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Dos Anjos Cordeiro JM, Santos LC, Santos BR, de Jesus Nascimento AE, Santos EO, Barbosa EM, de Macêdo IO, Mendonça LD, Sarmento-Neto JF, Pinho CS, Coura ETDS, Santos ADS, Rodrigues ME, Rebouças JS, De-Freitas-Silva G, Munhoz AD, de Lavor MSL, Silva JF. Manganese porphyrin-based treatment improves fetal-placental development and protects against oxidative damage and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in a rat maternal hypothyroidism model. Redox Biol 2024; 74:103238. [PMID: 38870780 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103238] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) are at the genesis of placental disorders observed in preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and maternal hypothyroidism. In this regard, cationic manganese porphyrins (MnPs) comprise potent redox-active therapeutics of high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, which have not been evaluated in metabolic gestational diseases yet. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of two MnPs, [MnTE-2-PyP]5+ (MnP I) and [MnT(5-Br-3-E-Py)P]5+ (MnP II), in the fetal-placental dysfunction of hypothyroid rats. Hypothyroidism was induced by administration of 6-Propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) and treatment with MnPs I and II 0.1 mg/kg/day started on the 8th day of gestation (DG). The fetal and placental development, and protein and/or mRNA expression of antioxidant mediators (SOD1, CAT, GPx1), hypoxia (HIF1α), oxidative damage (8-OHdG, MDA), ERS (GRP78 and CHOP), immunological (TNFα, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, Caspase1, Gasdermin D) and angiogenic (VEGF) were evaluated in the placenta and decidua on the 18th DG using immunohistochemistry and qPCR. ROS and peroxynitrite (PRX) were quantified by fluorometric assay, while enzyme activities of SOD, GST, and catalase were evaluated by colorimetric assay. MnPs I and II increased fetal body mass in hypothyroid rats, and MnP I increased fetal organ mass. MnPs restored the junctional zone morphology in hypothyroid rats and increased placental vascularization. MnPs blocked the increase of OS and ERS mediators caused by hypothyroidism, showing similar levels of expression of HIFα, 8-OHdG, MDA, Gpx1, GRP78, and Chop to the control. Moreover, MnPs I and/or II increased the protein expression of SOD1, Cat, and GPx1 and restored the expression of IL10, Nlrp3, and Caspase1 in the decidua and/or placenta. However, MnPs did not restore the low placental enzyme activity of SOD, CAT, and GST caused by hypothyroidism, while increased the decidual and placental protein expression of TNFα. The results show that treatment with MnPs improves the fetal-placental development and the placental inflammatory state of hypothyroid rats and protects against oxidative stress and reticular stress caused by hypothyroidism at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luciano Cardoso Santos
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Bianca Reis Santos
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | | | - Emilly Oliveira Santos
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Erikles Macêdo Barbosa
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Isabela Oliveira de Macêdo
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Letícia Dias Mendonça
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - José Ferreira Sarmento-Neto
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Clarice Santos Pinho
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Acácio de Sá Santos
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Marciel Elio Rodrigues
- Departamento de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual Do Sudoeste da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
| | - Júlio Santos Rebouças
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Joao Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Gilson De-Freitas-Silva
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Dias Munhoz
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Mário Sérgio Lima de Lavor
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil
| | - Juneo Freitas Silva
- Centro de Microscopia Eletrônica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Brazil.
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Henriksen T, Sajjad MU, Haugen G, Michelsen TM. Placental energy metabolism: Evidence for a placental-maternal lactate-ketone trade in the human. Placenta 2024; 148:31-37. [PMID: 38350223 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glucose from placenta is the predominant energy source for the fetus. Individual placentas exhibit a range of glucose handling from apparent net production to high consumption, presumably reflecting an ability of placenta to secure both own and fetal energy needs. A dependency of placenta on glucose as the main energy source could impede fetal supply. Placenta seems to release lactate to maternal side implying loss of energy. Whether placenta takes up ketones is unclear. Our main hypothesis was that the human placenta can release lactate to the maternal side but take up maternal ketones. METHODS An in vivo study of term uncomplicated pregnancies including 56 women delivered by cesarean section. We measured uterine and umbilical blood flow by Doppler ultrasonography, combined with blood sampling from maternal radial artery, uterine vein, umbilical artery and vein. Lactate and ketones were determined by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS Placenta released lactate to the maternal side (median -36.65 μmol/min. Q1, Q3: 78.53, 13.29), p < 0.001), but not to the fetal side. A net uptake of maternal ketones was found (median (Q1, Q3): 59.12 (30.64, 131.46) μmol acetate equivalents/min, p < 0.001) which largely was metabolized by the uteroplacenta. The uptake of ketones was comparable in energy to the loss of lactate. DISCUSSION Placenta may release lactate to the maternal side. The energy lost by lactate may be compensated by uptake of maternal ketones. This lactate-ketone trade could benefit both placenta and the fetus by providing lactate for maternal gluconeogenesis and ketones for uteroplacental oxidative energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tore Henriksen
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Muhammad U Sajjad
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guttorm Haugen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Fetal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trond M Michelsen
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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Maroudias G, Vrachnis D, Fotiou A, Loukas N, Mantzou A, Pergialiotis V, Valsamakis G, Machairiotis N, Stavros S, Panagopoulos P, Vakas P, Kanaka-Gantenbein C, Drakakis P, Vrachnis N. Measurement of Calprotectin and PTH in the Amniotic Fluid of Early Second Trimester Pregnancies and Their Impact on Fetuses with Growth Disorders: Are Their Levels Related to Oxidative Stress? J Clin Med 2024; 13:855. [PMID: 38337548 PMCID: PMC10856459 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030855] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: During the early stages of human fetal development, the fetal skeleton system is chiefly made up of cartilage, which is gradually replaced by bone. Fetal bone development is mainly regulated by the parathyroid hormone parathormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein, with specific calprotectin playing a substantial role in cell adhesion and chemotaxis while exhibiting antimicrobial activity during the inflammatory osteogenesis process. The aim of our study was to measure the levels of PTH and calprotectin in early second trimester amniotic fluid and to carry out a comparison between the levels observed among normal full-term pregnancies (control group) and those of the groups of embryos exhibiting impaired or enhanced growth. Methods: For the present prospective study, we collected amniotic fluid samples from pregnancies that underwent amniocentesis at 15 to 22 weeks of gestational age during the period 2021-2023. Subsequently, we followed up on all pregnancies closely until delivery. Having recorded fetal birthweights, we then divided the neonates into three groups: small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). Results: In total, 64 pregnancies, including 14 SGA, 10 LGA, and 40 AGA fetuses, were included in our study. Both substances were detected in early second trimester amniotic fluid in both groups. Concentrations of calprotectin differed significantly among the three groups (p = 0.033). AGA fetuses had a lower mean value of 4.195 (2.415-6.425) IU/mL, whereas LGA fetuses had a higher mean value of 6.055 (4.887-13.950) IU/mL, while SGA fetuses had a mean value of 5.475 (3.400-9.177) IU/mL. Further analysis revealed that only LGA fetuses had significantly higher calprotectin concentrations compared to AGA fetuses (p = 0.018). PTH concentration was similar between the groups, with LGA fetuses having a mean value of 13.18 (9.51-15.52) IU/mL, while SGA fetuses had a mean value of 14.18 (9.02-16.00) IU/mL, and AGA fetuses had similar concentrations of 13.35 (9.05-15.81) IU/mL. The differences in PTH concentration among the three groups were not statistically significant (p = 0.513). Conclusions: Calprotectin values in the amniotic fluid in the early second trimester were higher in LGA fetuses compared to those in the SGA and AGA categories. LGA fetuses can possibly be in a state of low-grade chronic inflammation due to excessive fat deposition, causing oxidative stress in LGA fetuses and, eventually, the release of calprotectin. Moreover, PTH concentrations in the amniotic fluid of early second trimester pregnancies were not found to be statistically correlated with fetal growth abnormalities in either LGA or SGA fetuses. However, the early time of collection and the small number of patients in our study should be taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Maroudias
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzaneio General Hospital, 18536 Athens, Greece
| | - Dionysios Vrachnis
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Alexandros Fotiou
- Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (D.V.); (A.F.)
| | - Nikolaos Loukas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzaneio General Hospital, 18536 Athens, Greece
| | - Aimilia Mantzou
- First Department of Paediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece (C.K.-G.)
| | - Vasileiοs Pergialiotis
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece;
| | - George Valsamakis
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece; (G.V.)
| | - Nikolaos Machairiotis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Athens, Greece (P.P.)
| | - Sofoklis Stavros
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Athens, Greece (P.P.)
| | - Periklis Panagopoulos
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Athens, Greece (P.P.)
| | - Panagiotis Vakas
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece; (G.V.)
| | - Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
- First Department of Paediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece (C.K.-G.)
| | - Petros Drakakis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Athens, Greece (P.P.)
| | - Nikolaos Vrachnis
- Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon Hospital, Rimini 1, 12462 Athens, Greece (P.P.)
