Down-regulation of DKK1 and Wnt1/β-catenin pathway by increased homeobox B7 resulted in cell differentiation suppression of intrauterine fetal growth retardation in human placenta

Different Lengths of Gestational Exposure to Secondhand Smoke or e-Cigarette Vapor Induce the Development of Placental Disease Symptoms

Exposure to cigarette smoke is known to induce disease during pregnancy. Recent evidence showed that exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) negatively impacts fetal and placental weights, leading to the development of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Electronic cigarettes (eCigs) represent a phenomenon that has recently emerged, and their use is also steadily rising. Even so, the effects of SHS or eCigs during gestation remain limited. In the present study, we wanted to characterize the effects of SHS or eCig exposure at two different important gestational points during mouse pregnancy. C57/Bl6 mice were exposed to SHS or eCigs via a nose-only delivery system for 4 days (from 14.5 to 17.5 gestational days (dGA) or for 6 days (from 12.5 dGA to 17.5 dGA)). At the time of necropsy (18.5 dGA), placental and fetal weights were recorded, maternal blood pressure was determined, and a dipstick test to measure proteinuria was performed. Placental tissues were collected, and inflammatory molecules in the placenta were identified. Treatment with SHS showed the following: (1) a significant decrease in placental and fetal weights following four days of exposure, (2) higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure following six days of exposure, and (3) increased proteinuria after six days of exposure. Treatment with eCigs showed the following: (1) a significant decrease in placental weight and fetal weight following four or six days of exposure, (2) higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure following six days of exposure, and (3) increased proteinuria after six days of exposure. We also observed different inflammatory markers associated with the development of IUGR or PE. We conclude that the detrimental effects of SHS or eCig treatment coincide with the length of maternal exposure. These results could be beneficial in understanding the long-term effects of SHS or eCig exposure in the development of placental diseases.

The association between plasma angiopoietin-like protein 4, glucose and lipid metabolism during pregnancy, placental function, and risk of delivering large-for-gestational-age neonates

BACKGROUND

Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates have increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and adult metabolic diseases. We aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), a protein involved in lipid and glucose metabolism during pregnancy, placental function, growth factors, and the risk of LGA.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study and recruited women with singleton pregnancies at the National Taiwan University Hospital between 2013 and 2018. First trimester maternal plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations were measured.

RESULTS

Among 353 pregnant women recruited, the LGA group had higher first trimester plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations than the appropriate-for-gestational-age group. Plasma ANGPTL4 was associated with hemoglobin A1c, post-load plasma glucose, plasma triglyceride, plasma free fatty acid concentrations, plasma growth hormone variant (GH-V), and birth weight, but was not associated with cord blood growth factors. After adjusting for age, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, and plasma triglyceride concentrations, plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations were significantly associated with LGA risk, and its predictive performance, as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, outperformed traditional risk factors for LGA.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma ANGPTL4 is associated with glucose and lipid metabolism during pregnancy, plasma GH-V, and birth weight, and is an early biomarker for predicting the risk of LGA.

YTHDC1 maintains trophoblasts function by promoting degradation of m6A-modified circMPP1

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant mRNA internal modification in eukaryotic mRNAs. This study focuses on the effect of circMPP1 on placental villi function and the molecular mechanism. First, differentially expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) in placenta tissues of large-for-gestational-age(LGA) neonates were screened by m6A-circRNA Epitranscriptomic Microarray and bioinformatics analyses. The abnormal expression of circMPP1 in placental tissues and cell lines was validated by RT-qPCR. In-vitro and in-vivo functional experiments were performed to evaluate the role of circMPP1 in placental impairment and fetal dysplasia. The interacting proteins of circMPP1 were identified and validated using RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence experiments. Protein interactions and expression levels were detected by Co-immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis. The m6A modification in circMPP1 was verified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Bioinformatics analyses showed that circMPP1 was highly expressed in tissues with disordered placental function. In-vitro and in-vivo functional experiments showed that circMPP1 inhibited the function of placental villi. Further mechanism analyses showed that circMPP1 activated the NF-kappa B and MAPK3 signaling pathways. In addition, the m6A "reader" protein YTHDC1 was found to reduce circMPP1 expression via m6A modification. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that YTHDC1 maintains trophoblasts function by promoting degradation of m6A-mediated circMPP1.

