1
|
Escudero C, Kupka E, Ibañez B, Sandoval H, Troncoso F, Wikström AK, López-Espíndola D, Acurio J, Torres-Vergara P, Bergman L. Brain Vascular Dysfunction in Mothers and Their Children Exposed to Preeclampsia. Hypertension 2023; 80:242-256. [PMID: 35920147 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.122.19408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a maternal syndrome characterized by the new onset of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation associated with multisystemic complications, including brain alterations. Indeed, brain complications associated with preeclampsia are the leading direct causes of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to the well-recognized long-term adverse cardiovascular effects of preeclampsia, women who have had preeclampsia have higher risk of stroke, dementia, intracerebral white matter lesions, epilepsy, and perhaps also cognitive decline postpartum. Furthermore, increasing evidence has also associated preeclampsia with similar cognitive and cerebral disorders in the offspring. However, the mechanistic links between these associations remain unresolved. This article summarizes the current knowledge about the cerebrovascular complications elicited by preeclampsia and the potential pathophysiological mechanisms involved, emphasizing the impaired brain vascular function in the mother and their offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Escudero
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.).,Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile (C.E., J.A., P.T.-V.)
| | - Ellen Kupka
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden (E.K.)
| | - Belen Ibañez
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.)
| | - Hermes Sandoval
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.)
| | - Felipe Troncoso
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.)
| | - Anna-Karin Wikström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden (A.K.W., L.B.)
| | - Daniela López-Espíndola
- Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile (D.L.-E.)
| | - Jesenia Acurio
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile (C.E., B.I., H.S., F.T., J.A.).,Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile (C.E., J.A., P.T.-V.)
| | - Pablo Torres-Vergara
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile (C.E., J.A., P.T.-V.).,Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepción, Chile (P.T.-V.)
| | - Lina Bergman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Sweden (A.K.W., L.B.).,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa (L.B.).,Department of clinical sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden (L.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dines V, Suvakov S, Kattah A, Vermunt J, Narang K, Jayachandran M, Abou Hassan C, Norby AM, Garovic VD. Preeclampsia and the Kidney: Pathophysiology and Clinical Implications. Compr Physiol 2023; 13:4231-4267. [PMID: 36715282 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are major contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This group of disorders includes chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, and eclampsia. The body undergoes important physiological changes during pregnancy to allow for normal placental and fetal development. Several mechanisms have been proposed that may lead to preeclampsia, including abnormal placentation and placental hypoxia, impaired angiogenesis, excessive pro-inflammatory response, immune system imbalance, abnormalities of cellular senescence, alterations in regulation and activity of angiotensin II, and oxidative stress, ultimately resulting in upregulation of multiple mediators of endothelial cell dysfunction leading to maternal disease. The clinical implications of preeclampsia are significant as there are important short-term and long-term health consequences for those affected. Preeclampsia leads to increased risk of preterm delivery and increased morbidity and mortality of both the developing fetus and mother. Preeclampsia also commonly leads to acute kidney injury, and women who experience preeclampsia or another hypertensive disorder of pregnancy are at increased lifetime risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. An understanding of normal pregnancy physiology and the pathophysiology of preeclampsia is essential to develop novel treatment approaches and manage patients with preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. © 2023 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 13:4231-4267, 2023.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Dines
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sonja Suvakov
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrea Kattah
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jane Vermunt
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kavita Narang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Coline Abou Hassan
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alexander M Norby
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Vesna D Garovic
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Torres-Vergara P, Rivera R, Escudero C. How Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1 Could Contribute to Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Preeclampsia? Front Physiol 2022; 12:805082. [PMID: 35211027 PMCID: PMC8862682 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.805082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related syndrome that courses with severe cerebrovascular complications if not properly managed. Findings from pre-clinical and clinical studies have proposed that the imbalance between pro- and anti-angiogenic factors exhibited in preeclampsia is a major component of its pathophysiology. In this regard, measurement of circulating levels of soluble tyrosine kinase-1 similar to fms (sFlt-1), a decoy receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is a moderately reliable biomarker for the diagnosis of preeclampsia. However, few studies have established a mechanistic approach to determine how the high levels of sFlt-1 are responsible for the endothelial dysfunction, and even less is known about its effects at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Since the expression pattern of VEGF receptors type 1 and 2 in brain endothelial cells differs from the observed in peripheral endothelial cells, and components of the neurovascular unit of the BBB provide paracrine secretion of VEGF, this compartmentalization of VEGF signaling could help to see in a different viewpoint the role of sFlt-1 in the development of endothelial dysfunction. In this article, we provide a hypothesis of how sFlt-1 could eventually be a protective factor for brain endothelial cells of the BBB under preeclampsia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Torres-Vergara
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.,Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile
| | - Robin Rivera
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Carlos Escudero