- Vascular Biology, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George’s University of London, London SW17, UK
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Alves-Silva T, Húngaro TG, Freitas-Lima LC, de Melo Arthur G, Arruda AC, Santos RB, Oyama LM, Mori MA, Bader M, Araujo RC. Kinin B1 receptor controls maternal adiponectin levels and influences offspring weight gain. iScience 2023; 26:108409. [PMID: 38058311 PMCID: PMC10696114 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108409] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the importance of the kinin B1 receptor in insulin and leptin hormonal regulation, which in turn is crucial in maternal adaptations to ensure nutrient supply to the fetus, we investigated the role of this receptor in maternal metabolism and fetoplacental development. Wild-type and kinin B1 receptor-deficient (B1KO) female mice were mated with male mice of the opposite genotype. Consequently, the entire litter was heterozygous for kinin B1 receptor, ensuring that there would be no influence of offspring genotype on the maternal phenotype. Maternal kinin B1 receptor blockade reduces adiponectin secretion by adipose tissue ex vivo, consistent with lower adiponectin levels in pregnant B1KO mice. Furthermore, fasting insulinemia also increased, which was associated with placental insulin resistance, reduced placental glycogen accumulation, and heavier offspring. Therefore, we propose the combination of chronic hyperinsulinemia and reduced adiponectin secretion in B1KO female mice create a maternal obesogenic environment that results in heavier pups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Alves-Silva
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Molecular Biology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Campus Berlin-Buch, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Talita G.R. Húngaro
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Nephrology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Leandro C. Freitas-Lima
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Molecular Biology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Gabriel de Melo Arthur
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Molecular Biology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Adriano C. Arruda
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Nephrology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Raisa B. Santos
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Nephrology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Lila M. Oyama
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Endocrine Physiology, Physiology Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-901, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A.S. Mori
- Laboratory of Aging Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Campus Berlin-Buch, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ronaldo C. Araujo
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Molecular Biology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Nephrology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
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Nagaoka LT, Jorge BC, Stein J, Manoel BDM, Valente LC, de Toledo LL, de Castro TLA, Kassuya CAL, Cardoso CAL, Arena AC. Maternal-fetal safety evaluation of an aqueous extract of Casearia sylvestris leaves in rats. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:1899-1911. [PMID: 37800320 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2257] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluated the maternal, embryotoxic, and teratogenic effects of the aqueous extract of Casearia sylvestris (AECS), a species listed in the Unique Health System of Brazil, and widely used for treating several conditions, such as diarrhea, wounds, pain, and ulcers. METHODS Pregnant rats were daily treated orally with 0, 175, 350, or 700 mg/kg/body weight of AECS, from gestational day (GD) 6 to 15 (organogenesis period). On GD 20, the pregnant rats were euthanized, and the litters submitted to an assessment of fetal development. RESULTS No clinical signs of toxicity were observed in the dams during the treatment. In the embryo-fetal development study, a significant increase in the basal zone height of the placenta was observed in the intermediate dose group. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the relative anogenital distance measurement of female fetuses in the lowest and intermediate dose groups. Although no visceral abnormalities were observed in the treated-fetuses, skeletal anomalies evidenced by changes in the ossification of the sternum and the presence of supernumerary ribs were found in the intermediate and high dose groups. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the treatment with AECS during organogenesis at this dose level had detrimental effects on the normal development of fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Trippe Nagaoka
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Campos Jorge
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlia Stein
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz de Matos Manoel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leticia Cardoso Valente
- College of Health Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Laura Leonel de Toledo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Luis Aguayo de Castro
- Center of Studies in Natural Resources, State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Claudia Andrea Lima Cardoso
- Center of Studies in Natural Resources, State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Arielle Cristina Arena
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- Toxicological Information and Assistance Center (CIATOX), Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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Zhao H, Wong RJ, Stevenson DK. The placental vasculature is affected by changes in gene expression and glycogen-rich cells in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294185. [PMID: 37948457 PMCID: PMC10637699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal obesity is a risk factor for pregnancy complications. Obesity caused by a high-fat diet (HFD) may alter maternal glucose/glycogen metabolism. Here, our objective was to investigate whether the placental vasculature is altered via changes in gene expression and glycogen-rich cells using a preclinical mouse model of diet-induced obesity. We subjected female FVB/N mice to one of three feeding regimens: regular chow (RC) given at preconception and during pregnancy (Control); RC given at preconception and then a HFD during pregnancy (HFD-P); or HFD initiated 4 weeks preconception and during pregnancy (HFD-PreCP). Daily food consumption and weekly maternal weights were recorded. Maternal blood glucose levels were measured at preconception and 4 gestational epochs (E6.5-E9.5, E10.5-E12.5, E13.5-E15.5, E16.5-E19.5). At E8.5-E16.5, total RNA in placentas were isolated for gene expression analyses. Placentas were also collected for HE and periodic acid Schiff's (PAS) staining and glycogen content assays. Dams in the HFD-P and HFD-PreCP groups gained significantly more weight than controls. Pre- and antenatal glucose levels were also significantly higher (15%-30%) in HFD-PreCP dams. Expression of several placental genes were also altered in HFD dams compared with controls. Consumption of the HFD also led to phenotypic and morphologic changes in glycogen trophoblasts (GlyTs) and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Alterations in vascularity were also observed in the labyrinth of HFD-PreCP placentas, which correlated with decreased placental efficiency. Overall, we observed that a HFD induces gestational obesity in mice, alters expression of placental genes, affects glucose homeostasis, and alters glycogen-positive GlyTs and uNK cells. All these changes may lead to impaired placental vascular development, and thus heighten the risk for pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Ronald J. Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - David K. Stevenson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
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Reis ACC, Jorge BC, Paschoalini BR, Bueno JN, Stein J, Moreira SDS, Manoel BDM, Fernandes GSA, Hisano H, Arena AC. Long-term reproductive effects of benzo(a)pyrene at environmentally relevant dose on juvenile female rats. Drug Chem Toxicol 2023; 46:906-914. [PMID: 35912572 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2022.2105864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Since studies on the reproductive consequences after the exposure to environmentally relevant doses of Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) during critical stages of development are scarce, this study evaluated female reproductive parameters of adult rats exposed to a low dose of BaP during the juvenile phase. Female rats (Post-natal 21) were treated with BaP (0 or 0.1 µg/kg/day; gavage) for 21 consecutive days. During the treatment, no clinical signs of toxicity were observed. Nevertheless, the ages of vaginal opening and first estrus were anticipated by the BaP-exposure. At the sexual maturity, the juvenile exposure compromised the sexual behavior, as well as the placental efficiency, follicle stimulating hormone levels, placenta histological analysis, and ovarian follicle count. A decrease in erythrocyte, platelet, and lymphocyte counts also was observed in the exposed-females. Moreover, the dose of BaP used in this study was not able to produce estrogenic activity in vivo. These data showed that juvenile BaP-exposure, at environmentally relevant dose, compromised the female reproductive system, possibly by an endocrine deregulation; however, this requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Casali Reis
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Campos Jorge
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Rizzo Paschoalini
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Nogueira Bueno
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Julia Stein
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Suyane da Silva Moreira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Beatriz de Matos Manoel
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | | | | | - Arielle Cristina Arena
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
- Center of Toxicological Assistance (CEATOX), Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Song YP, Lv JW, Zhang ZC, Qian QH, Fan YJ, Chen DZ, Zhang H, Xu FX, Zhang C, Huang Y, Wang H, Wei W, Xu DX. Effects of Gestational Arsenic Exposures on Placental and Fetal Development in Mice: The Role of Cyr61 m6A. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:97004. [PMID: 37682722 PMCID: PMC10489955 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several epidemiological investigations demonstrated that maternal arsenic (As) exposure elevated risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR), but the mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the effects of gestational As exposure on placental and fetal development and its underlying mechanism. METHODS Dams were exposed to 0.15, 1.5, and 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 throughout pregnancy via drinking water. Sizes of fetuses and placentas, placental histopathology, and glycogen content were measured. Placental RNA sequencing was conducted. Human trophoblasts were exposed to NaAsO 2 (2 μ M ) to establish an in vitro model of As exposure. The mRNA stability and protein level of genes identified through RNA sequencing were measured. N 6 -Methyladenosine (m 6 A ) modification was detected by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reason (qPCR). The binding ability of insulin-like growth factor 2 binding protein 2 to the gene of interest was detected by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation-qPCR. Intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and methyltransferase activity were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and colorimetry, respectively. In vitro As + 3 methyltransferase (As3MT) knockdown or SAM supplementation and in vivo folic acid (FA) supplementation were used to evaluate the protective effect. A case-control study verified the findings. RESULTS Sizes of fetuses (exposed to 1.5 and 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 ) and placentas (exposed to 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 ) were lower in As-exposed mice. More glycogen + trophoblasts accumulated and the expression of markers of interstitial invasion was lower in the 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 -exposed mouse group in comparison with control. Placental RNA sequencing identified cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61) as a candidate gene of interest. Mechanistically, mice and cells exposed to As had lower protein expression of CYR61, and this was attributed to a lower incidence of Cyr61 m 6 A . Furthermore, cells exposed to As had lower methyltransferase activity, suggesting that this could be the mechanism by which Cyr61 m 6 A was affected. Depletion of intracellular SAM, a cofactor for m 6 A methyltransferase catalytic domain, partially contributed to As-induced methyltransferase activity reduction. Either As3MT knockdown or SAM supplementation attenuated As-induced Cyr61 m 6 A down-regulation. In mice, FA supplementation rescued As-induced defective trophoblastic invasion and FGR. In humans, a negative correlation between maternal urinary As and plasma CYR61 was observed in infants who were small for gestational age. DISCUSSION Using in vitro and in vivo models, we found that intracellular SAM depletion-mediated Cyr61 m 6 A down-regulation partially contributed to As-induced defective trophoblastic invasion and FGR. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12207.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ping Song
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jin-Wei Lv
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhi-Cheng Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qing-Hua Qian
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi-Jun Fan
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dao-Zhen Chen
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yichao Huang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Education Ministry of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - De-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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9
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O'Brien K, Wang Y. The Placenta: A Maternofetal Interface. Annu Rev Nutr 2023; 43:301-325. [PMID: 37603428 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-061121-085246] [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: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is the gatekeeper between the mother and the fetus. Over the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus is nourished by uterine gland secretions in a process known as histiotrophic nutrition. During the second trimester of pregnancy, placentation has evolved to the point at which nutrients are delivered to the placenta via maternal blood (hemotrophic nutrition). Over gestation, the placenta must adapt to these variable nutrient supplies, to alterations in maternal physiology and blood flow, and to dynamic changes in fetal growth rates. Numerous questions remain about the mechanisms used to transport nutrients to the fetus and the maternal and fetal determinants of this process. Growing data highlight the ability of the placenta to regulate this process. As new technologies and omics approaches are utilized to study this maternofetal interface, greater insight into this unique organ and its impact on fetal development and long-term health has been obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly O'Brien
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA; ,
| | - Yiqin Wang
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA; ,
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10
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Gomez Ribot D, Diaz E, Fazio MV, Gómez HL, Careaga V, Maier M, Macchi SB, Gresta CA, Capobianco E, Jawerbaum A. Metabolic and molecular effects of dietary extra virgin olive oil in blood and placenta of women with GDM. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1219276. [PMID: 37654560 PMCID: PMC10465367 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1219276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risks of maternal, placental, and neonatal complications. Previously, we found that a diet enriched in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) prevents increased maternal triglyceridemia and placental proinflammatory markers in a cohort of GDM patients. The aim of this work was to evaluate maternal circulating markers of insulin resistance, placental collagen, glycogen and lipid levels, and placental levels of proteins, mRNAs, and a microRNA involved in the endocytic pathway in the same cohort of control women and women with GDM who received or did not receive a diet enriched in EVOO (36 g/day) from weeks 24 to 28 of pregnancy until term. Results At term, the TG/HDL cholesterol ratio, fatty acid binding protein 4 circulating levels, and maternal BMI were increased in the GDM patients, alterations prevented by the maternal diet enriched in EVOO. Although there were no changes in placental lipid levels and lipid profile, GDM placentas were thicker than controls and showed increased glycogen and collagen content, alterations prevented by the EVOO enriched diet. GDM placentas showed increases in megalin levels, in the expression of several genes involved in the endocytic pathway, and in miR-199, which targets these genes, alterations prevented by the maternal diet enriched in EVOO. Conclusions We identified novel beneficial effects of an EVOO-enriched diet in GDM women, a diet capable of regulating maternal insulin resistance, the structure and metabolism of the placenta, and the placental endocytic pathway, suggesting effects that may be beneficial for fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalmiro Gomez Ribot
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) – Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Laboratory of Reproduction and Metabolism, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Esteban Diaz
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Fazio
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hebe Lorena Gómez
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Careaga
- Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos Aplicados a Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR) [Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)], Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marta Maier
