1
|
Gaddy JA, Moore RE, Lochner JS, Rogers LM, Noble KN, Giri A, Aronoff DM, Cliffel D, Eastman AJ. Palmitate and group B Streptococcus synergistically and differentially induce IL-1β from human gestational membranes. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1409378. [PMID: 38855112 PMCID: PMC11158625 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1409378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rupture of the gestational membranes often precedes major pregnancy complications, including preterm labor and preterm birth. One major cause of inflammation in the gestational membranes, chorioamnionitis (CAM) is often a result of bacterial infection. The commensal bacterium Streptococcus agalactiae, or Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading infectious cause of CAM. Obesity is on the rise worldwide and roughly 1 in 4 pregnancy complications is related to obesity, and individuals with obesity are also more likely to be colonized by GBS. The gestational membranes are comprised of several distinct cell layers which are, from outermost to innermost: maternally-derived decidual stromal cells (DSCs), fetal cytotrophoblasts (CTBs), fetal mesenchymal cells, and fetal amnion epithelial cells (AECs). In addition, the gestational membranes have several immune cell populations; macrophages are the most common phagocyte. Here we characterize the effects of palmitate, the most common long-chain saturated fatty acid, on the inflammatory response of each layer of the gestational membranes when infected with GBS, using human cell lines and primary human tissue. Results Palmitate itself slightly but significantly augments GBS proliferation. Palmitate and GBS co-stimulation synergized to induce many inflammatory proteins and cytokines, particularly IL-1β and matrix metalloproteinase 9 from DSCs, CTBs, and macrophages, but not from AECs. Many of these findings are recapitulated when treating cells with palmitate and a TLR2 or TLR4 agonist, suggesting broad applicability of palmitate-pathogen synergy. Co-culture of macrophages with DSCs or CTBs, upon co-stimulation with GBS and palmitate, resulted in increased inflammatory responses, contrary to previous work in the absence of palmitate. In whole gestational membrane biopsies, the amnion layer appeared to dampen immune responses from the DSC and CTB layers (the choriodecidua) to GBS and palmitate co-stimulation. Addition of the monounsaturated fatty acid oleate, the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid in circulation, dampened the proinflammatory effect of palmitate. Discussion These studies reveal a complex interplay between the immunological response of the distinct layers of the gestational membrane to GBS infection and that such responses can be altered by exposure to long-chain saturated fatty acids. These data provide insight into how metabolic syndromes such as obesity might contribute to an increased risk for GBS disease during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Gaddy
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Rebecca E. Moore
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Publications Division, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jonathan S. Lochner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Lisa M. Rogers
- Department Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kristen N. Noble
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Ayush Giri
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - David M. Aronoff
- Department Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - David Cliffel
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Alison J. Eastman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang B, Shi M, Yu C, Pan H, Shen H, Du Y, Zhang Y, Liu B, Xi D, Sheng J, Huang H, Ding G. NLRP3 Inflammasome-dependent Pathway is Involved in the Pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1017-1027. [PMID: 37815748 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01348-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has shown that inflammation is a key process in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-, leucine-rich repeat-, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes play an essential role in inflammation. We investigated the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in PCOS and its underlying mechanisms. Human granulosa cells (GCs) were isolated from patients with PCOS and control women who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Ovarian specimens were collected from mice with polycystic ovarian changes induced by a high-fat diet and letrozole. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed on a granulosa cell line (KGN) overexpressing NLRP3. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to quantify the differentially expressed genes of interest. NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression was significantly higher in GCs from patients with PCOS than in GCs from the control group. Increased NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression was also detected by immunohistochemistry in the GCs of a mouse model of polycystic ovarian changes. The serum IL-18 concentration in PCOS-like mice was significantly higher than that in control mice. Following NLRP3 overexpression in KGN cells, the genes involved in N-glycan processing, steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, autophagy, and apoptosis were upregulated. The RT-qPCR results revealed that the expression levels of GANAB, ALG-5, HSD3B2, ULK1, PTK2B, and Casp7 in KGN cells after NLRP3 overexpression were significantly higher than those in control cells, which was consistent with the RNA-Seq results. Taken together, the NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS not only by mediating pyroptosis, but also by regulating glycan synthesis, sex hormone synthesis, autophagy, and apoptosis in GCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Minfeng Shi
- Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Chuanjin Yu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Hong Pan
- School of Medicine, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Haiqing Shen
- School of Medicine, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yatao Du
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Di Xi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jianzhong Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
- School of Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, China
| | - Hefeng Huang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
| | - Guolian Ding
