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Pan S, Lan Y, Chen B, Zhou Y, Ying X, Hua Y. Tanshinone IIA changed the amniotic fluid volume and regulated expression of AQP1 and AQP3 in amniotic epithelium cells: a promising drug treating abnormal amniotic fluid volume. Mol Med 2023; 29:83. [PMID: 37386378 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00687-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have confirmed the association of aquaporins (AQPs) with abnormal amniotic fluid volume (AFV). In our previous experiments, we found that Tanshinone IIA was able to regulate the expression of AQP1 and AQP3. However, the exact mechanism by which Tanshinone IIA regulates AQPs protein expression and its effect on AFV remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Tanshinone IIA on AFV and the possible molecular mechanism of regulation of AQP1 and AQP3. METHODS The expression of AQPs protein in the amniotic membranes was compared between pregnant women with normal pregnancy and those with isolated oligohydramnios. The AQP1 knockout (AQP1-KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with saline or Tanshinone IIA (10 mg/kg) at 13.5GD and 16.5GD. Human amniotic epithelium cells (hAECs) from pregnant women with normal AFV and isolated oligohydramnios were incubated with 35 μmmol/L Tanshinone IIA or 25 mmol/L LiCl [inhibitor of glycogen synthetic kinase 3β (GSK-3β)]. The protein expressions of AQPs, GSK-3β, phospho-GSK-3β (Ser9) in fetal membranes of mice and human amniotic epithelium cells were detected by western blotting. RESULTS The expression of AQP1 protein in the amniotic membrane of isolated oligohydramnios was increased compared with normal pregnancy. The AFV in AQP1-KO mice is higher than that in WT mice. In wild-type mice, AFV in Tanshinone IIA group was significantly higher than that in control group, and AQP1 protein expression was significantly lower than that in control group, but in AQP1 knockout mice, Tanshinone IIA reduced amniotic fluid volume and AQP3 protein expression at 16.5GD. Tanshinone IIA reduced AQP1, AQP3 and p-GSK-3β (Ser9) protein expression in normal hAECs, and this effect was inhibited by LiCl. In hAECs with oligohydramnios, the down-regulation of AQP1 and up-regulation of AQP3 by Tanshinone IIA was independent of GSK-3β signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Tanshinone IIA may increase AFV in normal pregnancy by downregulating AQP1 protein expression in the fetal membranes, which may be associated with p-GSK-3β signaling pathway. But a larger AFV in AQP1-KO mice was significantly attenuated by Tanshinone IIA, which may be related to AQP3. Tanshinone IIA is a promising drug for the treatment of amniotic fluid abnormality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangjia Pan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yehui Lan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Baoyi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Yujia Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xinxin Ying
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Ying Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
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Importance of Water Transport in Mammalian Female Reproductive Tract. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10010050. [PMID: 36669051 PMCID: PMC9865491 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are involved in water homeostasis in tissues and are ubiquitous in the reproductive tract. AQPs are classified into classical aquaporins (AQP0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8), aquaglycerolporins (AQP3, 7, 9, and 10) and superaquaporins (AQP11 and 12). Nine AQPs were described in the mammalian female reproductive tract. Some of their functions are influenced by sexual steroid hormones. The continuous physiological changes that occur throughout the sexual cycle, pregnancy and parturition, modify the expression of AQPs, thus creating at every moment the required water homeostasis. AQPs in the ovary regulate follicular development and ovulation. In the vagina and the cervix, AQPs are involved mainly in lubrication. In the uterus, AQPs are mostly mediated by estradiol and progesterone to prepare the endometrium for possible embryo implantation and fetal development. In the placenta, AQPs are responsible for the fluid support to the fetus to maintain fetal homeostasis that ensures correct fetal development as pregnancy goes on. This review is focused on understanding the role of AQPs in the mammalian female reproductive tract during the sexual cycle of pregnancy and parturition.
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Martínez N, Damiano AE. Aquaporins in Fetal Development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1398:251-266. [PMID: 36717499 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7415-1_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Water homeostasis is essential for fetal growth, and it depends on the successful development of the placenta. Many aquaporins (AQPs) were identified from blastocyst stages to term placenta. In the last years, cytokines, hormones, second messengers, intracellular pH, and membrane proteins were found to regulate their expression and function in the human placenta and fetal membranes. Accumulated data suggest that these proteins may be involved not only in the maintenance of the amniotic fluid volume homeostasis but also in the development of the placenta and fetal organs. In this sense, dysregulation of placental AQPs is associated with gestational disorders. Thus, current evidence shows that AQPs may collaborate in cellular events including trophoblast migration and apoptosis. In addition, aquaglyceroporins are involved in energy metabolism as well as urea elimination across the placenta. In the last year, the presence of AQP9 in trophoblast mitochondria opened new hypotheses about its role in pregnancy. However, much further work is needed to understand the importance of these proteins in human pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Cátedra de Biología Celulary Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Zhao Y, Pasanen M, Rysä J. Placental ion channels: potential target of chemical exposure. Biol Reprod 2022; 108:41-51. [PMID: 36173899 PMCID: PMC9843680 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is an important organ for the exchange of substances between the fetus and the mother, hormone secretion, and fetoplacental immunological defense. Placenta has an organ-specific distribution of ion channels and trophoblasts, and placental vessels express a large number of ion channels. Several placental housekeeping activities and pregnancy complications are at least partly controlled by ion channels, which are playing an important role in regulating hormone secretion, trophoblastic homeostasis, ion transport, and vasomotor activity. The function of several placental ion channels (Na, Ca, and Cl ion channels, cation channel, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and aquaporin-1) is known to be influenced by chemical exposure, i.e., their responses to different chemicals have been tested and confirmed in experimental models. Here, we review the possibility that placental ion channels are targets of toxicological concern in terms of placental function, fetal growth, and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Markku Pasanen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jaana Rysä
- Correspondence: School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, POB 1627, Kuopio 70211, Finland. Tel: +358403552412; E-mail:
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Zhang YH, Li ZD, Zeng T, Chen L, Huang T, Cai YD. Screening gene signatures for clinical response subtypes of lung transplantation. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:1301-1313. [PMID: 35780439 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01918-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lung is the most important organ in the human respiratory system, whose normal functions are quite essential for human beings. Under certain pathological conditions, the normal lung functions could no longer be maintained in patients, and lung transplantation is generally applied to ease patients' breathing and prolong their lives. However, several risk factors exist during and after lung transplantation, including bleeding, infection, and transplant rejections. In particular, transplant rejections are difficult to predict or prevent, leading to the most dangerous complications and severe status in patients undergoing lung transplantation. Given that most common monitoring and validation methods for lung transplantation rejections may take quite a long time and have low reproducibility, new technologies and methods are required to improve the efficacy and accuracy of rejection monitoring after lung transplantation. Recently, one previous study set up the gene expression profiles of patients who underwent lung transplantation. However, it did not provide a tool to predict lung transplantation responses. Here, a further deep investigation was conducted on such profiling data. A computational framework, incorporating several machine learning algorithms, such as feature selection methods and classification algorithms, was built to establish an effective prediction model distinguishing patient into different clinical subgroups, corresponding to different rejection responses after lung transplantation. Furthermore, the framework also screened essential genes with functional enrichments and create quantitative rules for the distinction of patients with different rejection responses to lung transplantation. The outcome of this contribution could provide guidelines for clinical treatment of each rejection subtype and contribute to the revealing of complicated rejection mechanisms of lung transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hang Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhan Dong Li
- College of Food Engineering, Jilin Engineering Normal University, Changchun, 130052, China
| | - Tao Zeng
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Lei Chen
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yu-Dong Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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da Silva IV, Garra S, Calamita G, Soveral G. The Multifaceted Role of Aquaporin-9 in Health and Its Potential as a Clinical Biomarker. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070897. [PMID: 35883453 PMCID: PMC9313442 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane channels essential for water, energy, and redox homeostasis, with proven involvement in a variety of pathophysiological conditions such as edema, glaucoma, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, oxidative stress, sepsis, cancer, and metabolic dysfunctions. The 13 AQPs present in humans are widely distributed in all body districts, drawing cell lineage-specific expression patterns closely related to cell native functions. Compelling evidence indicates that AQPs are proteins with great potential as biomarkers and targets for therapeutic intervention. Aquaporin-9 (AQP9) is the most expressed in the liver, with implications in general metabolic and redox balance due to its aquaglyceroporin and peroxiporin activities, facilitating glycerol and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) diffusion across membranes. AQP9 is also expressed in other tissues, and their altered expression is described in several human diseases, such as liver injury, inflammation, cancer, infertility, and immune disorders. The present review compiles the current knowledge of AQP9 implication in diseases and highlights its potential as a new biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in clinical medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês V. da Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sabino Garra
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (G.S.)