- Unidad de Microanálisis y Métodos Físicos Aplicados a Química Orgánica (UMYMFOR) [Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)], Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Beatriz Macchi
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Alberto Gresta
- Department of Obstetrics, Hospital General de Agudos Dr. Ignacio Pirovano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Evangelina Capobianco
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) – Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Laboratory of Reproduction and Metabolism, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia Jawerbaum
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) – Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Laboratory of Reproduction and Metabolism, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFYBO), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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11
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Menkhorst E, Santos LL, Zhou W, Yang G, Winship AL, Rainczuk KE, Nguyen P, Zhang JG, Moore P, Williams M, Lê Cao KA, Mansell A, Dimitriadis E. IL11 activates the placental inflammasome to drive preeclampsia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1175926. [PMID: 37292200 PMCID: PMC10244672 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1175926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Preeclampsia is a life-threatening disorder of pregnancy unique to humans. Interleukin (IL)11 is elevated in serum from pregnancies that subsequently develop early-onset preeclampsia and pharmacological elevation of IL11 in pregnant mice causes the development of early-onset preeclampsia-like features (hypertension, proteinuria, and fetal growth restriction). However, the mechanism by which IL11 drives preeclampsia is unknown. Method Pregnant mice were administered PEGylated (PEG)IL11 or control (PEG) from embryonic day (E)10-16 and the effect on inflammasome activation, systolic blood pressure (during gestation and at 50/90 days post-natal), placental development, and fetal/post-natal pup growth measured. RNAseq analysis was performed on E13 placenta. Human 1st trimester placental villi were treated with IL11 and the effect on inflammasome activation and pyroptosis identified by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Result PEGIL11 activated the placental inflammasome causing inflammation, fibrosis, and acute and chronic hypertension in wild-type mice. Global and placental-specific loss of the inflammasome adaptor protein Asc and global loss of the Nlrp3 sensor protein prevented PEGIL11-induced fibrosis and hypertension in mice but did not prevent PEGIL11-induced fetal growth restriction or stillbirths. RNA-sequencing and histology identified that PEGIL11 inhibited trophoblast differentiation towards spongiotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast lineages in mice and extravillous trophoblast lineages in human placental villi. Discussion Inhibition of ASC/NLRP3 inflammasome activity could prevent IL11-induced inflammation and fibrosis in various disease states including preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Menkhorst
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Leilani L. Santos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Guannan Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy L. Winship
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Development and Stem Cells Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Katarzyna E. Rainczuk
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Philana Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jian-Guo Zhang
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Paddy Moore
- Abortion and Contraception, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle Williams
- Biomedical Animal Facility, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Kim-Anh Lê Cao
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashley Mansell
- Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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12
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Katirci E, Kendirci-Katirci R, Korgun ET. Effects of Stevioside on the Expressions of GLUT 1, GLUT 3, and GLUT 4 Proteins in Diabetic Rat Placenta. PLANTA MEDICA 2023. [PMID: 36913970 DOI: 10.1055/a-2003-9463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The placenta provides maternal-fetal nutrient transport. The primary source of energy for fetus development is glucose and maternal-fetal glucose transport occurs through glucose transporters (GLUTs). Stevioside, a component of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, is used for medicinal and commercial purposes. We aim to determine the effects of stevioside on GLUT 1, GLUT 3, and GLUT 4 proteins expressions in diabetic rat placentas. The rats are divided into four groups. A single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) is administered to form the diabetic groups. Pregnant rats receive stevioside to form the stevioside and diabetic + stevioside groups. According to immunohistochemistry results, GLUT 1 protein is found in both the labyrinth and junctional zones. GLUT 3 protein is limited in the labyrinth zone. GLUT 4 protein is detected in trophoblast cells. According to Western blotting results, on the 15th and 20th days of pregnancy, there is no difference in the expression of GLUT 1 protein between groups. On the 20th day of pregnancy, the expression of GLUT 3 protein in the diabetic group is statistically higher compared to the control group. On the 15th day and 20th day of pregnancy, the expression of GLUT 4 protein in the diabetic group is statistically lower compared to the control group. Insulin levels in blood samples derived from rat abdominal aorta are determined by the ELISA method. According to the ELISA results, there is no difference in insulin protein concentration between groups. Stevioside treatment reduces GLUT 1 protein expression under diabetic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ertan Katirci
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Remziye Kendirci-Katirci
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Emin Turkay Korgun
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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13
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High Glucose Promotes Inflammation and Weakens Placental Defenses against E. coli and S. agalactiae Infection: Protective Role of Insulin and Metformin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065243. [PMID: 36982317 PMCID: PMC10048930 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Placentas from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients undergo significant metabolic and immunologic adaptations due to hyperglycemia, which results in an exacerbated synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and an increased risk for infections. Insulin or metformin are clinically indicated for the treatment of GDM; however, there is limited information about the immunomodulatory activity of these drugs in the human placenta, especially in the context of maternal infections. Our objective was to study the role of insulin and metformin in the placental inflammatory response and innate defense against common etiopathological agents of pregnancy bacterial infections, such as E. coli and S. agalactiae, in a hyperglycemic environment. Term placental explants were cultivated with glucose (10 and 50 mM), insulin (50–500 nM) or metformin (125–500 µM) for 48 h, and then they were challenged with live bacteria (1 × 105 CFU/mL). We evaluated the inflammatory cytokine secretion, beta defensins production, bacterial count and bacterial tissue invasiveness after 4–8 h of infection. Our results showed that a GDM-associated hyperglycemic environment induced an inflammatory response and a decreased beta defensins synthesis unable to restrain bacterial infection. Notably, both insulin and metformin exerted anti-inflammatory effects under hyperglycemic infectious and non-infectious scenarios. Moreover, both drugs fortified placental barrier defenses, resulting in reduced E. coli counts, as well as decreased S. agalactiae and E. coli invasiveness of placental villous trees. Remarkably, the double challenge of high glucose and infection provoked a pathogen-specific attenuated placental inflammatory response in the hyperglycemic condition, mainly denoted by reduced TNF-α and IL-6 secretion after S. agalactiae infection and by IL-1β after E. coli infection. Altogether, these results suggest that metabolically uncontrolled GDM mothers develop diverse immune placental alterations, which may help to explain their increased vulnerability to bacterial pathogens.
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14
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Easton ZJW, Luo X, Li L, Regnault TRH. The impact of hyperglycemia upon BeWo trophoblast cell metabolic function: A multi-OMICS and functional metabolic analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283118. [PMID: 36930661 PMCID: PMC10022812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-existing and gestationally-developed diabetes mellitus have been linked with impairments in placental villous trophoblast cell metabolic function, that are thought to underlie the development of metabolic diseases early in the lives of the exposed offspring. Previous research using placental cell lines and ex vivo trophoblast preparations have highlighted hyperglycemia is an important independent regulator of placental function. However, it is poorly understood if hyperglycemia directly influences aspects of placental metabolic function, including nutrient storage and mitochondrial respiration, that are altered in term diabetic placentae. The current study examined metabolic and mitochondrial function as well as nutrient storage in both undifferentiated cytotrophoblast and differentiated syncytiotrophoblast BeWo cells cultured under hyperglycemia conditions (25 mM glucose) for 72 hours to further characterize the direct impacts of placental hyperglycemic exposure. Hyperglycemic-exposed BeWo trophoblasts displayed increased glycogen and triglyceride nutrient stores, but real-time functional readouts of metabolic enzyme activity and mitochondrial respiratory activity were not altered. However, specific investigation into mitochondrial dynamics highlighted increased expression of markers associated with mitochondrial fission that could indicate high glucose-exposed trophoblasts are transitioning towards mitochondrial dysfunction. To further characterize the impacts of independent hyperglycemia, the current study subsequently utilized a multi-omics approach and evaluated the transcriptomic and metabolomic signatures of BeWo cytotrophoblasts. BeWo cytotrophoblasts exposed to hyperglycemia displayed increased mRNA expression of ACSL1, HSD11B2, RPS6KA5, and LAP3 and reduced mRNA expression of CYP2F1, and HK2, concomitant with increased levels of: lactate, malonate, and riboflavin metabolites. These changes highlighted important underlying alterations to glucose, glutathione, fatty acid, and glucocorticoid metabolism in BeWo trophoblasts exposed to hyperglycemia. Overall, these results demonstrate that hyperglycemia is an important independent regulator of key areas of placental metabolism, nutrient storage, and mitochondrial function, and these data continue to expand our knowledge on mechanisms governing the development of placental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J W Easton
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xian Luo
- The Metabolomics Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Liang Li
- The Metabolomics Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Timothy R H Regnault
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, London Health Science Centre-Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Bhadsavle SS, Golding MC. Paternal epigenetic influences on placental health and their impacts on offspring development and disease. Front Genet 2022; 13:1068408. [PMID: 36468017 PMCID: PMC9716072 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1068408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Our efforts to understand the developmental origins of birth defects and disease have primarily focused on maternal exposures and intrauterine stressors. Recently, research into non-genomic mechanisms of inheritance has led to the recognition that epigenetic factors carried in sperm also significantly impact the health of future generations. However, although researchers have described a range of potential epigenetic signals transmitted through sperm, we have yet to obtain a mechanistic understanding of how these paternally-inherited factors influence offspring development and modify life-long health. In this endeavor, the emerging influence of the paternal epigenetic program on placental development, patterning, and function may help explain how a diverse range of male exposures induce comparable intergenerational effects on offspring health. During pregnancy, the placenta serves as the dynamic interface between mother and fetus, regulating nutrient, oxygen, and waste exchange and coordinating fetal growth and maturation. Studies examining intrauterine maternal stressors routinely describe alterations in placental growth, histological organization, and glycogen content, which correlate with well-described influences on infant health and adult onset of disease. Significantly, the emergence of similar phenotypes in models examining preconception male exposures indicates that paternal stressors transmit an epigenetic memory to their offspring that also negatively impacts placental function. Like maternal models, paternally programmed placental dysfunction exerts life-long consequences on offspring health, particularly metabolic function. Here, focusing primarily on rodent models, we review the literature and discuss the influences of preconception male health and exposure history on placental growth and patterning. We emphasize the emergence of common placental phenotypes shared between models examining preconception male and intrauterine stressors but note that the direction of change frequently differs between maternal and paternal exposures. We posit that alterations in placental growth, histological organization, and glycogen content broadly serve as reliable markers of altered paternal developmental programming, predicting the emergence of structural and metabolic defects in the offspring. Finally, we suggest the existence of an unrecognized developmental axis between the male germline and the extraembryonic lineages that may have evolved to enhance fetal adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael C. Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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16
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Lean SC, Candia AA, Gulacsi E, Lee GCL, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Obesogenic diet in mice compromises maternal metabolic physiology and lactation ability leading to reductions in neonatal viability. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2022; 236:e13861. [PMID: 35880402 PMCID: PMC9787084 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Diets containing high-fat and high sugar (HFHS) lead to overweight/obesity. Overweight/obesity increases the risk of infertility, and of the pregnant mother and her child for developing metabolic conditions. Overweight/obesity has been recreated in mice, but most studies focus on the effects of chronic, long-term HFHS diet exposure. Here, we exposed mice to HFHS from 3 weeks prior to pregnancy with the aim of determining impacts on fertility, and gestational and neonatal outcomes. METHODS Time-domain NMR scanning was used to assess adiposity, glucose, and insulin tolerance tests were employed to examine metabolic physiology, and morphological and proteomic analyses conducted to assess structure and nutrient levels of maternal organs and placenta. RESULTS Fertility measures of HFHS dams were largely the same as controls. HFHS dams had increased adiposity pre-pregnancy, however, exhibited exacerbated lipolysis/hyper-mobilization of adipose stores in late pregnancy. While there were no differences in glucose or insulin tolerance, HFHS dams were hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic in pregnancy. HFHS dams had fatty livers and altered pancreatic islet morphology. Although fetuses were hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic, there was no change in fetal growth in HFHS dams. There were also reductions in placenta formation. Moreover, there was increased offspring loss during lactation, which was related to aberrant mammary gland development and milk protein composition in HFHS dams. CONCLUSIONS These findings are relevant given current dietary habits and the development of maternal and offspring alterations in the absence of an increase in maternal weight and adiposity during pregnancy, which are the current clinical markers to determine risk across gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha C Lean
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alejandro A Candia
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department for the Woman and Newborn Health Promotion, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Edina Gulacsi
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Giselle C L Lee
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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17
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Brombach C, Tong W, Giussani DA. Maternal obesity: new placental paradigms unfolded. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:823-835. [PMID: 35760668 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of maternal obesity is increasing at an alarming rate, and is providing a major challenge for obstetric practice. Adverse effects on maternal and fetal health are mediated by complex interactions between metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress signaling in the placenta. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) are common downstream pathways of cell stress, and there is evidence that this conserved homeostatic response may be a key mediator in the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction. We summarize the current literature on the placental cellular and molecular changes that occur in obese women. A special focus is cast onto placental ER stress in obese pregnancy, which may provide a novel link for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wen Tong
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EL, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative in Reproduction, Cambridge CB2 3EL, Cambridge UK.