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sahoo PK, Krishnamoorthy C, Wood JR, Hanson C, Anderson-Berry A, Mott JL, Natarajan SK. Palmitate induces integrated stress response and lipoapoptosis in trophoblasts. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:31. [PMID: 38212315 PMCID: PMC10784287 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06415-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Maternal obesity increases the risk of childhood obesity and programs the offspring to develop metabolic syndrome later in their life. Palmitate is the predominant saturated free fatty acid (FFA) that is transported across the placenta to the fetus. We have recently shown that saturated FFA in the maternal circulation as a result of increased adipose tissue lipolysis in third trimester of pregnancy induces trophoblast lipoapoptosis. Here, we hypothesized that palmitate induces integrated stress response by activating mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and granular stress and lipoapoptosis in trophoblasts. Choriocarcinoma-derived third-trimester placental trophoblast-like cells (JEG-3 and JAR) referred as trophoblasts were exposed to various concentrations of palmitate (PA). Apoptosis was assessed by nuclear morphological changes and caspase 3/7 activity. Immunoblot and immunofluorescence analysis was performed to measure the activation of MAPKs, ER stress and granular stress response pathways. Trophoblasts exposed to pathophysiological concentrations of PA showed a concentration-dependent increase in trophoblast lipoapoptosis. PA induces a caspase-dependent trophoblast lipoapoptosis. Further, PA induces MAPK activation (JNK and ERK) via phosphorylation, and activation of ER stress as evidenced by an increased phosphorylation eIF2α & IRE1α. PA also induces the activation of stress granules formation. Two pro-apoptotic transcriptional mediators of PA-induced trophoblast lipoapoptosis, CHOP and FoxO3 have increased nuclear translocation. Mechanistically, PA-induced JNK is critical for trophoblast lipoapoptosis. However, PA-induced activation of ERK and stress granule formation were shown to be cell survival signals to combat subcellular stress due to PA exposure. In conclusion, PA induces the activation of integrated stress responses, among which small molecule inhibition of JNK demonstrated that activation of JNK is critical for PA-induced trophoblast lipoapoptosis and small molecule activation of stress granule formation significantly prevents PA-induced trophoblast lipoapoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Kumar Sahoo
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Chandan Krishnamoorthy
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Jennifer R Wood
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Corrine Hanson
- College of Allied Health Professions Medical Nutrition Education, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ann Anderson-Berry
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Justin L Mott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sathish Kumar Natarajan
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
- College of Allied Health Professions Medical Nutrition Education, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rogers LM, Huggins M, Doster RS, Omage JI, Gaddy JA, Eastman A, Aronoff DM. Impact of Metabolic Stress on BeWo Syncytiotrophoblast Function. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300410. [PMID: 37800606 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300410] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
During placental formation, cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) fuse into multinucleate, microvilli-coated syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), which contact maternal blood, mediating nutrient, metabolite, and gas exchange between mother and fetus, and providing a barrier against fetal infection. Trophoblasts remodel the surrounding extracellular matrix through the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Maternal obesity and diabetes mellitus can negatively impact fetal development and may impair trophoblast function. We sought to model the impact of metabolic stress on STB function by examining MMP and hormone secretion. The BeWo CTB cell line was syncytialized to STB-like cells with forskolin. Cell morphology was examined by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence; phenotype was further assessed by ELISA and RT-qPCR. STBs were exposed to a metabolic stress cocktail (MetaC: 30 mM glucose, 10 nM insulin, and 0.1 mM palmitic acid). BeWo syncytialization was demonstrated by increased secretion of HCGβ and progesterone, elevated syncytin gene expression (ERVW-1 and ERVFRD-1), loss of tight junctions, and increased surface microvilli. MetaC strongly suppressed syncytin gene expression (ERVW-1 and ERVFRD-1), suppressed HCGβ and progesterone secretion, and altered both MMP-9 and MMP-2 production. Metabolic stress modeling diabetes and obesity altered BeWo STB hormone and MMP production in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Rogers
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 545 Barnhill Dr., EH 305, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Marissa Huggins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Ryan S Doster
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Joel I Omage
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jennifer A Gaddy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Alison Eastman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - David M Aronoff
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, 545 Barnhill Dr., EH 305, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen Y, Miao C, Zhao Y, Yang L, Wang R, Shen D, Ren N, Zhang Q. Inflammasomes in human reproductive diseases. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad035. [PMID: 37788097 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes localized within immune and non-immune cells that induce caspase activation, proinflammatory cytokine secretion, and ultimately pyroptosis-a type of cell death. Inflammasomes are involved in a variety of human diseases, especially acute or chronic inflammatory diseases. In this review, we focused on the strong correlation between the NLRP3 inflammasome and various reproductive diseases, including ovarian aging or premature ovarian insufficiency, PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, pre-eclampsia, and male subfertility, as well as the multifaceted role of NLRP3 in the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases. In addition, we provide an overview of the structure and amplification of inflammasomes. This comprehensive review demonstrates the vital role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human reproductive diseases together with the underlying mechanisms, offers new insights for mechanistic studies of reproduction, and provides promising possibilities for the development of drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome for the treatment of reproductive disorders in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenyun Miao
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruye Wang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Shen
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning Ren
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
The pathologic changes of human placental macrophages in women with hyperglycemia in pregnancy. Placenta 2022; 130:60-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
7
|