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Shao H, Pan S, Lan Y, Chen X, Dai D, Peng L, Hua Y. Tanshinone IIA increased amniotic fluid volume through down-regulating placental AQPs expression via inhibiting the activity of GSK-3β. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 389:547-558. [PMID: 35674921 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03646-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of idiopathic oligohydramnios is still uncertain, and there is no effective and targeted treatment for it. Placental aquaporins (AQPs) were associated with idiopathic oligohydramnios. This study aimed to investigate the effect of tanshinone IIA on amniotic fluid volume (AFV) and its underlying molecular mechanisms related to placental AQPs (AQP1, AQP3, AQP8, AQP9). Results showed that compared with the women with normal AFV, placental AQP1, AQP3, AQP8, and AQP9 protein expressions were decreased in women with idiopathic oligohydramnios. Immunohistochemistry revealed localization of AQP1, AQP3, AQP8, and AQP9 mainly in trophoblast cells within labyrinth zone of mouse placenta. Also, AQP1 was located in fetal vascular endothelial cells. Pregnant mice were administered with tanshinone IIA (10 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg, n = 8, respectively) or vehicle (n = 8) from 9.5 to 18.5 gestational day (GD). Tanshinone IIA markedly increased the AFV in pregnant mice, without the effects on embryo numbers per litter, atrophic embryo rate, fetal weight, and placental weight, as well as increased the expressions of AQPs and inhibited the activity of GSK-3β in mice placenta. In JEG-3 cells, tanshinone IIA downregulated AQP1, AQP3, AQP8, AQP9 expressions and inhibited the activity of GSK-3β. Activating GSK-3β with MK-2206 eliminated these alterations. Thus, tanshinone IIA could increase AFV in pregnant mice, possibly through downregulating placental AQP1, AQP3, AQP8, and AQP9 expression via inhibiting the activity of GSK-3β. Tanshinone IIA may be optional for the treatment of idiopathic oligohydramnios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailing Shao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shuangjia Pan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yehui Lan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Taizhou Women and Childrens Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Dongru Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Wenzhou Third Clinical Institute Affiliated To Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lingli Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Wenzhou Third Clinical Institute Affiliated To Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ying Hua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325027, Wenzhou, China.
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Medina Y, Acosta L, Reppetti J, Corominas A, Bustamante J, Szpilbarg N, Damiano AE. Lactic Acid Transport Mediated by Aquaporin-9: Implications on the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia. Front Physiol 2021; 12:774095. [PMID: 34925067 PMCID: PMC8678610 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.774095] [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: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin-9 (AQP9) expression is significantly increased in preeclamptic placentas. Since feto-maternal water transfer is not altered in preeclampsia, the main role of AQP9 in human placenta is unclear. Given that AQP9 is also a metabolite channel, we aimed to evaluate the participation of AQP9 in lactate transfer across the human placenta. Explants from normal term placentas were cultured in low glucose medium with or without L-lactic acid and in the presence and absence of AQP9 blockers (0.3 mM HgCl2 or 0.5 mM Phloretin). Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and lactate dehydrogenase release. Apoptotic indexes were analyzed by Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and Terminal Deoxynucleotidyltransferase-Mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling assay. Heavy/large and light/small mitochondrial subpopulations were obtained by differential centrifugation, and AQP9 expression was detected by Western blot. We found that apoptosis was induced when placental explants were cultured in low glucose medium while the addition of L-lactic acid prevented cell death. In this condition, AQP9 blocking increased the apoptotic indexes. We also confirmed the presence of two mitochondrial subpopulations which exhibit different morphologic and metabolic states. Western blot revealed AQP9 expression only in the heavy/large mitochondrial subpopulation. This is the first report that shows that AQP9 is expressed in the heavy/large mitochondrial subpopulation of trophoblasts. Thus, AQP9 may mediate not only the lactic acid entrance into the cytosol but also into the mitochondria. Consequently, its lack of functionality in preeclamptic placentas may impair lactic acid utilization by the placenta, adversely affecting the survival of the trophoblast cells and enhancing the systemic endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yollyseth Medina
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)- CONICET- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas Acosta
- Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Reppetti
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)- CONICET- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ana Corominas
- Hospital Nacional Prof. A Posadas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juanita Bustamante
- Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Szpilbarg
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)- CONICET- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)- CONICET- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Nutritional and Physiological Regulation of Water Transport in the Conceptus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1354:109-125. [PMID: 34807439 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-85686-1_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Water transport during pregnancy is essential for maintaining normal growth and development of conceptuses (embryo/fetus and associated membranes). Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small integral plasma membrane proteins that primarily transport water across the plasma membrane. At least 11 isoforms of AQPs (AQPs 1-9, 11, and 12) are differentially expressed in the mammalian placenta (amnion, allantois, and chorion), and organs (kidney, lung, brain, heart, and skin) of embryos/fetuses during prenatal development. Available evidence suggests that the presence of AQPs in the conceptus mediates water movement across the placenta to support the placentation, the homeostasis of amniotic and allantoic fluid volumes, as well as embryonic and fetal survival, growth and development. Abundances of AQPs in the conceptus can be modulated by nutritional status and physiological factors affecting the pregnant female. Here, we summarize the effects of maternal dietary factors (such as intakes of protein, arginine, lipids, all-trans retinoic acid, copper, zinc, and mercury) on the expression of AQPs in the conceptus. We also discuss the physiological changes in hormones (e.g., progesterone and estrogen), oxygen supply, nitric oxide, pH, and osmotic pressure associated with the regulation of fluid exchange between mother and fetus. These findings may help to improve the survival, growth, and development of embryo/fetus in livestock species and other mammals (including humans).