| | - Dino A Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EL, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative in Reproduction, Cambridge CB2 3EL, Cambridge UK; Cambridge Cardiovascular Centre for Research Excellence, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
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18
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Steane SE, Kumar V, Cuffe JSM, Moritz KM, Akison LK. Prenatal Choline Supplementation Alters One Carbon Metabolites in a Rat Model of Periconceptional Alcohol Exposure. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14091874. [PMID: 35565848 PMCID: PMC9100923 DOI: 10.3390/nu14091874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure disturbs fetal and placental growth and can alter DNA methylation (DNAm). Supplementation with the methyl donor choline can increase fetal and placental growth and restore DNAm, suggesting converging effects on one-carbon metabolism (1CM). We investigated the impact of periconceptional ethanol (PCE) exposure and prenatal choline supplementation on 1CM in maternal, placental, and fetal compartments. Female Sprague Dawley rats were given a liquid diet containing 12.5% ethanol (PCE) or 0% ethanol (control) for 4 days before and 4 days after conception. Dams were then placed on chow with different concentrations of choline (1.6 g, 2.6 g, or 7.2 g choline/kg chow). Plasma and tissues were collected in late gestation for the analysis of 1CM components by means of mass spectrometry and real-time PCR. PCE reduced placental components of 1CM, particularly those relating to folate metabolism, resulting in a 3−7.5-fold reduction in the ratio of s-adenosylmethionine:s-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM:SAH) (p < 0.0001). Choline supplementation increased placental 1CM components and the SAM:SAH ratio (3.5−14.5-fold, p < 0.0001). In the maternal and fetal compartments, PCE had little effect, whereas choline increased components of 1CM. This suggests that PCE impairs fetal development via altered placental 1CM, highlighting its role in modulating nutritional inputs to optimize fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Steane
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (S.E.S.); (V.K.); (J.S.M.C.); (K.M.M.)
| | - Vinod Kumar
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (S.E.S.); (V.K.); (J.S.M.C.); (K.M.M.)
| | - James S. M. Cuffe
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (S.E.S.); (V.K.); (J.S.M.C.); (K.M.M.)
| | - Karen M. Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (S.E.S.); (V.K.); (J.S.M.C.); (K.M.M.)
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Lisa K. Akison
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (S.E.S.); (V.K.); (J.S.M.C.); (K.M.M.)
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
- Correspondence:
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19
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Melatonin Administration Prevents Placental and Fetal Changes Induced by Gestational Diabetes. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:1111-1123. [PMID: 35025098 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00850-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) promotes changes in the placenta and fetuses, due to oxidative stress. Antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress in the placenta. We tested the hypothesis that melatonin (Mel) can prevent these effects in the placenta and fetuses, analyzing their histology, histochemistry, morphometry, and immunohistochemistry. Thirty albino rats were used, divided into groups: CG-pregnant non-diabetic rats; GD-pregnant diabetic rats; GD + Mel-pregnant diabetic rats treated with melatonin. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin at a dosage of 50 mg/kg i.p. Melatonin was administered in daily injections of 0.8 mg/kg i.p. Melatonin prevented the placental weight and fetal weight and length from increasing, in addition to histomoformetric, histochemical, and immunohistochemical changes in the placentas, compared to the placentas of diabetic females (GD). Thus, we conclude that melatonin has a great potential to prevent placental changes due to GDM.
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20
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Tang Z, Luo T, Huang P, Luo M, Zhu J, Wang X, Lin Q, He Z, Gao P, Liu S. Nuciferine administration in C57BL/6J mice with gestational diabetes mellitus induced by a high-fat diet: the improvement of glycolipid disorders and intestinal dysbacteriosis. Food Funct 2021; 12:11174-11189. [PMID: 34636388 DOI: 10.1039/d1fo02714j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has become a global health concern as the main result of its contribution to the high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and fetus. However, there is absence of an ideal and widely acceptable therapy. Nuciferine has previously been shown to exert beneficial effects in various metabolic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy of nuciferine on GDM in C57BL/6J mice induced by a high-fat diet (HFD), which has not been reported before. The results showed that nuciferine improved glucose intolerance, reduced lipid accumulation and increased the glycogen content within hepatocytes, and decreased placental lipid and glycogen deposition, thus ameliorating glycolipid disorders in GDM mice. Additionally, nuciferine protected against histological degeneration of metabolism-associated critical organs including the liver, pancreas, and abdominal adipose tissue. Most interestingly, nuciferine could correct intestinal dysbacteriosis in GDM mice, as evidenced by the elevation of probiotic abundances consisting of Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium, which were all negatively correlated with serum and liver triglyceride (TG) and positively associated with hepatic glycogen, and the reduction of conditional pathogen abundances including Escherichia-Shigella and Staphylococcus, and the latter was positively related to serum and liver TG and negatively linked with liver glycogen. Collectively, these findings suggest that nuciferine as a food-borne strategy played important roles in the management of GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuohong Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. .,Foshan Maternal and Child Health Research Institute, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Ting Luo
- Nephrology Division, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China.
| | - Mi Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China.
| | - Jianghua Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China.
| | - Xing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China.
| | - Qingmei Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China.
| | - Zihao He
- Department of Pharmacy, Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Pingming Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China.
| | - Shuwen Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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21
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Procoagulant Extracellular Vesicles Alter Trophoblast Differentiation in Mice by a Thrombo-Inflammatory Mechanism. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189873. [PMID: 34576036 PMCID: PMC8466022 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Procoagulant extracellular vesicles (EV) and platelet activation have been associated with gestational vascular complications. EV-induced platelet-mediated placental inflammasome activation has been shown to cause preeclampsia-like symptoms in mice. However, the effect of EV-mediated placental thrombo-inflammation on trophoblast differentiation remains unknown. Here, we identify that the EV-induced thrombo-inflammatory pathway modulates trophoblast morphology and differentiation. EVs and platelets reduce syncytiotrophoblast differentiation while increasing giant trophoblast and spongiotrophoblast including the glycogen-rich cells. These effects are platelet-dependent and mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome. In humans, inflammasome activation was negatively correlated with trophoblast differentiation marker GCM1 and positively correlated with blood pressure. These data identify a crucial role of EV-induced placental thrombo-inflammation on altering trophoblast differentiation and suggest platelet activation or inflammasome activation as a therapeutic target in order to achieve successful placentation.
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22
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Dong J, Guo X, Qian C, Wang J, Lei H, Chen S, Wang X. In vitro fertilization causes excessive glycogen accumulation in mouse placenta. Placenta 2021; 114:29-38. [PMID: 34418752 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.08.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Children conceived by assisted reproductive technologies have a high risk of suffering from obstetrical complications and long-term health problems, but the related mechanisms are not fully understood. Normal placental function is closely linked with foetal growth and future health. Given the significance of glycogen metabolism in placentas, we investigated the effect of in vitro fertilization (IVF) on glycogen storage in placentas using a mouse model. METHODS Mouse placentas were collected at E18.5 after natural mating or IVF, and the placental and foetal weights were recorded. The quantitative assay kit and histological staining were used to measure the glycogen content. Additionally, we detected the expression of multiple genes associated with glycogen synthesis/decomposition, glucose transporters, and the phosphorylation of Akt and Gsk3β. RESULTS Our findings showed that IVF resulted in a significantly increased mouse placental weight and enlarged junctional area. We found, compared to the control, excessive glycogen was accumulated in IVF placentas. However, we observed that multiple genes involved in glycogen generation (Gsk3b, Phka1, Phkb, Phkg1, and Phkg2) and glycogenolysis (Agl and Pygm) had lower mRNA levels in IVF placentas. Moreover, the expression levels of glycogen synthase, phosphorylase, Glut1, and Glut3 were significantly decreased in IVF placentas. The phosphorylation activities of Akt Ser473 and Gsk3β Ser9 were inhibited in IVF placentas. DISCUSSION IVF leads to enlarged mouse placentas with excessive glycogen storage in late pregnancy, and these abnormal changes may be associated with the activation of the Akt-Gsk3β pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiangyu Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Hospital of Tibet Military Region, Lhasa, 850007, Tibet, China
| | - Chenxi Qian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hui Lei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuqiang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China.
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23
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Steane SE, Fielding AM, Kent NL, Andersen I, Browne DJ, Tejo EN, Gårdebjer EM, Kalisch-Smith JI, Sullivan MA, Moritz KM, Akison LK. Maternal choline supplementation in a rat model of periconceptional alcohol exposure: Impacts on the fetus and placenta. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:2130-2146. [PMID: 34342027 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal choline supplementation in rats can ameliorate specific neurological and behavioral abnormalities caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. We tested whether choline supplementation ameliorates fetal growth restriction and molecular changes in the placenta associated with periconceptional ethanol exposure (PCE) in the rat. METHODS Sprague Dawley dams were given either 12.5% ethanol (PCE) or 0% ethanol (Con) in a liquid diet from 4 days prior to 4 days after conception. At day 5 of pregnancy, dams were either placed on a standard chow (1.6 g choline/kg chow) or an intermediate chow (2.6 g choline/kg chow). On day 10 of pregnancy, a subset of the intermediate dams were placed on a chow further supplemented with choline (7.2 g choline/kg chow), resulting in 6 groups. Fetuses and placentas were collected on day 20 of pregnancy for analysis. RESULTS Choline supplementation resulted in increased fetal weight at late gestation, ameliorating the deficits due to PCE. This was most pronounced in litters on a standard chow during pregnancy. Choline also increased fetal liver weight and decreased fetal brain:liver ratio, independent of alcohol exposure. Placental weight was reduced as choline levels in the chow increased, particularly in female placentas. This resulted in a greater ratio of fetal:placental weight, suggesting increased placental efficiency. Global DNA methylation in the placenta was altered in a sex-specific manner by both PCE and choline. However, the increased glycogen deposition in female placentas, previously reported in this PCE model, was not prevented by choline supplementation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that choline has the potential to ameliorate fetal growth restriction associated with PCE and improve placental efficiency following prenatal alcohol exposure. Our study highlights the importance of maternal nutrition in moderating the severity of adverse fetal and placental outcomes that may arise from prenatal alcohol exposure around the time of conception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Steane
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Arree M Fielding
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Nykola L Kent
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Isabella Andersen
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Daniel J Browne
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Ellen N Tejo
- Mater Research, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Emelie M Gårdebjer
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Karen M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Lisa K Akison
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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24
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Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase deficiency impairs cardiovascular adaptations and placental development during pregnancy. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 134:3213-3228. [PMID: 33252660 PMCID: PMC7733041 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP), an enzyme that cleaves vasoactive peptides including oxytocin and vasopressin, is suggested to play a role in pregnancy and the onset of preeclampsia. Our aim was to examine the contribution of IRAP to arterial pressure regulation and placental development during pregnancy in mice. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured via radiotelemetry in 12-week-old female wild-type and IRAP knockout mice. Females were time-mated with males of the same genotype. Placentae were collected at embryonic day 18.5 for histological analysis. Basal heart rate was ∼40 bpm lower in IRAP knockout females compared with wild-type females. The increase in heart rate across gestation was greater in IRAP knockout females than wild-type females. Neither basal nor gestational mean arterial pressure was different between wildtype and IRAP knockout females. Urine output and water intake of IRAP knockout mice were ∼45% less than wild-type mice at late gestation. IRAP deficiency had no effect on fetal weight. Morphological assessment of placentae revealed that IRAP deficiency was associated with reduced labyrinth surface area and accumulation of glycogen in the junctional zone. Our data demonstrate that IRAP deficiency alters maternal fluid handling and impairs placental labyrinth expansion at late gestation, indicating that IRAP contributes to the normal adaptions to pregnancy.
