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Diniz MS, Hiden U, Falcão-Pires I, Oliveira PJ, Sobrevia L, Pereira SP. Fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus and maternal obesity: A potential threat for programming cardiovascular disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166834. [PMID: 37541330 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maternal obesity (MO) increase the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease later in life. Extensive research has been conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which GDM and MO program the offspring to disease. This review focuses on the role of fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in programming the offspring for cardiovascular disease in GDM and MO pregnancies. We discuss how pre-existing maternal health conditions can lead to vascular dysfunction in the fetoplacental unit and the fetus. We also examine the role of fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in impairing fetal cardiovascular system development and the involvement of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in mediating fetoplacental vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, we suggest that the L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide and the Adenosine-L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide (ALANO) signaling pathways are pertinent targets for research. Despite significant progress in this area, there are still knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S Diniz
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile.
| | - Ursula Hiden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8063 Graz, Austria; Research Unit Early Life Determinants (ELiD), Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Inês Falcão-Pires
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo J Oliveira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luis Sobrevia
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Department of Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville E-41012, Spain; Medical School (Faculty of Medicine), São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil; University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia; Tecnologico de Monterrey, Eutra, The Institute for Obesity Research (IOR), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.
| | - Susana P Pereira
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB - Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LaMetEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
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Spinetti G, Mutoli M, Greco S, Riccio F, Ben-Aicha S, Kenneweg F, Jusic A, de Gonzalo-Calvo D, Nossent AY, Novella S, Kararigas G, Thum T, Emanueli C, Devaux Y, Martelli F. Cardiovascular complications of diabetes: role of non-coding RNAs in the crosstalk between immune and cardiovascular systems. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2023; 22:122. [PMID: 37226245 PMCID: PMC10206598 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-023-01842-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus, a group of metabolic disorders characterized by high levels of blood glucose caused by insulin defect or impairment, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and related mortality. Patients with diabetes experience a state of chronic or intermittent hyperglycemia resulting in damage to the vasculature, leading to micro- and macro-vascular diseases. These conditions are associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis. Several classes of leukocytes have been implicated in diabetic cardiovascular impairment. Although the molecular pathways through which diabetes elicits an inflammatory response have attracted significant attention, how they contribute to altering cardiovascular homeostasis is still incompletely understood. In this respect, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a still largely under-investigated class of transcripts that may play a fundamental role. This review article gathers the current knowledge on the function of ncRNAs in the crosstalk between immune and cardiovascular cells in the context of diabetic complications, highlighting the influence of biological sex in such mechanisms and exploring the potential role of ncRNAs as biomarkers and targets for treatments. The discussion closes by offering an overview of the ncRNAs involved in the increased cardiovascular risk suffered by patients with diabetes facing Sars-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Spinetti
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy.
| | - Martina Mutoli
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Greco
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Riccio
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Soumaya Ben-Aicha
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Franziska Kenneweg
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - David de Gonzalo-Calvo
- Translational Research in Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Arnau de Vilanova and Santa Maria, IRBLleida, Lleida, Spain
- CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Anne Yaël Nossent
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Susana Novella
- Department of Physiology, University of Valencia - INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Georgios Kararigas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Thomas Thum
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Costanza Emanueli
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Yvan Devaux
- Cardiovascular Research Unit, Department of Precision Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - Fabio Martelli
- Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy.
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Hooks SK, Abiodun-Ojo O, Noah AI, Hill AV, Perez-Patron MJ, Menon R, Taylor BD. Evaluating the Impact of Fetal Sex on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Following Interaction with Maternal Characteristics. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:1359-1365. [PMID: 36241953 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fetal-sex-specific changes to placental immunity and metabolism occur in response to obesity. Few studies have determined if fetal sex interacts with maternal characteristics to alter risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Among 43,727 singleton pregnancies, we examined the association between male fetal sex and GDM using log-binomial logistic regression to calculate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Interactions were examined between fetal sex and maternal characteristics on the risk of GDM by calculating relative excess risk due to interaction. After adjusting for body mass index, race/ethnicity, maternal age, education, and gravidity, male fetal sex was not associated with GDM (RRadj. 0.95, 95% CI 0.93, 1.04). We found a positive interaction between male fetal sex and obesity (p = 0.04). Nonobese women with male fetuses were less likely to develop GDM, but in the presence of obesity, an opposite trend was observed. There was a positive interaction between male fetal sex and GDM on the risk of preterm delivery < 37-weeks gestation (p = 0.0006). In response to underlying maternal obesity, fetal sex may modify the risk of GDM. In addition, male fetal sex may increase the occurrence of preterm birth among women with GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kaitlyn Hooks
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Olayinka Abiodun-Ojo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Akaninyene I Noah
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ashley V Hill
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Maria J Perez-Patron
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Brandie DePaoli Taylor
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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The Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitor Empagliflozin Reverses Hyperglycemia-Induced Monocyte and Endothelial Dysfunction Primarily through Glucose Transport-Independent but Redox-Dependent Mechanisms. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041356. [PMID: 36835891 PMCID: PMC9962711 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to vascular cell dysfunction and subsequent cardiovascular events in T2DM. Selective sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor empagliflozin significantly improves cardiovascular mortality in T2DM patients (EMPA-REG trial). Since SGLT-2 is known to be expressed on cells other than the kidney cells, we investigated the potential ability of empagliflozin to regulate glucose transport and alleviate hyperglycaemia-induced dysfunction of these cells. METHODS Primary human monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood of T2DM patients and healthy individuals. Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and primary human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), and fetoplacental endothelial cells (HPECs) were used as the EC model cells. Cells were exposed to hyperglycaemic conditions in vitro in 40 ng/mL or 100 ng/mL empagliflozin. The expression levels of the relevant molecules were analysed by RT-qPCR and confirmed by FACS. Glucose uptake assays were carried out with a fluorescent derivative of glucose, 2-NBDG. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was measured using the H2DFFDA method. Monocyte and endothelial cell chemotaxis were measured using modified Boyden chamber assays. RESULTS Both primary human monocytes and endothelial cells express SGLT-2. Hyperglycaemic conditions did not significantly alter the SGLT-2 levels in monocytes and ECs in vitro or in T2DM conditions. Glucose uptake assays carried out in the presence of GLUT inhibitors revealed that SGLT-2 inhibition very mildly, but not significantly, suppressed glucose uptake by monocytes and endothelial cells. However, we detected the significant suppression of hyperglycaemia-induced ROS accumulation in monocytes and ECs when empagliflozin was used to inhibit SGLT-2 function. Hyperglycaemic monocytes and endothelial cells readily exhibited impaired chemotaxis behaviour. The co-treatment with empagliflozin reversed the PlGF-1 resistance phenotype of hyperglycaemic monocytes. Similarly, the blunted VEGF-A responses of hyperglycaemic ECs were also restored by empagliflozin, which could be attributed to the restoration of the VEGFR-2 receptor levels on the EC surface. The induction of oxidative stress completely recapitulated most of the aberrant phenotypes exhibited by hyperglycaemic monocytes and endothelial cells, and a general antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) was able to mimic the effects of empagliflozin. CONCLUSIONS This study provides data indicating the beneficial role of empagliflozin in reversing hyperglycaemia-induced vascular cell dysfunction. Even though both monocytes and endothelial cells express functional SGLT-2, SGLT-2 is not the primary glucose transporter in these cells. Therefore, it seems likely that empagliflozin does not directly prevent hyperglycaemia-mediated enhanced glucotoxicity in these cells by inhibiting glucose uptake. We identified the reduction of oxidative stress by empagliflozin as a primary reason for the improved function of monocytes and endothelial cells in hyperglycaemic conditions. In conclusion, empagliflozin reverses vascular cell dysfunction independent of glucose transport but could partially contribute to its beneficial cardiovascular effects.
