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Ning J, Huai J, Wang S, Yan J, Su R, Zhang M, Liu M, Yang H. METTL3 regulates glucose transporter expression in placenta exposed to hyperglycemia through the mTOR signaling pathway. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:1563-1575. [PMID: 37963715 PMCID: PMC11230790 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in the placental expression of glucose transporters (GLUTs), the crucial maternal-fetal nutrient transporters, have been found in women with hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP). However, there is still uncertainty about the underlying effect of the high-glucose environment on placental GLUTs expression in HIP. METHODS We quantitatively evaluated the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and expression of GLUTs (GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4) in the placenta of women with normal pregnancies (CTRL, n = 12) and pregnant women complicated with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n = 12) by immunohistochemistry. In addition, BeWo cells were treated with different glucose concentrations to verify the regulation of hyperglycemia. Then, changes in the expression of GLUTs following the activation or suppression of the mTOR pathway were also assessed using MHY1485/rapamycin (RAPA) treatment or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing approaches. Moreover, we further explored the alteration and potential upstream regulatory role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) when exposed to hyperglycemia. RESULTS mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), and GLUT1 protein levels were upregulated in the placenta of women with T2DM compared with those CTRL. In BeWo cells, mTOR activity increased with increasing glucose concentration, and the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4 as well as GLUT1 cell membrane translocation were upregulated by hyperglycemia to varying degrees. Both the drug-mediated and genetic depletion of mTOR signaling in BeWo cells suppressed GLUTs expression, whereas MHY1485-induced mTOR activation upregulated GLUTs expression. Additionally, high glucose levels upregulated METTL3 expression and nuclear translocation, and decreasing METTL3 levels suppressed GLUTs expression and mTOR activity and vice versa . Furthermore, in METTL3 knockdown BeWo cells, the inhibitory effect on GLUTs expression was eliminated by activating the mTOR signaling pathway using MHY1485. CONCLUSION High-glucose environment-induced upregulation of METTL3 in trophoblasts regulates the expression of GLUTs through mTOR signaling, contributing to disordered nutrient transport in women with HIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ning
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jing Huai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Shuxian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Rina Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Muqiu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Mengtong Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Huixia Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
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Khan NLA, Muhandiram S, Dissanayake K, Godakumara K, Midekessa G, Andronowska A, Heath PR, Kodithuwakku S, Hart AR, Fazeli A. Effect of 3D and 2D cell culture systems on trophoblast extracellular vesicle physico-chemical characteristics and potency. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1382552. [PMID: 38835509 PMCID: PMC11148233 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1382552] [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: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing understanding of the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in embryo-maternal communication has sparked considerable interest in their therapeutic potential within assisted reproductive technology, particularly in enhancing implantation success. However, the major obstacle remains the large-scale production of EVs, and there is still a gap in understanding how different culture systems affect the characteristics of the EVs. In the current study, trophoblast analogue human chorionic carcinoma cell line was cultivated in both conventional monolayer culture (2D) and as spheroids in suspension culture (3D) and how the cell growth environment affects the physical, biochemical and cellular signalling properties of EVs produced by them was studied. Interestingly, the 3D system was more active in secreting EVs compared to the 2D system, while no significant differences were observed in terms of morphology, size, and classical EV protein marker expression between EVs derived from the two culture systems. There were substantial differences in the proteomic cargo profile and cellular signalling potency of EVs derived from the two culture systems. Notably, 2D EVs were more potent in inducing a cellular response in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) compared to 3D EVs. Therefore, it is essential to recognize that the biological activity of EVs depends not only on the cell of origin but also on the cellular microenvironment of the parent cell. In conclusion, caution is warranted when selecting an EV production platform, especially for assessing the functional and therapeutic potential of EVs through in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norhayati Liaqat Ali Khan
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Centre of Preclinical Science Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Sg. Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Subhashini Muhandiram
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Keerthie Dissanayake
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kasun Godakumara
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Getnet Midekessa
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Aneta Andronowska
- Department of Hormonal Action Mechanisms, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Paul R Heath
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Suranga Kodithuwakku
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Amber Rose Hart
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Alireza Fazeli