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25
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Mechanisms of vascular dysfunction in the interleukin-10-deficient murine model of preeclampsia indicate nitric oxide dysregulation. Kidney Int 2020; 99:646-656. [PMID: 33144212 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2020.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder characterized by proteinuria, and vascular injury in the second half of pregnancy. We hypothesized that endothelium-dependent vascular dysfunction is present in a murine model of preeclampsia based on administration of human preeclamptic sera to interleukin-10-/- mice and studied mechanisms that underlie vascular injury. Pregnant wild type and IL-10-/- mice were injected with either normotensive or severe preeclamptic patient sera (sPE) during gestation. A preeclampsia-like phenotype was confirmed by blood pressure measurements; assessment of albuminuria; measurement of angiogenic factors; demonstration of foot process effacement and endotheliosis in kidney sections; and by accumulation of glycogen in placentas from IL-10-/- mice injected with sPE sera (IL-10-/-sPE). Vasomotor function of isolated aortas was assessed. The IL-10-/-sPE murine model demonstrated significantly augmented aortic contractions to phenylephrine and both impaired endothelium-dependent and, to a lesser extent, endothelium-independent relaxation compared to wild type normotensive mice. Treatment of isolated aortas with indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, improved, but failed to normalize contraction to phenylephrine to that of wild type normotensive mice, suggesting the additional contribution from nitric oxide downregulation and effects of indomethacin-resistant vasoconstricting factors. In contrast, indomethacin normalized relaxation of aortas derived from IL-10-/-sPE mice. Thus, our results identify the role of IL-10 deficiency in dysregulation of the cyclooxygenase pathway and vascular dysfunction in the IL-10-/-sPE murine model of preeclampsia and point towards a possible contribution of nitric oxide dysregulation. These compounds and related mechanisms may serve both as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for preventive and treatment strategies in preeclampsia.
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26
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Bowman CE, Arany Z, Wolfgang MJ. Regulation of maternal-fetal metabolic communication. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:1455-1486. [PMID: 33084944 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03674-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy may be the most nutritionally sensitive stage in the life cycle, and improved metabolic health during gestation and early postnatal life can reduce the risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Successful pregnancy requires coordinated metabolic, hormonal, and immunological communication. In this review, maternal-fetal metabolic communication is defined as the bidirectional communication of nutritional status and metabolic demand by various modes including circulating metabolites, endocrine molecules, and other secreted factors. Emphasis is placed on metabolites as a means of maternal-fetal communication by synthesizing findings from studies in humans, non-human primates, domestic animals, rabbits, and rodents. In this review, fetal, placental, and maternal metabolic adaptations are discussed in turn. (1) Fetal macronutrient needs are summarized in terms of the physiological adaptations in place to ensure their proper allocation. (2) Placental metabolite transport and maternal physiological adaptations during gestation, including changes in energy budget, are also discussed. (3) Maternal nutrient limitation and metabolic disorders of pregnancy serve as case studies of the dynamic nature of maternal-fetal metabolic communication. The review concludes with a summary of recent research efforts to identify metabolites, endocrine molecules, and other secreted factors that mediate this communication, with particular emphasis on serum/plasma metabolomics in humans, non-human primates, and rodents. A better understanding of maternal-fetal metabolic communication in health and disease may reveal novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn E Bowman
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zoltan Arany
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Wolfgang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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27
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Kim SY, Lee EH, Kim EN, Son WC, Kim YH, Park SY, Kim IS, Kim JE. Identifying Stabilin-1 and Stabilin-2 Double Knockouts in Reproduction and Placentation: A Descriptive Study. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197235. [PMID: 33008099 PMCID: PMC7583024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta undergoes reconstruction at different times during fetal development to supply oxygen and nutrients required throughout pregnancy. To accommodate the rapid growth of the fetus, small spiral arteries undergo remodeling in the placenta. This remodeling includes apoptosis of endothelial cells that line spiral arteries, which are replaced by trophoblasts of fetal origin. Removal of dead cells is critical during this process. Stabilin-1 (Stab1) and stabilin-2 (Stab2) are important receptors expressed on scavenger cells that absorb and degrade apoptotic cells, and Stab1 is expressed in specific cells of the placenta. However, the role of Stab1 and Stab2 in placental development and maintenance remain unclear. In this study, we assessed Stab1 and Stab2 expression in the placenta and examined the reproductive capacity and placental development using a double-knockout mouse strain lacking both Stab1 and Stab2 (Stab1/2 dKO mice). Most pregnant Stab1/2 dKO female mice did not produce offspring and exhibited placental defects, including decidual hemorrhage and necrosis. Findings of this study offer the first description of the phenotypic characteristics of placentas and embryos of Stab1/2 dKO females during pregnancy, suggesting that Stab1 and Stab2 are involved in placental development and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon-Young Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (S.-Y.K.); (E.-H.L.)
- BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, Department of Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea
| | - Eun-Hye Lee
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (S.-Y.K.); (E.-H.L.)
| | - Eun Na Kim
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (E.N.K.); (W.-C.S.)
| | - Woo-Chan Son
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Korea; (E.N.K.); (W.-C.S.)
| | - Yeo Hyang Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea;
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Kyungpook National University Children’s Hospital, Daegu 41404, Korea
| | - Seung-Yoon Park
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea;
| | - In-San Kim
- Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea;
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea; (S.-Y.K.); (E.-H.L.)
- BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, Department of Biomedical Science, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-420-4949
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28
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Freitag N, Tirado-Gonzalez I, Barrientos G, Powell KL, Boehm-Sturm P, Koch SP, Hecher K, Staff AC, Arck PC, Diemert A, Blois SM. Galectin-3 deficiency in pregnancy increases the risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR) via placental insufficiency. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:560. [PMID: 32703931 PMCID: PMC7378206 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02791-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is the most common pregnancy complication in developed countries. Pregnancies affected by FGR, frequently concur with complications and high risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality. To date, no approved treatment is available for pregnant women affected with FGR. The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of galectin-3 (gal-3), a β-galactoside binding protein involved in pregnancy, placental function and fetal growth. We demonstrated that lack of gal-3 during mouse pregnancy leads to placental dysfunction and drives FGR in the absence of a maternal preeclampsia syndrome. Analysis of gal-3 deficient dams revealed placental inflammation and malperfusion, as well as uterine natural killer cell infiltration with aberrant activation. Our results also show that FGR is associated with a failure to increase maternal circulating gal-3 levels during the second and third trimester in human pregnancies. Placentas from human pregnancies affected by FGR displayed lower gal-3 expression, which correlated with placental dysfunction. These data highlight the importance of gal-3 in the promotion of proper placental function, as its absence leads to placental disease and subsequent FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Freitag
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Irene Tirado-Gonzalez
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriela Barrientos
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Hospital Alemán, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Katie L Powell
- Division of Perinatal Research, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Philipp Boehm-Sturm
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research, Berlin, Germany.,NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7 T Experimental MRIs, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan P Koch
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research, Berlin, Germany.,NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7 T Experimental MRIs, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kurt Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, 20251, Germany
| | - Anne C Staff
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Petra C Arck
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, 20251, Germany
| | - Anke Diemert
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, 20251, Germany
| | - Sandra M Blois
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, 20251, Germany.
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Roberts GAG, Tunster SJ. Characterising the dynamics of placental glycogen stores in the mouse. Placenta 2020; 99:131-140. [PMID: 32798765 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The placenta performs a range of functions to support fetal growth. In addition to facilitating nutrient transport, the placenta also stores glucose as glycogen, which is thought to maintain fetal glucose supply during late gestation. However, evidence to support such a role is currently lacking. Similarly, our understanding of the dynamics of placental glycogen metabolism in normal mouse pregnancy is limited. METHODS We quantified the placental glycogen content of wild type C57BL/6JOlaHsd mouse placentas from mid (E12.5) to late (E18.5) gestation, alongside characterising the temporal expression pattern of genes encoding glycogenesis and glycogenolysis pathway enzymes. To assess the potential of the placenta to produce glucose, we investigated the spatiotemporal expression of glucose 6-phosphatase by qPCR and in situ hybridisation. Separate analyses were undertaken for placentas of male and female conceptuses to account for potential sexual dimorphism. RESULTS Placental glycogen stores peak at E15.5, having increased over 5-fold from E12.5, before declining by a similar extent by E18.5. Glycogen stores were 17% higher in male placentas than in females at E15.5. Expression of glycogen branching enzyme (Gbe1) was reduced ~40% towards term. Expression of the glucose 6-phosphatase isoform G6pc3 was enriched in glycogen trophoblast cells and increased towards term. DISCUSSION Reduced expression of Gbe1 suggests a decline in glycogen branching towards term. Expression of G6pc3 by glycogen trophoblasts is consistent with an ability to produce and release glucose from glycogen stores. However, the ultimate destination of the glucose generated from placental glycogen remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A G Roberts
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Simon J Tunster
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
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30
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Podratz PL, Merlo E, de Araújo JFP, Ayub JGM, Pereira AFZ, Freitas-Lima LC, da Costa MB, Miranda-Alves L, Cassa SGS, Carneiro MTWD, Fillmann G, Graceli JB. Disruption of fertility, placenta, pregnancy outcome, and multigenerational inheritance of hepatic steatosis by organotin exposure from contaminated seafood in rats. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 723:138000. [PMID: 32213410 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Early life exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is an emerging risk factor for development of complications later in life and in subsequent generations. We previously demonstrated that exposure to the EDC organotin (OT), which is present in contaminated seafood, resulted in reproductive abnormalities in female rats. However, few studies have explored the effect of OT accumulation in seafood on pregnancy outcomes. This led us to consider the potential effects of the OT present in seafood on fertility, pregnancy, the placenta, and the offspring. In this investigation, we assessed whether exposure to the OT in contaminated seafood resulted in abnormal fertility and pregnancy features and offspring complications. OT in contaminated seafood (LNI) was administered to female rats, and their fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and fetal liver morphology were assessed. LNI caused abnormal fertility, a reduction in the total number of pups, and an increase in serum testosterone levels compared to controls. Furthermore, LNI exposure caused irregular uterine morphology with inflammation and fibrosis and led to a reduction in embryonic implantation. In pregnant rats, LNI caused abnormal lipid profiles and livers with steatosis features. LNI exposure also causes placental morpho-physiology disruption, a high presence of glycogen and inflammatory cells, and irregular lipid profiles. In addition, LNI exposure caused an increase in large amounts of carbohydrate and lipid delivery to the fetus via an increase in placental nutrient sensor protein expressions (GLUT1, IRβ/mTOR and Akt). In both genders of offspring, LNI exposure led to an increase in body weights, liver megakaryocytes, lipid accumulation, and oxidative stress (OS) levels. Collectively, these data suggest that OT exposure from contaminated seafood in female rats leads to reduced fertility, uterine implantation failure, pregnancy and placental metabolic outcome irregularities, offspring adiposity, liver steatosis, and an increase in OS. Furthermore, some of the effects of OT may be the result of obesogenic and multigenerational effects of OT in adult female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila L Podratz
- Department of Morphology, Endocrinology and Cell Toxicology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Merlo
- Department of Morphology, Endocrinology and Cell Toxicology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Julia F P de Araújo
- Department of Morphology, Endocrinology and Cell Toxicology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Julia G M Ayub
- Department of Morphology, Endocrinology and Cell Toxicology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Amanda F Z Pereira
- Department of Morphology, Endocrinology and Cell Toxicology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Leandro C Freitas-Lima
- Department of Morphology, Endocrinology and Cell Toxicology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Mércia B da Costa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | - Leandro Miranda-Alves
- Experimental Endocrinology Research, Development and Innovation Group, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sonara G S Cassa
- Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jones B Graceli
- Department of Morphology, Endocrinology and Cell Toxicology Laboratory, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Brazil.