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Schmidt A, Schmidt A, Markert UR. The road (not) taken - Placental transfer and interspecies differences. Placenta 2021; 115:70-77. [PMID: 34562829 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Species differences are among the main reasons for the high failure rate of preclinical studies. A better awareness and understanding of these differences might help to improve the outcome of preclinical research. In reproduction, the placenta is the central organ regulating fetal exposure to a substance circulating in the maternal organism. Exact information about placental transfer can help to better estimate the toxic potential of a substance. From an evolutionary point of view, the chorioallantoic placenta is the organ with the highest anatomical diversity among species. Moreover, frequently used animal models in reproduction belong to rodents and lagomorphs, two groups that are characterized by the generation of an additional type of placenta, which is crucial for fetal development, but absent from humans: the inverted yolk sac placenta. Taken together, the translatability of placental transfer studies from laboratory animals to humans is challenging, which is supported by the fact that numerous species-dependent toxic effects are described in literature. Thus, reliable human-relevant data are frequently lacking and the toxic potential of chemicals and pharmaceuticals for humans can hardly be estimated, often resulting in recommendations that medical treatments or exposure to chemicals should be avoided for safety reasons. Although species differences of placental anatomy have been described frequently and the need for human-relevant research models has been emphasized, analyses of substances with species-dependent placental transfer have been performed only sporadically. Here, we present examples for species-specific placental transfer, including that of nanoparticles and pharmaceuticals, and discuss potential underlying mechanisms. With respect to the COVID 19-pandemic it might be of interest that some antiviral drugs are reported to feature species-specific placental transfer. Further, differences in placental structure and antibody transfer may affect placental transfer of ZIKA virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Schmidt
- Placenta Lab, Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany.
| | - Astrid Schmidt
- Placenta Lab, Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - Udo R Markert
- Placenta Lab, Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Germany
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Amniotic Aaquaporins (AQP) in Normal and Pathological Pregnancies: Interest in Polyhydramnios. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:2929-2938. [PMID: 34254277 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00677-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Polyhydramnios is a common feature diagnosed by ultrasound in the second half of pregnancy. Biochemical analysis of amniotic fluid can be useful when suspecting Bartter syndrome or digestive atresia but in most of cases, no etiology of polyhydramnios is found because of the complex regulation of amniotic fluid. Aquaporins (AQP) are transmembrane channel proteins contributing to water transfers. Some of them are expressed in fetal membranes and placenta. Their expression has been shown to be disrupted in some pathological conditions such as maternal diabetes, often associated with polyhydramnios. AQP-1, 3 and 8 levels in amniotic fluid were retrospectively measured in patients suffering from polyhydramnios (n=21) from 23 weeks of gestation (WG). They were compared to the levels observed in control subjects (n=96) and their relationship with maternal factors and neonatal issues was analyzed. AQP-1, 3, 8 levels were physiologically fluctuating, AQP-1 levels always being the lowest and AQP-3 the highest, with a significant decrease at the end of pregnancy. AQPs/AFP ratios increased about 8 folds during pregnancy, their kinetic profiles reflecting physiological dynamic evolution of amniotic fluid volume. In polyhydramnios, AQP-3 level tended to be decreased whereas AQP-8 level was decreased from mid-gestation whatever the etiology of polyhydramnios. No significant relationship was found between AQPs levels and either the fetal prematurity degree or macrosomia. No specific pattern was observed in idiopathic polyhydramnios, limiting the interest of AQPs dosage in amniotic fluid in the management of those complicated pregnancies.
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Zhu C, Li X, Bazer FW, Johnson GA, Burghardt RC, Jiang Z, Wu G. Dietary L-arginine supplementation during days 14-25 of gestation enhances aquaporin expression in the placentae and endometria of gestating gilts. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1287-1295. [PMID: 34241695 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that dietary L-arginine (Arg) supplementation to pregnant gilts enhanced the expression of water channel proteins [aquaporins (AQPs)] in their placentae and endometria. Gilts were fed twice daily 1 kg of a corn and soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0.0%, 0.4%, or 0.8% Arg between Days 14 and 25 of gestation. On Days 25 and 60 of gestation, gilts were hysterectomized to obtain placentae and endometria. On Day 25 of gestation, supplementation with 0.4% Arg increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of placental AQP9 protein, whereas supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased (P < 0.05) placental AQP1 and AQP9 proteins, compared with controls. On Day 60 of gestation, supplementation with 0.4% Arg increased (P < 0.05) endometrial AQP1 protein, whereas supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased (P < 0.05) endometrial AQP5 and AQP9 proteins. Supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased the endometrial expression of AQP1, AQP5, and AQP9 proteins located in the luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of endometria, and placental transport of 3H2O. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary Arg supplementation stimulates the expression of selective AQPs in porcine placenta and endometria, thereby enhancing water transport from mother to fetus and expanding the chorioallantoic membranes during the period of placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Zhu
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Xilong Li
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Fuller W Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Gregory A Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Robert C Burghardt
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Zongyong Jiang
- Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, China
| | - Guoyao Wu
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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13
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Dos Passos Junior RR, de Freitas RA, Reppetti J, Medina Y, Dela Justina V, Bach CW, Bomfim GF, Lima VV, Damiano AE, Giachini FR. High Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Reduce Placental Aquaporin 3 Expression and Impair in vitro Trophoblastic Cell Migration. Front Physiol 2021; 12:696495. [PMID: 34267676 PMCID: PMC8276056 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.696495] [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: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Placentas from preeclamptic women display augmented tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels with reduced expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3). However, whether TNF-α modulates AQP3 expression remains to be elucidated. We hypothesize that elevated levels of TNF-α reduce AQP3 expression and negatively impact trophoblastic cell migration. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and Wistar rats (14-16 weeks) were divided into hypertensive and normotensive groups, respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured, and animals mated. In a third group, pregnant SHRs were treated with a TNF-α antagonist, etanercept (0.8 mg/kg, subcutaneously) on days 0, 6, 12, and 18 of pregnancy. Placentas were collected on the 20th day of pregnancy. Human placental explants, from normotensive pregnancies, were incubated with TNF-α (5, 10, and 20 ng/ml) and/or etanercept (1 μg/ml). Swan 71 cells were incubated with TNF-α (10 ng/ml) and/or etanercept (1 μg/ml) and subjected to the wound healing assay. AQP3 expression was assessed by Western blot and TNF-α levels by ELISA. SBP (mmHg) was elevated in the hypertensive group, and etanercept treatment reduced this parameter. Placental TNF-α levels (pg/ml) were higher in the hypertensive group. AQP3 expression was reduced in the hypertensive group, and etanercept treatment reversed this parameter. Explants submitted to TNF-α exposition displayed reduced expression of AQP3, and etanercept incubation reversed it. Trophoblastic cells incubated with TNF-α showed decreased cell migration and reduced AQP3 expression, and etanercept incubation ameliorated it. Altogether, these data demonstrate that high TNF-α levels negatively modulate AQP3 in placental tissue, impairing cell migration, and its relationship in a pregnancy affected by hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julieta Reppetti
