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Lai H, Yang Y, Zhang J. Advances in post-translational modifications and recurrent spontaneous abortion. Gene 2024; 927:148700. [PMID: 38880188 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as two or more pregnancy loss, which affects approximately 1-2% of women's fertility. The etiology of RSA has not yet been fully revealed, which poses a great problem for clinical treatment. Post- translational modifications(PTMs) are chemical modifications that play a crucial role in the functional proteome. A considerable number of published studies have shown the relationship between post-translational modifications of various proteins and RSA. The study of PTMs contributes to elucidating the role of modified proteins in the pathogenesis of RSA, as well as the design of more effective diagnostic/prognostic tools and more targeted treatments. Most reviews in the field of RSA have only focused on RNA epigenomics research. The present review reports the latest research developments of PTMs related to RSA, such as glycosylation, phosphorylation, Methylation, Acetylation, Ubiquitination, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanhong Lai
- Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Yang
- Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Villarroel F, Ponce N, Gómez FA, Muñoz C, Ramírez E, Nualart F, Salinas P. Exposure to fine particulate matter 2.5 from wood combustion smoke causes vascular changes in placenta and reduce fetal size. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 127:108610. [PMID: 38750704 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
During gestation, maternal blood flow to the umbilical cord and placenta increases, facilitating efficient nutrient absorption, waste elimination, and effective gas exchange for the developing fetus. However, the effects of exposure to wood smoke during this period on these processes are unknown. We hypothesize that exposure to PM2.5, primarily sourced from wood combustion for home heating, affects placental vascular morphophysiology and fetal size. We used exposure chambers that received either filtered or unfiltered air. Female rats were exposed to PM2.5 during pre-gestational and/or gestational stages. Twenty-one days post-fertilization, placentas were collected via cesarean section. In these placentas, oxygen diffusion capacity was measured, and the expression of angiogenic factors was analyzed using qPCR and immunohistochemistry. In groups exposed to PM2.5 during pre-gestational and/or gestational stages, a decrease in fetal weight, crown-rump length, theoretical and specific diffusion capacity, and an increase in HIF-1α expression were observed. In groups exposed exclusively to PM2.5 during the pre-gestational stage, there was an increase in the expression of placental genes Flt-1, Kdr, and PIGF. Additionally, in the placental labyrinth region, the expression of angiogenic factors was elevated. Changes in angiogenesis and angiogenic factors reflect adaptations to hypoxia, impacting fetal growth and oxygen supply. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that exposure to PM2.5, emitted from wood smoke, in both pre-gestational and gestational stages, affects fetal development and placental health. This underscores the importance of addressing air pollution in areas with high levels of wood smoke, which poses a significant health risk to pregnant women and their fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Villarroel
- Laboratory of Animal & Experimental Morphology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile; MSc. Program in Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Nikol Ponce
- PhD Program in Morphological Sciences, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Center of Excellence in Surgical and Morphological Studies (CEMyQ), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Fernando A Gómez
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Cristián Muñoz
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Eder Ramírez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Stem Cells NeuroCellT, Department of Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Francisco Nualart
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Stem Cells NeuroCellT, Department of Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Center for Advanced Microscopy CMA BIO-BIO, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile
| | - Paulo Salinas
- Laboratory of Animal & Experimental Morphology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
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Panting EN, Weight JH, Sartori JA, Coall DA, Smith JT. The role of placental kisspeptin in trophoblast invasion and migration: an assessment in Kiss1r knockout mice, BeWo cell lines and human term placenta. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23230. [PMID: 38976640 DOI: 10.1071/rd23230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Context There is mounting evidence implicating kisspeptin signalling in placental development and function. Aims This study aimed to elucidate kisspeptin's role in trophoblast invasion and migration using three experimental models. Methods First, we examined the mouse fetus and placenta in a kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) knockout (KO) model. Fetal/placental weights and gene expression (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) were assessed. Second, we determined kisspeptin effects on a human trophoblast (BeWo) cell line in vitro . Third, we examined KISS1 and KISS1R gene expression in human placenta from term and pre-term pregnancies. Key results No difference was found in fetal or placental weight between Kiss1r KO and wildtype mice. However, expression of the trophoblast invasion marker, Mmp2 mRNA, was greater in the placental labyrinth zone of Kiss1r KO mice. BeWo cell models of villus cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells exhibited kisspeptin protein expression, with greater expression in syncytiotrophoblast, consistent with KISS1 mRNA. Kisspeptin treatment inhibited the migratory potential of cytotrophoblast-like cells. Finally, while no difference was seen in KISS1 and KISS1R mRNA between term and pre-term placentas, we saw a difference in the relative expression of each gene pre-term. We also observed a positive correlation between KISS1 expression and maternal body mass index. Conclusions Our results indicate that kisspeptin may inhibit trophoblast invasion. Implications Further investigation is required to clarify specific regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- E N Panting
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - J H Weight
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - J A Sartori
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - D A Coall
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
| | - J T Smith
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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4
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Barrientos G, Schuman ML, Landa MS, Robello E, Incardona C, Conrad ML, Galleano M, García SI. Therapeutic Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid in a Rat Preclinical Model of Preeclampsia: Focus on Maternal Signs, Fetal Growth and Placental Function. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:730. [PMID: 38929169 PMCID: PMC11200649 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for preeclampsia (PE), associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity. We previously demonstrated that pregnant stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) display a spontaneous PE-like phenotype with distinct placental, fetal, and maternal features. Here, we hypothesized that supplementation with alpha lipoic acid (ALA), a potent antioxidant, during early pregnancy could ameliorate the PE phenotype in this model. To test this hypothesis, timed pregnancies were established using 10 to 12-week-old SHRSP females (n = 19-16/group), which were assigned to two treatment groups: ALA (injected intraperitoneally with 25 mg/kg body weight ALA on gestation day (GD1, GD8, and GD12) or control, receiving saline following the same protocol. Our analysis of maternal signs showed that ALA prevented the pregnancy-dependent maternal blood pressure rise (GD14 blood pressure control 169.3 ± 19.4 mmHg vs. 146.1 ± 13.4 mmHg, p = 0.0001) and ameliorated renal function, as noted by the increased creatinine clearance and improved glomerular histology in treated dams. Treatment also improved the fetal growth restriction (FGR) phenotype, leading to increased fetal weights (ALA 2.19 ± 0.5 g vs. control 1.98 ± 0.3 g, p = 0.0074) and decreased cephalization indexes, indicating a more symmetric fetal growth pattern. This was associated with improved placental efficiency, decreased oxidative stress marker expression on GD14, and serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) levels on GD20. In conclusion, ALA supplementation mitigated maternal signs and improved placental function and fetal growth in SHRSP pregnancies, emerging as a promising therapy in pregnancies at high risk for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Barrientos
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Hospital Alemán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1118AAT, Argentina;
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1118AAT, Argentina
| | - Mariano L. Schuman
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1053ABH, Argentina; (M.L.S.); (M.S.L.)
- Departamento de Cardiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), UBA-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1427ARN, Argentina
| | - Maria S. Landa
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1053ABH, Argentina; (M.L.S.); (M.S.L.)
- Departamento de Cardiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), UBA-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1427ARN, Argentina
| | - Elizabeth Robello
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Fisicoquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1053ABH, Argentina; (E.R.); (M.G.)
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular-Dr. Alberto Boveris (IBIMOL), UBA-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - Claudio Incardona
- Fundación GADOR, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1414CUI, Argentina;
| | - Melanie L. Conrad
- Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, 12203 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Monica Galleano
- Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Cátedra de Fisicoquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1053ABH, Argentina; (E.R.); (M.G.)
- Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular-Dr. Alberto Boveris (IBIMOL), UBA-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1113AAD, Argentina
| | - Silvia I. García
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Hospital Alemán, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1118AAT, Argentina;
- Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas Alfredo Lanari, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1053ABH, Argentina; (M.L.S.); (M.S.L.)
