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Lee VY, Nils AVM, Arruda BP, Xavier GF, Nogueira MI, Motta-Teixeira LC, Takada SH. Spontaneous running wheel exercise during pregnancy prevents later neonatal-anoxia-induced somatic and neurodevelopmental alterations. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 17:263-279. [PMID: 39310269 PMCID: PMC11414703 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2024.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction About 15-20 % of babies that suffer perinatal asphyxia die and around 25 % of the survivors exhibit permanent neural outcomes. Minimization of this global health problem has been warranted. This study investigated if the offspring of pregnant female rats allowed to spontaneously exercise on running wheels along a 11-day pregnancy period were protected for somatic and neurodevelopmental disturbs that usually follow neonatal anoxia. Methods spontaneous exercise was applied to female rats which were housed in cages allowing free access to running wheels along a 11-day pregnancy period. Their offspring were submitted to anoxia 24-36 h after birth. Somatic and sensory-motor development of the pups were recorded until postnatal day 21 (P21). Myelin basic protein (MBP)-stained areas of sensory and motor cortices were measured at P21. Neuronal nuclei (NeuN)-immunopositive cells and synapsin-I levels in hippocampal formation were estimated at P21 and P75. Results gestational exercise and / or neonatal anoxia increased the weight and the size of the pups. In addition, gestational exercise accelerated somatic and sensory-motor development of the pups and protected them against neonatal-anoxia-induced delay in development. Further, neonatal anoxia reduced MBP stained area in the secondary motor cortex and decreased hippocampal neuronal estimates and synapsin-I levels at P21; gestational exercise prevented these effects. Therefore, spontaneous exercise along pregnancy is a valuable strategy to prevent neonatal-anoxia-induced disturbs in the offspring. Conclusion spontaneous gestational running wheel exercise protects against neonatal anoxia-induced disturbs in the offspring, including (1) physical and neurobehavioral developmental impairments, and (2) hippocampal and cortical changes. Thus, spontaneous exercise during pregnancy may represent a valuable strategy to prevent disturbs which usually follow neonatal anoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Yonamine Lee
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2415, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Aline Vilar Machado Nils
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, R. do Matão, Travessa 14, 101, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Bruna Petrucelli Arruda
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Alameda da Universidade, s/n, Bloco Delta, São Bernardo do Campo, SP 09606-070, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Fernando Xavier
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, R. do Matão, Travessa 14, 101, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Maria Inês Nogueira
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2415, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
| | - Lívia Clemente Motta-Teixeira
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2415, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, R. do Matão, Travessa 14, 101, Sao Paulo 05508-900, Brazil
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, R. Jaguaribe, 155 - Vila Buarque, Sao Paulo, SP 01224-001, Brazil
| | - Silvia Honda Takada
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2415, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-900, Brazil
- Centro de Matemática, Computação e Cognição, Universidade Federal do ABC, Alameda da Universidade, s/n, Bloco Delta, São Bernardo do Campo, SP 09606-070, Brazil
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Hwang YM, Roper RT, Piekos SN, Enquobahrie DA, Hebert MF, Paquette AG, Baloni P, Price ND, Hood L, Hadlock JJ. Timing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and risk for preterm birth and related adverse events: with a consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic period. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2024; 37:2313364. [PMID: 38342572 PMCID: PMC11033706 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2313364] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is uncertainty around the safety of SSRIs for treating depression during pregnancy. Nevertheless, the use of SSRIs has been gradually increasing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period. We aimed to (1) characterize maternal depression rate and use of SSRIs in a recent 10-year period, (2) address confounding by indication, as well as socioeconomic and environmental factors, and (3) evaluate associations of the timing of SSRI exposure in pregnancy with risk for preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA) infants among women with depression before pregnancy. METHODS We conducted propensity score-adjusted regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) of PTB, LBW, and SGA. We accounted for maternal/pregnancy characteristics, comorbidity, depression severity, time of delivery, social vulnerability, and rural residence. RESULTS There were 50.3% and 40.3% increases in the prevalence rate of prenatal depression and prenatal SSRI prescription rate during the pandemic. We identified women with depression ≤180 days before pregnancy (n = 8406). Women with no SSRI order during pregnancy (n = 3760) constituted the unexposed group. The late SSRI exposure group consisted of women with an SSRI order after the first trimester (n = 3759). The early-only SSRI exposure group consisted of women with SSRI orders only in the first trimester (n = 887). The late SSRI exposure group had an increased risk of PTB of OR = 1.5 ([1.2,1.8]) and LBW of OR = 1.5 ([1.2,2.0]), relative to the unexposed group. Associations between late SSRI exposure and risk of PTB/LBW were similar among a subsample of patients who delivered during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest an association between PTB/LBW and SSRI exposure is dependent on exposure timing during pregnancy. Small for gestational age is not associated with SSRI exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Mi Hwang