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Zybina TG, Zybina EV. Role of cell cycling and polyploidy in placental trophoblast of different mammalian species. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:895-904. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana G. Zybina
- Laboratory of Cell Morphology Institute of Cytology RAS St.‐Petersburg Russia
| | - Eugenia V. Zybina
- Laboratory of Cell Morphology Institute of Cytology RAS St.‐Petersburg Russia
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32
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Connor KL, Kibschull M, Matysiak-Zablocki E, Nguyen TTTN, Matthews SG, Lye SJ, Bloise E. Maternal malnutrition impacts placental morphology and transporter expression: an origin for poor offspring growth. J Nutr Biochem 2020; 78:108329. [PMID: 32004932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2019.108329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The placenta promotes fetal growth through nutrient transfer and selective barrier systems. An optimally developed placenta can adapt to changes in the pregnancy environment, buffering the fetus from adverse exposures. We hypothesized that the placenta adapts differently to suboptimal maternal diets, evidenced by changes in placental morphology, developmental markers and key transport systems. Mice were fed a control diet (CON) during pregnancy, undernourished (UN) by 30% of control intake from gestational day (GD) 5.5-18.5 or fed 60% high-fat diet (HF) 8 weeks before and during pregnancy. At GD18.5, placental morphometry, development and transport were assessed. Junctional and labyrinthine areas of UN and HF placentae were smaller than CON by >10%. Fetal blood space area and fetal blood space:fetal weight ratios were reduced in HF vs. CON and UN. Trophoblast giant cell marker Ctsq mRNA expression was lower in UN vs. HF, and expression of glycogen cell markers Cx31.1 and Pcdh12 was lower in HF vs. UN. Efflux transporter Abcb1a mRNA expression was lower in HF vs. UN, and Abcg2 expression was lower in UN vs. HF. mRNA expression of fatty acid binding protein Fabppm was higher in UN vs. CON and HF. mRNA and protein levels of the lipid transporter FAT/CD36 were lower in UN, and FATP4 protein levels were lower in HF vs. UN. UN placentae appear less mature with aberrant transport, whereas HF placentae adapt to excessive nutrient supply. Understanding placental adaptations to common nutritional adversities may reveal mechanisms underlying the developmental origins of later disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin L Connor
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Mark Kibschull
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Stephen G Matthews
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen J Lye
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Enrrico Bloise
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Napso T, Hung YP, Davidge ST, Care AS, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Advanced maternal age compromises fetal growth and induces sex-specific changes in placental phenotype in rats. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16916. [PMID: 31780670 PMCID: PMC6882885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53199-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced maternal age is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. It programmes sex-specific cardiovascular dysfunction in rat offspring, however the intrauterine mechanisms involved remain unknown. This study in the rat assessed the impact of advanced maternal age on placental phenotype in relation to the growth of female and male fetuses. We show that relative to young (3-4 months) dams, advanced maternal age (9.5-10 months) compromises growth of both female and male fetuses but affects the placental phenotype sex-specifically. In placentas from aged versus young dams, the size of the placental transport and endocrine zones were increased and expression of Igf2 (+41%) and placental lactogen (Prl3b1: +59%) genes were upregulated in female, but not male fetuses. Placental abundance of IGF2 protein also decreased in the placenta of males only (-95%). Moreover, in placentas from aged versus young dams, glucocorticoid metabolism (11β-hsd2: +63% and 11β-hsd1: -33%) was higher in females, but lower in males (11β-hsd2: -50% and 11β-hsd1: unaltered). There was however, no change in the placental abundance of 11β-HSD2 protein in aged versus young dams regardless of fetal sex. Levels of oxidative stress in the placenta were increased in female and male fetuses (+57% and +90%, respectively) and apoptosis increased specifically in the placenta of males from aged rat dams (+700%). Thus, advanced maternal age alters placental phenotype in a sex-specific fashion. These sexually-divergent changes may play a role in determining health outcomes of female and male offspring of aged mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Napso
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yin-Po Hung
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sandra T Davidge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alison S Care
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Women and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Innocenzi E, De Domenico E, Ciccarone F, Zampieri M, Rossi G, Cicconi R, Bernardini R, Mattei M, Grimaldi P. Paternal activation of CB 2 cannabinoid receptor impairs placental and embryonic growth via an epigenetic mechanism. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17034. [PMID: 31745152 PMCID: PMC6863860 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53579-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) is the peripheral receptor for cannabinoids, involved in the homeostatic control of several physiological functions. Male mitotic germ cells express a high level of CB2, whose activation promotes their differentiation in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, controlling the correct progression of spermatogenesis. However, it remains elusive if CB2 activation in spermatogonia could affect reproductive success in terms of fertility and healthy pregnancy outcomes. In this study, we explored the effects of male CB2 activation on sperm number and quality and its influence on next generation health. We show that exposure of male mice to JWH-133, a selective CB2 agonist, decreased sperm count, impaired placental development and reduced offspring growth. These defects were associated with altered DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation levels at imprinted genes in sperm and conserved in placenta. Our findings reveal that paternal selective activation of CB2 alters the sperm epigenome and compromises offspring growth. This study demonstrates, for the first time, a new role of CB2 signaling in male gametes in causing epigenetic alterations that can be transmitted to the next generation by sperm, highlighting potential risks induced by recreational cannabinoid exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Innocenzi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuela De Domenico
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Ciccarone
- IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Zampieri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Rossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Rosella Cicconi
- Interdepartmental Service Centre-Station for Animal Technology (STA), University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Bernardini
- Interdepartmental Service Centre-Station for Animal Technology (STA), University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mattei
- Interdepartmental Service Centre-Station for Animal Technology (STA), University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Grimaldi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
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35
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De Clercq K, Persoons E, Napso T, Luyten C, Parac-Vogt TN, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Kerckhofs G, Vriens J. High-resolution contrast-enhanced microCT reveals the true three-dimensional morphology of the murine placenta. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:13927-13936. [PMID: 31249139 PMCID: PMC6683600 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1902688116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering of the mouse genome identified many genes that are essential for embryogenesis. Remarkably, the prevalence of concomitant placental defects in embryonic lethal mutants is highly underestimated and indicates the importance of detailed placental analysis when phenotyping new individual gene knockouts. Here we introduce high-resolution contrast-enhanced microfocus computed tomography (CE-CT) as a nondestructive, high-throughput technique to evaluate the 3D placental morphology. Using a contrast agent, zirconium-substituted Keggin polyoxometalate (Zr-POM), the soft tissue of the placenta (i.e., different layers and cell types and its vasculature) was imaged with a resolution of 3.5 µm voxel size. This approach allowed us to visualize and study early and late stages of placental development. Moreover, CE-CT provides a method to precisely quantify placental parameters (i.e., volumes, volume fraction, ratio of different placental layers, and volumes of specific cell populations) that are crucial for statistical comparison studies. The CE-CT assessment of the 3D morphology of the placentas was validated (i) by comparison with standard histological studies; (ii) by evaluating placentas from 2 different mouse strains, 129S6 and C57BL/6J mice; and (iii) by confirming the placental phenotype of mice lacking phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-p110α. Finally, the Zr-POM-based CE-CT allowed for inspection of the vasculature structure in the entire placenta, as well as detecting placental defects in pathologies characterized by embryonic resorption and placental fusion. Taken together, Zr-POM-based CE-CT offers a quantitative 3D methodology to investigate placental development or pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien De Clercq
- Laboratory of Endometrium, Endometriosis & Reproductive Medicine, Department of Development and Regeneration, Gynecology-Pediatrics and Urology Research Group (G-PURE), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Centre for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eleonora Persoons
- Laboratory of Endometrium, Endometriosis & Reproductive Medicine, Department of Development and Regeneration, Gynecology-Pediatrics and Urology Research Group (G-PURE), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB) Centre for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tina Napso
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Luyten
- Laboratory of Endometrium, Endometriosis & Reproductive Medicine, Department of Development and Regeneration, Gynecology-Pediatrics and Urology Research Group (G-PURE), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tatjana N Parac-Vogt
- Molecular Design and Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Greet Kerckhofs
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Institute of Mechanics, Materials, and Civil Engineering, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joris Vriens
- Laboratory of Endometrium, Endometriosis & Reproductive Medicine, Department of Development and Regeneration, Gynecology-Pediatrics and Urology Research Group (G-PURE), Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;
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36
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Zhang Y, Zhao W, Xu H, Hu M, Guo X, Jia W, Liu G, Li J, Cui P, Lager S, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Li W, Wu XK, Han Y, Brännström M, Shao LR, Billig H. Hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance-induced fetal loss: evidence for placental mitochondrial abnormalities and elevated reactive oxygen species production in pregnant rats that mimic the clinical features of polycystic ovary syndrome. J Physiol 2019; 597:3927-3950. [PMID: 31206177 DOI: 10.1113/jp277879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly suffer from miscarriage, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, pregnant rats chronically treated with 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and insulin exhibited hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance, as well as increased fetal loss, and these features are strikingly similar to those observed in pregnant PCOS patients. Fetal loss in our DHT+insulin-treated pregnant rats was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, disturbed superoxide dismutase 1 and Keap1/Nrf2 antioxidant responses, over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impaired formation of the placenta. Chronic treatment of pregnant rats with DHT or insulin alone indicated that DHT triggered many of the molecular pathways leading to placental abnormalities and fetal loss, whereas insulin often exerted distinct effects on placental gene expression compared to co-treatment with DHT and insulin. Treatment of DHT+insulin-treated pregnant rats with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine improved fetal survival but was deleterious in normal pregnant rats. Our results provide insight into the fetal loss associated with hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in women and suggest that physiological levels of ROS are required for normal placental formation and fetal survival during pregnancy. ABSTRACT Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly suffer from miscarriage, but the underlying mechanism of PCOS-induced fetal loss during pregnancy remains obscure and specific therapies are lacking. We used pregnant rats treated with 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and insulin to investigate the impact of hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance on fetal survival and to determine the molecular link between PCOS conditions and placental dysfunction during pregnancy. Our study shows that pregnant rats chronically treated with a combination of DHT and insulin exhibited endocrine aberrations such as hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance that are strikingly similar to those in pregnant PCOS patients. Of pathophysiological significance, DHT+insulin-treated pregnant rats had greater fetal loss and subsequently decreased litter sizes compared to normal pregnant rats. This negative effect was accompanied by impaired trophoblast differentiation, increased glycogen accumulation, and decreased angiogenesis in the placenta. Mechanistically, we report that over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the placenta, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disturbed superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and Keap1/Nrf2 antioxidant responses constitute important contributors to fetal loss in DHT+insulin-treated pregnant rats. Many of the molecular pathways leading to placental abnormalities and fetal loss in DHT+insulin treatment were also seen in pregnant rats treated with DHT alone, whereas pregnant rats treated with insulin alone often exerted distinct effects on placental gene expression compared to insulin treatment in combination with DHT. We also found that treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) improved fetal survival in DHT+insulin-treated pregnant rats, an effect related to changes in Keap1/Nrf2 and nuclear factor-κB signalling. However, NAC administration resulted in fetal loss in normal pregnant rats, most likely due to PCOS-like endocrine abnormality induced by the treatment. Our results suggest that the deleterious effects of hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance on fetal survival are related to a constellation of mitochondria-ROS-SOD1/Nrf2 changes in the placenta. Our findings also suggest that physiological levels of ROS are required for normal placental formation and fetal survival during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehui Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China.,Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Hongfei Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Min Hu