- Departamento de Cardiología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), UBA-CONICET, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1427ARN, Argentina
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5
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Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Kelava I, Rawat M, Mazzeo CI, Tuck E, Sancho-Serra C, Chelaghma S, Predeus AV, Murray S, Fernandez-Antoran D, Waller RF, Álvarez-Errico D, Lee MCS, Vento-Tormo R. Acute response to pathogens in the early human placenta at single-cell resolution. Cell Syst 2024; 15:425-444.e9. [PMID: 38703772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The placenta is a selective maternal-fetal barrier that provides nourishment and protection from infections. However, certain pathogens can attach to and even cross the placenta, causing pregnancy complications with potential lifelong impacts on the child's health. Here, we profiled at the single-cell level the placental responses to three pathogens associated with intrauterine complications-Plasmodium falciparum, Listeria monocytogenes, and Toxoplasma gondii. We found that upon exposure to the pathogens, all placental lineages trigger inflammatory responses that may compromise placental function. Additionally, we characterized the responses of fetal macrophages known as Hofbauer cells (HBCs) to each pathogen and propose that they are the probable niche for T. gondii. Finally, we revealed how P. falciparum adapts to the placental microenvironment by modulating protein export into the host erythrocyte and nutrient uptake pathways. Altogether, we have defined the cellular networks and signaling pathways mediating acute placental inflammatory responses that could contribute to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Hoo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Iva Kelava
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mukul Rawat
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sara Chelaghma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - David Fernandez-Antoran
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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6
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Inanc A, Bektas NI, Kecoglu I, Parlatan U, Durkut B, Ucak M, Unlu MB, Celik-Ozenci C. Label-free differentiation of functional zones in mature mouse placenta using micro-Raman imaging. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2024; 15:3441-3456. [PMID: 38855670 PMCID: PMC11161348 DOI: 10.1364/boe.521500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
In histopathology, it is highly crucial to have chemical and structural information about tissues. Additionally, the segmentation of zones within a tissue plays a vital role in investigating the functions of these regions for better diagnosis and treatment. The placenta plays a vital role in embryonic and fetal development and in diagnosing some diseases associated with its dysfunction. This study provides a label-free approach to obtain the images of mature mouse placenta together with the chemical differences between the tissue compartments using Raman spectroscopy. To generate the Raman images, spectra of placental tissue were collected using a custom-built optical setup. The pre-processed spectra were analyzed using statistical and machine learning methods to acquire the Raman maps. We found that the placental regions called decidua and the labyrinth zone are biochemically distinct from the junctional zone. A histologist performed a comparison and evaluation of the Raman map with histological images of the placental tissue, and they were found to agree. The results of this study show that Raman spectroscopy offers the possibility of label-free monitoring of the placental tissue from mature mice while simultaneously revealing crucial structural information about the zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arda Inanc
- Department of Physics, Bogazici University, Bebek, Besiktas, Istanbul 34342, Turkey
| | - Nayce Ilayda Bektas
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Pınarbasi, Konyaalti, Antalya 07070, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Kecoglu
- Department of Physics, Bogazici University, Bebek, Besiktas, Istanbul 34342, Turkey
| | - Ugur Parlatan
- Department of Physics, Bogazici University, Bebek, Besiktas, Istanbul 34342, Turkey
| | - Begum Durkut
- Koc University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Reproductive Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Melike Ucak
- Koc University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Reproductive Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Burcin Unlu
- Faculty of Engineering, Ozyegin University, Nisantepe, Cekmekoy, Istanbul 34794, Turkey
- Faculty of Aviation and Aeronautical Sciences, Ozyegin University, Nisantepe, Cekmekoy, Istanbul 34794, Turkey
| | - Ciler Celik-Ozenci
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Koc University, Rumelifeneri, Sariyer, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Koc University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koc University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
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7
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Dibbon KC, Mercer GV, Maekawa AS, Hanrahan J, Steeves KL, Ringer LCM, Simpson AJ, Simpson MJ, Baschat AA, Kingdom JC, Macgowan CK, Sled JG, Jobst KJ, Cahill LS. Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics cause placental dysfunction in mice†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:211-218. [PMID: 37724921 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics has been shown to result in fetal growth restriction in mice. In this study, we investigated the placental and fetal hemodynamic responses to plastics exposure in mice using high-frequency ultrasound. Healthy, pregnant CD-1 dams were given either 106 ng/L of 5 μm polystyrene microplastics or 106 ng/L of 50 nm polystyrene nanoplastics in drinking water throughout gestation and were compared with controls. Maternal exposure to both microplastics and nanoplastics resulted in evidence of placental dysfunction that was highly dependent on the particle size. The umbilical artery blood flow increased by 48% in the microplastic-exposed group and decreased by 25% in the nanoplastic-exposed group compared to controls (p < 0.05). The microplastic- and nanoplastic-exposed fetuses showed a significant decrease in the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index of 10% and 13%, respectively, compared to controls (p < 0.05), indicating vasodilation of the cerebral circulation, a fetal adaptation that is part of the brain sparing response to preserve oxygen delivery. Hemodynamic markers of placental dysfunction and fetal hypoxia were more pronounced in the group exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics, suggesting nanoplastic exposure during human pregnancy has the potential to disrupt fetal brain development, which in turn may cause suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine C Dibbon
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Grace V Mercer
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Alexandre S Maekawa
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Jenna Hanrahan
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Katherine L Steeves
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Lauren C M Ringer
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - André J Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Myrna J Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmet A Baschat
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John C Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher K Macgowan
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John G Sled
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karl J Jobst
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Lindsay S Cahill
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Discipline of Radiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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8
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Suarez AC, Gimenez CJ, Russell SR, Wang M, Munson JM, Myers KM, Miller KS, Abramowitch SD, De Vita R. Pregnancy-induced remodeling of the murine reproductive tract: a longitudinal in vivo magnetic resonance imaging study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:586. [PMID: 38182631 PMCID: PMC10770079 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50437-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian pregnancy requires gradual yet extreme remodeling of the reproductive organs to support the growth of the embryos and their birth. After delivery, the reproductive organs return to their non-pregnant state. As pregnancy has traditionally been understudied, there are many unknowns pertaining to the mechanisms behind this remarkable remodeling and repair process which, when not successful, can lead to pregnancy-related complications such as maternal trauma, pre-term birth, and pelvic floor disorders. This study presents the first longitudinal imaging data that focuses on revealing anatomical alterations of the vagina, cervix, and uterine horns during pregnancy and postpartum using the mouse model. By utilizing advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, T1-weighted and T2-weighted images of the reproductive organs of three mice in their in vivo environment were collected at five time points: non-pregnant, mid-pregnant (gestation day: 9-10), late pregnant (gestation day: 16-17), postpartum (24-72 h after delivery) and three weeks postpartum. Measurements of the vagina, cervix, and uterine horns were taken by analyzing MRI segmentations of these organs. The cross-sectional diameter, length, and volume of the vagina increased in late pregnancy and then returned to non-pregnant values three weeks after delivery. The cross-sectional diameter of the cervix decreased at mid-pregnancy before increasing in late pregnancy. The volume of the cervix peaked at late pregnancy before shortening by 24-72 h postpartum. As expected, the uterus increased in cross-sectional diameter, length, and volume during pregnancy. The uterine horns decreased in size postpartum, ultimately returning to their average non-pregnant size three weeks postpartum. The newly developed methods for acquiring longitudinal in vivo MRI scans of the murine reproductive system can be extended to future studies that evaluate functional and morphological alterations of this system due to pathologies, interventions, and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen C Suarez
- STRETCH Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Clara J Gimenez
- STRETCH Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Serena R Russell
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 234 S W. Mudd, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Maosen Wang
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, 4 Riverside Circle,, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Jennifer M Munson
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, 4 Riverside Circle,, Roanoke, VA, 24016, USA
| | - Kristin M Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, 234 S W. Mudd, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Kristin S Miller
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Steven D Abramowitch
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Raffaella De Vita
- STRETCH Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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9
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Hanrahan J, Steeves KL, Locke DP, O'Brien TM, Maekawa AS, Amiri R, Macgowan CK, Baschat AA, Kingdom JC, Simpson AJ, Simpson MJ, Sled JG, Jobst KJ, Cahill LS. Maternal exposure to polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics impairs umbilical blood flow but not fetal growth in pregnant mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:399. [PMID: 38172192 PMCID: PMC10764924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50781-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
While microplastics have been recently detected in human blood and the placenta, their impact on human health is not well understood. Using a mouse model of environmental exposure during pregnancy, our group has previously reported that exposure to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics throughout gestation results in fetal growth restriction. While polystyrene is environmentally relevant, polyethylene is the most widely produced plastic and amongst the most commonly detected microplastic in drinking water and human blood. In this study, we investigated the effect of maternal exposure to polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics on fetal growth and placental function. Healthy, pregnant CD-1 dams were divided into three groups: 106 ng/L of 740-4990 nm polyethylene with surfactant in drinking water (n = 12), surfactant alone in drinking water (n = 12) or regular filtered drinking water (n = 11). At embryonic day 17.5, high-frequency ultrasound was used to investigate the placental and fetal hemodynamic responses following exposure. While maternal exposure to polyethylene did not impact fetal growth, there was a significant effect on placental function with a 43% increase in umbilical artery blood flow in the polyethylene group compared to controls (p < 0.01). These results suggest polyethylene has the potential to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes through abnormal placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Hanrahan
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Katherine L Steeves
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Drew P Locke
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Thomas M O'Brien
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Alexandre S Maekawa
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Roshanak Amiri
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Christopher K Macgowan
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Ahmet A Baschat
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - John C Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1E2, Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - André J Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Myrna J Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - John G Sled
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G 1E2, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Karl J Jobst
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada
| | - Lindsay S Cahill
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Arctic Avenue, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada.
- Discipline of Radiology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1C 5S7, Canada.
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10
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Shimizu T, Oike A, Kobayashi EH, Sekiya A, Kobayashi N, Shibata S, Hamada H, Saito M, Yaegashi N, Suyama M, Arima T, Okae H. CRISPR screening in human trophoblast stem cells reveals both shared and distinct aspects of human and mouse placental development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311372120. [PMID: 38085778 PMCID: PMC10742386 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311372120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta serves as the interface between the mother and fetus, facilitating the exchange of gases and nutrients between their separate blood circulation systems. Trophoblasts in the placenta play a central role in this process. Our current understanding of mammalian trophoblast development relies largely on mouse models. However, given the diversification of mammalian placentas, findings from the mouse placenta cannot be readily extrapolated to other mammalian species, including humans. To fill this knowledge gap, we performed CRISPR knockout screening in human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs). We targeted genes essential for mouse placental development and identified more than 100 genes as critical regulators in both human hTSCs and mouse placentas. Among them, we further characterized in detail two transcription factors, DLX3 and GCM1, and revealed their essential roles in hTSC differentiation. Moreover, a gene function-based comparison between human and mouse trophoblast subtypes suggests that their relationship may differ significantly from previous assumptions based on tissue localization or cellular function. Notably, our data reveal that hTSCs may not be analogous to mouse TSCs or the extraembryonic ectoderm (ExE) in which in vivo TSCs reside. Instead, hTSCs may be analogous to progenitor cells in the mouse ectoplacental cone and chorion. This finding is consistent with the absence of ExE-like structures during human placental development. Our data not only deepen our understanding of human trophoblast development but also facilitate cross-species comparison of mammalian placentas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takanori Shimizu
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Akira Oike
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto860-0811, Japan
| | - Eri H. Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Asato Sekiya
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto860-0811, Japan
| | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Shun Shibata
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Hamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka812-8582, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto860-0811, Japan
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11
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Parks SE, Geng T, Monsivais D. Endometrial TGFβ signaling fosters early pregnancy development by remodeling the fetomaternal interface. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 90:e13789. [PMID: 38009061 PMCID: PMC10683870 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is a unique and highly regenerative tissue with crucial roles during the reproductive lifespan of a woman. As the first site of contact between mother and embryo, the endometrium, and its critical processes of decidualization and immune cell recruitment, play a leading role in the establishment of pregnancy, embryonic development, and reproductive capacity. These integral processes are achieved by the concerted actions of steroid hormones and a myriad of growth factor signaling pathways. This review focuses on the roles of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway in the endometrium during the earliest stages of pregnancy through the lens of immune cell regulation and function. We discuss how key ligands in the TGFβ family signal through downstream SMAD transcription factors and ultimately remodel the endometrium into a state suitable for embryo implantation and development. We also focus on the key roles of the TGFβ signaling pathway in recruiting uterine natural killer cells and their collective remodeling of the decidua and spiral arteries. By providing key details about immune cell populations and TGFβ signaling within the endometrium, it is our goal to shed light on the intricate remodeling that is required to achieve a successful pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney E. Parks
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cancer and Cell Biology Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ting Geng
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Cancer and Cell Biology Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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12