- Institute for Systems Biology; 401 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington, USA 98109
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ryan T. Roper
- Institute for Systems Biology; 401 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington, USA 98109
| | - Samantha N. Piekos
- Institute for Systems Biology; 401 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington, USA 98109
| | - Daniel A. Enquobahrie
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Mary F. Hebert
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alison G. Paquette
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington; Seattle, Washington USA
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; Seattle, Washington USA
| | - Priyanka Baloni
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana USA
| | - Nathan D. Price
- Institute for Systems Biology; 401 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington, USA 98109
- Thorne HealthTech, New York, New York, USA
| | - Leroy Hood
- Institute for Systems Biology; 401 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington, USA 98109
- Providence St. Joseph Health; Renton, Washington, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Hadlock
- Institute for Systems Biology; 401 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington, USA 98109
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Diez-Ahijado L, Cilleros-Portet A, Fernández-Jimenez N, Fernández MF, Guxens M, Julvez J, Llop S, Lopez-Espinosa MJ, Subiza-Pérez M, Lozano M, Ibarluzea J, Sunyer J, Bustamante M, Cosin-Tomas M. Evaluating the association between placenta DNA methylation and cognitive functions in the offspring. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:383. [PMID: 39304652 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03094-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta plays a crucial role in protecting the fetus from environmental harm and supports the development of its brain. In fact, compromised placental function could predispose an individual to neurodevelopmental disorders. Placental epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, could be considered a proxy of placental function and thus plausible mediators of the association between intrauterine environmental exposures and genetics, and childhood and adult mental health. Although neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder have been investigated in relation to placenta DNA methylation, no studies have addressed the association between placenta DNA methylation and child's cognitive functions. Thus, our goal here was to investigate whether the placental DNA methylation profile measured using the Illumina EPIC array is associated with three different cognitive domains (namely verbal score, perceptive performance score, and general cognitive score) assessed by the McCarthy Scales of Children's functions in childhood at age 4. To this end, we conducted epigenome-wide association analyses, including data from 255 mother-child pairs within the INMA project, and performed a follow-up functional analysis to help the interpretation of the findings. After multiple-testing correction, we found that methylation at 4 CpGs (cg1548200, cg02986379, cg00866476, and cg14113931) was significantly associated with the general cognitive score, and 2 distinct differentially methylated regions (DMRs) (including 27 CpGs) were significantly associated with each cognitive dimension. Interestingly, the genes annotated to these CpGs, such as DAB2, CEP76, PSMG2, or MECOM, are involved in placenta, fetal, and brain development. Moreover, functional enrichment analyses of suggestive CpGs (p < 1 × 10-4) revealed gene sets involved in placenta development, fetus formation, and brain growth. These findings suggest that placental DNA methylation could be a mechanism contributing to the alteration of important pathways in the placenta that have a consequence on the offspring's brain development and cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Diez-Ahijado
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ariadna Cilleros-Portet
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Nora Fernández-Jimenez
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Biocruces-Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Basque Country, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernández
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- University of Granada, Biomedical Research Centre, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain
| | - Monica Guxens
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jordi Julvez
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience, Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Reus, Spain
| | - Sabrina Llop
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria-Jose Lopez-Espinosa
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Faculty of Nursing and Chiropody, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mikel Subiza-Pérez
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology and Research Methods, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Avenida Tolosa 70, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Temple Bank House, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Duckworth Lane, BD9 6RJ, Bradford, UK
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, Donostia- San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Manuel Lozano
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesus Ibarluzea
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, Paseo Doctor Begiristain s/n, 20014, Donostia- San Sebastián, Spain
- Ministry of Health of the Basque Government, Sub-Directorate for Public Health and Addictions of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariona Bustamante
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Cosin-Tomas
- ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain.
