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Zhou H, Zhao C, Wang P, Yang W, Zhu H, Zhang S. Regulators involved in trophoblast syncytialization in the placenta of intrauterine growth restriction. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1107182. [PMID: 36798658 PMCID: PMC9927020 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1107182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental dysfunction refers to the insufficiency of placental perfusion and chronic hypoxia during early pregnancy, which impairs placental function and causes inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, affecting fetal development and health. Fetal intrauterine growth restriction, one of the most common outcomes of pregnancy-induced hypertensions, can be caused by placental dysfunction, resulting from deficient trophoblast syncytialization, inadequate trophoblast invasion and impaired vascular remodeling. During placental development, cytotrophoblasts fuse to form a multinucleated syncytia barrier, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to meet the metabolic demands for fetal growth. A reduction in the cell fusion index and the number of nuclei in the syncytiotrophoblast are found in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR, suggesting that the occurrence of IUGR may be related to inadequate trophoblast syncytialization. During the multiple processes of trophoblasts syncytialization, specific proteins and several signaling pathways are involved in coordinating these events and regulating placental function. In addition, epigenetic modifications, cell metabolism, senescence, and autophagy are also involved. Study findings have indicated several abnormally expressed syncytialization-related proteins and signaling pathways in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR, suggesting that these elements may play a crucial role in the occurrence of IUGR. In this review, we discuss the regulators of trophoblast syncytialization and their abnormal expression in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanjing Zhou
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenqiong Zhao
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peixin Wang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weijie Yang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Zhu
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Songying Zhang, ; Haiyan Zhu,
| | - Songying Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Songying Zhang, ; Haiyan Zhu,
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Beetch M, Alejandro EU. Placental mTOR Signaling and Sexual Dimorphism in Metabolic Health across the Lifespan of Offspring. CHILDREN 2021; 8:children8110970. [PMID: 34828683 PMCID: PMC8619510 DOI: 10.3390/children8110970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Robust evidence of fetal programming of adult disease has surfaced in the last several decades. Human and preclinical investigations of intrauterine insults report perturbations in placental nutrient sensing by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). This review focuses on pregnancy complications associated with placental mTOR regulation, such as fetal growth restriction (FGR), fetal overgrowth, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), maternal nutrient restriction (MNR), preeclampsia (PE), maternal smoking, and related effects on offspring birthweight. The link between mTOR-associated birthweight outcomes and offspring metabolic health trajectory with a focus on sexual dimorphism are discussed. Both human physiology and animal models are summarized to facilitate in depth understanding. GDM, PCOS and fetal overgrowth are associated with increased placental mTOR, whereas FGR, MNR and maternal smoking are linked to decreased placental mTOR activity. Generally, birth weight is reduced in complications with decreased mTOR (i.e., FGR, MNR, maternal smoking) and higher with increased mTOR (GDM, PCOS). Offspring display obesity or a higher body mass index in childhood and adulthood, impaired glucose and insulin tolerance in adulthood, and deficiencies in pancreatic beta-cell mass and function compared to offspring from uncomplicated pregnancies. Defining causal players in the fetal programming of offspring metabolic health across the lifespan will aid in stopping the vicious cycle of obesity and type II diabetes.