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Zhao H, Wong RJ, Stevenson DK. The placental vasculature is affected by changes in gene expression and glycogen-rich cells in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294185. [PMID: 37948457 PMCID: PMC10637699 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal obesity is a risk factor for pregnancy complications. Obesity caused by a high-fat diet (HFD) may alter maternal glucose/glycogen metabolism. Here, our objective was to investigate whether the placental vasculature is altered via changes in gene expression and glycogen-rich cells using a preclinical mouse model of diet-induced obesity. We subjected female FVB/N mice to one of three feeding regimens: regular chow (RC) given at preconception and during pregnancy (Control); RC given at preconception and then a HFD during pregnancy (HFD-P); or HFD initiated 4 weeks preconception and during pregnancy (HFD-PreCP). Daily food consumption and weekly maternal weights were recorded. Maternal blood glucose levels were measured at preconception and 4 gestational epochs (E6.5-E9.5, E10.5-E12.5, E13.5-E15.5, E16.5-E19.5). At E8.5-E16.5, total RNA in placentas were isolated for gene expression analyses. Placentas were also collected for HE and periodic acid Schiff's (PAS) staining and glycogen content assays. Dams in the HFD-P and HFD-PreCP groups gained significantly more weight than controls. Pre- and antenatal glucose levels were also significantly higher (15%-30%) in HFD-PreCP dams. Expression of several placental genes were also altered in HFD dams compared with controls. Consumption of the HFD also led to phenotypic and morphologic changes in glycogen trophoblasts (GlyTs) and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Alterations in vascularity were also observed in the labyrinth of HFD-PreCP placentas, which correlated with decreased placental efficiency. Overall, we observed that a HFD induces gestational obesity in mice, alters expression of placental genes, affects glucose homeostasis, and alters glycogen-positive GlyTs and uNK cells. All these changes may lead to impaired placental vascular development, and thus heighten the risk for pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Ronald J. Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - David K. Stevenson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
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13
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Kramer AC, Jansson T, Bale TL, Powell TL. Maternal-fetal cross-talk via the placenta: influence on offspring development and metabolism. Development 2023; 150:dev202088. [PMID: 37831056 PMCID: PMC10617615 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Compelling epidemiological and animal experimental data demonstrate that cardiometabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases originate in a suboptimal intrauterine environment. Here, we review evidence suggesting that altered placental function may, at least in part, mediate the link between the maternal environment and changes in fetal growth and development. Emerging evidence indicates that the placenta controls the development and function of several fetal tissues through nutrient sensing, modulation of trophoblast nutrient transporters and by altering the number and cargo of released extracellular vesicles. In this Review, we discuss the development and functions of the maternal-placental-fetal interface (in humans and mice) and how cross-talk between these compartments may be a mechanism for in utero programming, focusing on mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), adiponectin and O-GlcNac transferase (OGT) signaling. We also discuss how maternal diet and stress influences fetal development and metabolism and how fetal growth restriction can result in susceptibility to developing chronic disease later in life. Finally, we speculate how interventions targeting placental function may offer unprecedented opportunities to prevent cardiometabolic disease in future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery C. Kramer
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Tracy L. Bale
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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14
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Marinello WP, Gillera SEA, Han Y, Richardson JR, St Armour G, Horman BM, Patisaul HB. Gestational exposure to FireMaster® 550 (FM 550) disrupts the placenta-brain axis in a socially monogamous rodent species, the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster). Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 576:112041. [PMID: 37562579 PMCID: PMC10795011 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Gestational flame retardant (FR) exposure has been linked to heightened risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Historically, toxicologists have relied on traditional, inbred rodent models, yet those do not always best model human vulnerability or biological systems, especially social systems. Here we used prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster), a monogamous and bi-parental rodent, leveraged for decades to decipher the underpinnings of social behaviors, to examine the impact of fetal FR exposure on gene targets in the mid-gestational placenta and fetal brain. We previously established gestational exposure to the commercial mixture Firemaster 550 (FM 550) impairs sociality, particularly in males. FM 550 exposure disrupted placental monoamine production, particularly serotonin, and genes required for axon guidance and cellular respiration in the fetal brains. Effects were dose and sex specific. These data provide insights on the mechanisms by which FRs impair neurodevelopment and later in life social behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P Marinello
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | | | - Yoonhee Han
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Jason R Richardson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Genevieve St Armour
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Brian M Horman
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA; Center for Human Health and the Environment, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
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15
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Song YP, Lv JW, Zhang ZC, Qian QH, Fan YJ, Chen DZ, Zhang H, Xu FX, Zhang C, Huang Y, Wang H, Wei W, Xu DX. Effects of Gestational Arsenic Exposures on Placental and Fetal Development in Mice: The Role of Cyr61 m6A. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:97004. [PMID: 37682722 PMCID: PMC10489955 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several epidemiological investigations demonstrated that maternal arsenic (As) exposure elevated risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR), but the mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the effects of gestational As exposure on placental and fetal development and its underlying mechanism. METHODS Dams were exposed to 0.15, 1.5, and 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 throughout pregnancy via drinking water. Sizes of fetuses and placentas, placental histopathology, and glycogen content were measured. Placental RNA sequencing was conducted. Human trophoblasts were exposed to NaAsO 2 (2 μ M ) to establish an in vitro model of As exposure. The mRNA stability and protein level of genes identified through RNA sequencing were measured. N 6 -Methyladenosine (m 6 A ) modification was detected by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reason (qPCR). The binding ability of insulin-like growth factor 2 binding protein 2 to the gene of interest was detected by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation-qPCR. Intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and methyltransferase activity were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and colorimetry, respectively. In vitro As + 3 methyltransferase (As3MT) knockdown or SAM supplementation and in vivo folic acid (FA) supplementation were used to evaluate the protective effect. A case-control study verified the findings. RESULTS Sizes of fetuses (exposed to 1.5 and 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 ) and placentas (exposed to 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 ) were lower in As-exposed mice. More glycogen + trophoblasts accumulated and the expression of markers of interstitial invasion was lower in the 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 -exposed mouse group in comparison with control. Placental RNA sequencing identified cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61) as a candidate gene of interest. Mechanistically, mice and cells exposed to As had lower protein expression of CYR61, and this was attributed to a lower incidence of Cyr61 m 6 A . Furthermore, cells exposed to As had lower methyltransferase activity, suggesting that this could be the mechanism by which Cyr61 m 6 A was affected. Depletion of intracellular SAM, a cofactor for m 6 A methyltransferase catalytic domain, partially contributed to As-induced methyltransferase activity reduction. Either As3MT knockdown or SAM supplementation attenuated As-induced Cyr61 m 6 A down-regulation. In mice, FA supplementation rescued As-induced defective trophoblastic invasion and FGR. In humans, a negative correlation between maternal urinary As and plasma CYR61 was observed in infants who were small for gestational age. DISCUSSION Using in vitro and in vivo models, we found that intracellular SAM depletion-mediated Cyr61 m 6 A down-regulation partially contributed to As-induced defective trophoblastic invasion and FGR. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12207.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ping Song
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jin-Wei Lv
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhi-Cheng Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qing-Hua Qian
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi-Jun Fan
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dao-Zhen Chen
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yichao Huang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Education Ministry of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - De-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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16
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Chabukswar S, Grandi N, Lin LT, Tramontano E. Envelope Recombination: A Major Driver in Shaping Retroviral Diversification and Evolution within the Host Genome. Viruses 2023; 15:1856. [PMID: 37766262 PMCID: PMC10536682 DOI: 10.3390/v15091856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are integrated into host DNA as the result of ancient germ line infections, primarily by extinct exogenous retroviruses. Thus, vertebrates' genomes contain thousands of ERV copies, providing a "fossil" record for ancestral retroviral diversity and its evolution within the host genome. Like other retroviruses, the ERV proviral sequence consists of gag, pro, pol, and env genes flanked by long terminal repeats (LTRs). Particularly, the env gene encodes for the envelope proteins that initiate the infection process by binding to the host cellular receptor(s), causing membrane fusion. For this reason, a major element in understanding ERVs' evolutionary trajectory is the characterization of env changes over time. Most of the studies dedicated to ERVs' env have been aimed at finding an "actual" physiological or pathological function, while few of them have focused on how these genes were once acquired and modified within the host. Once acquired into the organism, genome ERVs undergo common cellular events, including recombination. Indeed, genome recombination plays a role in ERV evolutionary dynamics. Retroviral recombination events that might have been involved in env divergence include the acquisition of env genes from distantly related retroviruses, env swapping facilitating multiple cross-species transmission over millions of years, ectopic recombination between the homologous sequences present in different positions in the chromosomes, and template switching during transcriptional events. The occurrence of these recombinational events might have aided in shaping retroviral diversification and evolution until the present day. Hence, this review describes and discusses in detail the reported recombination events involving ERV env to provide the basis for further studies in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saili Chabukswar
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (S.C.); (N.G.)
- International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (S.C.); (N.G.)
| | - Liang-Tzung Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (S.C.); (N.G.)
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17
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Wu Q. Natriuretic Peptide Signaling in Uterine Biology and Preeclampsia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12309. [PMID: 37569683 PMCID: PMC10418983 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial decidualization is a uterine process essential for spiral artery remodeling, embryo implantation, and trophoblast invasion. Defects in endometrial decidualization and spiral artery remodeling are important contributing factors in preeclampsia, a major disorder in pregnancy. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone that regulates blood volume and pressure. ANP is also generated in non-cardiac tissues, such as the uterus and placenta. In recent human genome-wide association studies, multiple loci with genes involved in natriuretic peptide signaling are associated with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. In cellular experiments and mouse models, uterine ANP has been shown to stimulate endometrial decidualization, increase TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand expression and secretion, and enhance apoptosis in arterial smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. In placental trophoblasts, ANP stimulates adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase and the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 signaling, leading to autophagy inhibition and protein kinase N3 upregulation, thereby increasing trophoblast invasiveness. ANP deficiency impairs endometrial decidualization and spiral artery remodeling, causing a preeclampsia-like phenotype in mice. These findings indicate the importance of natriuretic peptide signaling in pregnancy. This review discusses the role of ANP in uterine biology and potential implications of impaired ANP signaling in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Wu
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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18
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Mamnoon B, Moses AS, Sundaram S, Raitmayr CJ, Morgan T, Baldwin MK, Myatt L, Taratula O, Taratula OR. Glutathione-Responsive Methotrexate Polymersomes for Potential Management of Ectopic Pregnancy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2302969. [PMID: 37452511 PMCID: PMC10787806 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202302969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The first-line treatment for ectopic pregnancy (EP), the chemotherapeutic methotrexate (MTX), has a failure rate of more than 10%, which can lead to severe complications or death. Inadequate accumulation of administered MTX at the ectopic implantation site significantly contributes to therapeutic failure. This study reports the first glutathione-responsive polymersomes for efficient delivery of MTX to the implantation site and its triggered release in placental cells. Fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging have confirmed that the developed polymersomes preferentially accumulate after systemic administration in the implantation site of pregnant mice at early gestational stages. The high concentrations of intracellular glutathione (GSH) reduce an incorporated disulfide bond within polymersomes upon internalization into placental cells, resulting in their disintegration and efficient drug release. Consequently, MTX delivered by polymersomes induces pregnancy demise in mice, as opposed to free MTX at the same dose regimen. To achieve the same therapeutic efficacy with free MTX, a sixfold increase in dosage is required. In addition, mice successfully conceive and birth healthy pups following a prior complete pregnancy demise induced by methotrexate polymersomes. Therefore, the developed MTX nanomedicine can potentially improve EP management and reduce associated mortality rates and related cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Mamnoon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, 2730 S Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
| | - Abraham S Moses
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, 2730 S Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
| | - Subisha Sundaram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, 2730 S Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
| | - Constanze J Raitmayr
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, 2730 S Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
| | - Terry Morgan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and the Center for Developmental Health, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Maureen K Baldwin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Leslie Myatt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Oleh Taratula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, 2730 S Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
| | - Olena R Taratula
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, 2730 S Moody Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
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19
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Zhou J, Yang S, Xu X, Xu X, Wang X, Ye A, Chen Y, He F, Yu B. Screening of placenta accreta spectrum disorder using maternal serum biomarkers and clinical indicators: a case-control study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:508. [PMID: 37434137 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05784-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder is a major cause of postpartum hemorrhage-associated maternal and fetal death, and novel methods for PAS screening are urgently needed for clinical application. METHODS The purpose of this study was to develop new methods for PAS screening using serum biomarkers and clinical indicators. A total of 95 PAS cases and 137 controls were enrolled in a case-control study as cohort one, and 44 PAS cases and 35 controls in a prospective nested case-control study were enrolled as cohort two. All subjects were pregnant women of Chinese Han population. Biomarkers for PAS from maternal blood samples were screened based on high-throughput immunoassay and were further validated in three phases of cohort one. Screening models for PAS were generated using maternal serum biomarkers and clinical indicators, and were validated in two cohorts. The expression levels of biomarkers were analyzed using histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) techniques, and gene expression was examined by QPCR in the human placenta. Binary logistic regression models were built, and the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and Youden index were calculated. Statistical analyses and model building were performed in SPSS and graphs were generated in GraphPad Prism. The independent-sample t test was used to compare numerical data between two groups. For nonparametric variables, a Mann-Whitney U test or a X2 test was used. RESULTS The results demonstrated that the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were consistently higher, while the level of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) was significantly lower in PAS patients compared with normal term controls and patients with pre-eclampsia (PE) and placenta previa (PP). IHC and QPCR analysis confirmed that the expression of the identified biomarkers significantly changed during the third trimester in human placenta. The generated screening model combining serum biomarkers and clinical indicators detected 87% of PAS cases with AUC of 0.94. CONCLUSIONS Serum biomarkers can be used for PAS screening with low expense and high clinical performance; therefore, it may help to develop a practicable method for clinical prenatal PAS screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- BioResource Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.63 Duobao Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, China
| | - Xingneng Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiuting Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuwei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anqi Ye
- BioResource Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.63 Duobao Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, China
| | - Yanhong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bolan Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- BioResource Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.63 Duobao Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, China.