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Filardi T, Catanzaro G, Grieco GE, Splendiani E, Trocchianesi S, Santangelo C, Brunelli R, Guarino E, Sebastiani G, Dotta F, Morano S, Ferretti E. Identification and Validation of miR-222-3p and miR-409-3p as Plasma Biomarkers in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Sharing Validated Target Genes Involved in Metabolic Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084276. [PMID: 35457094 PMCID: PMC9028517 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) causes both maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. The deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in GDM suggests their involvement in GDM pathogenesis and complications. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) of endosomal origin, released via exocytosis into the extracellular compartment. Through EVs, miRNAs are delivered in distant target cells and are able to affect gene expression. In this study, miRNA expression was analyzed to find new miRNAs that could improve GDM classification and molecular characterization. MiRNA were profiled in total plasma and EVs in GDM patients and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) women. Samples were collected at third trimester of gestation from two diabetes centers. MiRNA expression was profiled in a discovery cohort using the multiplexed NanoString nCounter Human v3 miRNA. Validation analysis was performed in a second independent cohort using RT-qPCR. A set of miRNAs resulted to be differentially expressed (DE) in total plasma and EVs in GDM. Among them, total plasma miR-222-3p and miR-409-3p were validated in the independent cohort. MiR-222-3p levels correlated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (p < 0.001) and birth weight (p = 0.012), whereas miR-409-3p expression correlated with FPG (p < 0.001) and inversely with gestational age (p = 0.001). The major validated target genes of the deregulated miRNAs were consistently linked to type 2 diabetes and GDM pathophysiology. MiR-222-3p and miR-409-3p are two circulating biomarkers that could improve GDM classification power and act in the context of the molecular events leading to the metabolic alterations observed in GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Filardi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (T.F.); (S.M.); (E.F.)
| | - Giuseppina Catanzaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (T.F.); (S.M.); (E.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giuseppina Emanuela Grieco
- Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.E.G.); (G.S.); (F.D.)
- Fondazione Umberto di Mario, Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Splendiani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, “Sapienza” University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Sofia Trocchianesi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, “Sapienza” University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (E.S.); (S.T.)
| | - Carmela Santangelo
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Gender Specific Prevention and Health Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Roberto Brunelli
- Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, “Sapienza” University, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Elisa Guarino
- UOC Diabetologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Guido Sebastiani
- Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.E.G.); (G.S.); (F.D.)
- Fondazione Umberto di Mario, Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesco Dotta
- Diabetes Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.E.G.); (G.S.); (F.D.)
- Fondazione Umberto di Mario, Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy
- UOC Diabetologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Tuscany Centre for Precision Medicine (CReMeP), 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Susanna Morano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (T.F.); (S.M.); (E.F.)
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University, 00161 Rome, Italy; (T.F.); (S.M.); (E.F.)
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Zuccarello D, Sorrentino U, Brasson V, Marin L, Piccolo C, Capalbo A, Andrisani A, Cassina M. Epigenetics of pregnancy: looking beyond the DNA code. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:801-816. [PMID: 35301622 PMCID: PMC9050975 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is the branch of genetics that studies the different mechanisms that influence gene expression without direct modification of the DNA sequence. An ever-increasing amount of evidence suggests that such regulatory processes may play a pivotal role both in the initiation of pregnancy and in the later processes of embryonic and fetal development, thus determining long-term effects even in adult life. In this narrative review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of epigenetics in pregnancy, from its most studied and well-known mechanisms to the new frontiers of epigenetic regulation, such as the role of ncRNAs and the effects of the gestational environment on fetal brain development. Epigenetic mechanisms in pregnancy are a dynamic phenomenon that responds both to maternal-fetal and environmental factors, which can influence and modify the embryo-fetal development during the various gestational phases. Therefore, we also recapitulate the effects of the most notable environmental factors that can affect pregnancy and prenatal development, such as maternal nutrition, stress hormones, microbiome, and teratogens, focusing on their ability to cause epigenetic modifications in the gestational environment and ultimately in the fetus. Despite the promising advancements in the knowledge of epigenetics in pregnancy, more experience and data on this topic are still needed. A better understanding of epigenetic regulation in pregnancy could in fact prove valuable towards a better management of both physiological pregnancies and assisted reproduction treatments, other than allowing to better comprehend the origin of multifactorial pathological conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Zuccarello
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Ugo Sorrentino
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Valeria Brasson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Loris Marin
- Gynaecological Clinic, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Piccolo
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Andrisani
- Gynaecological Clinic, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassina
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