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology and Biophysics Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yollyseth Medina
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology and Biophysics Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Camila Werle Bach
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Brazil
| | | | - Victor Vitorino Lima
- Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Brazil
| | - Alicia E Damiano
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology and Biophysics Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fernanda R Giachini
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiânia, Brazil.,Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Brazil
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14
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da Silva IV, Santos AC, Matos A, Pereira da Silva A, Soveral G, Rebelo I, Bicho M. Association of Aquaporin-3, Aquaporin-7, NOS3 and CYBA polymorphisms with hypertensive disorders in women. Pregnancy Hypertens 2021; 24:44-49. [PMID: 33652340 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy disorder influenced by oxidative stress and hypoxia, affects the health of the mother and baby and is associated with an increased risk of future hypertension (HT). Aquaporins are a family of water channels, comprising members that also transport glycerol (aquaglyceroporins) and hydrogen peroxide (peroxiporins), key molecules for metabolic homeostasis and redox signaling. Here, we investigated the association of Aquaporin-3 (AQP3; rs2231231), Aquaporin-7 (AQP7; rs2989924), NOS3 (4B/A intron) and CYBA (rs4673) genetic polymorphisms with the development of hypertensive disorders by qPCR/PCR in a cohort of 150 normotensive (NT) women (N = 90) or with previous PE (N = 60) during pregnancy. Prospectively, women were reclassified 2-16 years after pregnancy as NT (N = 98) or hypertensive (N = 48) and the genetic associations were reevaluated. In addition, genetic associations were reevaluated and compared between normotensive and hypertensive (HT) subjects. We found that AQP3 rs2231231, an aquaglyceroporin/peroxiporin, is associated with the development of HT, whereas AQP7, NOS3 and CYBA polymorphism did not correlate with PE or future HT. Because AQP3 was associated with hypertension only after pregnancy, its role might be related to later risk factors of hypertension such as metabolic syndrome or oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Vieira da Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas e do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Ana Carolina Santos
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação Científico Bento da Rocha Cabral, Calçada Bento da Rocha Cabral 14, 1250-012 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andreia Matos
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação Científico Bento da Rocha Cabral, Calçada Bento da Rocha Cabral 14, 1250-012 Lisboa, Portugal; i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde/INEB-Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Alda Pereira da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas e do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Irene Rebelo
- Biochemistry/Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; UCIBIO@REQUIMTE, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuel Bicho
- Laboratório de Genética, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação Científico Bento da Rocha Cabral, Calçada Bento da Rocha Cabral 14, 1250-012 Lisboa, Portugal
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15
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Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels proteins that facilitate water flux across cell membranes in response to osmotic gradients. Despite of the differences in the mammalian placentas, the conserved combination of AQPs expressed in placental and fetal membranes throughout gestation suggests that these proteins may be important in the regulation of fetal water homeostasis. Thus, AQPs may regulate the amniotic fluid volume and participate in the trans-placental transfer of water. Apart from their classical roles, recent studies have revealed that placental AQPs may also cooperate in cellular processes such as the migration and the apoptosis of the trophoblasts. Aquaglyceroporins can also participate in the energy metabolism and in the urea elimination across the placenta. Many factors including oxygen, hormones, acid-basis homeostasis, maternal dietary status, interaction with other transport proteins and osmotic stress are proposed to regulate their expression and function during gestation and alterations result in pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-CONICET-Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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16
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Wu J, Wang C, Ding H. LncRNA MALAT1 promotes neuropathic pain progression through the miR‑154‑5p/AQP9 axis in CCI rat models. Mol Med Rep 2019; 21:291-303. [PMID: 31746418 PMCID: PMC6896295 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the role and molecular mechanism of long non‑coding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript (MALAT)1 in neuropathic pain in rat chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blot analysis were used to detect the expression levels of MALAT1, microRNA (miR)‑154‑5p and aquaporin (AQP)9 in spinal cord tissue and microglia of CCI rats. ELISA and pain behavioral assays were used to observe the effect of MALAT1 on neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation in model rats, and to verify its molecular mechanism through bioinformatics and luciferase experiments. The results of the present study identified that the expression levels of MALAT1 and AQP9 were upregulated, while miR‑154‑5p was downregulated in spinal cord tissue and microglia of CCI rats. MALAT1 knockdown in CCI model rats significantly induced the occurrence of neuropathic pain, while the upregulation of miR‑154‑5p could reverse this process. The present study also identified that miR‑154‑5p was the target gene of MALAT1, and AQP9 was the target gene of miR‑154‑5p. AQP9 knockdown promoted the occurrence of neuropathic pain. In conclusion, lncRNA MALAT1 promotes the progression of neuropathic pain in rats by reducing miR‑154‑5p and increasing AQP9. The MALAT1/miR‑154‑5p/AQP9 axis can be used as a new therapeutic target for neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Wu
- Department of Anesthesia, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, P.R. China
| | - Chuanguang Wang
- Department of Anesthesia, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, P.R. China
| | - Haiyang Ding
- Department of Anesthesia, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, Lishui, Zhejiang 323000, P.R. China
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17
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Ferré-Dolcet L, Yeste M, Vendrell M, Rigau T, Rodríguez-Gil JE, Del Alamo MMR. Uterine and placental specific localization of AQP2 and AQP8 is related with changes of serum progesterone levels in pregnant queens. Theriogenology 2019; 142:149-157. [PMID: 31593882 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.09.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins play vital roles in reproductive physiology. This study evaluates the expression and localization dynamics of AQP1, AQP2, AQP3 and AQP8 in the endometrium and placental transference zone during pregnancy in queens by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Animals were distributed into six groups: non-pregnant queens with low levels of serum progesterone (P4), non-pregnant animals with high P4 levels, and queens at 30, 40, 50 and 60 days of pregnancy. All AQPs were present in glandular and luminal epithelia and myometrium. AQP1 was also present in the endometrial endothelia. AQP2, AQP3 and AQP8 were found in trophoblast. In endometrial samples with P4 above 2 ng/mL, AQP2 and AQP8 were distributed across plasma membrane and cytoplasm, whereas progesterone levels under 1 ng/mL kept both AQPs confined to the plasma membrane. Western blot showed no significant changes in AQPs expression among the stages. In conclusion, our results indicate that the distribution of AQP2 and AQP8 in the queen reproductive tract is related to P4 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lluís Ferré-Dolcet
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), E-08193, Spain
| | - Marc Yeste
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Vendrell
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), E-08193, Spain
| | - Teresa Rigau
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), E-08193, Spain
| | - Joan Enric Rodríguez-Gil
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), E-08193, Spain
| | - Maria Montserrat Rivera Del Alamo
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), E-08193, Spain.