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510120, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhu Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Wenyan Jia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Guoqi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Cui
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susanne Lager
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Amanda Nancy Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Xiao-Ke Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Yanhua Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040, Harbin, China
| | - Mats Brännström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 41345, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Linus R Shao
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Håkan Billig
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Jayabalan N, Lai A, Ormazabal V, Adam S, Guanzon D, Palma C, Scholz-Romero K, Lim R, Jansson T, McIntyre HD, Lappas M, Salomon C. Adipose Tissue Exosomal Proteomic Profile Reveals a Role on Placenta Glucose Metabolism in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:1735-1752. [PMID: 30517676 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-01599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Molecules produced by adipose tissue (AT) function as an endocrine link between maternal AT and fetal growth by regulating placental function in normal women and women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that AT-derived exosomes (exo-AT) from women with GDM would carry a specific set of proteins that influences glucose metabolism in the placenta. DESIGN Exosomes were isolated from omental AT-conditioned media from normal glucose tolerant (NGT) pregnant women (n = 65) and pregnant women with GDM (n = 82). Sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra mass spectrometry was used to construct a small ion library from AT and exosomal proteins, followed by ingenuity pathway analysis to determine the canonical pathways and biofunctions. The effect of exosomes on human placental cells was determined using a Human Glucose Metabolism RT2 Profiler PCR array. RESULTS The number of exosomes (vesicles/μg of tissue/24 hours) was substantially (1.7-fold) greater in GDM than in NGT, and the number of exosomes correlated positively with the birthweight Z score. Ingenuity pathway analysis of the exosomal proteins revealed differential expression of the proteins targeting the sirtuin signaling pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, and mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway in GDM compared with NGT. GDM exo-AT increased the expression of genes associated with glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in placental cells compared with the effect of NGT exo-AT. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are consistent with the possibility that AT exosomes play an important role in mediating the changes in placental function in GDM and might be responsible for some of the adverse consequences in this pregnancy complication, such as fetal overgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanthini Jayabalan
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Lai
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Valeska Ormazabal
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Stefanie Adam
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dominic Guanzon
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carlos Palma
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katherin Scholz-Romero
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ratana Lim
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Harold David McIntyre
- Mater Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martha Lappas
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlos Salomon
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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Appel S, Grothe J, Storck S, Janoschek R, Bae-Gartz I, Wohlfarth M, Handwerk M, Hucklenbruch-Rother E, Gellhaus A, Dötsch J. A Potential Role for GSK3β in Glucose-Driven Intrauterine Catch-Up Growth in Maternal Obesity. Endocrinology 2019; 160:377-386. [PMID: 30535296 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and unhealthy nutrition are increasing and affect women of childbearing age and hence during pregnancy. Despite normal or even high birth weight, the offspring suffers from long-term metabolic risks. We hypothesized that fetal growth is disturbed during different intrauterine phases. Underlying molecular events remain elusive. Female mice were fed either a standard diet (SD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) after weaning until mating and during pregnancy. Pregnant mice were euthanized at gestational day (G)15.5 and G18.5, and fetuses and placentas were removed for analysis. HFD fetuses displayed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at G15.5, which disappeared until G18.5, indicating intrauterine catch-up growth during that time period. Main placental findings indicate decreased canonical Wnt-GSK3β signaling and lower proliferation rates at G18.5, which goes along with a smaller placental transfer zone. On the other hand, glucose depots (glycogen cluster) in HFD placentas decreased more strongly between G15.5 and G18.5 compared with placentas from SD mothers, and the glucose transporter protein GLUT-1 was increased at G18.5 in the HFD group. Maternal diet-induced obesity causes an IUGR phenotype at the beginning of the third week (G15.5) in our mouse model. This phenotype is reversed by the end of the third week (G18.5) despite a smaller placental transfer zone, probably based on GSK3β-mediated increased glucose mobilization in the placenta and hence an increased glucose supply to the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Appel
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jon Grothe
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sarah Storck
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ruth Janoschek
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Inga Bae-Gartz
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maria Wohlfarth
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marion Handwerk
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Hucklenbruch-Rother
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jörg Dötsch
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Cologne Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Sinzato YK, Bevilacqua EM, Volpato GT, Hernandez-Pando RE, Rudge MVC, Damasceno DC. Maternal Oxidative Stress, Placental Morphometry, and Fetal Growth in Diabetic Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke. Reprod Sci 2018; 26:1287-1293. [PMID: 30522402 DOI: 10.1177/1933719118815589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The diabetic syndrome affects pregnancy, contributing to placental functional and structural disruptions and impaired fetal development, with many reports indicating tobacco-associated morbidity and perinatal mortality. In our study, an experimental rat model of diabetes and cigarette smoke exposure in pregnant rats was used to determine the impact of the combination of diabetes and exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy on maternal oxidative stress biomarkers and placental and fetal development. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin, and dams were exposed to cigarette smoke by mainstream smoke generated by a mechanical smoking device and delivered into a chamber. Four groups of dams were studied: nondiabetic (C, control) and diabetic (D) exposed to filtered air and nondiabetic (CS) and diabetic (DS) exposed to cigarette smoke prior to and during pregnancy. Maternal oxidative stress biomarkers, placental morphology, and fetal growth were determined close to term. The combination of diabetes and cigarette smoke resulted in elevated maternal blood glucose levels and increased number of small fetuses. Placentas from the DS group showed increased junctional zone and decreased labyrinthine area. The morphological alterations were characterized by extensive vascular congestion, thickness, and hyalinization of the vascular walls, numerous decidual cells with abundant glycogen, and macrophages with cytoplasmic inclusions of hemosiderin. Additionally, they showed increased glycogen accumulation and junctional zone structural derangement with ectopic giant cells. No alterations were observed in maternal oxidative stress status. Thus, our result suggests that diabetes makes pregnant rats more susceptible to the adverse effects of exposure to cigarette smoke on placental morphometry and fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri K Sinzato
- 1 Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Estela M Bevilacqua
- 2 Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo T Volpato
- 1 Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.,3 Laboratory of System Physiology and Reproductive Toxicology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Rogelio E Hernandez-Pando
- 4 Experimental Pathology Section, Department of Pathology, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico city, Mexico
| | - Marilza V C Rudge
- 1 Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Débora Cristina Damasceno
- 1 Laboratory of Experimental Research on Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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Parchem JG, Kanasaki K, Kanasaki M, Sugimoto H, Xie L, Hamano Y, Lee SB, Gattone VH, Parry S, Strauss JF, Garovic VD, McElrath TF, Lu KH, Sibai BM, LeBleu VS, Carmeliet P, Kalluri R. Loss of placental growth factor ameliorates maternal hypertension and preeclampsia in mice. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:5008-5017. [PMID: 30179860 PMCID: PMC6205389 DOI: 10.1172/jci99026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia remains a clinical challenge due to its poorly understood pathogenesis. A prevailing notion is that increased placental production of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) causes the maternal syndrome by inhibiting proangiogenic placental growth factor (PlGF) and VEGF. However, the significance of PlGF suppression in preeclampsia is uncertain. To test whether preeclampsia results from the imbalance of angiogenic factors reflected by an abnormal sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, we studied PlGF KO (Pgf-/-) mice and noted that the mice did not develop signs or sequelae of preeclampsia despite a marked elevation in circulating sFLT-1. Notably, PlGF KO mice had morphologically distinct placentas, showing an accumulation of junctional zone glycogen. We next considered the role of placental PlGF in an established model of preeclampsia (pregnant catechol-O-methyltransferase-deficient [COMT-deficient] mice) by generating mice with deletions in both the Pgf and Comt genes. Deletion of placental PlGF in the context of COMT loss resulted in a reduction in maternal blood pressure and increased placental glycogen, indicating that loss of PlGF might be protective against the development of preeclampsia. These results identify a role for PlGF in placental development and support a complex model for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia beyond an angiogenic factor imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline G Parchem
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keizo Kanasaki
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Megumi Kanasaki
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hikaru Sugimoto
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Liang Xie
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yuki Hamano
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Soo Bong Lee
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vincent H Gattone
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Samuel Parry
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jerome F Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Vesna D Garovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Thomas F McElrath
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karen H Lu
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Baha M Sibai
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Valerie S LeBleu
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, Center for Cancer Biology (CCB), Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Maternal Choline and Betaine Supplementation Modifies the Placental Response to Hyperglycemia in Mice and Human Trophoblasts. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10101507. [PMID: 30326592 PMCID: PMC6213524 DOI: 10.3390/nu10101507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by excessive placental fat and glucose transport, resulting in fetal overgrowth. Earlier we demonstrated that maternal choline supplementation normalizes fetal growth in GDM mice at mid-gestation. In this study, we further assess how choline and its oxidation product betaine influence determinants of placental nutrient transport in GDM mice and human trophoblasts. C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat (HF) diet 4 weeks prior to and during pregnancy to induce GDM or fed a control normal fat (NF) diet. The HF mice also received 25 mM choline, 85 mM betaine, or control drinking water. We observed that GDM mice had an expanded placental junctional zone with an increased area of glycogen cells, while the thickness of the placental labyrinth zone was decreased at E17.5 compared to NF control mice (p < 0.05). Choline and betaine supplementation alleviated these morphological changes in GDM placentas. In parallel, both choline and betaine supplementation significantly reduced glucose accretion (p < 0.05) in in vitro assays where the human choriocarcinoma BeWo cells were cultured in high (35.5 mM) or normal (5.5 mM) glucose conditions. Expression of angiogenic genes was minimally altered by choline or betaine supplementation in either model. In conclusion, both choline and betaine modified some but not all determinants of placental transport in response to hyperglycemia in mouse and in vitro human cell line models.