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Legault LM, Dupas T, Breton-Larrivée M, Filion-Bienvenue F, Lemieux A, Langford-Avelar A, McGraw S. Sex-specific DNA methylation and gene expression changes in mouse placentas after early preimplantation alcohol exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 192:109014. [PMID: 39321537 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.109014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
During pregnancy, exposure to alcohol represents an environmental insult capable of negatively impacting embryonic development. This influence can stem from disruption of molecular profiles, ultimately leading to manifestation of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Despite the central role of the placenta in proper embryonic development and successful pregnancy, studies on the placenta in a prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder context are markedly lacking. Here, we employed a well-established model for preimplantation alcohol exposure, specifically targeting embryonic day 2.5, corresponding to the 8-cell stage. The exposure was administered to pregnant C57BL/6 female mice through subcutaneous injection, involving two doses of either 2.5 g/kg 50 % ethanol or an equivalent volume of saline at 2-hour intervals. Morphology, DNA methylation and gene expression patterns were assessed in male and female late-gestation (E18.5) placentas. While overall placental morphology was not altered, we found a significant decrease in male ethanol-exposed embryo weights. When looking at molecular profiles, we uncovered numerous differentially methylated regions (DMRs; 991 in males; 1309 in females) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 1046 in males; 340 in females) in the placentas. Remarkably, only 21 DMRs and 54 DEGs were common to both sexes, which were enriched for genes involved in growth factor response pathways. Preimplantation alcohol exposure had a greater impact on imprinted genes expression in male placentas (imprinted DEGs: 18 in males; 1 in females). Finally, by using machine learning model (L1 regularization), we were able to precisely discriminate control and ethanol-exposed placentas based on their specific DNA methylation patterns. This is the first study demonstrating that preimplantation alcohol exposure alters the DNA methylation and transcriptomic profiles of late-gestation placentas in a sex-specific manner. Our findings highlight that the DNA methylation profiles of the placenta could serve as a potent predictive molecular signature for early preimplantation alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa-Marie Legault
- CHU Ste-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Thomas Dupas
- CHU Ste-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Mélanie Breton-Larrivée
- CHU Ste-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Fannie Filion-Bienvenue
- CHU Ste-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Anthony Lemieux
- CHU Ste-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
| | - Alexandra Langford-Avelar
- CHU Ste-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.
| | - Serge McGraw
- CHU Ste-Justine Azrieli Research Center, 3175 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Boulevard Edouard‑Montpetit, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.