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18
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Oxygen regulation of aquaporin-4 in human placenta. Reprod Biomed Online 2018; 37:601-612. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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19
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Szpilbarg N, Martínez NA, Di Paola M, Reppetti J, Medina Y, Seyahian A, Castro Parodi M, Damiano AE. New Insights Into the Role of Placental Aquaporins and the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1507. [PMID: 30425647 PMCID: PMC6218616 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulated evidence suggests that an abnormal placentation and an altered expression of a variety of trophoblast transporters are associated to preeclampsia. In this regard, an abnormal expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was reported in these placentas. Recent data suggests that placental AQPs are not only water channel proteins and that may participate in relevant processes required for a normal placental development, such as cell migration and apoptosis. Recently we reported that a normal expression of AQP3 is required for the migration of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells. Thus, alterations in this protein might lead to an insufficient transformation of the maternal spiral arteries resulting in fluctuations of oxygen tension, a potent stimulus for oxidative damage and trophoblast apoptosis. In this context, the increase of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species could nitrate AQP9, producing the accumulation of a non-functional protein affecting the survival of the villous trophoblast (VT). This may trigger the exacerbated release of apoptotic VT fragments into maternal circulation producing the systemic endothelial dysfunction underlying the maternal syndrome. Therefore, our hypothesis is that the alteration in the expression of placental AQPs observed at the end of gestation may take place during the trophoblast stem cell differentiation, disturbing both EVT and VT cells development, or during the VT differentiation and turnover. In both situations, VT is affected and at last the maternal vascular system is activated leading to the clinical manifestations of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Szpilbarg
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nora A Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauricio Di Paola
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julieta Reppetti
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yollyseth Medina
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Abril Seyahian
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mauricio Castro Parodi
- Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alicia E Damiano
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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Seo MJ, Lim JH, Kim DH, Bae HR. Loss of Aquaporin-3 in Placenta and Fetal Membranes Induces Growth Restriction in Mice. Dev Reprod 2018; 22:263-273. [PMID: 30324163 PMCID: PMC6182233 DOI: 10.12717/dr.2018.22.3.263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporin (AQP) 3, a facilitated transporter of water and glycerol, expresses in
placenta and fetal membranes, but the detailed localization and function of AQP3
in placenta remain unclear. To elucidate a role of AQP3 in placenta, we defined
the expression and cellular localization of AQP3 in placenta and fetal
membranes, and investigated the structural and functional differences between
wild-type and AQP3 null mice. Gestational sacs were removed during
mid-gestational period and amniotic fluid was aspirated for measurements of
volume and composition. Fetuses with attached placenta and fetal membranes were
weighed and processed for histological assessment. AQP3 strongly expressed in
basolateral membrane of visceral yolk sac cells of fetal membrane, the
syncytiotrophoblasts of the labyrinthine placenta and fetal nucleated red blood
cell membrane. Mice lacking AQP3 did not exhibit a significant defect in
differentiation of trophoblast stem cells and normal placentation. However, AQP3
null fetuses were smaller than their control litter mates in spite of a decrease
in litter size. The total amniotic fluid volume per gestational sac was reduced,
but the amniotic fluid-to-fetal weight ratio was increased in AQP3 null mice
compared with wild-type mice. Glycerol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels
in amniotic fluid of AQP3 null mice were significantly reduced, whereas lactate
level increased when compared to those of wild-type mice. These results suggest
a role for AQP3 in supplying nutrients from yolk sac and maternal blood to
developing fetus by facilitating transport of glycerol in addition to water, and
its implication for the fetal growth in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Joon Seo
- Dept. of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea.,Dept. of Physiology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea
| | - Ju Hyun Lim
- Dept. of Physiology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea.,Human Life Research Center, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea
| | - Dong-Hwan Kim
- Human Life Research Center, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea
| | - Hae-Rahn Bae
- Dept. of Physiology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan 49201, Korea.,Human Life Research Center, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Korea
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21
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Alejandra R, Natalia S, Alicia E D. The blocking of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) impairs extravillous trophoblast cell migration. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 499:227-232. [PMID: 29567477 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.03.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Several aquaporins (AQPs) are expressed in extravillous (EVT) and villous trophoblast cells. Among them, AQP3 is the most abundant AQP expressed in chorionic villi samples from first trimester, followed by AQP1 and AQP9. Although AQP3 expression persists in term placentas, it is significantly decreased in placentas from preeclamptic pregnancies. AQP3 is involved in the migration of different cell types, however its role in human placenta is still unknown. Here, we evaluated the role of AQP3 in the migration of EVT cells during early gestation. Our results showed that Swan 71 cells expressed AQP1, AQP3 and AQP9 but only the blocking of AQP3 by CuSO4 or the silencing of its expression by siRNA significantly attenuates EVT cell migration. Our work provides evidence that AQP3 is required for EVT cell migration and suggests that an altered expression of placental AQP3 may produce failures in placentation such as in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reca Alejandra
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)- CONICET- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Szpilbarg Natalia
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)- CONICET- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Damiano Alicia E
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay (IFIBIO)- CONICET- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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22
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Placental physiology monitored by hyperpolarized dynamic 13C magnetic resonance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E2429-E2436. [PMID: 29444856 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1715175115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental functions, including transport and metabolism, play essential roles in pregnancy. This study assesses such processes in vivo, from a hyperpolarized MRI perspective. Hyperpolarized urea, bicarbonate, and pyruvate were administered to near-term pregnant rats, and all metabolites displayed distinctive behaviors. Little evidence of placental barrier crossing was observed for bicarbonate, at least within the timescales allowed by 13C relaxation. By contrast, urea was observed to cross the placental barrier, with signatures visible from certain fetal organs including the liver. This was further evidenced by the slower decay times observed for urea in placentas vis-à-vis other maternal compartments and validated by mass spectrometric analyses. A clear placental localization, as well as concurrent generation of hyperpolarized lactate, could also be detected for [1-13C]pyruvate. These metabolites also exhibited longer lifetimes in the placentas than in maternal arteries, consistent with a metabolic activity occurring past the trophoblastic interface. When extended to a model involving the administration of a preeclampsia-causing chemical, hyperpolarized MR revealed changes in urea's transport, as well as decreases in placental glycolysis vs. the naïve animals. These distinct behaviors highlight the potential of hyperpolarized MR for the early, minimally invasive detection of aberrant placental metabolism.
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23
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Vilariño-García T, Pérez-Pérez A, Dietrich V, Guadix P, Dueñas JL, Varone CL, Damiano AE, Sánchez-Margalet V. Leptin upregulates aquaporin 9 expression in human placenta in vitro. Gynecol Endocrinol 2018; 34:175-177. [PMID: 28942694 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1380184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins that have permeability functions in many tissues. Aquaporin 9 may transport not only water but also small molecules, such as glycerol, monocarboxylates, purines and pyrimidines. Aquaporin 9 is expressed in syncytiotrophoblast of human term placenta, and it may contribute to the embryonic/fetal growth and survival. We have previously found that Aquaporin 9 expression levels seem to be increased in placenta from gestational diabetes. Since leptin plasma levels and leptin expression are increased in placenta from gestational diabetes, we aimed to study the possible role of leptin on Aquaporin 9 expression in human placenta in vitro. The present work shows that leptin produces a dose-dependent increase of Aquaporin 9 expression, resulting in an increase in Aquaporin-9 protein in human trophoblast explants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Vilariño-García
- a Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Medical School, University of Seville , Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Pérez
- a Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Medical School, University of Seville , Spain
| | - Valeria Dietrich
- b Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry , University of Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Pilar Guadix
- c Obstetrics and Gynecology Department , Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Medical School, University of Seville , Spain
| | - José L Dueñas
- c Obstetrics and Gynecology Department , Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Medical School, University of Seville , Spain
| | - Cecilia L Varone
- d Department of Biological Chemistry , Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Alicia E Damiano
- b Department of Biological Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry , University of Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - Víctor Sánchez-Margalet
- a Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Medical School, University of Seville , Spain
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Szpilbarg N, Damiano AE. Expression of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) in placentas from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Placenta 2017; 59:57-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 09/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Hua Y, Ding S, Cheng H, Luo H, Zhu X. Tanshinone IIA increases aquaporins expression in human amniotic epithelial WISH cells by stimulating GSK-3β phosphorylation. Clin Chim Acta 2017; 473:204-212. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Wawrzkiewicz-Jałowiecka A, Kowalczyk K, Pluta D, Blukacz Ł, Madej P. The role of aquaporins in polycystic ovary syndrome - A way towards a novel drug target in PCOS. Med Hypotheses 2017; 102:23-27. [PMID: 28478824 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane proteins, able to transport water (and in some cases also small solutes, e. g. glycerol) through the cell membrane. There are twelve types of aquaporins (AQP1-AQP12) expressed in mammalian reproductive systems. According to literature, many diseases of the reproductive organs are correlated with changes of AQPs expression and their malfunction. That is the case in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where dysfunctions of AQPs 7-9 and alterations in its levels occur. In this work, we postulate how AQPs are involved in PCOS-related disorders, in order to emphasize their potential therapeutic meaning as a drug target. Our research allows for a surprising inference, that genetic mutation causing malfunction and/or decreased expression of aquaporins, may be incorporated in the popular insulin-dependent hypothesis of PCOS pathogenesis. What is more, changes in AQP's expression may affect the folliculogenesis and follicular atresia in PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Wawrzkiewicz-Jałowiecka
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Ks. M. Strzody 9, Poland.