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Morgan HL, Butler E, Ritchie S, Herse F, Dechend R, Beattie E, McBride MW, Graham D. Modeling Superimposed Preeclampsia Using Ang II (Angiotensin II) Infusion in Pregnant Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Hypertension 2018; 72:208-218. [PMID: 29844145 PMCID: PMC6012051 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.118.10935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the second leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. Superimposed preeclampsia is an increasingly common problem and often associated with impaired placental perfusion. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing treatment options are crucial. The pregnant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat has impaired uteroplacental blood flow and abnormal uterine artery remodeling. We used Ang II (angiotensin II) infusion in pregnant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats to mimic the increased cardiovascular stress associated with superimposed preeclampsia and examine the impact on the maternal cardiovascular system and fetal development. Continuous infusion of Ang II at 500 or 1000 ng/kg per minute was administered from gestational day 10.5 until term. Radiotelemetry and echocardiography were used to monitor hemodynamic and cardiovascular changes, and urine was collected prepregnancy and throughout gestation. Uterine artery myography assessed uteroplacental vascular function and structure. Fetal measurements were made at gestational day 18.5, and placentas were collected for histological and gene expression analyses. The 1000 ng/kg per minute Ang II treatment significantly increased blood pressure (P<0.01), reduced cardiac output (P<0.05), and reduced diameter and increased stiffness of the uterine arteries (P<0.01) during pregnancy. The albumin:creatinine ratio was increased in both Ang II treatment groups (P<0.05; P<0.0001). The 1000 ng/kg per minute-treated fetuses were significantly smaller than vehicle treatment (P<0.001). Placental expression of Ang II receptors was increased in the junctional zone in 1000 ng/kg per minute Ang II-treated groups (P<0.05), with this zone showing depletion of glycogen content and structural abnormalities. Ang II infusion in pregnant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats mirrors hemodynamic, cardiac, and urinary profiles observed in preeclamptic women, with evidence of impaired fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Morgan
- From the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (H.L.M., E. Butler, S.R., E. Beattie, M.W.M., D.G.)
| | - Elaine Butler
- From the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (H.L.M., E. Butler, S.R., E. Beattie, M.W.M., D.G.)
| | - Shona Ritchie
- From the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (H.L.M., E. Butler, S.R., E. Beattie, M.W.M., D.G.)
| | - Florian Herse
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Joint Cooperation Between the Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty, Berlin, Germany (F.H., R.D.).,HELIOS Clinic Berlin-Buch, Germany (F.H., R.D.)
| | - Ralf Dechend
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Joint Cooperation Between the Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and the Charité Medical Faculty, Berlin, Germany (F.H., R.D.).,HELIOS Clinic Berlin-Buch, Germany (F.H., R.D.)
| | - Elisabeth Beattie
- From the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (H.L.M., E. Butler, S.R., E. Beattie, M.W.M., D.G.)
| | - Martin W McBride
- From the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (H.L.M., E. Butler, S.R., E. Beattie, M.W.M., D.G.)
| | - Delyth Graham
- From the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom (H.L.M., E. Butler, S.R., E. Beattie, M.W.M., D.G.)
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Burton GJ, Jauniaux E. Pathophysiology of placental-derived fetal growth restriction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018; 218:S745-S761. [PMID: 29422210 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.11.577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 502] [Impact Index Per Article: 83.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Placental-related fetal growth restriction arises primarily due to deficient remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries supplying the placenta during early pregnancy. The resultant malperfusion induces cell stress within the placental tissues, leading to selective suppression of protein synthesis and reduced cell proliferation. These effects are compounded in more severe cases by increased infarction and fibrin deposition. Consequently, there is a reduction in villous volume and surface area for maternal-fetal exchange. Extensive dysregulation of imprinted and nonimprinted gene expression occurs, affecting placental transport, endocrine, metabolic, and immune functions. Secondary changes involving dedifferentiation of smooth muscle cells surrounding the fetal arteries within placental stem villi correlate with absent or reversed end-diastolic umbilical artery blood flow, and with a reduction in birthweight. Many of the morphological changes, principally the intraplacental vascular lesions, can be imaged using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging scanning, enabling their development and progression to be followed in vivo. The changes are more severe in cases of growth restriction associated with preeclampsia compared to those with growth restriction alone, consistent with the greater degree of maternal vasculopathy reported in the former and more extensive macroscopic placental damage including infarcts, extensive fibrin deposition and microscopic villous developmental defects, atherosis of the spiral arteries, and noninfectious villitis. The higher level of stress may activate proinflammatory and apoptotic pathways within the syncytiotrophoblast, releasing factors that cause the maternal endothelial cell activation that distinguishes between the 2 conditions. Congenital anomalies of the umbilical cord and placental shape are the only placental-related conditions that are not associated with maldevelopment of the uteroplacental circulation, and their impact on fetal growth is limited.
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Woods L, Perez-Garcia V, Hemberger M. Regulation of Placental Development and Its Impact on Fetal Growth-New Insights From Mouse Models. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:570. [PMID: 30319550 PMCID: PMC6170611 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is the chief regulator of nutrient supply to the growing embryo during gestation. As such, adequate placental function is instrumental for developmental progression throughout intrauterine development. One of the most common complications during pregnancy is insufficient growth of the fetus, a problem termed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) that is most frequently rooted in a malfunctional placenta. Together with conventional gene targeting approaches, recent advances in screening mouse mutants for placental defects, combined with the ability to rapidly induce mutations in vitro and in vivo by CRISPR-Cas9 technology, has provided new insights into the contribution of the genome to normal placental development. Most importantly, these data have demonstrated that far more genes are required for normal placentation than previously appreciated. Here, we provide a summary of common types of placental defects in established mouse mutants, which will help us gain a better understanding of the genes impacting on human placentation. Based on a recent mouse mutant screen, we then provide examples on how these data can be mined to identify novel molecular hubs that may be critical for placental development. Given the close association between placental defects and abnormal cardiovascular and brain development, these functional nodes may also shed light onto the etiology of birth defects that co-occur with placental malformations. Taken together, recent insights into the regulation of mouse placental development have opened up new avenues for research that will promote the study of human pregnancy conditions, notably those based on defects in placentation that underlie the most common pregnancy pathologies such as IUGR and pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Woods
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vicente Perez-Garcia
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Vicente Perez-Garcia
| | - Myriam Hemberger
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Myriam Hemberger
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Winterhager E, Gellhaus A. Transplacental Nutrient Transport Mechanisms of Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Rodent Models and Humans. Front Physiol 2017; 8:951. [PMID: 29230179 PMCID: PMC5711821 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the causes of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have been intensively investigated, important information is still lacking about the role of the placenta as a link from adverse maternal environment to adverse pregnancy outcomes of IUGR and preterm birth. IUGR is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological diseases later in life. Determination of the most important pathways that regulate transplacental transport systems is necessary for identifying marker genes as diagnostic tools and for developing drugs that target the molecular pathways. Besides oxygen, the main nutrients required for appropriate fetal development and growth are glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids. Dysfunction in transplacental transport is caused by impairments in both placental morphology and blood flow, as well as by factors such as alterations in the expression of insulin-like growth factors and changes in the mTOR signaling pathway leading to a change in nutrient transport. Animal models are important tools for systematically studying such complex events. Debate centers on whether the rodent placenta is an appropriate tool for investigating the alterations in the human placenta that result in IUGR. This review provides an overview of the alterations in expression and activity of nutrient transporters and alterations in signaling associated with IUGR and compares these findings in rodents and humans. In general, the data obtained by studies of the various types of rodent and human nutrient transporters are similar. However, direct comparison is complicated by the fact that the results of such studies are controversial even within the same species, making the interpretation of the results challenging. This difficulty could be due to the absence of guidelines of the experimental design and, especially in humans, the use of trophoblast cell culture studies instead of clinical trials. Nonetheless, developing new therapy concepts for IUGR will require the use of animal models for gathering robust data about mechanisms leading to IUGR and for testing the effectiveness and safety of the intervention among pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Winterhager
- Electron Microscopy Unit, Imaging Center Essen, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Ding T, Lambert LA, Aronoff DM, Osteen KG, Bruner-Tran KL. Sex-Dependent Influence of Developmental Toxicant Exposure on Group B Streptococcus-Mediated Preterm Birth in a Murine Model. Reprod Sci 2017; 25:662-673. [PMID: 29153057 DOI: 10.1177/1933719117741378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Infectious agents are a significant risk factor for preterm birth (PTB); however, the simple presence of bacteria is not sufficient to induce PTB in most women. Human and animal data suggest that environmental toxicant exposures may act in concert with other risk factors to promote PTB. Supporting this "second hit" hypothesis, we previously demonstrated exposure of fetal mice (F1 animals) to the environmental endocrine disruptor 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) leads to an increased risk of spontaneous and infection-mediated PTB in adult animals. Surprisingly, adult F1males also confer an enhanced risk of PTB to their control partners. Herein, we used a recently established model of ascending group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection to explore the impact of a maternal versus paternal developmental TCDD exposure on infection-mediated PTB in adulthood. Group B Streptococcus is an important contributor to PTB in women and can have serious adverse effects on their infants. Our studies revealed that although gestation length was reduced in control mating pairs exposed to low-dose GBS, dams were able to clear the infection and bacterial transmission to pups was minimal. In contrast, exposure of pregnant F1females to the same GBS inoculum resulted in 100% maternal and fetal mortality. Maternal health and gestation length were not impacted in control females mated to F1males and exposed to GBS; however, neonatal survival was reduced compared to controls. Our data revealed a sex-dependent impact of parental TCDD exposure on placental expression of Toll-like receptor 2 and glycogen production, which may be responsible for the differential impact on fetal and maternal outcomes in response to GBS infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianbing Ding
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lauren A Lambert
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David M Aronoff
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,2 Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kevin G Osteen
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,3 Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,4 VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kaylon L Bruner-Tran
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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Mathew SA, Bhonde R. Mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from gestationally diabetic human placenta exhibit insulin resistance, decreased clonogenicity and angiogenesis. Placenta 2017; 59:1-8. [PMID: 29108631 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Revised: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy is known to be a diabetogenic state. With sedentary lifestyle and wrong dietary choices, gestational diabetes mellitus is on the rise. This raises a concern as placenta is becoming an acceptable choice, as a source of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs). In our current study we questioned whether there exists a difference between MSCs isolated from normal and diabetic (Gd-P-MSCs) placenta, as the health of the cells used in therapy is of prime importance. We isolated and verified the Gd-P-MSCs based on their surface markers and differentiation potential. We looked at viability and proliferation and did not see a difference between the two. We analysed the glucose uptake potential of these cells by assessing the remnant glucose in the media, glucose within the cells by 2-NBDG and by glycogen storage. Despite only a slight downregulation of mRNA expression levels of glucose transporters, Gd-P-MSCs exhibited decreased glucose uptake even upon insulin stimulation and decreased glycogen storage, indicative of an insulin resistant state. We then assessed the colony forming ability of the cells and found a decreased clonogenicity in Gd-P-MSCs. We also examined the angiogenic potential of the cells by tube formation. Gd-P-MSCs showed decreased angiogenic potential when compared to normal cells. Thus we show for the first time, the effect of gestational diabetes on cells isolated from the chorionic villi of term placenta. Gd-P-MSCs are indeed insulin resistant, exhibit decreased clonogenicity and angiogenic potential. The present investigation is of relevance to the choice of sample for MSC isolation for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suja Ann Mathew
- School of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal University, MAHE, GKVK Post, Bellary Road, Allalasandra, Near Royal Orchid, Yelahanka, 560 065 Bangalore, India
| | - Ramesh Bhonde
- School of Regenerative Medicine, Manipal University, MAHE, GKVK Post, Bellary Road, Allalasandra, Near Royal Orchid, Yelahanka, 560 065 Bangalore, India.
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