1
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Porter GA. Environmental Signals. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1441:397-416. [PMID: 38884722 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-44087-8_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Environmental factors have long been known to play a role in the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease (CHD), but this has not been a major focus of research in the modern era. Studies of human exposures and animal models demonstrate that demographics (age, race, socioeconomic status), diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, obesity, stress, infection, high altitude), recreational and therapeutic drug use, and chemical exposures are associated with an increased risk for CHD. Unfortunately, although studies suggest that exposures to these factors may cause CHD, in most cases, the data are not strong, are inconclusive, or are contradictory. Although most studies concentrate on the effects of maternal exposure, paternal exposure to some agents can also modify this risk. From a mechanistic standpoint, recent delineation of signaling and genetic controls of cardiac development has revealed molecular pathways that may explain the effects of environmental signals on cardiac morphogenesis and may provide further tools to study the effects of environmental stimuli on cardiac development. For example, environmental factors likely regulate cellular signaling pathways, transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, proliferation, and physiologic processes that can control the development of the heart and other organs. However, understanding of the epidemiology and risk of these exposures and the mechanistic basis for any effects on cardiac development remains incomplete. Further studies defining the relationship between environmental exposures and human CHD and the mechanisms involved should reveal strategies to prevent, diagnose, and treat CHD induced by environmental signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Porter
- Departments of Pediatrics (Cardiology), Pharmacology and Physiology, and Medicine (Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
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2
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Hu M, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zhang X, Huang X, Lu Y, Li Y, Brännström M, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Shao LR, Billig H. Defective Uterine Spiral Artery Remodeling and Placental Senescence in a Pregnant Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:1916-1935. [PMID: 37689383 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy-related problems have been linked to impairments in maternal uterine spiral artery (SpA) remodeling. The mechanisms underlying this association are still unclear. It is also unclear whether hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance, the two common manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome, affect uterine SpA remodeling. We verified previous work in which exposure to 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and insulin (INS) in rats during pregnancy resulted in hyperandrogenism, insulin intolerance, and higher fetal mortality. Exposure to DHT and INS dysregulated the expression of angiogenesis-related genes in the uterus and placenta and also decreased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and matrix metallopeptidases 2 and 9, increased fibrotic collagen deposits in the uterus, and reduced expression of marker genes for SpA-associated trophoblast giant cells. These changes were related to a greater proportion of unremodeled uterine SpAs and a smaller proportion of highly remodeled arteries in DHT + INS-exposed rats. Placentas from DHT + INS-exposed rats exhibited decreased basal and labyrinth zone regions, reduced maternal blood spaces, diminished labyrinth vascularity, and an imbalance in the abundance of vascular and smooth muscle proteins. Furthermore, placentas from DHT + INS-exposed rats showed expression of placental insufficiency markers and a significant increase in cell senescence-associated protein levels. Altogether, this work demonstrates that increased pregnancy complications in polycystic ovary syndrome may be mediated by problems with uterine SpA remodeling, placental functionality, and placental senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yuehui Zhang
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - XiuYing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xinyue Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaxing Lu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yijia Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mats Brännström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Linus R Shao
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Håkan Billig
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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3
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Bu C, Wang Z, Ren Y, Chen D, Jiang SW. Syncytin-1 nonfusogenic activities modulate inflammation and contribute to preeclampsia pathogenesis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:290. [PMID: 35536515 PMCID: PMC11073204 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04294-2] [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: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Maternal cellular and humoral immune responses to the allogeneic fetoplacental unit are a normal part of pregnancy adaptation. Overactive or dysregulated immune responses that often manifest as inflammation are considered a key element for the development of preeclampsia. Infiltration and activation of macrophages, nature killer cells, and T lymphocytes are frequently observed in the decidua and placenta associated with preeclampsia. In addition to local inflammation, systemic inflammatory changes including increased levels of TNF-α and interleukins (ILs) are detected in the maternal circulation. Syncytin-1 is an endogenous retroviral envelope protein that mediates the fusion of trophoblasts to form syncytiotrophoblasts, a cellular component carrying out most of placental barrier, exchange, and endocrine functions. In addition to these well-defined fusogenic functions that are known for their close association with preeclampsia, multiple studies indicated that syncytin-1 possesses nonfusogenic activities such as those for cell cycle and apoptosis regulation. Moreover, syncytin-1 expressed by trophoblasts and various types of immune cells may participate in regulation of inflammation in preeclamptic placenta and decidua. This review concentrates on the triangular relationship among inflammation, syncytin-1 nonfusogenic functions, and preeclampsia pathogenesis. Data regarding the reciprocal modulations of inflammation and poor vascularization/hypoxia are summarized. The impacts of syncytin-A (the mouse counterpart of human syncytin-1) gene knockout on placental vascularization and their implications for preeclampsia are discussed. Syncytin-1 expression in immune cells and its significance for inflammation are analyzed in the context of preeclampsia development. Finally, the involvements of syncytin-1 nonfusogenic activities in neuroinflammation and multiple sclerosis are compared to findings from preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaozhi Bu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China
- Center of Prenatal Diagnosis, Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Lianyungang, 222000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongwei Ren
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Daozhen Chen
- Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China.