| | - Karolina Kowalczyk
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Dagmara Pluta
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Łukasz Blukacz
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Paweł Madej
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical Faculty in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
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Levi L, Castro-Parodi M, Martínez N, Piehl LL, Rubín De Celis E, Herlax V, Mate S, Farina M, Damiano AE. The unfavorable lipid environment reduced caveolin-1 expression in apical membranes from human preeclamptic placentas. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2016; 1858:2171-2180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Lindskog C, Asplund A, Catrina A, Nielsen S, Rützler M. A Systematic Characterization of Aquaporin-9 Expression in Human Normal and Pathological Tissues. J Histochem Cytochem 2016; 64:287-300. [PMID: 27026296 DOI: 10.1369/0022155416641028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
AQP9 is known to facilitate hepatocyte glycerol uptake. Murine AQP9 protein expression has been verified in liver, skin, epididymis, epidermis and neuronal cells using knockout mice. Further expression sites have been reported in humans. We aimed to verify AQP9 expression in a large set of human normal organs, different cancer types, rheumatoid arthritis synovial biopsies as well as in cell lines and primary cells. Combining standardized immunohistochemistry with high-throughput mRNA sequencing, we found that AQP9 expression in normal tissues was limited, with high membranous expression only in hepatocytes. In cancer tissues, AQP9 expression was mainly found in hepatocellular carcinomas, suggesting no general contribution of AQP9 to carcinogenesis. AQP9 expression in a subset of rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue samples was affected by Humira, thereby supporting a suggested role of TNFα in AQP9 regulation in this disease. Among cell lines and primary cells, LP-1 myeloma cells expressed high levels of AQP9, whereas low expression was observed in a few other lymphoid cell lines. AQP9 mRNA and protein expression was absent in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Overall, AQP9 expression in human tissues appears to be more selective than in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Lindskog
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (CL, AA)
| | - Anna Asplund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (CL, AA)
| | - Anca Catrina
- Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (AC)
| | - Søren Nielsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (SN, MR)
| | - Michael Rützler
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (SN, MR),Institute for Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg Ø, Denmark (MR)
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Szpilbarg N, Castro-Parodi M, Reppetti J, Repetto M, Maskin B, Martinez N, Damiano A. Placental programmed cell death: insights into the role of aquaporins. Mol Hum Reprod 2015; 22:46-56. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gav063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Skowronska A, Młotkowska P, Wojciechowicz B, Okrasa S, Nielsen S, Skowronski MT. Progesterone, estradiol, arachidonic acid, oxytocin, forskolin and cAMP influence on aquaporin 1 and 5 expression in porcine uterine explants during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle and luteolysis: an in vitro study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015; 13:7. [PMID: 25884220 PMCID: PMC4341226 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0004-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cell membrane water channel protein, aquaporins (AQPs), regulate cellular water transport and cell volume and play a key role in water homeostasis. Recently, AQPs are considered as important players in the field of reproduction. In previous studies, we have established the presence of AQP1 and 5 in porcine uterus. Their expression at protein level altered in distinct tissues of the female reproductive system depending on the phase of the estrous cycle. However, the regulation of aquaporin genes and proteins expression has not been examined in porcine uterine tissue. Therefore, we have designed an in vitro experiment to explain whether steroid hormones, progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2), and other factors: oxytocine (OT), arachidonic acid (AA; substrate for prostaglandins synthesis) as well as forskolin (FSK; adenylate cyclase activator) and cAMP (second messenger, cyclic adenosine monophosphate) may impact AQPs expression. METHODS Uterine tissues were collected on Days 10-12 and 14-16 of the estrous cycle representing the mid-luteal phase and luteolysis. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to examine the expression of porcine AQP1 and AQP5. Their expression in the uterine explants was also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The results indicated that uterine expression of AQP1 and AQP5 potentially remains under control of steroid hormones and AA-derived compounds (e.g. prostaglandins). P4, E2, AA, FSK and cAMP cause translocation of AQP5 from apical to the basolateral plasma membrane of the epithelial cells, which might affect the transcellular water movement (through epithelial cells) between uterine lumen and blood vessels. The AC/cAMP pathway is involved in the intracellular signals transduction connected with the regulation of AQPs expression in the pig uterus. CONCLUSIONS This study documented specific patterns of AQP1 and AQP5 expression in response to P4, E2, AA, FSK and cAMP, thereby providing new indirect evidence of their role in maintaining the local fluid balance within the uterus during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle and luteolysis in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Skowronska
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Młotkowska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Bartosz Wojciechowicz
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Stanisław Okrasa
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Soren Nielsen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Mariusz T Skowronski
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
- Institute of Veterinary, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
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Lin CY, Yang JR, Teng SL, Tsai S, Chen MH. Microarray analysis of gene expression of bone marrow stem cells cocultured with salivary acinar cells. J Formos Med Assoc 2013; 112:713-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2012.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Revised: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 08/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Sarati LI, Toblli JE, Martinez CR, Uceda A, Feldman M, Balaszczuk AM, Fellet AL. Nitric oxide and AQP2 in hypothyroid rats: a link between aging and water homeostasis. Metabolism 2013; 62:1287-95. [PMID: 23706747 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2013.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Revised: 03/28/2013] [Accepted: 04/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hypothyroid state and aging are associated with impairment in water reabsorption and changes in aquaporin water channel type 2 (AQP2). Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in AQP2 trafficking to the apical plasma membrane in medullary collecting duct cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether aging and hypothyroidism alter renal function, and whether medullary NO and AQP2 are implicated in maintaining water homeostasis. MATERIALS/METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2 and 18months old were treated with 0.02% methimazole (w/v) during 28days. Renal function was examined and NO synthase (NOS) activity ([(14)C (U)]-L-arginine to [(14)C (U)]-L-citrulline assays), NOS, caveolin-1 and -3 and AQP2 protein levels were determined in medullary tissue (Western blot). Plasma membrane fraction and intracellular vesicle fraction of AQP2 were evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS A divergent response was observed in hypothyroid rats: while young rats exhibited polyuria with decreased medullary NOS activity, adult rats exhibited a decrease in urine output with increased NOS activity. AQP2 was increased with hypothyroidism, but while young rats exhibited increased AQP2 in plasma membrane, adult rats did so in the cytosolic site. CONCLUSIONS Hypothyroidism contributes in a differential way to aging-induced changes in renal function, and medullary NO and AQP2 would be implicated in maintaining water homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena I Sarati
- Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad de Buenos Aires, IQUIMEFA-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Castro-Parodi M, Szpilbarg N, Dietrich V, Sordelli M, Reca A, Abán C, Maskin B, Farina M, Damiano A. Oxygen tension modulates AQP9 expression in human placenta. Placenta 2013; 34:690-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Functions of water channels in male and female reproductive systems. Mol Aspects Med 2012; 33:676-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Revised: 01/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Jiang SS, Zhu XJ, Ding SD, Wang JJ, Jiang LL, Jiang WX, Zhu XQ. Expression and Localization of Aquaporins 8 and 9 in Term Placenta With Oligohydramnios. Reprod Sci 2012; 19:1276-84. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719112450328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xue-Jie Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
| | - Sheng-Di Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jing-Jing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ling-Ling Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wen-Xiao Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xue-Qiong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China
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Castro Parodi M, Farina M, Dietrich V, Abán C, Szpilbarg N, Zotta E, Damiano A. Evidence for insulin-mediated control of AQP9 expression in human placenta. Placenta 2011; 32:1050-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Revised: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/30/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Maternal-fetal fluid balance and aquaporins: from molecule to physiology. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2011; 32:716-20. [PMID: 21602839 DOI: 10.1038/aps.2011.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal-fetal fluid balance is critical during pregnancy, and amniotic fluid is essential for fetal growth and development. The placenta plays a key role in a successful pregnancy as the interface between the mother and her fetus. Aquaporins (AQPs) form specific water channels that allow the rapid transcellular movement of water in response to osmotic/hydrostatic pressure gradients. AQPs expression in the placenta and fetal membranes may play important roles in the maternal-fetal fluid balance.