Regulators involved in trophoblast syncytialization in the placenta of intrauterine growth restriction

Placental dysfunction refers to the insufficiency of placental perfusion and chronic hypoxia during early pregnancy, which impairs placental function and causes inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, affecting fetal development and health. Fetal intrauterine growth restriction, one of the most common outcomes of pregnancy-induced hypertensions, can be caused by placental dysfunction, resulting from deficient trophoblast syncytialization, inadequate trophoblast invasion and impaired vascular remodeling. During placental development, cytotrophoblasts fuse to form a multinucleated syncytia barrier, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to meet the metabolic demands for fetal growth. A reduction in the cell fusion index and the number of nuclei in the syncytiotrophoblast are found in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR, suggesting that the occurrence of IUGR may be related to inadequate trophoblast syncytialization. During the multiple processes of trophoblasts syncytialization, specific proteins and several signaling pathways are involved in coordinating these events and regulating placental function. In addition, epigenetic modifications, cell metabolism, senescence, and autophagy are also involved. Study findings have indicated several abnormally expressed syncytialization-related proteins and signaling pathways in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR, suggesting that these elements may play a crucial role in the occurrence of IUGR. In this review, we discuss the regulators of trophoblast syncytialization and their abnormal expression in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR.

Characterization of placental and decidual cell development in early pregnancy loss by single-cell RNA sequencing

Background

Early pregnancy loss (EPL) presents as sporadic or recurrent miscarriage during the first trimester. In addition to chromosomal defects, EPL may result from impairment of the placental-decidual interface at early gestational age due to gene-environmental interactions.

Methods

To better understand the pathogenesis associated with this impairment, cell development in chorionic villi and decidua of different forms of EPL (sporadic or recurrent) was investigated with single-cell RNA sequencing and compared to that of normal first-trimester tissue.

Results

Unique gene expression signatures were obtained for the different forms of EPL and for normal tissue and the composition of placental and decidual cell clusters in each form was established. In particular, the involvement of macrophages in the EPL phenotypes was identified revealing an immunoactive state.

Conclusion

Differential gene expression and unique marker genes among cell clusters from chorionic villi and decidua of miscarried and normal pregnancies, may lead to identification of biomarker for EPL.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00904-5.

Rapid determination of cysteine and chiral discrimination of D-/L-cysteine via the aggregation-induced emission enhancement of gold nanoclusters by Ag. ANAL SCI 2022;38:541-551. [PMID: 35359272 DOI: 10.2116/analsci.21p207]

Cysteine (Cys) plays vital roles in various physiological and pathological functions. Either a deficiency or excess of Cys could lead to severe ailments in human. The identification and determination of Cys are the key issues for the early diagnosis of relevant diseases. This contribution has presented a promising potential of fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) for Cys determination and D-/L-Cys enantiomer discrimination. Cys determination and discrimination are involved three steps. First, as a reducing and capping ligand, glutathione was applied to fabricate weak fluorescent AuNCs. Second, Ag+ was introduced to lead the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) to form well-dispersed aggregates. The fluorescence intensity of AuNCs was monitored at excitation/emission wavelengths of 396/620 nm. Third, Cys was found to quickly bind with Ag+ to form a grid network to light up the system via aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE). A novel sensor for a sensitive and a visually selective detection of Cys was established on the basis of the AIEE mechanism. Rapid quantitative determination of Cys was achieved in 2 min via AIEE within the range of 0.5-100 μmol L-1 and a detection limit of 0.365 μmol L-1. Moreover, due to the specific interactions of D-/L-Cys with mandelic acid and tartaric acid, the visual discrimination of D-/L-Cys enantiomers with naked eyes was realized by replacing the organic acid buffer.