| | - Shi-Wen Jiang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, 214002, China.
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4
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Knutson AK, Williams AL, Boisvert WA, Shohet RV. HIF in the heart: development, metabolism, ischemia, and atherosclerosis. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:137557. [PMID: 34623330 DOI: 10.1172/jci137557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The heart forms early in development and delivers oxygenated blood to the rest of the embryo. After birth, the heart requires kilograms of ATP each day to support contractility for the circulation. Cardiac metabolism is omnivorous, utilizing multiple substrates and metabolic pathways to produce this energy. Cardiac development, metabolic tuning, and the response to ischemia are all regulated in part by the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), central components of essential signaling pathways that respond to hypoxia. Here we review the actions of HIF1, HIF2, and HIF3 in the heart, from their roles in development and metabolism to their activity in regeneration and preconditioning strategies. We also discuss recent work on the role of HIFs in atherosclerosis, the precipitating cause of myocardial ischemia and the leading cause of death in the developed world.
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5
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Chapman G, Moreau JLM, I P E, Szot JO, Iyer KR, Shi H, Yam MX, O'Reilly VC, Enriquez A, Greasby JA, Alankarage D, Martin EMMA, Hanna BC, Edwards M, Monger S, Blue GM, Winlaw DS, Ritchie HE, Grieve SM, Giannoulatou E, Sparrow DB, Dunwoodie SL. Functional genomics and gene-environment interaction highlight the complexity of congenital heart disease caused by Notch pathway variants. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:566-579. [PMID: 31813956 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect and brings with it significant mortality and morbidity. The application of exome and genome sequencing has greatly improved the rate of genetic diagnosis for CHD but the cause in the majority of cases remains uncertain. It is clear that genetics, as well as environmental influences, play roles in the aetiology of CHD. Here we address both these aspects of causation with respect to the Notch signalling pathway. In our CHD cohort, variants in core Notch pathway genes account for 20% of those that cause disease, a rate that did not increase with the inclusion of genes of the broader Notch pathway and its regulators. This is reinforced by case-control burden analysis where variants in Notch pathway genes are enriched in CHD patients. This enrichment is due to variation in NOTCH1. Functional analysis of some novel missense NOTCH1 and DLL4 variants in cultured cells demonstrate reduced signalling activity, allowing variant reclassification. Although loss-of-function variants in DLL4 are known to cause Adams-Oliver syndrome, this is the first report of a hypomorphic DLL4 allele as a cause of isolated CHD. Finally, we demonstrate a gene-environment interaction in mouse embryos between Notch1 heterozygosity and low oxygen- or anti-arrhythmic drug-induced gestational hypoxia, resulting in an increased incidence of heart defects. This implies that exposure to environmental insults such as hypoxia could explain variable expressivity and penetrance of observed CHD in families carrying Notch pathway variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Chapman
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Julie L M Moreau
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Eddie I P
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Justin O Szot
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Kavitha R Iyer
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Hongjun Shi
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Michelle X Yam
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | | | - Annabelle Enriquez
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia.,Discipline of Genomic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Joelene A Greasby
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | | | - Ella M M A Martin
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | | | - Matthew Edwards
- Hunter Genetics, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, 2298, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Steven Monger
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Gillian M Blue
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Kids Heart Research, Heart Centre for Children, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - David S Winlaw
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Kids Heart Research, Heart Centre for Children, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, 2145, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Helen E Ritchie
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Stuart M Grieve
- Sydney Translational Imaging Laboratory, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Department of Radiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Eleni Giannoulatou