Alfian I, Chakraborty A, Yong HEJ, Saini S, Lau RWK, Kalionis B, Dimitriadis E, Alfaidy N, Ricardo SD, Samuel CS, Murthi P. The Placental NLRP3 Inflammasome and Its Downstream Targets, Caspase-1 and Interleukin-6, Are Increased in Human Fetal Growth Restriction: Implications for Aberrant Inflammation-Induced Trophoblast Dysfunction. Cells 2022; 11:1413. [PMID: 35563719 PMCID: PMC9102093 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is commonly associated with placental insufficiency and inflammation. Nonetheless, the role played by inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of FGR is poorly understood. We hypothesised that placental inflammasomes are differentially expressed and contribute to the aberrant trophoblast function. Inflammasome gene expression profiles were characterised by real-time PCR on human placental tissues collected from third trimester FGR and gestation-matched control pregnancies (n = 25/group). The functional significance of a candidate inflammasome was then investigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced models of inflammation in human trophoblast organoids, BeWo cells in vitro, and a murine model of FGR in vivo. Placental mRNA expression of NLRP3, caspases 1, 3, and 8, and interleukin 6 increased (>2-fold), while that of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, decreased (<2-fold) in FGR compared with control pregnancies. LPS treatment increased NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression (>2-fold) in trophoblast organoids and BeWo cell cultures in vitro, and in the spongiotrophoblast and labyrinth in the murine model of FGR. However, the LPS-induced rise in NLRP3 was attenuated by its siRNA-induced down-regulation in BeWo cell cultures, which correlated with reduced activity of the apoptotic markers, caspase-3 and 8, compared to the control siRNA-treated cells. Our findings support the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the inflammation-induced aberrant trophoblast function, which may contribute to FGR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irvan Alfian
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya 6, Jakarta Pusat 10160, Indonesia
| | - Amlan Chakraborty
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Hannah E. J. Yong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 117609, Singapore;
| | - Sheetal Saini
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Ricky W. K. Lau
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Bill Kalionis
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Gynaecology Research Centre, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Nadia Alfaidy
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1292, Biologie et Biotechnologie pour la Santé, 38043 Grenoble, France;
- Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Biosciences and Biotechnology Institute of Grenoble, 38054 Grenoble, France
- Service Obstétrique & Gynécologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, University Grenoble-Alpes, CEDEX 9, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Sharon D. Ricardo
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Chrishan S. Samuel
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Padma Murthi
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rees A, Richards O, Chambers M, Jenkins BJ, Cronin JG, Thornton CA. Immunometabolic adaptation and immune plasticity in pregnancy and the bi-directional effects of obesity. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 208:132-146. [PMID: 35348641 PMCID: PMC9188350 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac003] [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: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mandatory maternal metabolic and immunological changes are essential to pregnancy success. Parallel changes in metabolism and immune function make immunometabolism an attractive mechanism to enable dynamic immune adaptation during pregnancy. Immunometabolism is a burgeoning field with the underlying principle being that cellular metabolism underpins immune cell function. With whole body changes to the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and lipids well recognised to occur in pregnancy and our growing understanding of immunometabolism as a determinant of immunoinflammatory effector responses, it would seem reasonable to expect immune plasticity during pregnancy to be linked to changes in the availability and handling of multiple nutrient energy sources by immune cells. While studies of immunometabolism in pregnancy are only just beginning, the recognised bi-directional interaction between metabolism and immune function in the metabolic disorder obesity might provide some of the earliest insights into the role of immunometabolism in immune plasticity in pregnancy. Characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation including in pregnant women, obesity is associated with numerous adverse outcomes during pregnancy and beyond for both mother and child. Concurrent changes in metabolism and immunoinflammation are consistently described but any causative link is not well established. Here we provide an overview of the metabolic and immunological changes that occur in pregnancy and how these might contribute to healthy versus adverse pregnancy outcomes with special consideration of possible interactions with obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- April Rees
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Oliver Richards
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Megan Chambers
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Benjamin J Jenkins
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - James G Cronin
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Catherine A Thornton
- Corresponding author: Cathy Thornton, ILS1, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW It is well established that controlled immune activation and balance is critical for women's reproductive health and successful pregnancy outcomes. Research in recent decades in both clinical and animal studies has demonstrated that aberrant immune activation and inflammation play a role in the development and progression of women's reproductive health and pregnancy-related disorders. Inflammasomes are multi-protein cytoplasmic complexes that mediate immune activation. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the role of inflammasome activation in pregnancy-related disorders. RECENT FINDINGS Increased activation of inflammasome is associated with multiple women's health reproductive disorders and pregnancy-associated disorders, including preeclampsia (PreE). Inflammasome activation is also associated with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus. We and others have observed a positive association between increased PreE incidences with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we present our recent data indicating increased inflammasome activation, represented by caspase-1 activity, in women with COVID-19 and PreE compared to normotensive pregnant women COVID-19. The role of inflammation in pregnancy-related disorders is an area of intense research interest. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated increase in PreE observed clinically, there is a greater need to identify mechanisms of pathophysiology and targets to treat this maternal disorder. Inflammasome activation is associated with PreE and COVID-19 infection and may hold therapeutic potential to improve outcomes associated with PreE and curb the morbidity attributed to PreE.