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20
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Freise L, Behncke RY, Allerkamp HH, Sandermann TH, Chu NH, Funk EM, Hondrich LJ, Riedel A, Witzel C, Hansmeier NR, Danyel M, Gellhaus A, Dechend R, Hägerling R. Three-Dimensional Histological Characterization of the Placental Vasculature Using Light Sheet Microscopy. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1009. [PMID: 37371590 DOI: 10.3390/biom13061009] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is the first embryonic organ, representing the connection between the embryo and the mother, and is therefore necessary for the embryo's growth and survival. To meet the ever-growing need for nutrient and gas exchange, the maternal spiral arteries undergo extensive remodeling, thus increasing the uteroplacental blood flow by 16-fold. However, the insufficient remodeling of the spiral arteries can lead to severe pregnancy-associated disorders, including but not limited to pre-eclampsia. Insufficient endovascular trophoblast invasion plays a key role in the manifestation of pre-eclampsia; however, the underlying processes are complex and still unknown. Classical histopathology is based on two-dimensional section microscopy, which lacks a volumetric representation of the vascular remodeling process. To further characterize the uteroplacental vascularization, a detailed, non-destructive, and subcellular visualization is beneficial. In this study, we use light sheet microscopy for optical sectioning, thus establishing a method to obtain a three-dimensional visualization of the vascular system in the placenta. By introducing a volumetric visualization method of the placenta, we could establish a powerful tool to deeply investigate the heterogeneity of the spiral arteries during the remodeling process, evaluate the state-of-the-art treatment options, effects on vascularization, and, ultimately, reveal new insights into the underlying pathology of pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Freise
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rose Yinghan Behncke
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Hanna Helene Allerkamp
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Tim Henrik Sandermann
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ngoc Hai Chu
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Maria Funk
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lukas Jonathan Hondrich
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alina Riedel
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Witzel
- Department of Surgery, Campus Charité Mitte and Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nils Rouven Hansmeier
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Research Group 'Development and Disease', Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Magdalena Danyel
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Academy, Clinician Scientist Program, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ralf Dechend
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a Cooperation of Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Lindenbergerweg 80, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- HELIOS Klinikum, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - René Hägerling
- Research Group 'Lymphovascular Medicine and Translational 3D-Histopathology', Institute of Medical and Human Genetics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Research Group 'Development and Disease', Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Academy, Clinician Scientist Program, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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21
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Paul M, Chakraborty S, Islam S, Ain R. Trans-differentiation of trophoblast stem cells: implications in placental biology. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:6/3/e202201583. [PMID: 36574992 PMCID: PMC9797987 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophoblast invasion is a hallmark of hemochorial placentation. Invasive trophoblast cells replace the endothelial cells of uterine spiral arteries. The mechanism by which the invasive trophoblast cells acquire this phenotype is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that, during differentiation, a small population of trophoblast stem (TS) cells trans-differentiate into a hybrid cell type expressing markers of both trophoblast (TC) and endothelial (EC) cells. In addition, a compendium of EC-specific genes was found to be associated with TS cell differentiation. Using functional annotation, these genes were categorized into angiogenesis, cell adhesion molecules, and apoptosis-related genes. HES1 repressed transcription of EC genes in TS cells. Interestingly, differentiated TCs secrete TRAIL, but its receptor DR4 is expressed only in ECs and not in TCs. TRAIL induced apoptosis in EC but not in TC. Co-culture of ECs with TC induced apoptosis in ECs via extrinsic apoptotic pathway. These results highlight that (a) TS cells possess the potential to trans-differentiate into "trophendothelial" phenotype, regulated by HES1 and (b) trophoblast differentiation-induced TRAIL secretion directs preferential demise of ECs located in their vicinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhurima Paul
- Division of Cell Biology and Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Shreeta Chakraborty
- Division of Cell Biology and Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India.,National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Safirul Islam
- Division of Cell Biology and Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India.,School of Biotechnology, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | - Rupasri Ain
- Division of Cell Biology and Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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22
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Rusidzé M, Gargaros A, Fébrissy C, Dubucs C, Weyl A, Ousselin J, Aziza J, Arnal JF, Lenfant F. Estrogen Actions in Placental Vascular Morphogenesis and Spiral Artery Remodeling: A Comparative View between Humans and Mice. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040620. [PMID: 36831287 PMCID: PMC9954071 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogens, mainly 17β-estradiol (E2), play a critical role in reproductive organogenesis, ovulation, and fertility via estrogen receptors. E2 is also a well-known regulator of utero-placental vascular development and blood-flow dynamics throughout gestation. Mouse and human placentas possess strikingly different morphological configurations that confer important reproductive advantages. However, the functional interplay between fetal and maternal vasculature remains similar in both species. In this review, we briefly describe the structural and functional characteristics, as well as the development, of mouse and human placentas. In addition, we summarize the current knowledge regarding estrogen actions during utero-placental vascular morphogenesis, which includes uterine angiogenesis, the control of trophoblast behavior, spiral artery remodeling, and hemodynamic adaptation throughout pregnancy, in both mice and humans. Finally, the estrogens that are present in abnormal placentation are also mentioned. Overall, this review highlights the importance of the actions of estrogens in the physiology and pathophysiology of placental vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Rusidzé
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), INSERM U1297, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), CHU, 31432 Toulouse, France
- Department of Pathology, Cancer University Institute of Toulouse Oncopole-IUCT, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | - Adrien Gargaros
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), INSERM U1297, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), CHU, 31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Chanaëlle Fébrissy
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), INSERM U1297, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), CHU, 31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Charlotte Dubucs
- Department of Pathology, Cancer University Institute of Toulouse Oncopole-IUCT, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | - Ariane Weyl
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), INSERM U1297, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), CHU, 31432 Toulouse, France
- Department of Pathology, Cancer University Institute of Toulouse Oncopole-IUCT, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | - Jessie Ousselin
- Department of Pathology, Cancer University Institute of Toulouse Oncopole-IUCT, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | - Jacqueline Aziza
- Department of Pathology, Cancer University Institute of Toulouse Oncopole-IUCT, 31100 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-François Arnal
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), INSERM U1297, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), CHU, 31432 Toulouse, France
| | - Françoise Lenfant
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC), INSERM U1297, University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), CHU, 31432 Toulouse, France
- Correspondence:
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23
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Faral-Tello P, Greif G, Romero S, Cabrera A, Oviedo C, González T, Libisch G, Arévalo AP, Varela B, Verdes JM, Crispo M, Basmadjián Y, Robello C. Trypanosoma cruzi Isolates Naturally Adapted to Congenital Transmission Display a Unique Strategy of Transplacental Passage. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0250422. [PMID: 36786574 PMCID: PMC10100920 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02504-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is mainly transmitted by vertical transmission (VT) in nonendemic areas and in endemic areas where vector control programs have been successful. For the present study, we isolated natural Trypanosoma cruzi strains vertically transmitted through three generations and proceeded to study their molecular mechanism of VT using mice. No parasitemia was detected in immunocompetent mice, but the parasites were able to induce an immune response and colonize different organs. VT experiments revealed that infection with different strains did not affect mating, pregnancy, or resorption, but despite low parasitemia, VT strains reached the placenta and resulted in higher vertical transmission rates than strains of either moderate or high virulence. While the virulent strain modulated more than 2,500 placental genes, VT strains modulated 150, and only 29 genes are shared between them. VT strains downregulated genes associated with cell division and replication and upregulated immunomodulatory genes, leading to anti-inflammatory responses and tolerance. The virulent strain stimulated a strong proinflammatory immune response, and this molecular footprint correlated with histopathological analyses. We describe a unique placental response regarding the passage of T. cruzi VT isolates across the maternal-fetal interphase, challenging the current knowledge derived mainly from studies of laboratory-adapted or highly virulent strains. IMPORTANCE The main findings of this study are that we determined that there are Trypanosoma cruzi strains adapted to transplacental transmission and completely different from the commonly used laboratory reference strains. This implies a specific strategy for the vertical transmission of Chagas disease. It is impressive that the strains specialized for vertical transmission modify the gene expression of the placenta in a totally different way than the reference strains. In addition, we describe isolates of T. cruzi that cannot be transmitted transplacentally. Taken together, these results open up new insights into the molecular mechanisms of this insect vector-independent transmission form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Faral-Tello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gonzalo Greif
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Selva Romero
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés Cabrera
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Unidad de Microbiología, Instituto de Patobiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cristina Oviedo
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Telma González
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gabriela Libisch
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Paula Arévalo
- Laboratory Animal Biotechnology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Belén Varela
- Unidad de Patología, Departamento de Patobiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - José Manuel Verdes
- Unidad de Patología, Departamento de Patobiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Martina Crispo
- Laboratory Animal Biotechnology Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Yester Basmadjián
- Departamento de Parasitología y Micología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carlos Robello
- Laboratorio de Interacciones Hospedero Patógeno/UBM, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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24
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Watanabe S, Vasudevan SG. Clinical and experimental evidence for transplacental vertical transmission of flaviviruses. Antiviral Res 2023; 210:105512. [PMID: 36572192 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105512] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic outbreak in Americas in 2016 attracted global attention because of the association of the virus infection with severe birth defects such as microcephaly, mediated through transplacental virus transmission during pregnancy. Less well-known, but also reported is the increasing evidence that prenatal vertical transmission can be caused by other flaviviruses such as dengue virus (DENV). Currently, the mechanism(s) that cause the vertical transmission of flaviviruses is understudied. Here we review the published reports of clinical evidence of intrauterine transmission of ZIKV and other flaviviruses. We also discuss the animal models for flavivirus infection during pregnancy that have been developed to study the mechanisms underlying the transplacental transmission of flaviviruses in order to develop potential countermeasures for its prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Watanabe
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8-College Road, 169857, Singapore.