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Duncan B Sparrow
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom
| | - Sally L Dunwoodie
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.,Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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6
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Allanson J, Smith A, Forzano F, Lin AE, Raas-Rothschild A, Howley HE, Boycott KM. Nablus syndrome: Easy to diagnose yet difficult to solve. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2019; 178:447-457. [PMID: 30580486 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nablus syndrome was first described by the late Ahmad Teebi in 2000, and 13 individuals have been reported to date. Nablus syndrome can be clinically diagnosed based on striking facial features, including tight glistening skin with reduced facial expression, blepharophimosis, telecanthus, bulky nasal tip, abnormal external ear architecture, upswept frontal hairline, and sparse eyebrows. However, the precise genetic etiology for this rare condition remains elusive. Comparative microarray analyses of individuals with Nablus syndrome (including two mother-son pairs) reveal an overlapping 8q22.1 microdeletion, with a minimal critical region of 1.84 Mb (94.43-96.27 Mb). Whereas this deletion is present in all affected individuals, 13 individuals without Nablus syndrome (including two mother-child pairs) also have the 8q22.1 microdeletion that partially or fully overlaps the minimal critical region. Thus, the 8q22.1 microdeletion is necessary but not sufficient to cause the clinical features characteristic of Nablus syndrome. We discuss possible explanations for Nablus syndrome, including one-locus, two-locus, epigenetic, and environmental mechanisms. We performed exome sequencing for five individuals with Nablus syndrome. Although we failed to identify any deleterious rare coding variants in the critical region that were shared between individuals, we did identify one common SNP in an intronic region that was shared. Clearly, unraveling the genetic mechanism(s) of Nablus syndrome will require additional investigation, including genomic and RNA sequencing of a larger cohort of affected individuals. If successful, it will provide important insights into fundamental concepts such as variable expressivity, incomplete penetrance, and complex disease relevant to both Mendelian and non-Mendelian disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Smith
- Department of Genetics, CHEO, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Francesca Forzano
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Guy's Hospital, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust London, London, United Kingdom.,Division of Medical Genetics, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angela E Lin
- Genetics Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Annick Raas-Rothschild
- Institute of Rare Disease, Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Heather E Howley
- CHEO Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kym M Boycott
- Department of Genetics, CHEO, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,CHEO Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Moreau JLM, Kesteven S, Martin EMMA, Lau KS, Yam MX, O'Reilly VC, Del Monte-Nieto G, Baldini A, Feneley MP, Moon AM, Harvey RP, Sparrow DB, Chapman G, Dunwoodie SL. Gene-environment interaction impacts on heart development and embryo survival. Development 2019; 146:146/4/dev172957. [PMID: 30787001 DOI: 10.1242/dev.172957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect. In recent years, research has focussed on identifying the genetic causes of CHD. However, only a minority of CHD cases can be attributed to single gene mutations. In addition, studies have identified different environmental stressors that promote CHD, but the additive effect of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors is poorly understood. In this context, we have investigated the effects of short-term gestational hypoxia on mouse embryos genetically predisposed to heart defects. Exposure of mouse embryos heterozygous for Tbx1 or Fgfr1/Fgfr2 to hypoxia in utero increased the incidence and severity of heart defects while Nkx2-5+/- embryos died within 2 days of hypoxic exposure. We identified the molecular consequences of the interaction between Nkx2-5 and short-term gestational hypoxia, which suggest that reduced Nkx2-5 expression and a prolonged hypoxia-inducible factor 1α response together precipitate embryo death. Our study provides insight into the causes of embryo loss and variable penetrance of monogenic CHD, and raises the possibility that cases of foetal death and CHD in humans could be caused by similar gene-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie L M Moreau
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Scott Kesteven
- Cardiac Physiology and Transplantation Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Ella M M A Martin
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Kin S Lau
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Michelle X Yam
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Victoria C O'Reilly