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Sørensen AE, van Poppel MNM, Desoye G, Simmons D, Damm P, Jensen DM, Dalgaard LT. The Temporal Profile of Circulating miRNAs during Gestation in Overweight and Obese Women with or without Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020482. [PMID: 35203692 PMCID: PMC8962411 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Circulating non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) are important for placentation, but their expression profiles across gestation in pregnancies, which are complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), have not been fully established. Investigating a single time point is insufficient, as pregnancy is dynamic, involving several processes, including placenta development, trophoblast proliferation and differentiation and oxygen sensing. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the temporal expression of serum miRNAs in pregnant women with and without GDM. This is a nested case-control study of longitudinal data obtained from a multicentric European study (the ‘DALI’ study). All women (n = 82) were overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 29 kg/m2) and were normal glucose tolerant (NGT) at baseline (before 20 weeks of gestation). We selected women (n = 41) who were diagnosed with GDM at 24–28 weeks, according to the IADPSG/WHO2013 criteria. They were matched with 41 women who remained NGT in their pregnancy. miRNA (miR-16-5p, -29a-3p, -103-3p, -134-5p, -122-5p, -223-3p, -330-3p and miR-433-3p) were selected based on their suggested importance for placentation, and measurements were performed at baseline and at 24–28 and 35–37 weeks of gestation. Women with GDM presented with overall miRNA levels above those observed for women remaining NGT. In both groups, levels of miR-29a-3p and miR-134-5p increased consistently with progressing gestation. The change over time only differed for miR-29a-3p when comparing women with GDM with those remaining NGT (p = 0.044). Our findings indicate that among overweight/obese women who later develop GDM, miRNA levels are already elevated early in pregnancy and remain above those of women who remain NGT during their pregnancy. Maternal circulating miRNAs may provide further insight into placentation and the cross talk between the maternal and fetal compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Elaine Sørensen
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-4674-3994
| | - Mireille N. M. van Poppel
- Faculty of Environmental and Regional Sciences and Education, Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
- Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Department of Obstetrics, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - David Simmons
- Macarthur Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSE 2560, Australia;
| | - Peter Damm
- Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Department of Obstetrics, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dorte Møller Jensen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark;
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Odense, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Louise Torp Dalgaard
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark;
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Weiss E, Leopold-Posch B, Schrüfer A, Cvitic S, Hiden U. Fetal sex and maternal fasting glucose affect neonatal cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:1590-1597. [PMID: 35184136 PMCID: PMC9771817 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-01966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in pregnancy, i.e., obesity and hyperglycemia, transmit to the fetus and affect placental and fetal endothelial function. Moreover, a sex dimorphism in endothelial function and susceptibility towards CVRF exists already in utero. Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC) are circulating endothelial progenitors highly present in neonatal cord blood and sensitive to CVRF. This study investigated whether fetal sex or subtle maternal metabolic changes within healthy range alter fetal ECFC outgrowth. METHODS Outgrowth of ECFC from cord blood of male (n = 31) and female (n = 26) neonates was analyzed after healthy pregnancies and related to fetal sex and maternal metabolic parameters. RESULTS Male ECFC grew out earlier (-20.57% days; p = 0.031) than female. Although all women were non-diabetic, higher levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) at midpregnancy increased the time required for colony outgrowth (OR: 1.019; p = 0.030), which, after stratifying for fetal sex, was significant only in the males. Gestational weight gain and BMI did not affect outgrowth. Colony number was unchanged by all parameters. CONCLUSIONS Fetal sex and maternal FPG within normal range alter ECFC function in utero. A role of ECFC in postnatal angiogenesis and vasculogenesis has been suggested, which may be affected by altered outgrowth dynamics. IMPACT This study is the first to report that a sexual dimorphism exists in ECFC function, as cells of female progeny require a longer period of time until colony outgrowth than ECFC of male progeny. Our data show that ECFC function is highly sensitive and affected by maternal glucose levels even in a normal, non-diabetic range. Our data raise the question of whether maternal plasma glucose in pregnancy should be considered to play a critical role even in the non-diabetic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Weiss
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Perinatal Research Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Barbara Leopold-Posch
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Perinatal Research Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Anna Schrüfer
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Perinatal Research Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Silvija Cvitic
- grid.11598.340000 0000 8988 2476Research Unit of Analytical Mass Spectrometry, Cell Biology and Biochemistry of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ursula Hiden
- Perinatal Research Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
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Transient Hyperglycemia and Hypoxia Induce Memory Effects in AngiomiR Expression Profiles of Feto-Placental Endothelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413378. [PMID: 34948175 PMCID: PMC8705946 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) are associated with fetal hyperglycemia, fetal hypoxia, or both. These adverse conditions may compromise fetal and placental endothelial cells. In fact, GDM and PE affect feto-placental endothelial function and also program endothelial function and cardiovascular disease risk of the offspring in the long-term. MicroRNAs are short, non-coding RNAs that regulate protein translation and fine tune biological processes. A group of microRNAs termed angiomiRs is particularly involved in the regulation of endothelial function. We hypothesized that transient hyperglycemia and hypoxia may alter angiomiR expression in feto-placental endothelial cells (fpEC). Thus, we isolated primary fpEC after normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, and induced hyperglycemia (25 mM) and hypoxia (6.5%) for 72 h, followed by reversal to normal conditions for another 72 h. Current vs. transient effects on angiomiR profiles were analyzed by RT-qPCR and subjected to miRNA pathway analyses using DIANA miRPath, MIENTURNET and miRPathDB. Both current and transient hypoxia affected angiomiR profile stronger than current and transient hyperglycemia. Both stimuli altered more angiomiRs transiently, i.e., followed by 72 h culture at control conditions. Pathway analysis revealed that hypoxia significantly altered the pathway ‘Proteoglycans in cancer’. Transient hypoxia specifically affected miRNAs related to ‘adherens junction’. Our data reveal that hyperglycemia and hypoxia induce memory effects on angiomiR expression in fpEC. Such memory effects may contribute to long-term adaption and maladaption to hyperglycemia and hypoxia.