Collapse
|
10
|
McElwain CJ, McCarthy FP, McCarthy CM. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Maternal Immune Dysregulation: What We Know So Far. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4261. [PMID: 33923959 PMCID: PMC8073796 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22084261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an obstetric complication that affects approximately 5-10% of all pregnancies worldwide. GDM is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy, and is characterized by exaggerated insulin resistance, a condition which is already pronounced in healthy pregnancies. Maternal hyperglycaemia ensues, instigating a 'glucose stress' response and concurrent systemic inflammation. Previous findings have proposed that both placental and visceral adipose tissue play a part in instigating and mediating this low-grade inflammatory response which involves altered infiltration, differentiation and activation of maternal innate and adaptive immune cells. The resulting maternal immune dysregulation is responsible for exacerbation of the condition and a further reduction in maternal insulin sensitivity. GDM pathology results in maternal and foetal adverse outcomes such as increased susceptibility to diabetes mellitus development and foetal neurological conditions. A clearer understanding of how these pathways originate and evolve will improve therapeutic targeting. In this review, we will explore the existing findings describing maternal immunological adaption in GDM in an attempt to highlight our current understanding of GDM-mediated immune dysregulation and identify areas where further research is required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colm J. McElwain
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland;
| | - Fergus P. McCarthy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, T12 YE02 Cork, Ireland;
| | - Cathal M. McCarthy
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, T12 XF62 Cork, Ireland;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Eastman AJ, Moore RE, Townsend SD, Gaddy JA, Aronoff DM. The Influence of Obesity and Associated Fatty Acids on Placental Inflammation. Clin Ther 2021; 43:265-278. [PMID: 33487441 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Maternal obesity, affecting nearly 1 in 4 pregnancies, is associated with increased circulating saturated fatty acids, such as palmitate. These fatty acids are implicated in placental inflammation, which may in turn exacerbate both maternal-fetal tolerance and responses to pathogens, such as group B Streptococcus. In this review, we address the question, "How do obesity and associated fatty acids influence placental inflammation?" METHODS In this narrative review, we searched PubMed and Google Scholar using combinations of the key words placental inflammation or pregnancy and lipids, fatty acids, obesity, palmitate, or other closely related search terms. We also used references found within these articles that may have been absent from our original search queries. We analyzed methods and key results of these articles to compare and contrast their findings, which were occasionally at odds with each other. FINDINGS Although obesity can be studied as a whole, complex phenomena with in vivo mouse models and human samples from patients with obesity, in vitro modeling often relies on the treatment of cells or tissues with ≥1 fatty acids and occasionally other compounds (eg, glucose and insulin). We found that palmitate, most commonly used in vitro to recreate hallmarks of obesity, induces apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy defects, and inflammasome activation in many placental cell types. We compare this to in vivo models of obesity wherever possible. We found that obesity as a whole may have more complex regulation of these phenomena (apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy defects, and inflammasome activation) compared with in vitro models of fatty acid treatment (primarily palmitate) because of the presence of unsaturated fatty acids (ie, oleate), which may have anti-inflammatory effects. IMPLICATIONS The interaction of unsaturated fatty acids with saturated fatty acids may ameliorate many inflammatory effects of saturated fatty acids alone, which complicates interpretation of in vitro studies that focus on a particular fatty acid in isolation. This complication may explain why certain studies of obesity in vivo have differing outcomes from studies of specific fatty acids in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Eastman
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Rebecca E Moore
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Jennifer A Gaddy
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David M Aronoff
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chambers M, Rees A, Cronin JG, Nair M, Jones N, Thornton CA. Macrophage Plasticity in Reproduction and Environmental Influences on Their Function. Front Immunol 2021; 11:607328. [PMID: 33519817 PMCID: PMC7840613 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.607328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are key components of the innate immune system and exhibit extensive plasticity and heterogeneity. They play a significant role in the non-pregnant cycling uterus and throughout gestation they contribute to various processes underpinning reproductive success including implantation, placentation and parturition. Macrophages are also present in breast milk and impart immunomodulatory benefits to the infant. For a healthy pregnancy, the maternal immune system must adapt to prevent fetal rejection and support development of the semi-allogenic fetus without compromising host defense. These functions are dependent on macrophage polarization which is governed by the local tissue microenvironmental milieu. Disruption of this microenvironment, possibly by environmental factors of infectious and non-infectious origin, can affect macrophage phenotype and function and is linked to adverse obstetric outcomes, e.g. spontaneous miscarriage and preterm birth. Determining environmental influences on cellular and molecular mechanisms that control macrophage polarization at the maternal-fetal interface and the role of this in pregnancy complications could support approaches to alleviating adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Chambers