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Nashif SK, Mahr RM, Jena S, Jo S, Nelson AB, Sadowski D, Crawford PA, Puchalska P, Alejandro EU, Gearhart MD, Wernimont SA. Metformin impairs trophoblast metabolism and differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1167097. [PMID: 37250894 PMCID: PMC10213689 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1167097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin is a widely prescribed medication whose mechanism of action is not completely defined and whose role in gestational diabetes management remains controversial. In addition to increasing the risk of fetal growth abnormalities and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes is associated with abnormalities in placental development including impairments in trophoblast differentiation. Given that metformin impacts cellular differentiation events in other systems, we assessed metformin's impact on trophoblast metabolism and differentiation. Using established cell culture models of trophoblast differentiation, oxygen consumption rates and relative metabolite abundance were determined following 200 µM (therapeutic range) and 2000 µM (supra-therapeutic range) metformin treatment using Seahorse and mass-spectrometry approaches. While no differences in oxygen consumption rates or relative metabolite abundance were detected between vehicle and 200 µM metformin-treated cells, 2000 µM metformin impaired oxidative metabolism and increased the abundance of lactate and TCA cycle intermediates, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, and malate. Examining differentiation, treatment with 2000 μM, but not 200 µM metformin, impaired HCG production and expression of multiple trophoblast differentiation markers. Overall, this work suggests that supra-therapeutic concentrations of metformin impair trophoblast metabolism and differentiation whereas metformin concentrations in the therapeutic range do not strongly impact these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sereen K. Nashif
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Renee M. Mahr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Snehalata Jena
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Alisa B. Nelson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Danielle Sadowski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Peter A. Crawford
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Patrycja Puchalska
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Emilyn U. Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Micah D. Gearhart
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sarah A. Wernimont
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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Mahr RM, Jena S, Nashif SK, Nelson AB, Rauckhorst AJ, Rome FI, Sheldon RD, Hughey CC, Puchalska P, Gearhart MD, Taylor EB, Crawford PA, Wernimont SA. Mitochondrial citrate metabolism and efflux regulate BeWo differentiation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7387. [PMID: 37149697 PMCID: PMC10164164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34435-x] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotrophoblasts fuse to form and renew syncytiotrophoblasts necessary to maintain placental health throughout gestation. During cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, cells undergo regulated metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming. Mitochondria play a critical role in differentiation events in cellular systems, thus we hypothesized that mitochondrial metabolism played a central role in trophoblast differentiation. In this work, we employed static and stable isotope tracing untargeted metabolomics methods along with gene expression and histone acetylation studies in an established BeWo cell culture model of trophoblast differentiation. Differentiation was associated with increased abundance of the TCA cycle intermediates citrate and α-ketoglutarate. Citrate was preferentially exported from mitochondria in the undifferentiated state but was retained to a larger extent within mitochondria upon differentiation. Correspondingly, differentiation was associated with decreased expression of the mitochondrial citrate transporter (CIC). CRISPR/Cas9 disruption of the mitochondrial citrate carrier showed that CIC is required for biochemical differentiation of trophoblasts. Loss of CIC resulted in broad alterations in gene expression and histone acetylation. These gene expression changes were partially rescued through acetate supplementation. Taken together, these results highlight a central role for mitochondrial citrate metabolism in orchestrating histone acetylation and gene expression during trophoblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renee M Mahr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Snehalata Jena
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sereen K Nashif
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Alisa B Nelson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adam J Rauckhorst
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ferrol I Rome
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ryan D Sheldon
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Curtis C Hughey
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Patrycja Puchalska
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Micah D Gearhart
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Eric B Taylor
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peter A Crawford
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sarah A Wernimont
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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Parsons AM, Rajendran RR, Whitcomb LA, Bouma GJ, Chicco AJ. Characterization of trophoblast mitochondrial function and responses to testosterone treatment in ACH-3P cells. Placenta 2023; 137:70-77. [PMID: 37087951 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trophoblast mitochondria play important roles in placental energy metabolism, physiology and pathophysiology. Hyperandrogenism has been associated with mitochondrial abnormalities in pregnancy disorders such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and intrauterine growth restriction, but the direct impacts of androgen exposure on placental mitochondrial function are unknown. Given the inherent limitations of studying the human placenta during pregnancy, trophoblast cell lines are routinely used to model placental biology in vitro. The aim of this study was to characterize mitochondrial respiratory function in four commonly used trophoblast cell lines to provide a basis for selecting one well-suited to investigating the impact of androgens on trophoblast mitochondrial