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10
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Christians JK. The Placenta's Role in Sexually Dimorphic Fetal Growth Strategies. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:1895-1907. [PMID: 34699045 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00780-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Fetal sex affects the risk of pregnancy complications and the long-term effects of prenatal environment on health. Some have hypothesized that growth strategies differ between the sexes, whereby males prioritize growth whereas females are more responsive to their environment. This review evaluates the role of the placenta in such strategies, focusing on (1) mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism in gene expression, (2) the nature and extent of sexual dimorphism in placental gene expression, (3) sexually dimorphic responses to nutrient supply, and (4) sexual dimorphism in morphology and histopathology. The sex chromosomes contribute to sex differences in placental gene expression, and fetal hormones may play a role later in development. Sexually dimorphic placental gene expression may contribute to differences in the prevalence of complications such as preeclampsia, although this link is not clear. Placental responses to nutrient supply frequently show sexual dimorphism, but there is no consistent pattern where one sex is more responsive. There are sex differences in the prevalence of placental histopathologies, and placental changes in pregnancy complications, but also many similarities. Overall, no clear patterns support the hypothesis that females are more responsive to the maternal environment, or that males prioritize growth. While male fetuses are at greater risk of a variety of complications, total prenatal mortality is higher in females, such that males exposed to early insults may be more likely to survive and be observed in studies of adverse outcomes. Going forward, robust statistical approaches to test for sex-dependent effects must be more widely adopted to reduce the incidence of spurious results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian K Christians
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada. .,Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. .,British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,Women's Health Research Institute, BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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11
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Yu P, Chen Y, Ge C, Wang H. Sexual dimorphism in placental development and its contribution to health and diseases. Crit Rev Toxicol 2021; 51:555-570. [PMID: 34666604 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2021.1977237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
According to the Developmental Origin of Health and Disease (DOHaD), intrauterine exposure to adverse environments can affect fetus and birth outcomes and lead to long-term disease susceptibility. Evidence has shown that neonatal outcomes and the timing and severity of adult diseases are sexually dimorphic. As the link between mother and fetus, the placenta is an essential regulator of fetal development programming. It is found that the physiological development trajectory of the placenta has sexual dimorphism. Furthermore, under pathological conditions, the placental function undergoes sex-specific adaptation to ensure fetal survival. Therefore, the placenta may be an important mediator of sexual dimorphism in neonatal outcomes and adult disease susceptibility. Few systematic reviews have been conducted on sexual dimorphism in placental development and its underlying mechanisms. In this review, sex chromosomes and sex hormones, as the main reasons for sexual differentiation of the placenta, will be discussed. Besides, in the etiology of fetal-originated adult diseases, overexposure to glucocorticoids is closely related to adverse neonatal outcomes and long-term disease susceptibility. Studies have found that prenatal glucocorticoid overexposure leads to sexually dimorphic expression of placental glucocorticoid receptor isoforms, resulting in different sensitivity of the placenta to glucocorticoids, and may further affect fetal development. The present review examines what is currently known about sex differences in placental development and the underlying regulatory mechanisms of this sex bias. This review highlights the importance of placental contributions to the origins of sexual dimorphism in health and diseases. It may help develop personalized diagnosis and treatment strategies for fetal development in pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yawen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Caiyun Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, China
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12
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Significance of Sex Differences in ncRNAs Expression and Function in Pregnancy and Related Complications. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111509. [PMID: 34829737 PMCID: PMC8614665 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the era of personalized medicine, fetal sex-specific research is of utmost importance for comprehending the mechanisms governing pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications. In recent times, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have gained increasing attention as critical players in gene regulation and disease pathogenesis, and as candidate biomarkers in human diseases as well. Different types of ncRNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), participate in every step of pregnancy progression, although studies taking into consideration fetal sex as a central variable are still limited. To date, most of the available data have been obtained investigating sex-specific placental miRNA expression. Several studies revealed that miRNAs regulate the (patho)-physiological processes in a sexually dimorphic manner, ensuring normal fetal development, successful pregnancy, and susceptibility to diseases. Moreover, the observation that ncRNA profiles differ according to cells, tissues, and developmental stages of pregnancy, along with the complex interactions among different types of ncRNAs in regulating gene expression, strongly indicates that more studies are needed to understand the role of sex-specific ncRNA in pregnancy and associated disorders.
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13
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Ontsouka E, Lüthi M, Zaugg J, Schroeder M, Albrecht C. Establishment and validation of an approach allowing unequivocal fetal sex determination based on placental sex-specific genes. Placenta 2021; 112:132-134. [PMID: 34339973 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The use of human placenta as a matrix for the prediction of the baby's sex has been recently documented, but evaluation methods for placental sex-determining genes allowing reliable sex prediction are still lacking. We compared the accuracy of the retrospective prediction of the baby's sex using placental mRNA expression of RPS4Y1, DDX3Y, and XIST analyzed by an already reported method and a newly developed evaluation approach. Full concordance between the predicted and the actual baby sex was only obtained when analyzing placental RPS4Y1 expression with the newly proposed method, which was found to be robust and reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Ontsouka
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Michael Lüthi
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Zaugg
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mariana Schroeder
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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14
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He L, Wang X, Jin Y, Xu W, Guan Y, Wu J, Han S, Liu G. Identification and validation of the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network in fetoplacental arterial endothelial cells of gestational diabetes mellitus. Bioengineered 2021; 12:3503-3515. [PMID: 34233591 PMCID: PMC8806558 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1950279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of fetal heart malformations, though little is known about the mechanism of hyperglycemia-induced heart malformations. Thus, we aimed to reveal the global landscape of miRNAs and mRNAs in GDM-exposed fetoplacental arterial endothelial cells (dAECs) and establish regulatory networks for exploring the pathophysiological mechanism of fetal heart malformations in maternal hyperglycemia. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used, and identification of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and genes (DEGs) in GDM was based on a previous sequencing analysis of dAECs. A miRNA-mRNA network containing 20 DEMs and 65 DEGs was established using DEMs altered in opposite directions to DEGs. In an in vivo study, we established a streptozotocin-induced pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) mouse model and found the fetal cardiac wall thickness in different regions to be dramatically increased in the PGDM grouValidation of DEMs and DEGs in the fetal heart showed significantly upregulated expression of let-7e-5p, miR-139-5p and miR-195-5p and downregulated expression of SGOL1, RRM2, RGS5, CDK1 and CENPA. In summary, we reveal the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network related to fetal cardiac development disorders in offspring, which may shed light on the potential molecular mechanisms of fetal cardiac development disorders during maternal hyperglycemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longkai He
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaotong Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ya Jin
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Weipeng Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Guan
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingchao Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shasha Han
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guosheng Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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15
