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Lintao RCV, Kammala AK, Radnaa E, Bettayeb M, Vincent KL, Patrikeev I, Yaklic J, Bonney EA, Menon R. Characterization of fetal microchimeric immune cells in mouse maternal hearts during physiologic and pathologic pregnancies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1256945. [PMID: 37808080 PMCID: PMC10556483 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1256945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: During pregnancy, fetal cells can be incorporated into maternal tissues (fetal microchimerism), where they can persist postpartum. Whether these fetal cells are beneficial or detrimental to maternal health is unknown. This study aimed to characterize fetal microchimeric immune cells in the maternal heart during pregnancy and postpartum, and to identify differences in these fetal microchimeric subpopulations between normal and pregnancies complicated by spontaneous preterm induced by ascending infection. Methods: A Cre reporter mouse model, which when mated with wild-type C57BL/6J females resulted in cells and tissues of progeny expressing red fluorescent protein tandem dimer Tomato (mT+), was used to detect fetal microchimeric cells. On embryonic day (E)15, 104 colony-forming units (CFU) E. coli was administered intravaginally to mimic ascending infection, with delivery on or before E18.5 considered as preterm delivery. A subset of pregnant mice was sacrificed at E16 and postpartum day 28 to harvest maternal hearts. Heart tissues were processed for immunofluorescence microscopy and high-dimensional mass cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) using an antibody panel of immune cell markers. Changes in cardiac physiologic parameters were measured up to 60 days postpartum via two-dimensional echocardiography. Results: Intravaginal E. coli administration resulted in preterm delivery of live pups in 70% of the cases. mT + expressing cells were detected in maternal uterus and heart, implying that fetal cells can migrate to different maternal compartments. During ascending infection, more fetal antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and less fetal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and fetal double-positive (DP) thymocytes were observed in maternal hearts at E16 compared to normal pregnancy. These HSCs were cleared while DP thymocytes persisted 28 days postpartum following an ascending infection. No significant changes in cardiac physiologic parameters were observed postpartum except a trend in lowering the ejection fraction rate in preterm delivered mothers. Conclusion: Both normal pregnancy and ascending infection revealed distinct compositions of fetal microchimeric immune cells within the maternal heart, which could potentially influence the maternal cardiac microenvironment via (1) modulation of cardiac reverse modeling processes by fetal stem cells, and (2) differential responses to recognition of fetal APCs by maternal T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. V. Lintao
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Mohamed Bettayeb
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Kathleen L. Vincent
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences Group, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Igor Patrikeev
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences Group, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Jerome Yaklic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
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Anhê GF, Bordin S. The adaptation of maternal energy metabolism to lactation and its underlying mechanisms. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 553:111697. [PMID: 35690287 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Maternal energy metabolism undergoes a singular adaptation during lactation that allows for the caloric enrichment of milk. Changes in the mammary gland, changes in the white adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscles and endocrine pancreas are pivotal for this adaptation. The present review details the landmark studies describing the enzymatic modulation and the endocrine signals behind these metabolic changes. We will also update this perspective with data from recent studies showing transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms that mediate the adaptation of the maternal metabolism to lactation. The present text will also bring experimental and observational data that describe the long-term consequences that short periods of lactation impose to maternal metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Forato Anhê
- Department of Translational Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
| | - Silvana Bordin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Gemmel M, Sutton EF, Brands J, Burnette L, Gallaher MJ, Powers RW. l-Citrulline supplementation during pregnancy improves perinatal and postpartum maternal vascular function in a mouse model of preeclampsia. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021; 321:R364-R376. [PMID: 34259017 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00115.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a spontaneously occurring pregnancy complication diagnosed by new-onset hypertension and end-organ dysfunction with or without proteinuria. This pregnancy-specific syndrome contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality and can have detrimental effects on fetal outcomes. Preeclampsia is also linked to increased risk of maternal cardiovascular disease throughout life. Despite intense investigation of this disorder, few treatment options are available. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of maternal l-citrulline supplementation on pregnancy-specific vascular dysfunction in the male C57BL/6J × female C57BL/6J C1q-/- preeclampsia-like mouse model. l-Citrulline is a nonessential amino acid that is converted to l-arginine to promote smooth muscle and blood vessel relaxation and improve nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vascular function. To model a preeclampsia-like pregnancy, female C57BL/6J mice were mated to C1q-/- male mice, and a subset of dams was supplemented with l-citrulline throughout pregnancy. Blood pressure, systemic vascular glycocalyx, and ex vivo vascular function were investigated in late pregnancy, and postpartum at 6 and 10 mo of age. Main findings show that l-citrulline reduced blood pressure, increased vascular glycocalyx volume, and rescued ex-vivo vascular function at gestation day 17.5 in this preeclampsia-like model. The vascular benefit of l-citrulline also extended postpartum, with improved vascular function and glycocalyx measures at 6 and 10 mo of age. l-Citrulline-mediated vascular improvements appear, in part, attributable to NO pathway signaling. Taken together, l-citrulline supplementation during pregnancy appears to have beneficial effects on maternal vascular health, which may have translational implications for improved maternal cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Gemmel
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth F Sutton
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Judith Brands
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Robert W Powers
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Adam I, Rayis DA, ALhabardi NA, Ahmed ABA, Sharif ME, Elbashir MI. Association between breastfeeding and preeclampsia in parous women: a case -control study. Int Breastfeed J 2021; 16:48. [PMID: 34187508 PMCID: PMC8243720 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-021-00391-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia is a global health problem and it is the main cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Breastfeeding has been reported to be associated with lower postpartum blood pressure in women with gestational hypertension. However, there is no published data on the role that breastfeeding might play in preventing preeclampsia. The aim of the current study was to investigate if breastfeeding was associated with preeclampsia in parous women. Method A case-control study was conducted in Saad Abualila Maternity Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, from May to December 2019. The cases (n = 116) were parous women with preeclampsia. Two consecutive healthy pregnant women served as controls for each case (n = 232). The sociodemographic, medical, and obstetric histories were gathered using a questionnaire. Breastfeeding practices and duration were assessed. Results A total of 98 (84.5%) women with preeclampsia and 216 (93.1%) women in the control group had breastfed their previous children. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of preeclampsia (no breastfeeding vs breastfeeding) was 3.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.64,7.70 and p value = 0.001 based on these numbers. After adjusting for age, parity, education level, occupation, history of preeclampsia, history of miscarriage, body mass index groups the adjusted OR was 3.19, 95% CI 1.49, 6.82 (p value = 0.006). Conclusion Breastfeeding might reduce the risk for preeclampsia. Further larger studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishag Adam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Duria A Rayis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, P.O Box 102, Khartoum, Sudan.