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Abstract
Almost 2 billion adults in the world are overweight, and more than half of them are classified as obese, while nearly one-third of children globally experience poor growth and development. Given the vast amount of knowledge that has been gleaned from decades of research on growth and development, a number of questions remain as to why the world is now in the midst of a global epidemic of obesity accompanied by the "double burden of malnutrition," where overweight coexists with underweight and micronutrient deficiencies. This challenge to the human condition can be attributed to nutritional and environmental exposures during pregnancy that may program a fetus to have a higher risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. To explore this concept, frequently called the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), this review considers a host of factors and physiological mechanisms that drive a fetus or child toward a higher risk of obesity, fatty liver disease, hypertension, and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D). To that end, this review explores the epidemiology of DOHaD with discussions focused on adaptations to human energetics, placental development, dysmetabolism, and key environmental exposures that act to promote chronic diseases in adulthood. These areas are complementary and additive in understanding how providing the best conditions for optimal growth can create the best possible conditions for lifelong health. Moreover, understanding both physiological as well as epigenetic and molecular mechanisms for DOHaD is vital to most fully address the global issues of obesity and other chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Hoffman
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Program in International Nutrition, and Center for Childhood Nutrition Research, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Division of Exposure Science and Epidemiology, Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Daniel B Hardy
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Division of Exposure Science and Epidemiology, Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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Zhang Y, Liang Y, Liu H, Huang Y, Li H, Chen B. Paeoniflorin attenuates gestational diabetes via Akt/mTOR pathway in a rat model. Food Nutr Res 2020; 64:4362. [PMID: 33240030 PMCID: PMC7672451 DOI: 10.29219/fnr.v64.4362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes associated with pregnancy and may impose risks on both mother and fetus. Akt paeoniflorin was shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemia properties and has a potential ability to suppress mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. The current study aimed to study the effect of paeoniflorin on GDM maternal, fetal, and placental characteristics in vivo. Methods Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced gestational diabetes rat model was used in our study. The expression levels of phosphorylation (p-) and total protein expression levels of protein kinase B (Akt), mTOR, serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1), and eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) in the placenta were determined by Western blot assay. The blood glucose, insulin, and leptin levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results We found that placental Akt/mTOR signaling was substantially upregulated in GDM patients compared with healthy donors. Paeoniflorin administration alleviates the dysregulation of blood glucose, leptin, and insulin levels in both maternal and fetal GDM rats. Paeoniflorin treatment suppressed the overactivation of Akt/mTOR signaling in placental tissues. More importantly, administration of paeoniflorin was beneficial for normalization of fetal size and body weight in the GDM rats. Conclusion Our study suggested that application of paeoniflorin may serve as a potential therapeutical strategy for patients with GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghua Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heze Municipal Hospital of Shandong Province, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Yulin Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heze Municipal Hospital of Shandong Province, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Huiqiao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heze Municipal Hospital of Shandong Province, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heze Municipal Hospital of Shandong Province, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Hongmei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heze Municipal Hospital of Shandong Province, Heze, Shandong, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Heze Municipal Hospital of Shandong Province, Heze, Shandong, China
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Dong J, Shin N, Chen S, Lei J, Burd I, Wang X. Is there a definite relationship between placental mTOR signaling and fetal growth? Biol Reprod 2020; 103:471-486. [PMID: 32401303 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction and overgrowth are common obstetrical complications that result in adverse perinatal outcomes and long-term health risks later in life, including neurodevelopmental dysfunction and adult metabolic syndrome. The placenta plays a critical role in the nutrition transfer from mother to fetus and even exerts adaptive mechanism when the fetus is under poor developmental conditions. The mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling serves as a critical hub of cell growth, survival, and metabolism in response to nutrients, growth factors, energy, and stress signals. Placental mTOR signaling regulates placental function, including oxygen and nutrient transport. Therefore, placental mTOR signaling is hypothesized to have a positive relationship with fetal growth. In this review, we summarize that most studies support the current evidence that there is connection between placental mTOR signaling and abnormal fetal growth; however, but more studies should be performed following a vigorous and unanimous method for assessment to determine placental mTOR activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Dong
- Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Na Shin
- Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shuqiang Chen
- Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Jun Lei
- Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Irina Burd
- Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China
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Roberti SL, Higa R, White V, Powell TL, Jansson T, Jawerbaum A. Critical role of mTOR, PPARγ and PPARδ signaling in regulating early pregnancy decidual function, embryo viability and feto-placental growth. Mol Hum Reprod 2019. [PMID: 29538677 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gay013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the consequences of inhibiting mTOR, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and PPARδ pathways in the early post-implantation period on decidual function, embryo viability and feto-placental growth in the rat? SUMMARY ANSWER mTOR inhibition from Days 7 to 9 of pregnancy in rats caused decidual PPARγ and PPARδ upregulation on Day 9 of pregnancy and resulted in embryo resorption by Day 14 of pregnancy. PPARγ and PPARδ inhibition differentially affected decidual mTOR signaling and levels of target proteins relevant to lipid histotrophic nutrition and led to reduced feto-placental weights on Day 14 of pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Although mTOR, PPARγ and PPARδ are nutrient sensors important during implantation, the role of these signaling pathways in decidual function and how they interact in the early post-implantation period are unknown. Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), two adipogenic proteins involved in lipid histotrophic nutrition, are targets of mTOR and PPAR signaling pathways in a variety of tissues. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor, 0.75 mg/kg, sc), T0070907 (PPARγ inhibitor, 0.001 mg/kg, sc), GSK0660 (PPARδ inhibitor, 0.1 mg/kg, sc) or vehicle was injected daily to pregnant rats from Days 7 to 9 of pregnancy and the studies were performed on Day 9 of pregnancy (n = 7 per group) or Day 14 of pregnancy (n = 7 per group). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS On Day 9 of pregnancy, rat decidua were collected and prepared for western blot and immunohistochemical studies. On Day 14 of pregnancy, the resorption rate, number of viable fetuses, crown-rump length and placental and decidual weights were determined. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Inhibition of mTOR in the early post-implantation period led to a reduction in FABP4 protein levels, an increase in PLIN2 levels and an upregulation of PPARγ and PPARδ in 9-day-pregnant rat decidua. Most embryos were viable on Day 9 of pregnancy but had resorbed by Day 14 of pregnancy. This denotes a key function of mTOR in the post-implantation period and suggests that activation of PPAR signaling was insufficient to compensate for impaired nutritional/survival signaling induced by mTOR inhibition. Inhibition of PPARγ signaling resulted in decreased decidual PLIN2 and FABP4 protein expression as well as in inhibition of decidual mTOR signaling in Day 9 of pregnancy. This treatment also reduced feto-placental growth on Day 14 of pregnancy, revealing the relevance of PPARγ signaling in sustaining post-implantation growth. Moreover, following inhibition of PPARδ, PLIN2 levels were decreased and mTOR complex 1 and 2 signaling was altered in decidua on Day 9 of pregnancy. On Day 14 of pregnancy, PPARδ inhibition caused reduced feto-placental weight, increased decidual weight and increased resorption rate, suggesting a key role of PPARδ in sustaining post-implantation development. LARGE SCALE DATA Not applicable. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This is an in vivo animal study and the relevance of the results for humans remains to be established. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The early post-implantation period is a critical window of development and changes in the intrauterine environment may cause embryo resorption and lead to placental and fetal growth restriction. mTOR, PPARγ and PPARδ signaling are decidual nutrient sensors with extensive cross-talk that regulates adipogenic proteins involved in histotrophic nutrition and important for embryo viability and early placental and fetal development and growth. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding was provided by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica de Argentina (PICT 2014-411 and PICT 2015-0130), and by the International Cooperation (Grants CONICET-NIH-2014 and CONICET-NIH-2017) to A.J. and T.J. The authors have no conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina L Roberti
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Laboratory of Reproduction and Metabolism, CEFYBO, 1121 CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Romina Higa
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Laboratory of Reproduction and Metabolism, CEFYBO, 1121 CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verónica White
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Laboratory of Reproduction and Metabolism, CEFYBO, 1121 CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.,Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Alicia Jawerbaum