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Damiano AE. Review: Water channel proteins in the human placenta and fetal membranes. Placenta 2011; 32 Suppl 2:S207-11. [PMID: 21208655 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2010] [Revised: 12/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
It has been established that the permeability of the human placenta increases with advancing gestation. Indirect evidence has also proposed that aquaporins (AQPs) may be involved in the regulation of placental water flow but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Five AQPs have been found in the human placenta and fetal membranes [AQP1, 3, 4, 8 and 9]. However, the physiological function(s) and the regulation of these proteins remain unknown. Emerging evidence has shown that human fetal membrane AQPs may have a role in intramembranous amniotic fluid water regulation and that alterations in their expression are related to polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios. In addition, we have observed a high expression of AQP3 and AQP9 in the apical membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast. Moreover, AQP9 was found to be increased in preeclamptic placentas, but it could not be related to its functionality for the transport of water and mannitol. However, a significant urea flux was seen. Since preeclampsia is not known to be associated with an altered water flux to the fetus we propose that AQP9 might not have a key role in water transport in human placenta, but a function in the energy metabolism or the urea uptake and elimination across the placenta. However, the role of AQP9 in human placenta is still speculative and needs further studies. Insulin, hCG, cAMP and CFTR have been found to be involved in the regulation of the molecular and functional expression of AQPs. Further insights into these mechanisms may clarify how water moves between the mother and the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Damiano
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Belkacemi L, Desai M, Beall MH, Liu Q, Lin JT, Nelson DM, Ross MG. Early compensatory adaptations in maternal undernourished pregnancies in rats: role of the aquaporins. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2010; 24:752-9. [PMID: 20958229 DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2010.521870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of maternal undernutrition (MUN) during pregnancy on fetal and placental weight, amniotic fluid (AF) volume, AF osmolality and ion concentrations at gestational ages E16 and E20. We also quantified protein expression of water channels (aquaporins; AQPs). METHODS Pregnant rat dams were fed an ad libitum diet (AdLib; n = 6) or were 50% MUN (n = 6) beginning at E10 of gestation. At E16 and E20, we assessed the effect of MUN on fetal and placental weights, AF volume and osmolality, and placental expression of AQP1, 8 and 9. We focused on two uterine positions (proximal and mid-horns) with the extremes of nutrient/oxygen supply. We also separately studied the basal zone (hormone production) and the labyrinth zone (feto-maternal exchange). RESULTS We showed that at E16, MUN fetal, and placental weights were unchanged and that, similarly, MUN AF volume, osmolality were comparable to AdLib. At E20, however, MUN fetal and placental zonal weights were significantly decreased. Inversely, due to MUN, maternal and fetal plasma osmolality and Na+ concentrations were significantly increased. Further, MUN AF volume was significantly reduced, while AF osmolality and Na+ concentration were increased at E20. CONCLUSION Placental basal zone showed variable changes in AQP expression unrelated to position in the uterus or the gestational age (and thus severity of the fetal/placental growth restriction). In the labyrinth zone, MUN placental AQP1 was significantly decreased, whereas AQP8 and 9 expressions were significantly increased at E16 and E20. Dysregulation of AQPs' expression prior to the occurrence of oligohydramnios may represent a compensatory mechanism under conditions of early MUN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louiza Belkacemi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA and David-Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
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Zhu X, Jiang S, Hu Y, Zheng X, Zou S, Wang Y, Zhu X. The expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 in fetal membranes and placenta in term pregnancies complicated by idiopathic polyhydramnios. Early Hum Dev 2010; 86:657-63. [PMID: 20732771 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2010.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2009] [Revised: 07/04/2010] [Accepted: 07/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aquaporins are a family of membrane-bound water channel proteins that regulate the flow of water across a variety of biological membranes. The expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 has been demonstrated in human chorioamniotic membrane and placenta. But their roles in the pathophysiology of polyhydramnios are unclear. AIMS To study the expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 in fetal membranes and placenta in term pregnancies complicated by idiopathic polyhydramnios and to explore the association between aquaporin expressions and polyhydramnios. SUBJECTS The placentas were collected from 51 patients who underwent elective Cesarean sections at term, of which 21 cases had idiopathic polyhydramnios and the other 30 had normal amniotic fluid volume. OUTCOME MEASURES Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry techniques were used to determine the expression and localization of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 in the amnion, chorion and placenta. RESULTS Expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 was detected in the amnion, chorion and placenta and located in amnion epithelia, chorion cytotrophoblasts and placental trophoblast. Compared to normal amniotic fluid volume group, the expression of aquaporin 8 in amnion, and aquaporin 9 in amnion and chorion, were significantly increased in idiopathic polyhydramnios group; however, their expression in the placenta was significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS When polyhydramnios occurs, expression of aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 in fetal membranes and placenta is an adaptive change, which may be involved in the regulation of amniotic fluid volume. However, the modulation factors of the aquaporin 8 and aquaporin 9 expressions need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqiong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325027, China.
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Abstract
SummaryThis study aimed to investigate whether aquaporin 3 (Aqp3) mRNAs are expressed in immature oocytes and altered during in vitro maturation process. Five- to 6-week-old female ICR mice were primed by gonadotropin for 24 and 48 h. Immature oocytes obtained 48 h after priming were also matured in vitro for 17 to 18 h. In vivo matured oocytes were obtained after 48 h priming followed by hCG injection. Total RNAs were extracted from 80 to 150 oocytes in each experimental group, and the levels of Aqp3 mRNA were quantified by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The experiments were repeated twice using different oocytes. The Aqp3 mRNA was expressed in immature oocytes, as well as in in vitro and in vivo matured oocytes. The expression level was higher in immature oocytes obtained 48 h after priming (17.2 ± 8.6, mean ± SD) than those with no priming (5.7 ± 0.8) or obtained 24 h after priming (2.5 ± 0.8). The expression of Aqp3 mRNA decreased after in vitro maturation (1.2 ± 0.5), which was similar to in vivo matured oocytes (1.0 ± 0.0). Our work demonstrated that Aqp3 mRNA expression increased during the development of immature oocyte but decreased after completion of in vitro maturation. The results indicate that AQP3 is certainly needed for the acquisition of immature oocytes’ full growing potential within antral follicles.