Identification of key genes in pathogenesis of placental insufficiency intrauterine growth restriction

Background

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is defined as a fetus that fails to achieve its genetically determined growth potential. The exact molecular mechanisms of placental insufficiency IUGR pathogenesis are a little known. Our goal was to identify key genes and gene co-expression modules related to placental insufficiency IUGR.

Methods

We used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis to examine the IUGR dataset GSE114691 from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus. Core modules and hub nodes of the protein-protein interaction network were identified. A gene network was constructed and genes were classified by WGCNA into different modules. The validation of potential key genes was carried out using additional datasets (GSE12216 and GSE24129).

Results

We identified in GSE114691 539 down regulated genes and 751 up regulated genes in placental tissues characteristic of placental insufficiency IUGR compared with non-IUGR, and defined 76 genes as hub nodes in the protein-protein interaction network. Genes in the key modules of the WGCNA network were most closely associated with placental insufficiency IUGR and significantly enriched in biological process such as cellular metabolic process and macromolecule metabolic process. We identified as key genes TGFB1, LEP, ENG, ITGA5, STAT5A, LYN, GATA3, FPR1, TGFB2, CEBPB, KLF4, FLT1, and PNPLA2. The RNA expression levels of ENG and LEP, as biomarkers, were validated.

Conclusion

A holistic gene expression profile of placental insufficiency IUGR has been generated and the key genes ENG and LEP has potential to serve as circulating diagnosis biomarkers and therapeutic targets for placental insufficiency IUGR.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04399-3.

MiR-148a-3p Regulates the Invasion and Odontoblastic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells via the Wnt1/β-Catenin Pathway

Background and Objectives

MiR-148a-3p has been reported to regulate the differentiation of marrow stromal cell osteoblast. In this study, whether miR-148a-3p regulated the odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) or not was explored.

Methods and Results

The hDPSCs were isolated and identified via flow cytometry. Targets of miR-148a-3p were identified via bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assay. After the cell was cultured in the odontogenic differentiation medium or infected, cell viability, invasion, and odontoblastic differentiation were detected via MTT, transwell, and Alizarin Red S staining, respectively. The miR-148a-3p, Wnt1, β-catenin, DSPP, DMP-1, RUNX2, OCN, and Smad4 expressions were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The hDPSCs odontoblastic differentiation downregulated the miR-148a-3p expression and upregulated Wnt1 expression. Wnt1 was determined as the target for miR-148a-3p. MiR-148a-3p mimic and siWnt1 suppressed the cell viability, invasion, and odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs and inhibited the Wnt1, β-catenin, DSPP, DMP-1, RUNX2, OCN, and Smad4 expressions. In contrast, miR-148a-3p inhibitor and overexpressed Wnt1 promoted the cell viability, invasion, and odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs, and upregulated the Wnt1, β-catenin, DSPP, DMP-1, RUNX2, OCN, and Smad4 expressions. Also, miR-148a-3p mimic and inhibitor reversed the effects of Wnt1 overexpression and siWnt1.

Conclusions

MiR-148a-3p modulated the invasion and odontoblastic differentiation of hDPSCs through the Wnt1/β-catenin pathway.