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Paraguay 2155, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Laboratory of Reproduction and Metabolism, CEFYBO, 1121 CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Mangwiro YTM, Cuffe JSM, Mahizir D, Anevska K, Gravina S, Romano T, Moritz KM, Briffa JF, Wlodek ME. Exercise initiated during pregnancy in rats born growth restricted alters placental mTOR and nutrient transporter expression. J Physiol 2019; 597:1905-1918. [PMID: 30734290 DOI: 10.1113/jp277227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Fetal growth is dependent on effective placental nutrient transportation, which is regulated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 modulation of nutrient transporter expression. These transporters are dysregulated in pregnancies affected by uteroplacental insufficiency and maternal obesity. Nutrient transporters and mTOR were altered in placentae of mothers born growth restricted compared to normal birth weight dams, with maternal diet- and fetal sex-specific responses. Exercise initiated during pregnancy downregulated mTOR protein expression, despite an increase in mTOR activation in male associated placentae, and reduced nutrient transporter gene abundance, which was also dependent on maternal diet and fetal sex. Limited changes were characterized with exercise initiated before and continued throughout pregnancy in nutrient transporter and mTOR expression. Maternal exercise during pregnancy differentially regulated mTOR and nutrient transporters in a diet- and sex-specific manner, which likely aimed to improve late gestational placental growth and neonatal survival. ABSTRACT Adequate transplacental nutrient delivery is essential for fetoplacental development. Intrauterine growth restriction and maternal obesity independently alter placental nutrient transporter expression. Although exercise is beneficial for maternal health, limited studies have characterized how the timing of exercise initiation influences placental nutrient transport. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of maternal exercise on placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and nutrient transporter expression in growth restricted mothers and whether these outcomes were dependent on maternal diet or fetal sex. Uteroplacental insufficiency or sham surgery was induced on embryonic day (E) 18 in Wistar-Kyoto rats. F1 offspring were fed a chow or high-fat diet from weaning and at 16 weeks were randomly allocated to an exercise protocol: sedentary, exercised prior to and during pregnancy, or exercised during pregnancy only. Females were mated with normal males (20 weeks) and F2 placentae collected at E20. Exercise during pregnancy only, reduced mTOR protein expression in all groups and increased mTOR activation in male associated placentae. Exercise during pregnancy only, decreased the expression of amino acid transporters in a diet- and sex-specific manner. Maternal growth restriction altered mTOR and system A amino acid transporter expression in a sex- and diet-specific manner. These data highlight that maternal exercise initiated during pregnancy alters placental mTOR expression, which may directly regulate amino acid transporter expression, to a greater extent than exercise initiated prior to and continued during pregnancy, in a diet- and fetal sex-dependent manner. These findings highlight that the timing of exercise initiation is important for optimal placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeukai T M Mangwiro
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.,Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - James S M Cuffe
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Dayana Mahizir
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Kristina Anevska
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.,Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Sogand Gravina
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Tania Romano
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Karen M Moritz
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.,Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
| | - Jessica F Briffa
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Mary E Wlodek
- Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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Hung TH, Hsieh TT, Wu CP, Li MJ, Yeh YL, Chen SF. Mammalian target of rapamycin signaling is a mechanistic link between increased endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by growth restriction. Placenta 2017; 60:9-20. [PMID: 29208245 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy have been noted in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR); however, the cause of these phenomena remains unclear. We surmised that oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) may increase ER stress and autophagy and that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is involved in regulating placental ER stress and autophagy in pregnancies complicated by IUGR. METHODS We obtained placentas from women with normal term pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by IUGR to compare ER stress, mTOR signaling, and levels of autophagy-related proteins between the two groups and used primary cytotrophoblast cells treated with or without salubrinal (an ER stress inhibitor), MHY1485 (an mTOR activator), or rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor) to investigate the effects of OGD on ER stress, mTOR activity, and autophagy levels in vitro. RESULTS Women with pregnancies complicated by IUGR displayed higher placental ER stress and autophagy levels but lower mTOR activity than women with normal pregnancies. Furthermore, OGD increased ER stress, regulated in development and DNA damage responses-1 (REDD1), phosphorylated tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2), and autophagy levels and decreased mTOR activity compared to the standard culture condition; however, the salubrinal treatment attenuated these changes. Moreover, the administration of MHY1485 or rapamycin to OGD-treated cells decreased or increased autophagy levels, respectively. DISCUSSION Based on our results, mTOR is a mechanistic link between OGD-induced ER stress and autophagy in cytotrophoblast cells; thus, mTOR plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of pregnancies complicated by IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tai-Ho Hung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - T'sang-T'ang Hsieh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Pu Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Jen Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lin Yeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Fu Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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