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Allegra A, Giarratana RM, Scola L, Balistreri CR. The close link between the fetal programming imprinting and neurodegeneration in adulthood: The key role of "hemogenic endothelium" programming. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 195:111461. [PMID: 33600833 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The research on neurodegenerative diseases (NeuroDegD) has been traditionally focused on later life stages. There is now an increasing evidence, that they may be programmed during early development. Here, we propose that NeuroDegD are the result of the complex process of imprinting on fetal hemogenic endothelium, from which the microglial cells make to origin. The central role of placenta and epigenetic mechanisms (methylation of DNA, histone modifications and regulation by non-coding RNAs) in mediating the short and long-term effects has been also described. Precisely, it reports their role in impacting plasticity and memory of microglial cells. In addition, we also underline the necessity of further studies for clearing all mechanisms involved and developing epigenetic methods for identifying potential targets as biomarkers, and for developing preventive measures. Such biomarkers might be used to identify individuals at risk to NeuroDegD. Finally, the sex dependence of fetal programming process has been discussed. It might justify the sex differences in the epidemiologic, imaging, biomarkers, and pathology studies of these pathologies. The discovery of related mechanisms might have important clinical implications in both the etiology of disorders and the management of pregnant women for encouraging healthy long-term outcomes for their children, and future generations. Impending research on the mechanisms related to transgenerational transmission of prenatal stress might consent the development and application of therapies and/or intervention strategies for these disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa Maria Giarratana
- Department of BioMedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Letizia Scola
- Department of BioMedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carmela Rita Balistreri
- Department of BioMedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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16
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Chen Y, Lin D, Shi C, Guo L, Liu L, Chen L, Li T, Liu Y, Zheng C, Chi X, Meng C, Xue Y. MiR-3138 deteriorates the insulin resistance of HUVECs via KSR2/AMPK/GLUT4 signaling pathway. Cell Cycle 2021; 20:353-368. [PMID: 33509040 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1870335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin resistance (IR) is a complex pathological condition resulting from the dysregulation of cellular response to insulin hormone in insulin-dependent cells and is recognized as a pathogenic hallmark and strong risk factor for metabolic syndrome. The present study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the pathogenesis of IR. Here, we used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to establish the IR cell model induced by 1 × 10-6 mmol/L insulin. After 48 h, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glucose consumption were measured by DCFH-DA and GOD-POD methods, respectively. The results of Microarray analysis demonstrated that there were 10 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) selected based on Fold change (FC) and P value in the IR cell model compared with HUVECs. The enriched gene ontology (GO) terms analysis showed that the target genes of these 10 DEMs were significantly enriched in biological process, cellular component and molecular function, and the significantly enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes or Genomes (KEGG) pathways mainly include AMPK signaling pathway and PI3K signaling pathway. Amongst all, the expression level of miR-3138 was highest in the IR cell model evaluated by qRT-PCR. Through Targetscan, KSR2 mRNA was predicted as a target of miR-3138. And mRNA and protein expression levels of miR-3138, KSR2, GLUT4, AMPK, PI3K, Akt were examined using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The interaction between miR-3138 and KSR2 was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Our results showed that miR-3138 significantly deteriorated the IR of HUVECs via KSR2/AMPK/GLUT4 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University , Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.,Department of Internal Medicine, South Branch of Fujian Provincial Hospital , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.,Provincial Clinic Medical College, Fujian Medical University , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Da Lin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Engineering, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Changxuan Shi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Engineering, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Liang Guo
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Engineering, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Linhua Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, South Branch of Fujian Provincial Hospital , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, South Branch of Fujian Provincial Hospital , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, South Branch of Fujian Provincial Hospital , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, South Branch of Fujian Provincial Hospital , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Chengchao Zheng
- Provincial Clinic Medical College, Fujian Medical University , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xintong Chi
- Provincial Clinic Medical College, Fujian Medical University , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Chun Meng
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Engineering, College of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Yaoming Xue
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University , Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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17
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The Predictive Value of miR-16, -29a and -134 for Early Identification of Gestational Diabetes: A Nested Analysis of the DALI Cohort. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010170. [PMID: 33467738 PMCID: PMC7830355 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early identification of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) aims to reduce the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Currently, no circulating biomarker has proven clinically useful for accurate prediction of GDM. In this study, we tested if a panel of small non-coding circulating RNAs could improve early prediction of GDM. We performed a nested case-control study of participants from the European multicenter ‘Vitamin D and lifestyle intervention for GDM prevention (DALI)’ trial using serum samples from obese pregnant women (BMI ≥ 29 kg/m2) entailing 82 GDM cases (early- and late- GDM), and 41 age- and BMI-matched women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) throughout pregnancy (controls). Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical characteristics were obtained at baseline (<20 weeks of gestation) and throughout gestation. Baseline serum microRNAs (miRNAs) were measured using quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Elevated miR-16-5p, -29a-3p, and -134-5p levels were observed in women, who were NGT at baseline and later developed GDM, compared with controls who remained NGT. A combination of the three miRNAs could distinguish later GDM from NGT cases (AUC 0.717, p = 0.001, compared with fasting plasma glucose (AUC 0.687, p = 0.004)) as evaluated by area under the curves (AUCs) using Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Elevated levels of individual miRNAs or a combination hereof were associated with higher odds ratios of GDM. Conclusively, circulating miRNAs early in pregnancy could serve as valuable predictive biomarkers of GDM.
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18
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Sex Specific Expression of Interleukin 7, 8 and 15 in Placentas of Women with Gestational Diabetes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218026. [PMID: 33126577 PMCID: PMC7663521 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is known to increase the risk for feto-maternal complications during pregnancy. A state of low-grade inflammation, with elevated levels of proinflammatory molecules, similar to patients with obesity or diabetes mellitus type 2 has also been partly described in GDM. The placenta, as unique interface between mother and fetus, is not only passively affected by changes in one of these organisms, but also acts as a modulator by expressing hormones and cytokines. This study aimed to investigate the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL) 7, 8 and 15 in GDM in placental tissue. A total number of 80 placentas were included (40 GDM/40 control group). The expression of IL-7, 8 and 15 was investigated in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence double staining. The immunohistochemical staining was evaluated with the semiquanitfied immunoreactive score (IRS). While the expression IL-15 was significantly upregulated in EVTs of women with GDM. The expression of IL-8 was significantly decreased in EVT of the GDM group. Furthermore, significant fetal sex specific differences were detectable in all three cytokines. Our findings suggest an involvement of the investigated cytokines in the maintenance of a state of chronic low-grade inflammation on placental level in patients suffering from GDM.
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Słupecka-Ziemilska M, Wychowański P, Puzianowska-Kuznicka M. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Affects Offspring's Epigenome. Is There a Way to Reduce the Negative Consequences? Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12092792. [PMID: 32933073 PMCID: PMC7551316 DOI: 10.3390/nu12092792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common pregnancy complication worldwide and may result in short-term and long-term consequences for offspring. The present review highlights evidence of epigenetic programming, mostly from human studies, which occurs in offspring exposed to maternal GDM during different stages of development, paying special attention to the differences in sensitivity of offspring to maternal hyperglycemia as a result of sex-related factors. We also aim to answer the following question: If these epigenetic changes are constant throughout the lifetime of the offspring, how do they present phenotypically?