| | - Subhash G Vasudevan
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8-College Road, 169857, Singapore
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25
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Easton ZJW, Luo X, Li L, Regnault TRH. The impact of hyperglycemia upon BeWo trophoblast cell metabolic function: A multi-OMICS and functional metabolic analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283118. [PMID: 36930661 PMCID: PMC10022812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-existing and gestationally-developed diabetes mellitus have been linked with impairments in placental villous trophoblast cell metabolic function, that are thought to underlie the development of metabolic diseases early in the lives of the exposed offspring. Previous research using placental cell lines and ex vivo trophoblast preparations have highlighted hyperglycemia is an important independent regulator of placental function. However, it is poorly understood if hyperglycemia directly influences aspects of placental metabolic function, including nutrient storage and mitochondrial respiration, that are altered in term diabetic placentae. The current study examined metabolic and mitochondrial function as well as nutrient storage in both undifferentiated cytotrophoblast and differentiated syncytiotrophoblast BeWo cells cultured under hyperglycemia conditions (25 mM glucose) for 72 hours to further characterize the direct impacts of placental hyperglycemic exposure. Hyperglycemic-exposed BeWo trophoblasts displayed increased glycogen and triglyceride nutrient stores, but real-time functional readouts of metabolic enzyme activity and mitochondrial respiratory activity were not altered. However, specific investigation into mitochondrial dynamics highlighted increased expression of markers associated with mitochondrial fission that could indicate high glucose-exposed trophoblasts are transitioning towards mitochondrial dysfunction. To further characterize the impacts of independent hyperglycemia, the current study subsequently utilized a multi-omics approach and evaluated the transcriptomic and metabolomic signatures of BeWo cytotrophoblasts. BeWo cytotrophoblasts exposed to hyperglycemia displayed increased mRNA expression of ACSL1, HSD11B2, RPS6KA5, and LAP3 and reduced mRNA expression of CYP2F1, and HK2, concomitant with increased levels of: lactate, malonate, and riboflavin metabolites. These changes highlighted important underlying alterations to glucose, glutathione, fatty acid, and glucocorticoid metabolism in BeWo trophoblasts exposed to hyperglycemia. Overall, these results demonstrate that hyperglycemia is an important independent regulator of key areas of placental metabolism, nutrient storage, and mitochondrial function, and these data continue to expand our knowledge on mechanisms governing the development of placental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J W Easton
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xian Luo
- The Metabolomics Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Liang Li
- The Metabolomics Innovation Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Timothy R H Regnault
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, London Health Science Centre-Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada
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26
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The intricate nature of senescence in development and cell plasticity. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 87:214-219. [PMID: 33486077 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.01.004] [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: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cellular senescence, a stable form of cell cycle arrest, accompanied by pronounced secretory activity, has functional roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. Although senescence has been linked for a long time with cancer and ageing, recent studies have revealed a functional role of senescence in development, regeneration and reprogramming. Notably, the transient presence of senescent cells may be beneficial, in contrast to the potential deleterious effects of persistent senescence in aged or chronically damaged tissues. We will discuss how senescence contributes to embryonic development, cell plasticity and tissue regeneration, as a highly coordinated and programmed cellular state.
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Xiao Y, Li M, Guo X, Zeng H, Shuai X, Guo J, Huang Q, Chu Y, Zhou B, Wen J, Liu J, Jiao H. Inflammatory Mechanism of Brucella Infection in Placental Trophoblast Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13417. [PMID: 36362199 PMCID: PMC9657658 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a severe zoonotic infectious disease caused by the infection of the Brucella, which is widespread and causes considerable economic losses in underdeveloped areas. Brucella is a facultative intracellular bacteria whose main target cells for infection are macrophages, placental trophoblast cells and dendritic cells. The main clinical signs of Brucella infection in livestock are reproductive disorders and abortion. At present, the pathogenesis of placentitis or abortion caused by Brucella in livestock is not fully understood, and further research on the effect of Brucella on placental development is still necessary. This review will mainly introduce the research progress of Brucella infection of placental trophoblast cells as well as the inflammatory response caused by it, explaining the molecular regulation mechanism of Brucella leading to reproductive system disorders and abortion, and also to provide the scientific basis for revealing the pathogenesis and infection mechanism of Brucella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xiao
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Mengjuan Li
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xiaoyi Guo
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Hui Zeng
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xuehong Shuai
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qingzhou Huang
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yuefeng Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yujinxiang Street 573, Changchun 130102, China
| | - Jake Wen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jun Liu
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yujinxiang Street 573, Changchun 130102, China
| | - Hanwei Jiao
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- The Immunology Research Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Rusidzé M, Faure MC, Sicard P, Raymond-Letron I, Giton F, Vessieres E, Prevot V, Henrion D, Arnal JF, Cornil CA, Lenfant F. Loss of function of the maternal membrane oestrogen receptor ERα alters expansion of trophoblast cells and impacts mouse fertility. Development 2022; 149:dev200683. [PMID: 36239412 PMCID: PMC9720743 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2024]
Abstract
The binding of 17β-oestradiol to oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) plays a crucial role in the control of reproduction, acting through both nuclear and membrane-initiated signalling. To study the physiological role of membrane ERα in the reproductive system, we used the C451A-ERα mouse model with selective loss of function of membrane ERα. Despite C451A-ERα mice being described as sterile, daily weighing and ultrasound imaging revealed that homozygous females do become pregnant, allowing the investigation of the role of ERα during pregnancy for the first time. All neonatal deaths of the mutant offspring mice resulted from delayed parturition associated with failure in pre-term progesterone withdrawal. Moreover, pregnant C451A-ERα females exhibited partial intrauterine embryo arrest at about E9.5. The observed embryonic lethality resulted from altered expansion of Tpbpa-positive spiral artery-associated trophoblast giant cells into the utero-placental unit, which is associated with an imbalance in expression of angiogenic factors. Together, these processes control the trophoblast-mediated spiral arterial remodelling. Hence, loss of membrane ERα within maternal tissues clearly alters the activity of invasive trophoblast cells during placentogenesis. This previously unreported function of membrane ERα could open new avenues towards a better understanding of human pregnancy-associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Rusidzé
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC) Equipe 4, Inserm U1297-UPS, CHU, Toulouse 31432, France
| | | | - Pierre Sicard
- IPAM, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Isabelle Raymond-Letron
- Institut Restore, Université de Toulouse, CNRS U-5070, EFS, ENVT, Inserm U1031, Toulouse 31076, France
| | - Frank Giton
- APHP H.Mondor - IMRB - INSERM U955, Créteil 94010, France
| | - Emilie Vessieres
- Angers University, MITOVASC, CarMe team, CNRS UMR 6015, INSERM U1083, Angers 49055, France
| | - Vincent Prevot
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 Days for Health, Lille 59000, France
| | - Daniel Henrion
- Angers University, MITOVASC, CarMe team, CNRS UMR 6015, INSERM U1083, Angers 49055, France
| | | | | | - Françoise Lenfant
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC) Equipe 4, Inserm U1297-UPS, CHU, Toulouse 31432, France
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Parameshwar PK, Sagrillo-Fagundes L, Azevedo Portilho N, Pastor WA, Vaillancourt C, Moraes C. Engineered models for placental toxicology: Emerging approaches based on tissue decellularization. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 112:148-159. [PMID: 35840119 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.07.003] [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: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent increases in prescriptions and illegal drug use as well as exposure to environmental contaminants during pregnancy have highlighted the critical importance of placental toxicology in understanding and identifying risks to both mother and fetus. Although advantageous for basic science, current in vitro models often fail to capture the complexity of placental response, likely due to their inability to recreate and monitor aspects of the microenvironment including physical properties, mechanical forces and stiffness, protein composition, cell-cell interactions, soluble and physicochemical factors, and other exogenous cues. Tissue engineering holds great promise in addressing these challenges and provides an avenue to better understand basic biology, effects of toxic compounds and potential therapeutics. The key to success lies in effectively recreating the microenvironment. One strategy to do this would be to recreate individual components and then combine them. However, this becomes challenging due to variables present according to conditions such as tissue location, age, health status and lifestyle. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to influence cellular fate by working as a storage of factors. Decellularized ECM (dECM) is a recent tool that allows usage of the original ECM in a refurbished form, providing a relatively reliable representation of the microenvironment. This review focuses on using dECM in modified forms such as whole organs, scaffold sheets, electrospun nanofibers, hydrogels, 3D printing, and combinations as building blocks to recreate aspects of the microenvironment to address general tissue engineering and toxicology challenges, thus illustrating their potential as tools for future placental toxicology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathalia Azevedo Portilho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - William A Pastor
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Québec, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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Ye HX, Liao GN, Dong YJ, Li L, Wang XM, Shu J, Zheng Q, Jia Y. miR-146a-5p enhances embryo survival in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion by promoting M2 polarization of decidual macrophages. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 110:108930. [PMID: 35764020 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) is one of the most challenging conditions in the reproductive field, and macrophage M1/M2 polarization disorder is involved in URSA pathogenesis, although the relevant mechanisms are undefined. miR-146a-5p possesses an immunoregulatory role and is expressed in decidual immune cells, and this study aims to investigate its effect on decidual macrophage polarization and therapeutic prospects in URSA, which has never been reported. The levels of M1/M2 markers in the deciduae and the miR-146a-5p expression in the decidual macrophages of URSA and healthy pregnant women were first detected and analyzed. Then, the in vitro effect of miR-146a-5p on the M1/M2 polarization and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines was investigated in Tamm-Horsfall protein-1 (THP-1)-induced macrophages. Finally, the in vivo immunotherapeutic effect of miR-146a-5p on embryo survival and the potential mechanisms were evaluated in a murine model of immune-based URSA. As a result, the abnormal M1/M2 polarization, which showed a shift towards the M1 phenotype and correlated with the decreased expression of miR-146a-5p, was verified in human URSA decidual macrophages. miR-146a-5p could inhibit M1 polarization, promote M2 polarization, and result in an anti-inflammatory microenvironment in THP-1-induced macrophages. The intravenous injection of exogenous miR-146a-5p in the first trimester of pregnant URSA mice significantly reduced the embryo resorption rate and promoted the M2 polarization of decidual macrophages. In conclusion, miR-146a-5p enhances embryo survival in URSA by promoting decidual macrophage polarization toward an M2 phenotype, giving new ideas and potential targets for subsequent research on the pathogenesis and immunotherapeutic strategies of URSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Xia Ye
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecology Hospital, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China; Department of Reproductive Immunology, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China; Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Guang-Neng Liao
- Laboratory Animal Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Ya-Jun Dong
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecology Hospital, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China; Department of Reproductive Immunology, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China
| | - Lan Li
- Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xue-Mei Wang
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecology Hospital, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China; Department of Reproductive Immunology, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China
| | - Jin Shu
- Department of Gynecology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecology Hospital, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China
| | - Qu Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecology Hospital, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Jia
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecology Hospital, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China; Department of Reproductive Immunology, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care, Chengdu 610066, Sichuan, China.