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - April Rees
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - James G Cronin
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Manju Nair
- Maternity and Child Health, Singleton Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Jones
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine A Thornton
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
NLRP3 inflammasome function and pyroptotic cell death in human placental Hofbauer cells. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 142:103214. [PMID: 33152658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in the number and protein/gene expression of Hofbauer cells (HBCs) may play a role in microbial-driven/cytokine-mediated placental inflammation, and in subsequent pregnancy complications such as villitis, histologic chorioamnionitis, and the fetal inflammatory response syndrome. Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell death mediated by the inflammasome, a multi-protein complex which drives the processing and secretion of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). Pyroptosis can be triggered by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in non-placental macrophages through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. However, the role of inflammasome activation and pyroptosis in HBC pathophysiology remains unclear. HBCs isolated from human term placentas were treated with or without LPS or ATP, alone or in combination. Treatment of HBCs with both LPS and ATP induced the rapid secretion of high levels of IL-1β and at the same time, cell death associated with nuclear condensation and cellular swelling. HBC treatment with both LPS and ATP induced caspase-1 activation, gasdermin D (GSDMD) cleavage, which mediates pyroptosis, and IL-1β processing. Caspase-1 activation, GSDMD cleavage, IL-1β processing, and IL-1β secretion were all significantly reduced following NLRP3 knockdown; inhibition of caspase-1; and inhibition of P2X7, the receptor that mediates K+ efflux. Together, our data indicate that LPS and ATP treatment stimulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis in HBCs leading to the rapid release of IL-1β. Since the localization of HBCs confers a unique ability to influence microbial-associated placental and fetal inflammation, these studies suggest a key role for the inflammasome and pyroptosis in mediating HBC driven inflammation.
Collapse
|
14
|
Galaz J, Romero R, Slutsky R, Xu Y, Motomura K, Para R, Pacora P, Panaitescu B, Hsu CD, Kacerovsky M, Gomez-Lopez N. Cellular immune responses in amniotic fluid of women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. J Perinat Med 2020; 48:222-233. [PMID: 32083453 PMCID: PMC7147947 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2019-0395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM) occurs in 30% of preterm births; thus, this complication is a major contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity. However, the cellular immune responses in amniotic fluid of women with pPROM have not been investigated. Methods Amniotic fluid samples were obtained from women with pPROM and a positive (n = 7) or negative (n = 10) microbiological culture. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the phenotype and number of amniotic fluid leukocytes. The correlation between amniotic fluid immune cells and an interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration or a white blood cell (WBC) count in amniotic fluid was calculated. Results Women with pPROM and a positive amniotic fluid culture had (1) a greater number of total leukocytes in amniotic fluid, including neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages and (2) an increased number of total T cells in amniotic fluid, namely CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells, but not B cells. The numbers of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages were positively correlated with IL-6 concentrations and WBC counts in amniotic fluid of women with pPROM. Conclusion Women with pPROM and a positive amniotic fluid culture exhibit a more severe cellular immune response than those with a negative culture, which is associated with well-known markers of intra-amniotic inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Rebecca Slutsky
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Kenichiro Motomura
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Robert Para
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Percy Pacora
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Bogdan Panaitescu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Chaur-Dong Hsu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Marian Kacerovsky
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA,Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|