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile.,Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Friis T, Wikström AK, Acurio J, León J, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Nelander M, Åkerud H, Kaihola H, Cluver C, Troncoso F, Torres-Vergara P, Escudero C, Bergman L. Cerebral Biomarkers and Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in Preeclampsia. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050789. [PMID: 35269411 PMCID: PMC8909006 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral complications in preeclampsia contribute substantially to maternal mortality and morbidity. There is a lack of reliable and accessible predictors for preeclampsia-related cerebral complications. In this study, plasma from women with preeclampsia (n = 28), women with normal pregnancies (n = 28) and non-pregnant women (n = 16) was analyzed for concentrations of the cerebral biomarkers neurofilament light (NfL), tau, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100B. Then, an in vitro blood−brain barrier (BBB) model, based on the human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3), was employed to assess the effect of plasma from the three study groups. Transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) was used as an estimation of BBB integrity. NfL and tau are proteins expressed in axons, NSE in neurons and S100B in glial cells and are used as biomarkers for neurological injury in other diseases such as dementia, traumatic brain injury and hypoxic brain injury. Plasma concentrations of NfL, tau, NSE and S100B were all higher in women with preeclampsia compared with women with normal pregnancies (8.85 vs. 5.25 ng/L, p < 0.001; 2.90 vs. 2.40 ng/L, p < 0.05; 3.50 vs. 2.37 µg/L, p < 0.001 and 0.08 vs. 0.05 µg/L, p < 0.01, respectively). Plasma concentrations of NfL were also higher in women with preeclampsia compared with non-pregnant women (p < 0.001). Higher plasma concentrations of the cerebral biomarker NfL were associated with decreased TEER (p = 0.002) in an in vitro model of the BBB, a finding which indicates that NfL could be a promising biomarker for BBB alterations in preeclampsia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Therese Friis
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.-K.W.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-18-611-6613
| | - Anna-Karin Wikström
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.-K.W.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
| | - Jesenia Acurio
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán 3810178, Chile; (J.A.); (J.L.); (F.T.); (C.E.)
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán 3810178, Chile;
| | - José León
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán 3810178, Chile; (J.A.); (J.L.); (F.T.); (C.E.)
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán 3810178, Chile;
- Escuela de Enfermería, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Los Ángeles 4441171, Chile
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden; (H.Z.); (K.B.)
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden; (H.Z.); (K.B.)
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Maria Nelander
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.-K.W.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
| | - Helena Åkerud
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (H.Å.); (H.K.)
| | - Helena Kaihola
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (H.Å.); (H.K.)
| | - Catherine Cluver
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7500, South Africa;
| | - Felipe Troncoso
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán 3810178, Chile; (J.A.); (J.L.); (F.T.); (C.E.)
| | - Pablo Torres-Vergara
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán 3810178, Chile;
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepción, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Carlos Escudero
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bío-Bío, Chillán 3810178, Chile; (J.A.); (J.L.); (F.T.); (C.E.)
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán 3810178, Chile;
| | - Lina Bergman
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (A.-K.W.); (M.N.); (L.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7500, South Africa;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gothenburg University, 41650 Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Andersson M, Oras J, Thörn SE, Karlsson O, Kälebo P, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Bergman L. Signs of neuroaxonal injury in preeclampsia-A case control study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246786. [PMID: 33556141 PMCID: PMC7869986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral injury is a common cause of maternal mortality due to preeclampsia and is challenging to predict and diagnose. In addition, there are associations between previous preeclampsia and stroke, dementia and epilepsy later in life. The cerebral biomarkers S100B, neuron specific enolase, (NSE), tau protein and neurofilament light chain (NfL) have proven useful as predictors and diagnostic tools in other neurological disorders. This case-control study sought to determine whether cerebral biomarkers were increased in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a marker of cerebral origin and potential cerebral injury in preeclampsia and if concentrations in CSF correlated to concentrations in plasma. METHODS CSF and blood at delivery from 15 women with preeclampsia and 15 women with normal pregnancies were analysed for the cerebral biomarkers S100B, NSE, tau protein and NfL by Simoa and ELISA based methods. MRI brain was performed after delivery and for women with preeclampsia also at six months postpartum. RESULTS Women with preeclampsia demonstrated increased CSF- and plasma concentrations of NfL and these concentrations correlated to each other. CSF concentrations of NSE and tau were decreased in preeclampsia and there were no differences in plasma concentrations of NSE and tau between groups. For S100B, serum concentrations in preeclampsia were increased but there was no difference in CSF concentrations of S100B between women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION NfL emerges as a promising circulating cerebral biomarker in preeclampsia and increased CSF concentrations point to a neuroaxonal injury in preeclampsia, even in the absence of clinically evident neurological complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malin Andersson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonatan Oras
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sven Egron Thörn
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ove Karlsson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Peter Kälebo
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Lina Bergman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Affiliation(s)
- Basky Thilaganathan
- From the Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom (B.T.).,Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, United Kingdom (B.T.)