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Monteiro VRS, Andrade CBV, Gomes HR, Reginatto MW, Império GE, Fontes KN, Spiess DA, Rangel-Junior WS, Nascimento VMO, Lima COS, Sousa RPC, Bloise FF, Matthews SG, Bloise E, Pimentel-Coelho PM, Ortiga-Carvalho TM. Mid-pregnancy poly(I:C) viral mimic disrupts placental ABC transporter expression and leads to long-term offspring motor and cognitive dysfunction. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10262. [PMID: 35715474 PMCID: PMC9205917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14248-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Limited information is available about the effect of mid-pregnancy viral infections on the placental expression of efflux transporters and offspring behavior. We hypothesized that maternal exposure to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], a synthetic double-stranded RNA viral mimic, would impair placental cell turnover, the expression of selected ABC transporters and adult offspring behavior. C57BL/6 mice were administered poly(I:C) (10 mg/Kg;ip) or vehicle at gestational day (GD) 13.5 (mid-pregnancy). Dams were euthanized for blood collection 4 h after injection, fetal and placental collection at GD18.5 or allowed to deliver spontaneously at term. At GD 13.5, poly(I:C) induced an acute pro-inflammatory response characterized by an increase in maternal plasma levels of IL-6, CXCL-1 and CCL-2/MCP-1. At GD 18.5, poly(I:C) decreased cell proliferation/death in the labyrinthine and increased cell death in the junctional zones, characterizing a disruption of placental cell turnover. Abca1 and Abcg1 immunolabelling was decreased in the labyrinthine zone, whereas Abca1, Abcg1 and breast cancer resistance transporter (Bcrp) expression increased in the junctional zone. Moreover, adult offspring showed motor and cognitive impairments in the Rotarod and T-water maze tests. These results indicate that viral infection during mid-pregnancy may disrupt relevant placental efflux transporters, as well as placental cell turnover and offspring behavior in adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- V R S Monteiro
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - C B V Andrade
- Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade Estadual Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - H R Gomes
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - M W Reginatto
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - G E Império
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - K N Fontes
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - D A Spiess
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - W S Rangel-Junior
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - V M O Nascimento
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - C O S Lima
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - R P C Sousa
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - F F Bloise
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - S G Matthews
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - E Bloise
- Departamento de Morfologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - P M Pimentel-Coelho
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - T M Ortiga-Carvalho
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
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Andrew AK, Cooper CA, Moore JM. A novel murine model of post-implantation malaria-induced preterm birth. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0256060. [PMID: 35312688 PMCID: PMC8936457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite major advances made in malaria treatment and control over recent decades, the development of new models for studying disease pathogenesis remains a vital part of malaria research efforts. The study of malaria infection during pregnancy is particularly reliant on mouse models, as a means of circumventing many challenges and costs associated with pregnancy studies in endemic human populations. Here, we introduce a novel murine model that will further our understanding of how malaria infection affects pregnancy outcome. When C57BL/6J (B6) mice are infected with Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS on either embryonic day (E) 6.5, 8.5, or 10.5, preterm birth occurs in all animals by E16.5, E17.5, or E18.5 respectively, with no evidence of intrauterine growth restriction. Despite having the same outcome, we found that the time to delivery, placental inflammatory and antioxidant transcript upregulation, and the relationships between parasitemia and transcript expression prior to preterm birth differed based on the embryonic day of infection. On the day before preterm delivery, E6.5 infected mice did not experience significant upregulation of the inflammatory or antioxidant gene transcripts examined; however, peripheral and placental parasitemia correlated positively with Il1β, Cox1, Cat, and Hmox1 placental transcript abundance. E8.5 infected mice had elevated transcripts for Ifnγ, Tnf, Il10, Cox1, Cox2, Sod1, Sod2, Cat, and Nrf2, while Sod3 was the only transcript that correlated with parasitemia. Finally, E10.5 infected mice had elevated transcripts for Ifnγ only, with a tendency for Tnf transcripts to correlate with peripheral parasitemia. Tumor necrosis factor deficient (TNF-/-) and TNF receptor 1 deficient (TNFR1-/-) mice infected on E8.5 experienced preterm birth at the same time as B6 controls. Further characterization of this model is necessary to discover the mechanism(s) and/or trigger(s) responsible for malaria-driven preterm birth caused by maternal infection during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicer K. Andrew
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Caitlin A. Cooper
- Department of Cellular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Julie M. Moore
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Watanabe S, Chan KWK, Tan NWW, Mahid MBA, Chowdhury A, Chang KTE, Vasudevan SG. Experimental evidence for a high rate of maternal-fetal transmission of dengue virus in the presence of antibodies in immunocompromised mice. EBioMedicine 2022; 77:103930. [PMID: 35290828 PMCID: PMC8921544 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Congenital disorders associated with prenatal vertical transmission of Zika virus (ZIKV) is well established since the 2016 outbreak in the Americas. However, despite clinical reports of similar mode of transmission for other flaviviruses such as dengue virus (DENV), the phenomenon has not been experimentally explored. Methods Pregnant AG129 mice were infected with DENV1 in the presence or absence of enhancing antibodies at different gestational time points. ZIKV was used for comparison. We quantified viral load in fetus and placentas and performed comprehensive gene expression profiling in the maternal (decidua) and fetal portion of placenta separately. Findings We demonstrate in a laboratory experimental setting that DENV can be transmitted vertically in a gestation stage-dependent manner similar to ZIKV, and this incidence drastically increases in the presence of enhancing antibodies. Interestingly, a high rate of DENV fetal infection occurs even though the placental viral load is significantly lower than that found in ZIKV-infected dams. Comprehensive gene expression profiling revealed DENV infection modulates a variety of inflammation-associated genes comparable to ZIKV in decidua and fetal placenta in early pregnancy. Interpretation Our findings suggest that the virus-induced modulation of host gene expression may facilitate DENV to cross the placental barrier in spite of lower viral burden compared to ZIKV. This mouse model may serve to identify the host determinants required for the vertical transmission of flaviviruses and develop appropriate countermeasures. Funding National Medical Research Council/Open Fund Individual Research Grant MOH-000524 (SW), MOH-000086 and OFIRG20nov-0017 (SGV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Watanabe
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8-College Road 169857, Singapore.
| | - Kitti Wing Ki Chan
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8-College Road 169857, Singapore
| | - Nicole Wei Wen Tan
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8-College Road 169857, Singapore
| | | | - Avisha Chowdhury
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8-College Road 169857, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Tou En Chang
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8-College Road 169857, Singapore; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road 229899, Singapore
| | - Subhash G Vasudevan
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8-College Road 169857, Singapore; Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222, Australia.
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Schneider CM, Steeves KL, Mercer GV, George H, Paranavitana L, Simpson MJ, Simpson AJ, Cahill LS. Placental metabolite profiles in late gestation for healthy mice. Metabolomics 2022; 18:10. [PMID: 34993719 DOI: 10.1007/s11306-021-01868-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During pregnancy, appropriate placental metabolism is essential for fetuses to reach their growth potential. However, metabolic mechanisms during pregnancy remain poorly understood. Determination of the levels of placental metabolites in healthy pregnancy and how they change throughout gestation is critical for understanding placental function. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of gestational age on placental metabolites using healthy pregnant mice. METHODS In the present study, we collected placental tissue samples from healthy pregnant mice at three timepoints in late gestation (n = 16 placentas per gestational age). Metabolite profiles were determined using 1H high-resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HRMAS MRS). RESULTS Using HRMAS MRS, we identified 14 metabolites in murine placental tissue samples. The relative concentration of 12 of the 14 metabolites remains unchanged throughout late gestation. Lysine was found to decrease significantly (p = 0.04) and glucose showed an inverted U-shape relationship (p = 0.03) with gestational age. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the feasibility of HRMAS MRS to determine relative metabolite concentrations in murine placental tissue. These findings establish baseline levels of placental tissue metabolite profiles and will serve as reference ranges for future studies using mouse models of fetal distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline M Schneider
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 283 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Katherine L Steeves
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 283 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Grace V Mercer
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 283 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Hannah George
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 283 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Leah Paranavitana
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 283 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X7, Canada
| | - Myrna J Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - André J Simpson
- Environmental NMR Centre and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lindsay S Cahill
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 283 Prince Philip Drive, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X7, Canada.