Comparison Study of Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Enhanced Osteogenic Differentiation

Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown great promise in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Recently, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived EVs have been considered for bone tissue engineering applications. In this study, we evaluated the osteogenic capability of placental stem cell (PSC)-derived EVs and compared them to the well-characterized BMSC-derived EVs. EVs were extracted from three designated time points (0, 7, and 21 days) after osteogenic differentiation. The results showed that the PSC-derived EVs had much higher protein and lipid concentrations than EVs derived from BMSCs. The extracted EVs were characterized by observing their morphology and size distribution before utilizing next-generation sequencing to determine their microRNA (miRNA) profiles. A total of 306 miRNAs within the EVs were identified, of which 64 were significantly expressed in PSC-derived EVs that related to osteogenic differentiation. In vitro osteogenic differentiation study indicated the late-stage (21-day extracted)-derived EVs higher osteogenic enhancing capability when compared with the early stage-derived EVs. We demonstrated that EVs derived from PSCs could be a new source of EVs for bone tissue engineering applications.

The Emerging Role of the Prokineticins and Homeobox Genes in the Vascularization of the Placenta: Physiological and Pathological Aspects

Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are key processes of placental development, which occur throughout pregnancy. Placental vasculogenesis occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy culminating in the formation of hemangioblasts from intra-villous stem cells. Placental angiogenesis occurs subsequently, forming new blood vessels from existing ones. Angiogenesis also takes place at the fetomaternal interface, allowing essential spiral arteriole remodeling to establish the fetomaternal circulation. Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in animal models and in humans have been studied in a wide variety of in vitro, physiological and pathological conditions, with a focus on the pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that control these processes. Recent studies revealed roles for new families of proteins, including direct participants such as the prokineticin family, and regulators of these processes such as the homeobox genes. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of actions of these families of proteins. Over the past decade, evidence suggests increased production of placental anti-angiogenic factors, as well as angiogenic factors are associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preeclampsia (PE): the most threatening pathologies of human pregnancy with systemic vascular dysfunction. This review also reports novel clinical strategies targeting members of these family of proteins to treat PE and its consequent effects on the maternal vascular system.

Trophoblast lineage-specific differentiation and associated alterations in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction

The human placenta is a poorly-understood organ, but one that is critical for proper development and growth of the fetus in-utero. The epithelial cell type that contributes to primary placental functions is called "trophoblast," including two main subtypes, villous and extravillous trophoblast. Cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast comprise the villous compartment and contribute to gas and nutrient exchange, while extravillous trophoblast invade and remodel the uterine wall and vessels, in order to supply maternal blood to the growing fetus. Abnormal differentiation of trophoblast contributes to placental dysfunction and is associated with complications of pregnancy, including preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR). This review describes what is known about the cellular organization of the placenta during both normal development and in the setting of PE/FGR. It also explains known trophoblast lineage-specific markers and pathways regulating their differentiation, and how these are altered in the setting of PE/FGR, focusing on studies which have used human placental tissues. Finally, it also highlights remaining questions and needed resources to advance this field.

Mechanism of Placenta Damage in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by Investigating TXNIP of Patient Samples and Gene Functional Research in Cell Line

INTRODUCTION

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a gestational complication that affects maternal and child health. The placenta provides the fetus with the necessary nutrition and oxygen and takes away the metabolic waste. Patients with GDM are diagnosed and treated merely on the basis of the blood glucose level; this approach does nothing to help evaluate the status of the placenta, which is worth noting in GDM. The purpose of this research was to clarify the relation between thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the placenta of patients with GDM, which has thus far remained unclear.

METHODS

The expression of TXNIP in the placentas of 10 patients with GDM and 10 healthy puerperae (control group) was investigated via immunofluorescence. The relation among TXNIP, ROS, and the function of mitochondria was explored in HTR-8/SVneo cells stimulated by high glucose (HG).

RESULTS

The results showed the expression of TXNIP in the placentas of patients with GDM was higher than that in the control group, and the expression of TXNIP in HTR-8/SVneo cells treated with HG was higher than that in the control group, causing the accumulation of ROS and changes of mitochondria, promoting apoptosis and inhibition of migration.

CONCLUSIONS

High expression of TXNIP caused by HG mediates the increasing ROS and the mitochondria dysfunction in GDM; this impairs the function of the placenta and is the basis for the prediction of perinatal outcome.