity during in vitro differentiation of VCTs. METHODS We combined immunofluorescence, PPARγ activity/hCG assays, western blotting, and lipidomics analyses to characterize the impacts of physiologically relevant concentrations of MEHP (0.1, 1, and 10 μM) on cultured VCTs isolated from human term placentas. RESULTS Doses of 0.1 and 1 μM MEHP showed significantly lower PPARγ activity and less VCT differentiation in comparison with controls, whereas, surprisingly, a 10 μM dose had the opposite effect. MEHP exposure inhibited hCG production and significantly altered lipid composition. In addition, MEHP had significant effects on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that MEHP has a U-shaped dose–response effect on trophoblast differentiation that is mediated by the PPARγ pathway and acts as an endocrine disruptor in the human placenta. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3730.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Shoaito
- UMR-S1139, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm, National Institute of Health & Medical Research), Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Julia Petit
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- UMR 8638, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (Cnrs, National Center for Scientific Research), Paris, France
| | - Audrey Chissey
- UMR-S1139, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm, National Institute of Health & Medical Research), Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Auzeil
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- UMR 8638, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (Cnrs, National Center for Scientific Research), Paris, France
| | - Jean Guibourdenche
- UMR-S1139, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm, National Institute of Health & Medical Research), Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, France
- Department of Biological Endocrinology, CHU Cochin, Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Sophie Gil
- UMR-S1139, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm, National Institute of Health & Medical Research), Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Laprévote
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- UMR 8638, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (Cnrs, National Center for Scientific Research), Paris, France
- Department of Biochemistry, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Fournier
- UMR-S1139, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm, National Institute of Health & Medical Research), Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, France
| | - Séverine A. Degrelle
- UMR-S1139, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Institut national de la santé et de la recherché médicale (Inserm, National Institute of Health & Medical Research), Paris, France
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, France
- Inovarion, Paris, France
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Host-parasite interaction: changes in human placental gene expression induced by Trypanosoma cruzi. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:479. [PMID: 30143027 PMCID: PMC6109360 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2988-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite endemic to Latin America. Most infections occur in children by vector or congenital transmission. Trypanosoma cruzi establishes a complexity of specific molecular parasite-host cell interactions to invade the host. However, most studies have been mainly focused on the interaction between the parasite and different cell types, but not on the infection and invasion on a tissue level. During congenital transmission, T. cruzi must cross the placental barrier, composed of epithelial and connective tissues, in order to infect the developing fetus. Here we aimed to study the global changes of transcriptome in the placental tissue after a T. cruzi challenge. Results Strong changes in gene expression profiling were found in the different experimental conditions, involving the reprogramming of gene expression in genes involved in the innate immune response. Conclusions Trypanosoma cruzi induces strong changes in genes involved in a wide range of pathways, especially those involved in immune response against infections. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2988-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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The Expression of Neuropilin-1 in Human Placentas From Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancies. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2018; 36:42-49. [PMID: 26937865 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0000000000000283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PET) is a hypertensive disorder that affects 2% to 8% of pregnant women. Recent observations support the hypothesis that upregulation of placental anti-angiogenic factors are responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease. Neuropilin-1 (NP-1) is a transmembrane protein that acts as a coreceptor for vascular endothelial growth factor and as a regulatory protein in the immune system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of NP-1 in PET and normal placentas. Nineteen placental specimens from severe PET pregnancies were compared with 20 placental specimens of women with low-risk pregnancy. All the specimens underwent immunohistochemical staining with anti-human NP-1 antibody. The degree of NP-1 staining was measured both for intensity and extent. Our study demonstrated NP-1 immunoreactivity mainly in the decidual cells, the intermediate trophoblast, and the syncytiotrophoblast, particularly in the areas in the syncytial knots and shed particles. The particles were strongly NP-1 immunoreactive. The expression of NP-1 in the syncytiotrophoblast was lower in placentas of PET compared with control (P=0.017). Shedding of syncytiotrophoblast particles from placenta to maternal blood occurs in normal pregnancies and is enhanced during PET and contributes to the maternal vascular injury that characterizes PET. Our new observation that shows strong NP-1 immunoreactivity of these particles, and decreased NP1 expression in syncytiotrophoblast of PET placentas in comparison to the control group, may imply a role of NP-1 in PET.