function. METHODS Androgen receptor expression, mitochondrial respiration (JO2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release rates were evaluated in three human trophoblast cell lines (ACH-3P, BeWo and Swan-71) and one immortalized ovine trophoblast line (iOTR) under basal and substrate-stimulated conditions using high-resolution fluorespirometry. RESULTS ACH-3P cells exhibited the greatest mitochondrial respiratory capacity and coupling efficiency of the four trophoblast lines tested, along with robust expression of androgen receptor protein that was found to co-localize with mitochondria by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. Acute testosterone administration (10 nM) tended to decrease ACH-3P mitochondrial JO2 and increase ROS release, while chronic (7 days) testosterone exposure increased expression of mitochondrial proteins, JO2, and ROS release. DISCUSSION These studies establish ACH-3P as a suitable cell line for investigating trophoblast mitochondrial function, and provide foundational evidence supporting links between hyperandrogenism and placental mitochondrial ROS production with potential relevance to several common pregnancy disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata M Parsons
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Ranjitha Raja Rajendran
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Luke A Whitcomb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Gerrit J Bouma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Adam J Chicco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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Eikmans M, van der Keur C, Anholts JDH, Drabbels JJM, van Beelen E, de Sousa Lopes SMC, van der Hoorn ML. Primary Trophoblast Cultures: Characterization of HLA Profiles and Immune Cell Interactions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:814019. [PMID: 35634345 PMCID: PMC9136060 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.814019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Trophoblasts are essential in fetal-maternal interaction during pregnancy. The goal was to study HLA profiles of primary trophoblasts derived from placentas, and to investigate their usefulness in studying interaction with immune cells. Methods After enzymatic digestion of first-trimester placental tissue from seven donors (6-9 weeks gestation) and trophoblast enrichment we cultured cytotrophoblasts (CTB) in stem cell medium. CTB were differentiated into EVT in a Matrigel-containing medium. A subset of CTB/EVT was profiled for microRNA levels. Expression of classical HLA molecules and of HLA-G was studied by flow cytometry, qPCR, and ELISA. Secondary trophoblast cell lines JAR and JEG-3 were studied as controls. Lymphocytes were investigated during co-culturing with EVT. Results The trophoblasts could be easily maintained for several passages, upregulated classical trophoblast markers (GATA3, TFAP2C, chromosome-19 microRNAs), and upon differentiation to EVT they were selective in expressing HLA-C. EVT showed increasing expression of total HLA-G, an increasing proportion of HLA-G1 over G2- and G3 isoforms, and elevated excretion of soluble HLA-G. These features were distinct from those of the secondary trophoblast cell lines. TNF-α and IL-8 represented the most abundantly secreted cytokines by CTB, but their levels were minimal in EVT cultures. As proof of principle, we showed that EVT affect lymphocytes in three-day co-cultures (n=4) by decreasing activation marker HLA-DR. Conclusion We verified the possibility culturing trophoblasts from first-term placentas, and their capability of differentiating to HLA-G expressing EVT. This culture model better represents the in-vivo situation than previously studied secondary trophoblast cell lines and enables mechanistic studies of fetal-maternal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Eikmans
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Michael Eikmans,
| | - Carin van der Keur
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Jos J. M. Drabbels
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Els van Beelen
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Žarković M, Hufsky F, Markert UR, Marz M. The Role of Non-Coding RNAs in the Human Placenta. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091588. [PMID: 35563893 PMCID: PMC9104507 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a central and regulatory role in almost all cells, organs, and species, which has been broadly recognized since the human ENCODE project and several other genome projects. Nevertheless, a small fraction of ncRNAs have been identified, and in the placenta they have been investigated very marginally. To date, most examples of ncRNAs which have been identified to be specific for fetal tissues, including placenta, are members of the group of microRNAs (miRNAs). Due to their quantity, it can be expected that the fairly larger group of other ncRNAs exerts far stronger effects than miRNAs. The syncytiotrophoblast of fetal origin forms the interface between fetus and mother, and releases permanently extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the maternal circulation which contain fetal proteins and RNA, including ncRNA, for communication with neighboring and distant maternal cells. Disorders of ncRNA in placental tissue, especially in trophoblast cells, and in EVs seem to be involved in pregnancy disorders, potentially as a cause or consequence. This review summarizes the current knowledge on placental ncRNA, their transport in EVs, and their involvement and pregnancy pathologies, as well as their potential for novel diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Žarković
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.Ž.); (F.H.)
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
- Placenta Lab, Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - Franziska Hufsky
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.Ž.); (F.H.)
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Udo R. Markert
- Placenta Lab, Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany;
| | - Manja Marz
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany; (M.Ž.); (F.H.)
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
- FLI Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Beutenbergstraße 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Aging Research Center (ARC), 07745 Jena, Germany
- Correspondence:
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