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dos Passos Junior RR, de Freitas RA, Dela Justina V, San Martín S, Lima VV, Giachini FR. Protein O-GlcNAcylation as a nutrient sensor signaling placental dysfunction in hypertensive pregnancy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1032499. [PMID: 36531508 PMCID: PMC9754152 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1032499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During pregnancy, arterial hypertension may impair placental function, which is critical for a healthy baby's growth. Important proteins during placentation are known to be targets for O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine modification (O-GlcNAcylation), and abnormal protein O-GlcNAcylation has been linked to pathological conditions such as hypertension. However, it is unclear how protein O-GlcNAcylation affects placental function and fetal growth throughout pregnancy during hypertension. METHODS To investigate this question, female Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were mated with male Wistar rats, and after pregnancy confirmation by vaginal smear, rats were divided into groups of 14, 17, and 20 days of pregnancy (DOPs). On the 14th, 17th, and 20th DOP, rats were euthanized, fetal parameters were measured, and placentas were collected for western blot, immunohistochemical, and morphological analyses. RESULTS SHR presented a higher blood pressure than the Wistar rats (p=0.001). Across all DOPs, SHR showed reduced fetal weight and an increase in small-for-gestational-age fetuses. While near-term placentas were heavier in SHR (p=0.006), placental efficiency decreased at 17 (p=0.01) and 20 DOPs (p<0.0001) in this group. Morphological analysis revealed reduced junctional zone area and labyrinth vasculature changes on SHR placentas in all DOPs. O-GlcNAc protein expression was lower in placentas from SHR compared with Wistar at 14, 17, and 20 DOPs. Decreased expression of O-GlcNAc transferase (p=0.01) and O-GlcNAcase (p=0.002) enzymes was found at 14 DOPs in SHR. Immunohistochemistry showed reduced placental O-GlcNAc content in both the junctional zone and labyrinth of the placentas from SHR. Periodic acid-Schiff analysis showed decreased glycogen cell content in the placentas from SHR at 14, 17, and 20 DOPs. Moreover, glucose transporter 1 expression was decreased in placentas from SHR in all DOPs. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that decreased protein O-GlcNAcylation caused by insufficient placental nutritional apport contributes to placental dysfunction during hypertensive pregnancy, impairing fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vanessa Dela Justina
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Brazil
| | - Sebastián San Martín
- Biomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Victor Vitorino Lima
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Regina Giachini
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
- Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Brazil
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36
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Chau K, Welsh M, Makris A, Hennessy A. Progress in preeclampsia: the contribution of animal models. J Hum Hypertens 2022; 36:705-710. [PMID: 34837033 PMCID: PMC8617007 DOI: 10.1038/s41371-021-00637-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances have been made in understanding the nature of placental dysfunction causing preeclampsia, and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The contribution of animal studies in the understanding of the effects of inadequate placentation on blood pressure and other target organs will be explored in this review. This will include technical aspects of animal studies in pregnancy, as well as the translation of data regarding newly discovered pathological pathways, in particular the angiogenic pathway, into targets in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Chau
- grid.460687.b0000 0004 0572 7882Department of Renal Medicine, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, NSW Australia ,grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XHeart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Mikala Welsh
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia. .,Heart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Angela Makris
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XHeart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Annemarie Hennessy
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XHeart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.482212.f0000 0004 0495 2383Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.460708.d0000 0004 0640 3353Campbelltown Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Campbelltown, NSW Australia
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37
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Aykroyd BRL, Tunster SJ, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Loss of imprinting of the Igf2-H19 ICR1 enhances placental endocrine capacity via sex-specific alterations in signalling pathways in the mouse. Development 2022; 149:dev199811. [PMID: 34982814 PMCID: PMC8783045 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Imprinting control region (ICR1) controls the expression of the Igf2 and H19 genes in a parent-of-origin specific manner. Appropriate expression of the Igf2-H19 locus is fundamental for normal fetal development, yet the importance of ICR1 in the placental production of hormones that promote maternal nutrient allocation to the fetus is unknown. To address this, we used a novel mouse model to selectively delete ICR1 in the endocrine junctional zone (Jz) of the mouse placenta (Jz-ΔICR1). The Jz-ΔICR1 mice exhibit increased Igf2 and decreased H19 expression specifically in the Jz. This was accompanied by an expansion of Jz endocrine cell types due to enhanced rates of proliferation and increased expression of pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 23 in the placenta of both fetal sexes. However, changes in the endocrine phenotype of the placenta were related to sexually-dimorphic alterations to the abundance of Igf2 receptors and downstream signalling pathways (Pi3k-Akt and Mapk). There was no effect of Jz-ΔICR1 on the expression of targets of the H19-embedded miR-675 or on fetal weight. Our results demonstrate that ICR1 controls placental endocrine capacity via sex-dependent changes in signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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38
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Parveen A, Mishra S, Srivastava M, Chaudhary DK, Kapoor D, Gupta A, Tiwari S. Circulating Placental Alkaline Phosphatase Expressing Exosomes in Maternal Blood Showed Temporal Regulation of Placental Genes. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:758971. [PMID: 35004728 PMCID: PMC8739800 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.758971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Analysis of placental genes could unravel maternal-fetal complications. However, inaccessibility to placental tissue during early pregnancy has limited this effort. We tested if exosomes (Exo) released by human placenta in the maternal circulation harbor crucial placental genes. Methods: Placental alkaline phosphate positive exosomes (ExoPLAP) were enriched from maternal blood collected at the following gestational weeks; 6-8th (T1), 12-14th (T2), 20-24th (T3), and 28th-32nd (T4). Nanotracking analysis, electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and immunoblotting were used for characterization. We used microarray for transcriptome and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for gene analysis in ExoPLAP. Results: Physical characterization and presence of CD63 and CD9 proteins confirmed the successful ExoPLAP enrichment. Four of the selected 36 placental genes did not amplify in ExoPLAP, while 32 showed regulations (n = 3-8/time point). Most genes in ExoPLAP showed significantly lower expression at T2-T4, relative to T1 (p < 0.05), such as NOS3, TNFSF10, OR5H6, APOL3, and NEDD4L. In contrast, genes, such as ATF6, NEDD1, and IGF2, had significantly higher expression at T2-T4 relative to T1. Unbiased gene profiling by microarray also confirmed expression of above genes in ExoPLAP-transcriptome. In addition, repeated measure ANOVA showed a significant change in the ExoPLAP transcriptome from T2 to T4 (n = 5/time point). Conclusion: Placental alkaline phosphate positive exosomes transcriptome changed with gestational age advancement in healthy women. The transcriptome expressed crucial placental genes involved in early embryonic development, such as actin cytoskeleton organization, appropriate cell positioning, DNA replication, and B-cell regulation for protecting mammalian fetuses from rejection. Thus, ExoPLAP in maternal blood could be a promising source to study the placental genes regulation for non-invasive monitoring of placental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshiya Parveen
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Suman Mishra
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Medha Srivastava
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Dharmendra K. Chaudhary
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Deepa Kapoor
- General Hospital, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Amrit Gupta
- Department of Maternal & Reproductive Health, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Swasti Tiwari
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
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Elmore SA, Cochran RZ, Bolon B, Lubeck B, Mahler B, Sabio D, Ward JM. Histology Atlas of the Developing Mouse Placenta. Toxicol Pathol 2021; 50:60-117. [PMID: 34872401 PMCID: PMC8678285 DOI: 10.1177/01926233211042270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The use of the mouse as a model organism is common in translational research. This mouse-human similarity holds true for placental development as well. Proper formation of the placenta is vital for development and survival of the maturing embryo. Placentation involves sequential steps with both embryonic and maternal cell lineages playing important roles. The first step in placental development is formation of the blastocyst wall (approximate embryonic days [E] 3.0-3.5). After implantation (∼E4.5), extraembryonic endoderm progressively lines the inner surface of the blastocyst wall (∼E4.5-5.0), forming the yolk sac that provides histiotrophic support to the embryo; subsequently, formation of the umbilical vessels (∼E8.5) supports transition to the chorioallantoic placenta and hemotrophic nutrition. The fully mature ("definitive") placenta is established by ∼E12.5. Abnormal placental development often leads to embryonic mortality, with the timing of death depending on when placental insufficiency takes place and which cells are involved. This comprehensive macroscopic and microscopic atlas highlights the key features of normal and abnormal mouse placental development from E4.5 to E18.5. This in-depth overview of a transient (and thus seldom-analyzed) developmental tissue should serve as a useful reference to aid researchers in identifying and describing mouse placental changes in engineered, induced, and spontaneous disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan A Elmore
- National Toxicology Program, 6857National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Robert Z Cochran
- National Toxicology Program, 6857National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Beth Lubeck
- National Toxicology Program, 6857National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Beth Mahler
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - David Sabio
- Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Jerrold M Ward
- Global Vet Pathology, Montgomery Village, MD, USA *Co-first authors
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Aghaei Z, Steeves KL, Jobst KJ, Cahill LS. The impact of perfluoroalkyl substances on pregnancy, birth outcomes and offspring development: A review of data from mouse models1. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:397-407. [PMID: 34875017 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate in wildlife and humans, potentially causing adverse health effects at all stages of life. Studies from human pregnancy have shown that exposure to these contaminants are associated with placental dysfunction and fetal growth restriction; however, studies in humans are confounded by genetic and environmental factors. Here, we synthesize the available results from mouse models of pregnancy to show the causal effects of prenatal exposure to PFOA and PFOS on placental and fetal development and on neurocognitive function and metabolic disorders in offspring. We also propose gaps in the present knowledge and provide suggestions for future research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Aghaei
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Katherine L Steeves
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Karl J Jobst
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Lindsay S Cahill
- Department of Chemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
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Chua CLL, Khoo SKM, Ong JLE, Ramireddi GK, Yeo TW, Teo A. Malaria in Pregnancy: From Placental Infection to Its Abnormal Development and Damage. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:777343. [PMID: 34867919 PMCID: PMC8636035 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.777343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a global health burden with Plasmodium falciparum accounting for the highest mortality and morbidity. Malaria in pregnancy can lead to the development of placental malaria, where P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes adhere to placental receptors, triggering placental inflammation and subsequent damage, causing harm to both mother and her infant. Histopathological studies of P. falciparum-infected placentas revealed various placental abnormalities such as excessive perivillous fibrinoid deposits, breakdown of syncytiotrophoblast integrity, trophoblast basal lamina thickening, increased syncytial knotting, and accumulation of mononuclear immune cells within intervillous spaces. These events in turn, are likely to impair placental development and function, ultimately causing placental insufficiency, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery and low birth weight. Hence, a better understanding of the mechanisms behind placental alterations and damage during placental malaria is needed for the design of effective interventions. In this review, using evidence from human studies and murine models, an integrated view on the potential mechanisms underlying placental pathologies in malaria in pregnancy is provided. The molecular, immunological and metabolic changes in infected placentas that reflect their responses to the parasitic infection and injury are discussed. Finally, potential models that can be used by researchers to improve our understanding on the pathogenesis of malaria in pregnancy and placental pathologies are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jun Long Ernest Ong
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Tsin Wen Yeo
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- National Center for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrew Teo
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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42
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Altunkaynak BZ, Yahyazadeh A. Stereological and Histological Assessment of the Umbilical Cord in New-Born Rat. J Microsc Ultrastruct 2021; 9:108-113. [PMID: 34729350 PMCID: PMC8507517 DOI: 10.4103/jmau.jmau_14_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Umbilical cord plays a crucial role in the continuation of pregnancy by transferring nutrition and oxygen across the placenta to the fetus. We aimed to investigate the morphometrical and histological features of the umbilical cords in new-born rats. Materials and Methods The adult male and female rats were chosen for matting purpose in the present study. Briefly, ten adult Wistar albino rats (female, n = 5; male, n = 5) were randomly assigned into five groups of two animals (female, n = 1; male, n = 1). Immediately after parturition, two umbilical cords of new-born rats (0-day-old) from each group were randomly selected. Finally, ten umbilical cord samples were examined using the histological and stereological methods in the light and electron microscopes. Results The total numbers of Hofbauer cells and mesenchymal stromal cells was estimated statistically. We also calculated the mean volume of umbilical cords, arteries and veins, as well as arterial and venous lumens. Our histological findings also exhibited the histological features of Hofbauer cells, mesenchymal stromal cell cells, and blood vessels. Conclusion Our findings showed more detailed information about umbilical cord tissues and their components, and that may contribute to the diagnose of umbilical cord complications in the developing fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmad Yahyazadeh
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medicine Faculty, Karabuk University, Karabuk, Turkey
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43