| | - Nadiah A ALhabardi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdel B A Ahmed
- College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal E Sharif
- College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa I Elbashir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, P.O Box 102, Khartoum, Sudan
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Sutton EF, Gemmel M, Brands J, Gallaher MJ, Powers RW. Paternal deficiency of complement component C1q leads to a preeclampsia-like pregnancy in wild-type female mice and vascular adaptations postpartum. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2020; 318:R1047-R1057. [PMID: 32374620 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00353.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a spontaneously occurring, pregnancy-specific syndrome that is clinically diagnosed by new onset hypertension and proteinuria. Epidemiological evidence describes an association between a history of preeclampsia and increased risk for cardiovascular disease in later life; however, the mechanism(s) driving this relationship are unclear. Our study aims to leverage a novel preeclampsia-like mouse model, the C1q-/- model, to help elucidate the acute and persistent vascular changes during and following a preeclampsia-like pregnancy. Female C57BL/6J mice were mated to C1q-/- male mice to model a preeclampsia-like pregnancy ("PE-like"), and the maternal cardiovascular phenotype (blood pressure, renal function, systemic glycocalyx, and ex vivo vascular function) was assessed in late pregnancy and postpartum at 6 and 10 mo of age. Uncomplicated, normotensive pregnancies (female C57BL/6J bred to male C57BL/6J mice) served as age-matched controls. In pregnancy, PE-like dams exhibited increased systolic and diastolic pressure during mid- and late gestation, renal dysfunction, fetal growth restriction, and reduced placental efficiency. Ex vivo wire myography studies of mesenteric arteries revealed severe pregnancy-specific endothelial-dependent and -independent vascular dysfunction. At 3 and 7 mo postpartum (6 and 10 mo old, respectively), hypertension resolved in PE-like dams, whereas mild vascular dysfunction persisted at 3 mo postpartum. In conclusion, the female C57BL/6J-by-male C57BL/6J C1q-/- model recapitulates many aspects of the human preeclampsia syndrome in a low-risk, wild-type female mouse. The pregnancy-specific phenotype results in systemic maternal endothelial-dependent and -independent vascular dysfunction that persists postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth F Sutton
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mary Gemmel
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Judith Brands
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Robert W Powers
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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La Rosa M, Kechichian T, Olson G, Saade G, Bytautiene Prewit E. Lactation Leads to Modifications in Maternal Renin-Angiotensin System in Later Life. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:260-266. [PMID: 32046371 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-019-00018-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is associated with maternal cardioprotective phenotype observed in post-lactated mice later in life. Following the delivery, CD-1 female mice were randomized to one of the following groups: lactated (nursed pups for 3 weeks, n = 10) or non-lactated (pups were removed after birth, n = 10). The mice were sacrificed 6 months after the delivery, and tissues were collected. Protein levels of angiotensinogen, angiotensin type 1 and 2 receptors (AT1R, AT2R), angiotensin converting enzymes (ACE, ACE2), and MAS receptor were determined using Western blot. Results were analyzed using Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test as appropriate (significance: P < 0.05). Angiotensinogen levels were significantly lower in the liver (P = 0.0002), and ACE was significantly decreased in the lungs (P = 0.04) and kidney (P = 0.001) from lactated mice as compared to non-lactated. The levels of AT2R in the kidney (P = 0.02) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT, P = 0.04), the ACE 2 in the VAT (P = 0.03) and heart (P = 0.04), and MAS receptor in VAT (P = 0.02) were significantly elevated in tissues from lactated mice. No other differences were found. Lactation led to the upregulation and downregulation of selected RAS components in lactated mice as compared to non-lactated group and may be a contributing factor to maternal cardioprotective phenotype later in life. Further studies are needed to dissect the mechanisms between lactation and the long-term maternal cardiometabolic benefits, which could lead to the therapies to prevent cardiovascular disease in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio La Rosa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Talar Kechichian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Gayle Olson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - George Saade
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Egle Bytautiene Prewit
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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