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46
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Motomura K, Kawashima T, Berger F, Kinoshita T, Higashiyama T, Maruyama D. A pharmacological study of Arabidopsis cell fusion between the persistent synergid and endosperm. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.204123. [PMID: 28808086 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.204123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell fusion is a pivotal process in fertilization and multinucleate cell formation. A plant cell is ubiquitously surrounded by a hard cell wall, and very few cell fusions have been observed except for gamete fusions. We recently reported that the fertilized central cell (the endosperm) absorbs the persistent synergid, a highly differentiated cell necessary for pollen tube attraction. The synergid-endosperm fusion (SE fusion) appears to eliminate the persistent synergid from fertilized ovule in Arabidopsis thaliana Here, we analyzed the effects of various inhibitors on SE fusion in an in vitro culture system. Different from other cell fusions, neither disruption of actin polymerization nor protein secretion impaired SE fusion. However, transcriptional and translational inhibitors decreased the SE fusion success rate and also inhibited endosperm division. Failures of SE fusion and endosperm nuclear proliferation were also induced by roscovitine, an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK). These data indicate unique aspects of SE fusion such as independence of filamentous actin support and the importance of CDK-mediated mitotic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Motomura
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Kawashima
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, 321 Plant Science Building, 1405 Veterans Dr., Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tetsu Kinoshita
- Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, 641-12 Maioka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-0813, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Higashiyama
- Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan.,Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8602, Japan
| | - Daisuke Maruyama
- Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, 641-12 Maioka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 244-0813, Japan
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47
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The immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi in the human placenta. Emerg Top Life Sci 2017; 1:573-577. [DOI: 10.1042/etls20170115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Congenital Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is partially responsible for the increasing globalization of Chagas disease despite its low transmission. During congenital transmission, the parasite reaches the fetus by crossing the placental barrier. However, the success or impairment of congenital transmission of the parasite is the product of a complex interaction between the parasite, the maternal and fetus/newborn immune responses and placental factors. There is other evidence apart from the low congenital transmission rates, which suggests the presence of defense mechanisms against T. cruzi. Thus, the typical amastigote nests (intracellular parasites) cannot be observed in placentas from mothers with chronic Chagas disease nor in human placental chorionic villi explants infected in vitro with the parasite. In the latter, only a few parasite antigens and DNA are identified. Accordingly, other infections of the placenta are not commonly observed. All these evidences suggest that the placenta can mount defense mechanisms against T. cruzi.
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48
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Syncytial nuclei accumulate at the villous surface in IUGR while proliferation is unchanged. Placenta 2017; 60:47-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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49
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Tong M, Johansson C, Xiao F, Stone PR, James JL, Chen Q, Cree LM, Chamley LW. Antiphospholipid antibodies increase the levels of mitochondrial DNA in placental extracellular vesicles: Alarmin-g for preeclampsia. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16556. [PMID: 29185455 PMCID: PMC5707355 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains unclear but placental factors are known to play a crucial role causing maternal endothelial cell dysfunction. One potential factor is placental micro- and nano- vesicles. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) increase the risk of preeclampsia ten-fold, in part by damaging the mitochondria in the syncytiotrophoblast. Since mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a danger- associated molecular pattern (DAMP/alarmin) that may activate endothelial cells, the aims of the current study were to investigate whether aPL affect the number of placental vesicles extruded, their mtDNA content and their ability to activate endothelial cells. Exposure of first trimester human placental explants to aPL affected neither the number nor size of extruded micro- and nano- vesicles (n = 5), however their levels of mtDNA were increased (n = 6). These vesicles significantly activated endothelial cells (n = 5), which was prevented by blocking toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9), a receptor for extracellular DNA. Thus, aPL may increase the risk of preeclampsia in part by increasing the amount of mtDNA associated with placental vesicles. That mitochondrial DNA is recognised as a DAMP by TLR-9 to cause endothelial cell activation, raises the possibility that placental vesicles or TLR-9 might be a target for pharmaceutical intervention to reduce the consequences of aPL in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mancy Tong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
| | - Caroline Johansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, SE-581 83, Sweden
| | - Fengyi Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.,The Hospital of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peter R Stone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Joanna L James
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Lynsey M Cree
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Lawrence W Chamley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
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50
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Castillo C, Muñoz L, Carrillo I, Liempi A, Medina L, Galanti N, Maya JD, Kemmerling U. Toll-like receptor-2 mediates local innate immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi in ex vivo infected human placental chorionic villi explants. Placenta 2017; 60:40-46. [PMID: 29208238 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi that must cross the placental barrier during transmission. The trophoblast constitutes the first tissue in contact with the maternal-blood circulating parasite. Importantly, the congenital transmission rates are low, suggesting the presence of local placental defense mechanisms. On the other hand, the placenta is considered an immune regulatory organ since it acts as a modulator of fetal and maternal immune responses. We have previously proposed that local placental factors, such as the epithelial turnover of the trophoblast and the innate immune response initiated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), might prevent parasite infection and congenital transmission. Here, we studied in an ex vivo infected human placental chorionic villi explant HPCVE model, the relationship between TLR-2 activation in response to T. cruzi trypomastigotes, the secreted profile of cytokines, the integrity of the placental barrier and the expression of trophoblast turnover markers. RESULTS TLR-2 inhibition increases the parasite induced histopathological damage, prevents secretion of IL-6 and IL-10, decreases expression of PCNA (proliferation marker) and of β-hCG (differentiation marker) while increasing caspase 3 activity (cell death marker). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that TLR-2 is not only involved in the local secretion of cytokines but also regulates, at least partially, the trophoblast turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Castillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lorena Muñoz
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ileana Carrillo
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ana Liempi
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Lisvaneth Medina
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Norbel Galanti
- Programa de Biología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Diego Maya
- Programa de Farmacología Molecular y Clínica, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ulrike Kemmerling
- Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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