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Słupecka-Ziemilska
- Department of Human Epigenetics, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-2-2608-6401; Fax: +48-2-2608-6410
| | - Piotr Wychowański
- Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Warsaw, Binickiego 6, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Monika Puzianowska-Kuznicka
- Department of Human Epigenetics, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawinskiego Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, 61/63 Kleczewska Street, 01-826 Warsaw, Poland
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20
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Sexual dimorphism of miRNA signatures in feto-placental endothelial cells is associated with altered barrier function and actin organization. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:39-51. [PMID: 31825070 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial function and the risk for endothelial dysfunction differ between males and females. Besides the action of estrogen, sex chromosome gene expression and programming effects also provoke this sexual dimorphism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as regulators of endothelial cell function and dysfunction. We here hypothesized distinct miRNA expression patterns in male versus female human endothelial cells that contribute to the functional differences. We used our well-established model of fetal endothelial cells isolated from placenta (fpEC) and analyzed sexual dimorphic miRNA expression and potentially affected biological functions. Next-generation miRNA sequencing of fpEC isolated after pregnancies with male and female neonates identified sex-dependent miRNA expression patterns. Potential biological pathways regulated by the altered set of miRNAs were determined using mirPath and mirSystem softwares, and suggested differences in barrier function and actin organization. The identified pathways were further investigated by monolayer impedance measurements (ECIS) and analysis of F-actin organization (Phalloidin). Nine miRNAs were differentially expressed in fpEC of male versus female neonates. Functional pathways most significantly regulated by these miRNAs included 'Adherens junction', 'ECM receptor interaction' and 'Focal adhesion'. These pathways control monolayer barrier function and may be paralleled by altered cytoskeletal organization. In fact, monolayer impedance was higher in fpEC of male progeny, and F-actin staining revealed more pronounced peripheral stress fibers in male versus female fpEC. Our data highlight that endothelial cell function differs between males and females already in utero, and that altered miRNAs are associated with sex dependent differences in barrier function and actin organization.
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21
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Majali-Martinez A, Hoch D, Tam-Amersdorfer C, Pollheimer J, Glasner A, Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy N, Beristain AG, Hiden U, Dieber-Rotheneder M, Desoye G. Matrix metalloproteinase 15 plays a pivotal role in human first trimester cytotrophoblast invasion and is not altered by maternal obesity. FASEB J 2020; 34:10720-10730. [PMID: 32614494 PMCID: PMC7496590 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000773r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Adequate anchoring of the placenta in the uterus through invasion of first trimester cytotrophoblasts (CTB) is required for a successful pregnancy. This process is mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and regulated by the maternal environment. Obesity is known to alter the intrauterine milieu and has been related to impaired invasion. We hypothesized that placental MMP15, a novel membrane‐type MMP, is involved in CTB invasion and regulated by maternal obesity in early pregnancy. Thus, in this study MMP15 was immunolocalized to invasive extravillous and interstitial CTB. MMP15 silencing in chorionic villous explants using two different siRNAs reduced trophoblast outgrowth length (−35%, P ≤ .001 and −26%, P < .05) and area (−43%, P ≤ .001 and −36%, P ≤ .01) without altering trophoblast proliferation or apoptosis. Short‐term treatment of primary first trimester trophoblasts with IL‐6 (10 ng/mL), interleukin 10 (IL‐10) (50 ng/mL), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) (10 ng/mL) did not affect MMP15 protein levels. Likewise, MMP15 mRNA and protein levels were unaltered between human first trimester placentas from control pregnancies vs those complicated with maternal obesity. Overall, our results suggest that the role of MMP15 in placental development and function in early pregnancy is limited to CTB invasion without being affected by short‐ and long‐term inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Denise Hoch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Carmen Tam-Amersdorfer
- Division of Immunology and Pathophysiology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Jürgen Pollheimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Alexander G Beristain
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ursula Hiden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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22
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Hoch D, Novakovic B, Cvitic S, Saffery R, Desoye G, Majali-Martinez A. Sex matters: XIST and DDX3Y gene expression as a tool to determine fetal sex in human first trimester placenta. Placenta 2020; 97:68-70. [PMID: 32792067 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fetal sex influences placental function as well as maternal and fetal health, being an important factor to consider in pregnancy studies. However, fetal sex determination in the first trimester of pregnancy still faces some technical limitations. Here we describe an RT-qPCR technique to determine fetal sex based on X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) and DEAD-Box helicase 3 Y-linked (DDX3Y) gene expression. This method is straightforward, reliable, fast and applicable on both, placental tissue and primary cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Hoch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria.
| | - Boris Novakovic
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
| | - Silvija Cvitic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Research Unit of Analytical Mass Spectrometry, Cell Biology and Biochemistry of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria.
| | - Richard Saffery
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8036, Austria.
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23
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Cell Type- and Sex-Specific Dysregulation of Thyroid Hormone Receptors in Placentas in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114056. [PMID: 32517091 PMCID: PMC7313460 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormones are essential for development of trophoblasts and the fetus. They also regulate a wide range of metabolic processes. We investigated the influence of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on thyroid hormone receptor (THR) isoforms THRα1, THRα2, THRβ1 and THRβ2 of the human placenta in a sex- and cell-type specific manner. Term placental tissue was obtained from women with (n = 40) or without GDM (control; n = 40). THRs levels were measured by semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry and real-time qRT-PCR. We localized THR immunostaining in syncytiotrophoblast (SCT), which was the tissue with the strongest signal. Double immunofluorescence identified THR in decidual cells in the stroma and in extravillous cytotrophoblasts. GDM did not change THRα1 immunolabelling intensity in decidua, but was associated with a stronger immunolabelling in SCT compared to GDM (p < 0.05). The SCT difference of GDM vs. control was strongest (p < 0.01) in female placentas. THRα2 was only weakly present and immunolabelling was weaker (p < 0.05) in SCT of only male GDM placentas in comparison to male controls. THRβ1/β2 immunostaining was weak in all cell types without changes in GDM. However, more THRβ1/2 protein was present (p < 0.001) in male than female placentas. All these protein changes were paralleled by changes of THR transcript levels. The data show that THR are expressed in term trophoblast in relation to fetal sex. Maternal GDM influences predominantly THRα1 in SCT, with the strongest GDM effect in SCT of female placentas.
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24
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Non-Coding RNA: Role in Gestational Diabetes Pathophysiology and Complications. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114020. [PMID: 32512799 PMCID: PMC7312670 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance that develops in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. GDM can lead to short-term and long-term complications both in the mother and in the offspring. Diagnosing and treating this condition is therefore of great importance to avoid poor pregnancy outcomes. There is increasing interest in finding new markers with potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic utility in GDM. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs, are critically involved in metabolic processes and their dysregulated expression has been reported in several pathological contexts. The aberrant expression of several circulating or placenta-related ncRNAs has been linked to insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, the key pathophysiological features of GDM. Furthermore, significant associations between altered ncRNA profiles and GDM-related complications, such as macrosomia or trophoblast dysfunction, have been observed. Remarkably, the deregulation of ncRNAs, which might be linked to a detrimental intrauterine environment, can lead to changes in the expression of target genes in the offspring, possibly contributing to the development of long-term GDM-related complications, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In this review, all the recent findings on ncRNAs and GDM are summarized, particularly focusing on the molecular aspects and the pathophysiological implications of this complex relationship.