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Gonzalo Del Monte-Nieto
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Antonio Baldini
- Dept. of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University Federico II, Naples, and Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michael P Feneley
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,Cardiac Physiology and Transplantation Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,Cardiology Department, St. Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Anne M Moon
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Weis Center for Research, Geisinger Clinic, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | - Richard P Harvey
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2033, Australia
| | - Duncan B Sparrow
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Gavin Chapman
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Sally L Dunwoodie
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales 2010, Australia .,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2010, Australia.,School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2033, Australia
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8
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Shi H, O'Reilly VC, Moreau JLM, Bewes TR, Yam MX, Chapman BE, Grieve SM, Stocker R, Graham RM, Chapman G, Sparrow DB, Dunwoodie SL. Gestational stress induces the unfolded protein response, resulting in heart defects. Development 2017; 143:2561-72. [PMID: 27436040 DOI: 10.1242/dev.136820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is an enigma. It is the most common human birth defect and yet, even with the application of modern genetic and genomic technologies, only a minority of cases can be explained genetically. This is because environmental stressors also cause CHD. Here we propose a plausible non-genetic mechanism for induction of CHD by environmental stressors. We show that exposure of mouse embryos to short-term gestational hypoxia induces the most common types of heart defect. This is mediated by the rapid induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR), which profoundly reduces FGF signaling in cardiac progenitor cells of the second heart field. Thus, UPR activation during human pregnancy might be a common cause of CHD. Our findings have far-reaching consequences because the UPR is activated by a myriad of environmental or pathophysiological conditions. Ultimately, our discovery could lead to preventative strategies to reduce the incidence of human CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjun Shi
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Victoria C O'Reilly
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Julie L M Moreau
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Therese R Bewes
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Michelle X Yam
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Bogdan E Chapman
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Stuart M Grieve
- School of Molecular Bioscience, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia Sydney Translational Imaging Laboratory, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia Department of Radiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales 2050, Australia
| | - Roland Stocker
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Robert M Graham
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Gavin Chapman
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Duncan B Sparrow
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia
| | - Sally L Dunwoodie
- The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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9
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Kenchegowda D, Natale B, Lemus MA, Natale DR, Fisher SA. Inactivation of maternal Hif-1α at mid-pregnancy causes placental defects and deficits in oxygen delivery to the fetal organs under hypoxic stress. Dev Biol 2016; 422:171-185. [PMID: 27940158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A critical transition occurs near mid-gestation of mammalian pregnancy. Prior to this transition, low concentrations of oxygen (hypoxia) signaling through Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) functions as a morphogen for the placenta and fetal organs. Subsequently, functional coupling of the placenta and fetal cardiovascular system for oxygen (O2) transport is required to support the continued growth and development of the fetus. Here we tested the hypothesis that Hif-1α is required in maternal cells for placental morphogenesis and function. We used Tamoxifen-inducible Cre-Lox to inactivate Hif-1α in maternal tissues at E8.5 (MATcKO), and used ODD-Luciferase as a reporter of hypoxia in placenta and fetal tissues. MATcKO of Hif-1α reduced the number of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells and Tpbpa-positve trophoblast cells in the maternal decidua at E13.5 -15.5. There were dynamic changes in all three layers of E13.5-15.5 MATcKO placenta. Of note was the under-development of the labyrinth at E15.5 associated with reduced Ki67 and increased TUNEL staining consistent with reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Labyrinth defects were particularly evident in placentas connected to effectively HIF-1α heterozygous null embryos. MATcKO had no effect on basal ODD-Luciferase activity in fetal organs (heart, liver, brain) at any stage, but at E13.5-15.5 resulted in enhanced induction of the ODD-Luciferase hypoxia reporter when the dam's inspired O2 was reduced to 8% for 4 hours. MATcKO also slowed the growth after E13.5 of fetuses that were effectively heterozygous for Hif-1α, with most being non-viable at E15.5. The hearts of these E15.5 fetuses were abnormal with reduction in size, thickened epicardium and mesenchymal septum. We conclude that maternal HIF-1α is required for placentation including recruitment of uNK and trophoblast cells into the maternal decidua and other trophoblast cell behaviors. The placental defects render the fetus vulnerable to O2 deprivation after mid-gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreswamy Kenchegowda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Bryony Natale
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Maria A Lemus
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - David R Natale
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Steven A Fisher
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Abstract
Hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) are α/β heterodimeric transcription factors that direct multiple cellular and systemic responses in response to changes in oxygen availability. The oxygen sensitive signal is generated by a series of iron and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases that catalyze post-translational hydroxylation of specific prolyl and asparaginyl residues in HIFα subunits and thereby promote their destruction and inactivation in the presence of oxygen. In hypoxia, these processes are suppressed allowing HIF to activate a massive transcriptional cascade. Elucidation of these pathways has opened several new fields of cardiovascular research. Here, we review the role of HIF hydroxylase pathways in cardiac development and in cardiovascular control. We also consider the current status, opportunities, and challenges of therapeutic modulation of HIF hydroxylases in the therapy of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammie Bishop
- From the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter J Ratcliffe
- From the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Wu N, Ming X, Xiao J, Wu Z, Chen X, Shinawi M, Shen Y, Yu G, Liu J, Xie H, Gucev ZS, Liu S, Yang N, Al-Kateb H, Chen J, Zhang J, Hauser N, Zhang T, Tasic V, Liu P, Su X, Pan X, Liu C, Wang L, Shen J, Shen J, Chen Y, Zhang T, Zhang J, Choy KW, Wang J, Wang Q, Li S, Zhou W, Guo J, Wang Y, Zhang C, Zhao H, An Y, Zhao Y, Wang J, Liu Z, Zuo Y, Tian Y, Weng X, Sutton VR, Wang H, Ming Y, Kulkarni S, Zhong TP, Giampietro PF, Dunwoodie SL, Cheung SW, Zhang X, Jin L, Lupski JR, Qiu G, Zhang F. TBX6 null variants and a common hypomorphic allele in congenital scoliosis. N Engl J Med 2015; 372:341-50. [PMID: 25564734 PMCID: PMC4326244 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1406829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital scoliosis is a common type of vertebral malformation. Genetic susceptibility has been implicated in congenital scoliosis. METHODS We evaluated 161 Han Chinese persons with sporadic congenital scoliosis, 166 Han Chinese controls, and 2 pedigrees, family members of which had a 16p11.2 deletion, using comparative genomic hybridization, quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction analysis, and DNA sequencing. We carried out tests of replication using an additional series of 76 Han Chinese persons with congenital scoliosis and a multicenter series of 42 persons with 16p11.2 deletions. RESULTS We identified a total of 17 heterozygous TBX6 null mutations in the 161 persons with sporadic congenital scoliosis (11%); we did not observe any null mutations in TBX6 in 166 controls (P<3.8×10(-6)). These null alleles include copy-number variants (12 instances of a 16p11.2 deletion affecting TBX6) and single-nucleotide variants (1 nonsense and 4 frame-shift mutations). However, the discordant intrafamilial phenotypes of 16p11.2 deletion carriers suggest that heterozygous TBX6 null mutation is insufficient to cause congenital scoliosis. We went on to identify a common TBX6 haplotype as the second risk allele in all 17 carriers of TBX6 null mutations (P<1.1×10(-6)). Replication studies involving additional persons with congenital scoliosis who carried a deletion affecting TBX6 confirmed this compound inheritance model. In vitro functional assays suggested that the risk haplotype is a hypomorphic allele. Hemivertebrae are characteristic of TBX6-associated congenital scoliosis. CONCLUSIONS Compound inheritance of a rare null mutation and a hypomorphic allele of TBX6 accounted for up to 11% of congenital scoliosis cases in the series that we analyzed. (Funded by the National Basic Research Program of China and others.).
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Affiliation(s)
- N Wu
- The authors' affiliations are listed in the Appendix
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