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Rosenfeld CS. Placenta Extracellular Vesicles: Messengers Connecting Maternal and Fetal Systems. Biomolecules 2024; 14:995. [PMID: 39199382 PMCID: PMC11352387 DOI: 10.3390/biom14080995] [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: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta operates during gestation as the primary communication organ between the mother and fetus. It is essential for gas, nutrient exchange, and fetal waste transfer. The placenta also produces a wide range of hormones and other factors that influence maternal physiology, including survival and activity of the corpus luteum of the ovary, but the means whereby the placenta shapes fetal development remain less clear, although the fetal brain is thought to be dependent upon the placenta for factors that play roles in its early differentiation and growth, giving rise to the term "placenta-brain axis". Placental hormones transit via the maternal and fetal vasculature, but smaller placental molecules require protection from fetal and maternal metabolism. Such biomolecules include small RNA, mRNA, peptides, lipids, and catecholamines that include serotonin and dopamine. These compounds presumably shuttle to maternal and fetal systems via protective extracellular vesicles (EVs). Placental EVs (pEVs) and their components, in particular miRNA (miRs), are known to play important roles in regulating maternal systems, such as immune, cardiovascular, and reproductive functions. A scant amount is known about how pEVs affect fetal cells and tissues. The composition of pEVs can be influenced by gestational diseases. This review will provide critical insight into the roles of pEVs as the intermediary link between maternal and fetal systems, the impact of maternal pathologies on pEV cargo contents, and how an understanding of biomolecular changes within pEVs in health and disease might be utilized to design early diagnostic and mitigation strategies to prevent gestational diseases and later offspring disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S. Rosenfeld
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Department of Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Smirnova OV, Ovcharenko ES, Kasparov EV. Hormonal Imbalance as a Prognostic Factor of Physical Development of Children with Intellectual Disability. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:913. [PMID: 39201848 PMCID: PMC11352287 DOI: 10.3390/children11080913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose was to study the indicators of physical development of primary-school-aged children with intellectual disability by observing the type of autonomic nervous regulation and their levels of catecholamines and serotonin. METHODS A total of 168 primary school age children were examined, of which 54 had intellectual disability. The autonomic nervous system was assessed using cardiointervalography; anthropometric parameters were applied in accordance with recommendations. The contents of serotonin and catecholamines in blood plasma and lymphocytes were assessed using enzyme immunoassay and luminescent histochemical methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Delayed physical and mental development in children with intellectual disability were associated with low serotonin levels in this group of children. The optimal option for the physical development of children with intellectual disability is a sympathetic type of autonomic nervous regulation, while negative-type vagotonic nervous regulation was associated with the maximum delay in physical development. The hypersympathetic type of nervous regulation was accompanied by minimal changes in physical development, despite the hormonal imbalance in the ratio of catecholamines and serotonin. The level of the neurotransmitter serotonin is a prognostic marker of the physical development of children of primary school age. The total amount of catecholamines and serotonin in blood plasma has a direct relationship with the amount of these neurotransmitters in blood lymphocytes; the more hormones in plasma, the more of them in lymphocytes. Therefore, the determination of the contents of catecholamines and serotonin in lymphocytes can be used as a model for studying neurotransmitters in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Smirnova
- Scientific Research Institute of Medical Problems of the North, Separate Division of Federal Research Centre “Krasnoyarsk Science Centre” of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Science, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (E.S.O.); (E.V.K.)
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Ding SM, Shi LG, Cao ZP, Zhu NN, Liu YY, Wang MY, Cui SS, Cheng HR, Liang D, Cao YX, Liu YJ. HTR1B regulates mitochondrial homeostasis and mitophagy by activating the ERK/ MAPK signalling pathway during human embryonic arrest. Heliyon 2024; 10:e33132. [PMID: 39022094 PMCID: PMC11253063 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have shown that serotonin and its receptors are widely distributed in mammalian reproductive tisssues and play an important role in embryonic development. However, the specific effects of the serotonergic system on embryonic arrest (EA) and the underlying mechanism require further investigation. Methods Chorionic villi were collected from patients with EA and healthy pregnant women. Western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect serotonin receptor 1B (HTR1B) levels and evaluate mitochondrial function. Additionally, HTR-8/SVneo cells were transfected with an HTR1B overexpression plasmid. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and wound healing assays were utilized to evaluate mitophagy level, cell proliferation and cell migration, respectively. Results We discovered elevated HTR1B levels in the chorionic villi of the patients with EA compared to controls. Concurrently, we observed enhanced levels of nucleus-encoded proteins including mitofilin, succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA), and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 (COXIV), along with the mitochondrial fusion protein optic atrophy 1(OPA1), fission proteins mitochondrial fission protein 1(FIS1) and mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) in the EA group. Additionally, there was an excessive mitophagy levels in EA group. Furthermore, a notable activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway proteins including extracellular regulating kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and P38 was observed in the EA group. By overexpressing HTR1B in HTR-8/SVneo cells, we observed a significant reduction in cell proliferation and migration. HTR1B overexpression also caused an increase in levels of SDHA and FIS1, as well as an upregulation of mitophagy. Notably, the ERK inhibitor U0126 effectively mitigated these effects. Conclusion These findings show that HTR1B influences mitochondrial homeostasis, promoting excessive mitophagy and impairing cell proliferation and migration by activating the MAPK signalling pathway during post-implantation EA. Therefore, HTR1B may serve as a potential therapeutic target for patients with EA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-min Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Disorders and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Diseases, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Ling-ge Shi
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Disorders and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Diseases, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Zhen-ping Cao
- The Third People's Hospital of Hefei, The Third Clinical Teaching Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Na-na Zhu
- The Second People's Hospital of Hefei, The Second Clinical Teaching Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230011, Anhui, China
| | - Yun-yun Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Meng-yao Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Shuang-shuang Cui
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Hui-ru Cheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Dan Liang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Yun-xia Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Disorders and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Diseases, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine,No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Ya-jing Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University),Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Disorders and Obstetrics and Gynaecology Diseases, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine,No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
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8
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Svigkou A, Katsi V, Kordalis VG, Tsioufis K. The Molecular Basis of the Augmented Cardiovascular Risk in Offspring of Mothers with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5455. [PMID: 38791492 PMCID: PMC11121482 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105455] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The review examines the impact of maternal preeclampsia (PE) on the cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health of offspring. PE, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is responsible for 2 to 8% of pregnancy-related complications. It significantly contributes to adverse outcomes for their infants, affecting the time of birth, the birth weight, and cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity, lipid profiles, glucose, and insulin. Exposure to PE in utero predisposes offspring to an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through mechanisms that are not fully understood. The incidence of CMD and CVD is constantly increasing, whereas CVD is the main cause of morbidity and mortality globally. A complex interplay of genes, environment, and developmental programming is a plausible explanation for the development of endothelial dysfunction, which leads to atherosclerosis and CVD. The underlying molecular mechanisms are angiogenic imbalance, inflammation, alterations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), endothelium-derived components, serotonin dysregulation, oxidative stress, and activation of both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Moreover, the potential role of epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation and microRNAs as mediators of these effects is emphasized, suggesting avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vasiliki Katsi
- Cardiology Department, School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
| | - Vasilios G. Kordalis
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Konstantinos Tsioufis
- Cardiology Department, School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece;
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9
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Islam M, Behura SK. Molecular Regulation of Fetal Brain Development in Inbred and Congenic Mouse Strains Differing in Longevity. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:604. [PMID: 38790233 PMCID: PMC11121069 DOI: 10.3390/genes15050604] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate gene regulation of the developing fetal brain from congenic or inbred mice strains that differed in longevity. Gene expression and alternative splice variants were analyzed in a genome-wide manner in the fetal brain of C57BL/6J mice (long-lived) in comparison to B6.Cg-Cav1tm1Mls/J (congenic, short-lived) and AKR/J (inbred, short-lived) mice on day(d) 12, 15, and 17 of gestation. The analysis showed a contrasting gene expression pattern during fetal brain development in these mice. Genes related to brain development, aging, and the regulation of alternative splicing were significantly differentially regulated in the fetal brain of the short-lived compared to long-lived mice during development from d15 and d17. A significantly reduced number of splice variants was observed on d15 compared to d12 or d17 in a strain-dependent manner. An epigenetic clock analysis of d15 fetal brain identified DNA methylations that were significantly associated with single-nucleotide polymorphic sites between AKR/J and C57BL/6J strains. These methylations were associated with genes that show epigenetic changes in an age-correlated manner in mice. Together, the finding of this study suggest that fetal brain development and longevity are epigenetically linked, supporting the emerging concept of the early-life origin of longevity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliha Islam