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25
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Broere-Brown ZA, Adank MC, Benschop L, Tielemans M, Muka T, Gonçalves R, Bramer WM, Schoufour JD, Voortman T, Steegers EAP, Franco OH, Schalekamp-Timmermans S. Fetal sex and maternal pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:26. [PMID: 32393396 PMCID: PMC7216628 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00299-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since the placenta also has a sex, fetal sex–specific differences in the occurrence of placenta-mediated complications could exist. Objective To determine the association of fetal sex with multiple maternal pregnancy complications. Search strategy Six electronic databases Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web-of-Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify eligible studies. Reference lists of the included studies and contact with experts were also used for identification of studies. Selection criteria Observational studies that assessed fetal sex and the presence of maternal pregnancy complications within singleton pregnancies. Data collection and analyses Data were extracted by 2 independent reviewers using a predesigned data collection form. Main results From 6522 original references, 74 studies were selected, including over 12,5 million women. Male fetal sex was associated with term pre-eclampsia (pooled OR 1.07 [95%CI 1.06 to 1.09]) and gestational diabetes (pooled OR 1.04 [1.02 to 1.07]). All other pregnancy complications (i.e., gestational hypertension, total pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, placental abruption, and post-partum hemorrhage) tended to be associated with male fetal sex, except for preterm pre-eclampsia, which was more associated with female fetal sex. Overall quality of the included studies was good. Between-study heterogeneity was high due to differences in study population and outcome definition. Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that the occurrence of pregnancy complications differ according to fetal sex with a higher cardiovascular and metabolic load for the mother in the presence of a male fetus. Funding None.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe A Broere-Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maria C Adank
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laura Benschop
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Myrte Tielemans
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Taulant Muka
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Romy Gonçalves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wichor M Bramer
- Medical Library, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Josje D Schoufour
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Trudy Voortman
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eric A P Steegers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Oscar H Franco
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah Schalekamp-Timmermans
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. .,Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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26
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Hoch D, Bachbauer M, Pöchlauer C, Algaba-Chueca F, Tandl V, Novakovic B, Megia A, Gauster M, Saffery R, Glasner A, Desoye G, Majali-Martinez A. Maternal Obesity Alters Placental Cell Cycle Regulators in the First Trimester of Human Pregnancy: New Insights for BRCA1. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E468. [PMID: 31940810 PMCID: PMC7014057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the first trimester of pregnancy, placental development involves a wide range of cellular processes. These include trophoblast proliferation, fusion, and differentiation, which are dependent on tight cell cycle control. The intrauterine environment affects placental development, which also includes the trophoblast cell cycle. In this work, we focus on maternal obesity to assess whether an altered intrauterine milieu modulates expression and protein levels of placental cell cycle regulators in early human pregnancy. For this purpose, we use first trimester placental tissue from lean and obese women (gestational week 5+0-11+6, n = 58). Using a PCR panel, a cell cycle protein array, and STRING database analysis, we identify a network of cell cycle regulators increased by maternal obesity in which breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) is a central player. Immunostaining localizes BRCA1 predominantly to the villous and the extravillous cytotrophoblast. Obesity-driven BRCA1 upregulation is not able to be explained by DNA methylation (EPIC array) or by short-term treatment of chorionic villous explants at 2.5% oxygen with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (50 mg/mL), leptin (100 mg/mL), interleukin 6 (IL-6) (100 mg/mL), or high glucose (25 nM). Oxygen tension rises during the first trimester, but this change in vitro has no effect on BRCA1 (2.5% and 6.5% O2). We conclude that maternal obesity affects placental cell cycle regulation and speculate this may alter placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Hoch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (D.H.); (M.B.); (C.P.); (V.T.); (A.M.-M.)
| | - Martina Bachbauer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (D.H.); (M.B.); (C.P.); (V.T.); (A.M.-M.)
| | - Caroline Pöchlauer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (D.H.); (M.B.); (C.P.); (V.T.); (A.M.-M.)
| | - Francisco Algaba-Chueca
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition Research Unit, University Hospital of Tarragona Joan XXIII-Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43005 Tarragona, Spain; (F.A.-C.); (A.M.)
| | - Veronika Tandl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (D.H.); (M.B.); (C.P.); (V.T.); (A.M.-M.)
| | - Boris Novakovic
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, 3052 Melbourne, Australia; (B.N.); (R.S.)
| | - Ana Megia
- Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition Research Unit, University Hospital of Tarragona Joan XXIII-Institut d´Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43005 Tarragona, Spain; (F.A.-C.); (A.M.)
| | - Martin Gauster
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Centre for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
| | - Richard Saffery
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, 3052 Melbourne, Australia; (B.N.); (R.S.)
| | | | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (D.H.); (M.B.); (C.P.); (V.T.); (A.M.-M.)
| | - Alejandro Majali-Martinez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (D.H.); (M.B.); (C.P.); (V.T.); (A.M.-M.)