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Marino GI, Castro-Parodi M, Dietrich V, Damiano AE. High levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) correlate with increased aquaporin-9 (AQP9) expression in explants from human preeclamptic placenta. Reprod Sci 2010; 17:444-53. [PMID: 20220109 DOI: 10.1177/1933719110361385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Trophoblastic abnormalities have a central role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, and some placental hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), could affect the placental function. Here, we hypothesized that the elevated serum levels of hCG may be involved in the increased aquaporin-9 (AQP9) protein expression in preeclamptic placentas via adenosine 3('),5(')-cyclic phosphate (cAMP) pathways. Normal placental explants were cultured with different concentrations of recombinant hCG or 8-Br-cAMP, a potent analogue of cAMP. We evaluated AQP9 protein expression and localization. After both treatments, we localized AQP9 in the apical membrane of syncytiotrophoblast and in the cytoplasm. We also observed a concentration-dependent effect on AQP9 protein expression. In addition, water uptake increased 1.6-fold in explants treated with hCG. Our results suggest that hCG may increase AQP9 protein expression and functionality via cAMP pathways. Although, in preeclamptic placentas high levels of hCG may upregulate AQP9 protein expression, AQP9 functionality was reduced possibly by other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela I Marino
- Laboratorio de Canales iónicos-Neurofisiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A. Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Argentina
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Zhang Y, Cui Y, Zhou Z, Sha J, Li Y, Liu J. Altered global gene expressions of human placentae subjected to assisted reproductive technology treatments. Placenta 2010; 31:251-8. [PMID: 20116094 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2009] [Revised: 12/16/2009] [Accepted: 01/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Researchers are more and more concerning the safety of fetus or offspring derived from assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. As the placenta is a critical organ that sustains and protects the fetus, we hypothesize that altered global gene expression of the placenta subjected to ART manipulation may reflect changes associated with ART procedures and subsequently causal related to offspring health. METHODS Three term placenta samples were obtained from patients undergone in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer due to oviductal factors only. Other three control placentae were from those underwent normal pregnancy. A GeneChip Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 Array was utilized to analyze the genes. Using qRT-PCR we certified microarray data from 10 dysregulated genes. Five genes were localized precisely in the placenta as per immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Twenty-six differentially expressed genes were identified in the ART-treated placentae: 17 up-regulated; 9 down-regulated. Eighteen of these were classified into six groups according to critical placental function: immune response; transmembrane transport; metabolism; oxidative stress; cell differentiation; and other functions. Genes involved in immune response, such as ERAP2 and STAT4, and those regulating cell differentiations, such as MUC1, were discerned to be differentially expressed. These gene products were expressed in the placental villus tissues, either in the cytoplasm or in the membrane of syncytiotrophoblastic cells. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study in comparing differentially expressed genes in placentae from patients undergone ART treatment vs. those underwent normal pregnancy. Abnormal profiles of critical placental functioning genes, such as ERAP2, STAT4 and MUC1, may be valuable biomarkers to understand how the placenta affects fetal development and ART-derived offspring's health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Center of Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
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Mittal P, Romero R, Mazaki-Tovi S, Tromp G, Tarca AL, Kim YM, Chaiworapongsa T, Kusanovic JP, Erez O, Than NG, Hassan SS. Fetal membranes as an interface between inflammation and metabolism: Increased Aquaporin 9 expression in the presence of spontaneous labor at term and chorioamnionitis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2009; 22:1167-75. [DOI: 10.3109/14767050903019692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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46
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Zhu X, Jiang S, Zhu X, Zou S, Wang Y, Hu Y. Expression of Aquaporin 1 and Aquaporin 3 in Fetal Membranes and Placenta in Human Term Pregnancies with Oligohydramnios. Placenta 2009; 30:670-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2009.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2008] [Revised: 05/20/2009] [Accepted: 05/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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CFTR May Modulate AQP9 Functionality in Preeclamptic Placentas. Placenta 2009; 30:642-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2009.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2009] [Revised: 03/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Liu H, Zheng Z, Wintour E. Aquaporins and Fetal Fluid Balance. Placenta 2008; 29:840-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2008.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2008] [Revised: 07/20/2008] [Accepted: 07/24/2008] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Belkacemi L, Beall MH, Magee TR, Pourtemour M, Ross MG. AQP1 gene expression is upregulated by arginine vasopressin and cyclic AMP agonists in trophoblast cells. Life Sci 2008; 82:1272-80. [PMID: 18538351 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2008.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2008] [Revised: 04/05/2008] [Accepted: 04/22/2008] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels that regulate water flow in many tissues. As AQP1 is a candidate to regulate placental fluid exchange, we sought to investigate the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and cAMP agonists on AQP1 gene expression in first trimester-derived extravillous cytotrophoblasts (HTR-8/Svneo) and two highly proliferative carcinoma trophoblast-like cell lines but with a number of functional features of the syncytiotrophoblast namely; JAR and JEG-3 cells. Our data demonstrated that AVP (0.1 nM) significantly increased the expression of AQP1 mRNA at 10 h in HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells (P<0.05). Both SP-cAMP, a membrane-permeable and phosphodiesterase resistant cAMP, and forskolin, an adenylate cyclase stimulator significantly increased AQP1 mRNA expression in all cell lines after 2 h in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05) with a parallel increase in protein expression. In the time course study, 5 microM of either SP-cAMP or forskolin significantly stimulated AQP1 mRNA expression after 2 h in HTR-8/SVneo cells and after 10 h in JAR and JEG-3 cells. AQP1 protein expression was highest after 20 h in both HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells (P<0.05). AVP-stimulated cAMP elevation was blocked in the presence of 9-(tetrahydro-2'-furyl) adenine (SQ22536) (100 microM), a cell-permeable adenylate cyclase inhibitor (P<0.05). These results indicate that in trophoblasts-like cells AQP1 gene expression is upregulated by both AVP and cAMP agonists. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that a cAMP-dependent pathway is responsible for the AVP effect on AQP1. Thus, modulation of AQP1 expression by maternal hormones may regulate invasion and fetal-placental-amnion water homeostasis during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louiza Belkacemi
- Perinatal Research Laboratories, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David-Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90502, USA.
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Rojek A, Praetorius J, Frøkiaer J, Nielsen S, Fenton RA. A Current View of the Mammalian Aquaglyceroporins. Annu Rev Physiol 2008; 70:301-27. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev.physiol.70.113006.100452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Rojek
- The Water and Salt Research Center, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - Jeppe Praetorius
- The Water and Salt Research Center, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - Jørgen Frøkiaer
- The Water and Salt Research Center, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - Søren Nielsen
- The Water and Salt Research Center, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
| | - Robert A. Fenton
- The Water and Salt Research Center, Institute of Anatomy, University of Aarhus, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark;
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