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Susanta K. Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Reproduction and Health Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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10
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Osman HC, Moreno R, Rose D, Rowland ME, Ciernia AV, Ashwood P. Impact of maternal immune activation and sex on placental and fetal brain cytokine and gene expression profiles in a preclinical model of neurodevelopmental disorders. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:118. [PMID: 38715090 PMCID: PMC11077729 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03106-7] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal inflammation during gestation is associated with a later diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the specific impact of maternal immune activation (MIA) on placental and fetal brain development remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MIA by analyzing placental and brain tissues obtained from the offspring of pregnant C57BL/6 dams exposed to polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I: C) on embryonic day 12.5. Cytokine and mRNA content in the placenta and brain tissues were assessed using multiplex cytokine assays and bulk-RNA sequencing on embryonic day 17.5. In the placenta, male MIA offspring exhibited higher levels of GM-CSF, IL-6, TNFα, and LT-α, but there were no differences in female MIA offspring. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes (DEG) in the placental tissues of MIA offspring were found to be enriched in processes related to synaptic vesicles and neuronal development. Placental mRNA from male and female MIA offspring were both enriched in synaptic and neuronal development terms, whereas females were also enriched for terms related to excitatory and inhibitory signaling. In the fetal brain of MIA offspring, increased levels of IL-28B and IL-25 were observed with male MIA offspring and increased levels of LT-α were observed in the female offspring. Notably, we identified few stable MIA fetal brain DEG, with no male specific difference whereas females had DEG related to immune cytokine signaling. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that MIA contributes to the sex- specific abnormalities observed in ASD, possibly through altered neuron developed from exposure to inflammatory cytokines. Future research should aim to investigate how interactions between the placenta and fetal brain contribute to altered neuronal development in the context of MIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadley C Osman
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Moreno
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Destanie Rose
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Megan E Rowland
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Annie Vogel Ciernia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California at Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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11
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Chan JC, Alenina N, Cunningham AM, Ramakrishnan A, Shen L, Bader M, Maze I. Serotonin Transporter-dependent Histone Serotonylation in Placenta Contributes to the Neurodevelopmental Transcriptome. J Mol Biol 2024; 436:168454. [PMID: 38266980 PMCID: PMC10957302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168454] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Brain development requires appropriate regulation of serotonin (5-HT) signaling from distinct tissue sources across embryogenesis. At the maternal-fetal interface, the placenta is thought to be an important contributor of offspring brain 5-HT and is critical to overall fetal health. Yet, how placental 5-HT is acquired, and the mechanisms through which 5-HT influences placental functions, are not well understood. Recently, our group identified a novel epigenetic role for 5-HT, in which 5-HT can be added to histone proteins to regulate transcription, a process called H3 serotonylation. Here, we show that H3 serotonylation undergoes dynamic regulation during placental development, corresponding to gene expression changes that are known to influence key metabolic processes. Using transgenic mice, we demonstrate that placental H3 serotonylation is dependent on 5-HT uptake by the serotonin transporter (SERT/SLC6A4). SERT deletion robustly reduces enrichment of H3 serotonylation across the placental genome, and disrupts neurodevelopmental gene networks in early embryonic brain tissues. Thus, these findings suggest a novel role for H3 serotonylation in coordinating placental transcription at the intersection of maternal physiology and offspring brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Chan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalia Alenina
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ashley M Cunningham
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ian Maze