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27
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Sun DG, Tian S, Zhang L, Hu Y, Guan CY, Ma X, Xia HF. The miRNA-29b Is Downregulated in Placenta During Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and May Alter Placenta Development by Regulating Trophoblast Migration and Invasion Through a HIF3A-Dependent Mechanism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:169. [PMID: 32296392 PMCID: PMC7137738 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a disease that changes the function of microvascular of placenta. MicroRNA (miRNA) expression in placenta may contribute to the pathogenesis of GDM. Here, we evaluate the role and function of miR-29b in the development of GDM. This study discovered that miR-29b expression was lower in placentas derived from patients with GDM than that in control placentas. MiR-29b over-expression inhibited cell growth and migration, and miR-29b knockdown promoted cell migration. Then we predicted and confirmed that HIF3A was a direct target of miR-29b with two specific binding sites at the recognition sequences of miR-29b in 3'-UTR of HIF3A mRNA, which was negatively correlated with miR-29b expression level. The up-regulation of HIF3A partially antagonized the inhibitory effect of miR-29b over-expression on cell growth and migration. The enhancement of cell migration induced by miR-29b knockdown was attenuated by down-regulating HIF3A. These results imply that down-regulation of miR-29b may be related with the development of GDM partially via increasing the expression of HIF3A, which may provide a new insight for the mechanism of GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Guang Sun
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing, China
| | - Shi Tian
- Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Hu
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Yi Guan
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Ma
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xu Ma
| | - Hong-Fei Xia
- Reproductive and Genetic Center of National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Hong-Fei Xia
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28
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Hemling P, Zibrova D, Strutz J, Sohrabi Y, Desoye G, Schulten H, Findeisen H, Heller R, Godfrey R, Waltenberger J. Hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction is alleviated by thioredoxin mimetic peptides through the restoration of VEGFR-2-induced responses and improved cell survival. Int J Cardiol 2019; 308:73-81. [PMID: 31955977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.12.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is an important cardiovascular risk factor characterized by elevated plasma glucose levels. High glucose (HG) negatively influences endothelial cell (EC) function, which is characterized by the inability of ECs to respond to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) stimulation. We aimed to identify potential strategies to improve EC function in diabetes. METHODS AND RESULTS Human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVECs) were subjected to hyperglycemic milieu by exposing cells to HG together with glucose metabolite, methylglyoxal (MG) in vitro. Hyperglycemic cells showed reduced chemotactic responses towards VEGF-A as revealed by Boyden chamber migration assays, indicating the development of "VEGF resistance" phenotype. Furthermore, HG/MG-exposed cells were defective in their general migratory and proliferative responses and were in a pro-apoptotic state. Mechanistically, the exposure to HG/MG resulted in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation which is secondary to the impairment of thioredoxin (Trx) activity in these cells. Pharmacological and genetic targeting of Trx recapitulated VEGF resistance. Functional supplementation of Trx using thioredoxin mimetic peptides (TMP) reversed the HG/MG-induced ROS generation, improved the migration, proliferation, survival and restored VEGF-A-induced chemotaxis and sprouting angiogenesis of hyperglycemic ECs. Importantly, TMP treatment reduced ROS accumulation and improved VEGF-A responses of placental arterial endothelial cells isolated from gestational diabetes mellitus patients. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a putative role for Trx in modulating EC function and its functional impairment in HG conditions contribute to EC dysfunction. Supplementation of TMP could be used as a novel strategy to improve endothelial cell function in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Hemling
- Experimental and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany; Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology I - Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003-CiM), University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Darya Zibrova
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jasmin Strutz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Yahya Sohrabi
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology I - Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
| | - Henny Schulten
- Experimental and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany; Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Hannes Findeisen
- Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology I - Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Regine Heller
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Rinesh Godfrey
- Experimental and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany; Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology I - Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany; Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003-CiM), University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Johannes Waltenberger
- Experimental and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany; Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht, the Netherlands; Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003-CiM), University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine I, SRH Central Hospial, Suhl, Germany.
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29
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Abstract
The placenta is exposed to metabolic derangements in the maternal and fetal circulation. The effects of the early placental "exposome" determine further trajectories. Overstimulation of the fetal pancreas in early gestation results in fetal hyperinsulinemia, augmenting glucose transfer with adverse effects on the fetus. The manifold placental changes at the end of pregnancy can be regarded as adaptive responses to protect the fetus from diabetes and obesity. The causal role of the placenta, if any, in mediating long-term effects on offspring development is an important area of current and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, Graz 8036, Austria.
| | - Mila Cervar-Zivkovic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, Graz 8036, Austria
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30
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Zhao H, Tao S. MiRNA-221 protects islet β cell function in gestational diabetes mellitus by targeting PAK1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 520:218-224. [PMID: 31587871 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.09.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate the potential function of miRNA-221 in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and the underlying mechanism. MiRNA-221 level was analyzed in the microarray containing placental tissues of GDM rats. After constructing GDM model in rats, miRNA-221 level in placental tissues of GDM rats or controls was determined as well. The relationship between miRNA-221 level and blood glucose in GDM rats was analyzed by Spearman correlation test. Regulatory effects of miRNA-221 on proliferation, apoptosis and insulin secretion in INS-1 cells were assessed. Through dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, the direct target of miRNA-221, PAK1 was identified. At last, potential influences of miRNA-221/PAK1 axis on INS-1 cell phenotypes were determined. MiRNA-221 was downregulated in placental tissues of GDM rats, and its level was negatively correlated to that of blood glucose level in GDM rats. Overexpression of miRNA-221 stimulated insulin secretion, cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis in INS-1 cells. Knockdown of miRNA-221 achieved the opposite results. PAK1 was proved as the direct target of miRNA-221. Notably, PAK1 was able to reverse regulatory effects of miRNA-221 on INS-1 cell phenotypes. MiRNA-221 regulates proliferation, apoptosis and insulin secretion in islet β cells through targeting PAK1, thus protecting GDM-induced islet dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqiang Zhao
- Department of Gerontology, Jinan People's Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, China.
| | - Shujuan Tao
- Department of Obstetrics, Jinan Second Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, China
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31
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McIntyre HD, Catalano P, Zhang C, Desoye G, Mathiesen ER, Damm P. Gestational diabetes mellitus. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2019; 5:47. [PMID: 31296866 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-019-0098-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 752] [Impact Index Per Article: 150.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hyperglycaemia that develops during pregnancy and resolves after birth has been recognized for over 50 years, but uniform worldwide consensus is lacking about threshold hyperglycaemic levels that merit a diagnosis of 'gestational diabetes mellitus' (GDM) and thus treatment during pregnancy. GDM is currently the most common medical complication of pregnancy, and prevalence of undiagnosed hyperglycaemia and even overt diabetes in young women is increasing. Maternal overweight and obesity, later age at childbearing, previous history of GDM, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and ethnicity are major GDM risk factors. Diagnosis is usually performed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), although a non-fasting, glucose challenge test (GCT) is used in some parts of the world to screen women for those requiring a full OGTT. Dietary modification and increased physical activity are the primary treatments for GDM, but pharmacotherapy, usually insulin, is used when normoglycaemia is not achieved. Oral hypoglycaemic agents, principally metformin and glibenclamide (glyburide), are also used in some countries. Treatment improves immediate pregnancy outcomes, reducing excess fetal growth and adiposity and pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders. GDM increases the risk of long-term complications, including obesity, impaired glucose metabolism and cardiovascular disease, in both the mother and infant. Optimal management of mother and infant during long-term follow-up remains challenging, with very limited implementation of preventive strategies in most parts of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- H David McIntyre
- Mater Research and University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Patrick Catalano
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Cuilin Zhang
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth R Mathiesen
- Department of Endocrinology, Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigshospitalet and The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Damm
- Department of Obstetrics, Center for Pregnant Women with Diabetes, Rigshospitalet and The Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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32
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Micromanaging human placental function: differential microRNA expression in feto-placental endothelial cells of gestational diabetes pregnancies. Clin Sci (Lond) 2019; 133:315-319. [PMID: 30683714 DOI: 10.1042/cs20180901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Healthy development in utero relies on the appropriate exchange of nutrients and other signalling between the maternal and fetal circulations. Disruption to this fine balance is associated with several pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This is a complex condition influenced by genetic, environment and potentially epigenetic factors in association with a range of altered developmental outcomes. A recent study, published in Clinical Science, explores miRNAs as a molecular mechanism underpinning the altered function of placental endothelial cells in GDM pregnancies.
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