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Iqbal K, Pierce SH, Kozai K, Dhakal P, Scott RL, Roby KF, Vyhlidal CA, Soares MJ. Evaluation of Placentation and the Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway in a Rat Model of Dioxin Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:117001. [PMID: 34747641 PMCID: PMC8574979 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our environment is replete with chemicals that can affect embryonic and extraembryonic development. Dioxins, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), are compounds affecting development through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). OBJECTIVES The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of TCDD exposure on pregnancy and placentation and to evaluate roles for AHR and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in TCDD action. METHODS Actions of TCDD were examined in wild-type and genome-edited rat models. Placenta phenotyping was assessed using morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. RESULTS TCDD exposures were shown to result in placental adaptations and at higher doses, pregnancy termination. Deep intrauterine endovascular trophoblast cell invasion was a prominent placentation site adaptation to TCDD. TCDD-mediated placental adaptations were dependent upon maternal AHR signaling but not upon placental or fetal AHR signaling nor the presence of a prominent AHR target, CYP1A1. At the placentation site, TCDD activated AHR signaling within endothelial cells but not trophoblast cells. Immune and trophoblast cell behaviors at the uterine-placental interface were guided by the actions of TCDD on endothelial cells. DISCUSSION We identified an AHR regulatory pathway in rats activated by dioxin affecting uterine and trophoblast cell dynamics and the formation of the hemochorial placenta. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9256.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Stephen H. Pierce
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Keisuke Kozai
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Pramod Dhakal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Katherine F. Roby
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Carrie A. Vyhlidal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Innovation, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KUMC, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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Li A, Li S, Zhang C, Fang Z, Sun Y, Peng Y, Wang X, Zhang M. FPR2 serves a role in recurrent spontaneous abortion by regulating trophoblast function via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:838. [PMID: 34608500 PMCID: PMC8503740 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) effects both the physical and mental health of women of reproductive age. Trophoblast dysfunction may result in RSA due to shallow placental implantation. The mechanisms underlying formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) on the biological functions of trophoblasts remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to explore the potential functions of FPR2, a G protein‑coupled receptor, in placental trophoblasts. The location and expression levels of FPR2 in the villi tissue of patients with RSA were detected using immunohistochemical staining, reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting. Following the transfection of small interfering RNA targeting FPR2 in HTR‑8/SVneo cells, a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay was used to determine the levels of cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to examine the levels of cell apoptosis and gap closure and Transwell assays were carried out to evaluate the levels of cell migration and invasion. A tube formation assay was performed to detect the levels of capillary‑like structure formation. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of proteins in the associated signaling pathways. The expression of FPR2 was present in villi trophoblasts and was markedly increased in patients with RSA. The levels of trophoblast invasion, migration and tube formation were markedly increased following FPR2 knockdown, whereas the levels of apoptosis were markedly decreased. In addition, FPR2 knockdown caused an increase in the phosphorylation levels of AKT and PI3K. Thus, FPR2 may be involved in the regulation of trophoblast function via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The results of the present study provided a theoretical basis for the use of FPR2 as a target for the treatment of trophoblast‑associated diseases, such as RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Shuxian Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Chongyu Zhang
- Department of Chronic Disease, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Wulian, Rizhao, Shandong 262300, P.R. China
| | - Zhenya Fang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Yaqiong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Yanjie Peng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Xietong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
| | - Meihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China
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Jacquier M, Arthuis C, Grévent D, Bussières L, Henry C, Millischer-Bellaiche AE, Mahallati H, Ville Y, Siauve N, Salomon LJ. Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: A review of its application in the assessment of placental function. Placenta 2021; 114:90-99. [PMID: 34507031 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
It is important to develop a better understanding of placental insufficiency given its role in common maternofetal complications such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Functional magnetic resonance imaging offers unprecedented techniques for exploring the placenta under both normal and pathological physiological conditions. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) is an established and very robust method to investigate the microcirculatory parameters of an organ and more specifically its perfusion. It is currently a gold standard in the physiological and circulatory evaluation of an organ. Its application to the human placenta could enable to access many microcirculatory parameters relevant to the placental function such as organ blood flow, fractional blood volume, and permeability surface area, by the acquisition of serial images, before, during, and after administration of an intravenous contrast agent. Widely used in animal models with gadolinium-based contrast agents, its application to the human placenta could be possible if the safety of contrast agents in pregnancy is established or they are confirmed to not cross the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Jacquier
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France; EA FETUS 7328 and LUMIERE Unit, Université de Paris, France
| | - Chloé Arthuis
- EA FETUS 7328 and LUMIERE Unit, Université de Paris, France; Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, CHU Nantes, 38 Boulevard Jean Monnet, 44000, Nantes, France
| | - David Grévent
- EA FETUS 7328 and LUMIERE Unit, Université de Paris, France; Radiology Department, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Bussières
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France; EA FETUS 7328 and LUMIERE Unit, Université de Paris, France
| | - Charline Henry
- EA FETUS 7328 and LUMIERE Unit, Université de Paris, France
| | - Anne-Elodie Millischer-Bellaiche
- EA FETUS 7328 and LUMIERE Unit, Université de Paris, France; Radiology Department, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Houman Mahallati
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Yves Ville
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France; EA FETUS 7328 and LUMIERE Unit, Université de Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Siauve
- Radiology Department, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Louis Mourier, 178 Rue des Renouillers, 92700, Colombes, France; INSERM, U970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center - PARCC, Paris, France
| | - Laurent J Salomon
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker - Enfants Malades, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France; EA FETUS 7328 and LUMIERE Unit, Université de Paris, France.
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Conditional Mutation of Hand1 in the Mouse Placenta Disrupts Placental Vascular Development Resulting in Fetal Loss in Both Early and Late Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179532. [PMID: 34502440 PMCID: PMC8431056 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart defects (CHD) affect approximately 1% of all live births, and often require complex surgeries at birth. We have previously demonstrated abnormal placental vascularization in human placentas from fetuses diagnosed with CHD. Hand1 has roles in both heart and placental development and is implicated in CHD development. We utilized two conditionally activated Hand1A126fs/+ murine mutant models to investigate the importance of cell-specific Hand1 on placental development in early (Nkx2-5Cre) and late (Cdh5Cre) pregnancy. Embryonic lethality occurred in Nkx2-5Cre/Hand1A126fs/+ embryos with marked fetal demise occurring after E10.5 due to a failure in placental labyrinth formation and therefore the inability to switch to hemotrophic nutrition or maintain sufficient oxygen transfer to the fetus. Labyrinthine vessels failed to develop appropriately and vessel density was significantly lower by day E12.5. In late pregnancy, the occurrence of Cdh5Cre+;Hand1A126fs/+ fetuses was reduced from 29% at E12.5 to 20% at E18.5 and remaining fetuses exhibited reduced fetal and placental weights, labyrinth vessel density and placenta angiogenic factor mRNA expression. Our results demonstrate for the first time the necessity of Hand1 in both establishment and remodeling of the exchange area beyond early pregnancy and in patterning vascularization of the placental labyrinth crucial for maintaining pregnancy and successful fetal growth.
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James JL, Tongpob Y, Srinivasan V, Crew RC, Bappoo N, Doyle B, Gerneke D, Clark AR, Wyrwoll CS. Three-dimensional visualisation of the feto-placental vasculature in humans and rodents. Placenta 2021; 114:8-13. [PMID: 34418753 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.08.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Adequate development of the feto-placental circulation is critical for placental exchange function and healthy fetal growth. Understanding the structure of this circulation and how it informs fetal outcomes is important both in the human placenta, and the rodent, a purported comparative experimental model. Vascular casting and micro-CT imaging approaches enable detailed quantification of the complex vascular relationships in the feto-circulation, and provide detailed data to parameterise in silico models. Here, to assist researchers to apply these technically challenging methods we provide detailed approaches to cast and image; 1) human placentas at the cotyledon-level, and 2) whole rodent placentas.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L James
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Y Tongpob
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand
| | - V Srinivasan
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - R C Crew
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - N Bappoo
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Vascular Engineering Laboratory, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and the UWA Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, WA, Australia; School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - B Doyle
- Vascular Engineering Laboratory, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and the UWA Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, WA, Australia; School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Australia; Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - D Gerneke
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - A R Clark
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - C S Wyrwoll
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
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Arcuri S, Pennarossa G, Gandolfi F, Brevini TAL. Generation of Trophoblast-Like Cells From Hypomethylated Porcine Adult Dermal Fibroblasts. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:706106. [PMID: 34350230 PMCID: PMC8326560 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.706106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The first differentiation event in mammalian embryos is the formation of the trophectoderm, which is the progenitor of the outer epithelial components of the placenta, and which supports the fetus during the intrauterine life. However, the epigenetic and paracrine controls at work in trophectoderm differentiation are still to be fully elucidated and the creation of dedicated in vitro models is desirable to increase our understanding. Here we propose a novel approach based on the epigenetic conversion of adult dermal fibroblasts into trophoblast-like cells. The method combines the use of epigenetic erasing with an ad hoc differentiation protocol. Dermal fibroblasts are erased with 5-azacytidine (5-aza-CR) that confers cells a transient high plasticity state. They are then readdressed toward the trophoblast (TR) phenotype, using MEF conditioned medium, supplemented with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and inhibitors of the Activin/Nodal and FGF2 signaling pathways in low O2 conditions. The method here described allows the generation of TR-like cells from easily accessible material, such as dermal fibroblasts, that are very simply propagated in vitro. Furthermore, the strategy proposed is free of genetic modifications that make cells prone to instability and transformation. The TR model obtained may also find useful application in order to better characterize embryo implantation mechanisms and developmental disorders based on TR defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Arcuri
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety and Centre for Stem Cell Research, UniStem, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Georgia Pennarossa
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety and Centre for Stem Cell Research, UniStem, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fulvio Gandolfi
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences-Production, Landscape, Agroenergy and Centre for Stem Cell Research, UniStem, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana A L Brevini
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety and Centre for Stem Cell Research, UniStem, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Marinello WP, Patisaul HB. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and placental function: Impact on fetal brain development. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2021; 92:347-400. [PMID: 34452690 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a critical time of vulnerability for the development of the fetal brain. Exposure to environmental pollutants at any point in pregnancy can negatively impact many aspects of fetal development, especially the organization and differentiation of the brain. The placenta performs a variety of functions that can help protect the fetus and sustain brain development. However, disruption of any of these functions can have negative impacts on both the pregnancy outcome and fetal neurodevelopment. This review presents current understanding of how environmental exposures, specifically to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interfere with placental function and, in turn, neurodevelopment. Some of the key differences in placental development between animal models are presented, as well as how placental functions such as serving as a xenobiotic barrier and exchange organ, immune interface, regulator of growth and fetal oxygenation, and a neuroendocrine organ, could be vulnerable to environmental exposure. This review illustrates the importance of the placenta as a modulator of fetal brain development and suggests critical unexplored areas and possible vulnerabilities to environmental exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- William P Marinello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Heather B Patisaul
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.
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Irvin-Choy NS, Nelson KM, Dang MN, Gleghorn JP, Day ES. Gold nanoparticle biodistribution in pregnant mice following intravenous administration varies with gestational age. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 36:102412. [PMID: 34147664 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2021.102412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver therapeutics to reproductive organs is an emerging approach to safely and effectively treat mothers and babies facing pregnancy complications. This study investigates the biodistribution of two different sized gold-based NPs in pregnant mice following systemic delivery as a function of gestational age. Poly(ethylene glycol)-coated 15 nm gold nanoparticles or 150 nm diameter silica core/gold nanoshells were intravenously administered to pregnant mice at gestational days (E)9.5 or 14.5. NP distribution was analyzed twenty-four hours later by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and silver staining of histological specimens. More NPs accumulated in placentas than embryos and delivery to these tissues was greater at E9.5 than E14.5. Neither NP type affected fetal weight or placental weight, indicating minimal short-term toxicity in early to mid-stage pregnancy. These findings warrant continued development of NPs as tools to deliver therapeutics to reproductive tissues safely.
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Affiliation(s)
- N'Dea S Irvin-Choy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
| | - Katherine M Nelson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, DE, USA
| | - Megan N Dang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA
| | - Jason P Gleghorn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, USA.
| | - Emily S Day
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, USA; Helen F. Cancer Research & Research Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, USA.
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