| | - Erkan Kalafat
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ankara University, Turkey (E.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bergman L, Torres-Vergara P, Penny J, Wikström J, Nelander M, Leon J, Tolcher M, Roberts JM, Wikström AK, Escudero C. Investigating Maternal Brain Alterations in Preeclampsia: the Need for a Multidisciplinary Effort. Curr Hypertens Rep 2019; 21:72. [PMID: 31375930 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-019-0977-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide insight into the mechanisms underlying cerebral pathophysiology and to highlight possible methods for evaluation, screening, and surveillance of cerebral complications in preeclampsia. RECENT FINDINGS The pathophysiology of eclampsia remains enigmatic. Animal studies show that the cerebral circulation in pregnancy and preeclampsia might be affected with increased permeability over the blood-brain barrier and altered cerebral blood flow due to impaired cerebral autoregulation. The increased blood pressure cannot be the only underlying cause of eclampsia and cerebral edema, since some cases of eclampsia arise without simultaneous hypertension. Findings from animal studies need to be confirmed in human tissues. Evaluation of brain alterations in preeclampsia and eclampsia is challenging and demands a multidisciplinary collaboration, since no single method can accurately and fully describe how preeclampsia affects the brain. Cerebral complications of preeclampsia are significant factors in maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. No single method can accurately describe the full picture of how preeclampsia affects the brain vasculature and parenchyma. We recommend an international and multidisciplinary effort not only to overcome the issue of limited sample availability but also to optimize the quality of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lina Bergman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Falun, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Pablo Torres-Vergara
- Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile
| | - Jeffrey Penny
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Johan Wikström
- Department of Radiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Nelander
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jose Leon
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Group of Investigation in Tumor Angiogenesis, (LFV-GIANT), Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile
| | - Mary Tolcher
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - James M Roberts
- Magee Womens Research Institute, Dept of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Epidemiology and Clinical and Translational Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anna-Karin Wikström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carlos Escudero
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile.
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Group of Investigation in Tumor Angiogenesis, (LFV-GIANT), Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Affiliation(s)
- Eliza C Miller
- From the Department of Neurology, Division of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Torres-Vergara P, Escudero C, Penny J. Drug Transport at the Brain and Endothelial Dysfunction in Preeclampsia: Implications and Perspectives. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1502. [PMID: 30459636 PMCID: PMC6232255 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Transport of drugs across biological barriers has been a subject of study for decades. The discovery and characterization of proteins that confer the barrier properties of endothelia and epithelia, including tight junction proteins and membrane transporters belonging to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and Solute Carrier (SLC) families, represented a significant step forward into understanding the mechanisms that govern drug disposition. Subsequently, numerous studies, including both pre-clinical approaches and clinical investigations, have been carried out to determine the influence of physiological and pathological states on drug disposition. Importantly, there has been increasing interest in gaining a better understanding of drug disposition during pregnancy, since epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that the use of medications by pregnant women is significant and this condition embodies a series of significant anatomical and physiological modifications, particularly at excretory organs and barrier sites (e.g., placenta, breast) expressing transporter proteins which influence pharmacokinetics. Currently, most of the research in this field has focused on the expression profiling of transporter proteins in trophoblasts and endothelial cells of the placenta, regulation of drug-resistance mechanisms in disease states and pharmacokinetic studies. However, little attention has been placed on the influence that the cerebrovascular dysfunction present in pregnancy-related disorders, such as preeclampsia, might exert on drug disposition in the mother’s brain. This issue is particularly important since recent findings have demonstrated that preeclamptic women suffer from long-term alterations in the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this review we aim to analyze the available evidence regarding the influence of pregnancy on the expression of transporters and TJ proteins in brain endothelial cells, as well the mechanisms that govern the pathophysiological alterations in the BBB of women who experience preeclampsia. Future research efforts should be focused not only on achieving a better understanding of the influence of preeclampsia-associated endothelial dysfunction on drug disposition, but also in optimizing the pharmacological treatments of women suffering pregnancy-related disorders, its comorbidities and to develop new therapies aiming to restore the integrity of the BBB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Torres-Vergara
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile.,Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile
| | - Carlos Escudero
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health), Chillán, Chile.,Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Chillán, Chile.,Red Iberoamericana de Alteraciones Vasculares Asociadas a Trastornos del Embarazo (RIVA-TREM), Chillán, Chile
| | - Jeffrey Penny
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|