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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Kinkade JA, Seetharam AS, Sachdev S, Bivens NJ, Phinney BS, Grigorean G, Roberts RM, Tuteja G, Rosenfeld CS. Extracellular vesicles from mouse trophoblast cells: Effects on neural progenitor cells and potential participants in the placenta-brain axis†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:310-328. [PMID: 37883444 PMCID: PMC10873279 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad146] [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] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The fetal brain of the mouse is thought to be dependent upon the placenta as a source of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) and other factors. How factors reach the developing brain remains uncertain but are postulated here to be part of the cargo carried by placental extracellular vesicles (EV). We have analyzed the protein, catecholamine, and small RNA content of EV from mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSC) and TSC differentiated into parietal trophoblast giant cells (pTGC), potential primary purveyors of 5-HT. Current studies examined how exposure of mouse neural progenitor cells (NPC) to EV from either TSC or pTGC affect their transcriptome profiles. The EV from trophoblast cells contained relatively high amounts of 5-HT, as well as dopamine and norepinephrine, but there were no significant differences between EV derived from pTGC and from TSC. Content of miRNA and small nucleolar (sno)RNA, however, did differ according to EV source, and snoRNA were upregulated in EV from pTGC. The primary inferred targets of the microRNA (miRNA) from both pTGC and TSC were mRNA enriched in the fetal brain. NPC readily internalized EV, leading to changes in their transcriptome profiles. Transcripts regulated were mainly ones enriched in neural tissues. The transcripts in EV-treated NPC that demonstrated a likely complementarity with miRNA in EV were mainly up- rather than downregulated, with functions linked to neuronal processes. Our results are consistent with placenta-derived EV providing direct support for fetal brain development and being an integral part of the placenta-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kinkade
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Arun S Seetharam
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Shrikesh Sachdev
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nathan J Bivens
- Genomics Technology Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Brett S Phinney
- Proteomics Core UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Gabriela Grigorean
- Proteomics Core UC Davis Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - R Michael Roberts
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- MU Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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13
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Adibi JJ, Zhao Y, Koistinen H, Mitchell RT, Barrett ES, Miller R, O'Connor TG, Xun X, Liang HW, Birru R, Smith M, Moog NK. Molecular pathways in placental-fetal development and disruption. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 581:112075. [PMID: 37852527 PMCID: PMC10958409 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112075] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The first trimester of pregnancy ranks high in priority when minimizing harmful exposures, given the wide-ranging types of organogenesis occurring between 4- and 12-weeks' gestation. One way to quantify potential harm to the fetus in the first trimester is to measure a corollary effect on the placenta. Placental biomarkers are widely present in maternal circulation, cord blood, and placental tissue biopsied at birth or at the time of pregnancy termination. Here we evaluate ten diverse pathways involving molecules expressed in the first trimester human placenta based on their relevance to normal fetal development and to the hypothesis of placental-fetal endocrine disruption (perturbation in development that results in abnormal endocrine function in the offspring), namely: human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), thyroid hormone regulation, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor protein gamma (PPARγ), leptin, transforming growth factor beta, epiregulin, growth differentiation factor 15, small nucleolar RNAs, serotonin, and vitamin D. Some of these are well-established as biomarkers of placental-fetal endocrine disruption, while others are not well studied and were selected based on discovery analyses of the placental transcriptome. A literature search on these biomarkers summarizes evidence of placenta-specific production and regulation of each biomarker, and their role in fetal reproductive tract, brain, and other specific domains of fetal development. In this review, we extend the theory of fetal programming to placental-fetal programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Adibi
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Yaqi Zhao
- St. Jude's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Hannu Koistinen
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Environmental and Population Health Bio-Sciences, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Richard Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Thomas G O'Connor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Xiaoshuang Xun
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Hai-Wei Liang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rahel Birru
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Megan Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nora K Moog
- Department of Medical Psychology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Islam M, Samal A, Davis DJ, Behura SK. Ablation of placental REST deregulates fetal brain metabolism and impacts gene expression of the offspring brain at the postnatal and adult stages. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23349. [PMID: 38069914 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301344r] [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] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the transcriptional repressor REST (Repressor Element 1 Silencing Transcription factor) was ablated in the mouse placenta to investigate molecular and cellular impacts on the offspring brain at different life stages. Ablation of placental REST deregulated several brain metabolites, including glucose and lactate that fuel brain energy, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that functions in the epigenetic programming of the brain during postnatal development, and glutamate and creatine that help the brain to respond to stress conditions during adult life. Bulk RNA-seq analysis showed that a lack of placental REST persistently altered multiple transport genes, including those related to oxygen transportation in the offspring brain. While metabolic genes were impacted in the postnatal brain, different stress response genes were activated in the adult brain. DNA methylation was also impacted in the adult brain due to the loss of placental REST, but in a sex-biased manner. Single-nuclei RNA-seq analysis showed that specific cell types of the brain, particularly those of the choroid plexus and ependyma, which play critical roles in producing cerebrospinal fluid and maintaining metabolic homeostasis, were significantly impacted due to the loss of placental REST. These cells showed significant differential expression of genes associated with the metabotropic (G coupled protein) and ionotropic (ligand-gated ion channel) glutamate receptors, suggesting an impact of ablation of placental REST on the glutamatergic signaling of the offspring brain. The study expands our understanding of placental influences on the offspring brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliha Islam
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Ananya Samal
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Daniel J Davis
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Animal Modeling Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Susanta K Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Interdisciplnary Reproductive and Health Group, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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15
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Lu X, Hong J, Zhang J, Liu Q, Liao G, Shi Y, Tang H, Liu X. Triphenyl phosphate disrupts placental tryptophan metabolism by activating MAOA/ROS/NFκB. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166688. [PMID: 37659542 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) is an organophosphate flame retardant widely distributed in the environment. The neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP has been observed in animals and humans. Previously, we found that prenatal TPhP exposure disturbed placental tryptophan metabolism, impaired neurodevelopment in male offspring, and induced abnormal neurobehavior; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, using the trophoblast cell line JEG-3, we found that TPhP altered gene and protein expression in the tryptophan metabolism pathway, inhibited the tryptophan-serotonin pathway, and activated the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway. Meanwhile, TPhP induced oxidative stress by activating monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), promoting inflammatory factors including nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB), interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α. The NFκB inhibitor sulfasalazine could alleviate the effects of TPhP on tryptophan metabolism disturbance. The MAOA inhibitor clorgyline or the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine can mitigate oxidative stress and eliminate TPhP-induced inflammatory factors and tryptophan metabolism disturbances. The data above suggest that TPhP disturbed tryptophan metabolism by activating NFκB through MAOA-mediated oxidative stress. Finally, using the mouse intrauterine exposure model, the results confirmed that TPhP induced oxidative stress, activated inflammatory factors, disturbed tryptophan metabolism, and increased the levels of the tryptophan metabolites serotonin, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in the placenta during the second trimester of pregnancy. Overall, TPhP can disturb placental tryptophan metabolism by activating the inflammatory factor NFκB, which was induced by MAOA-induced oxidative stress. The results of this study confirm that indirect exposure to xenobiotic compounds at an early life stage can impair offspring development and provide a novel perspective on the neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxun Lu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Jiabin Hong
- The Third People's Hospital of Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Qian Liu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Ganzhong Liao
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Yanwei Shi
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanwen Tang
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China.
| | - Xiaoshan Liu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China.
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16
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Chan JC, Alenina N, Cunningham AM, Ramakrishnan A, Shen L, Bader M, Maze I. Serotonin transporter-dependent histone serotonylation in placenta contributes to the neurodevelopmental transcriptome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.14.567020. [PMID: 38014301 PMCID: PMC10680709 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.14.567020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Brain development requires appropriate regulation of serotonin (5-HT) signaling from distinct tissue sources across embryogenesis. At the maternal-fetal interface, the placenta is thought to be an important contributor of offspring brain 5-HT and is critical to overall fetal health. Yet, how placental 5-HT is acquired, and the mechanisms through which 5-HT influences placental functions, are not well understood. Recently, our group identified a novel epigenetic role for 5-HT, in which 5-HT can be added to histone proteins to regulate transcription, a process called H3 serotonylation. Here, we show that H3 serotonylation undergoes dynamic regulation during placental development, corresponding to gene expression changes that are known to influence key metabolic processes. Using transgenic mice, we demonstrate that placental H3 serotonylation largely depends on 5-HT uptake by the serotonin transporter (SERT/SLC6A4). SERT deletion robustly reduces enrichment of H3 serotonylation across the placental genome, and disrupts neurodevelopmental gene networks in early embryonic brain tissues. Thus, these findings suggest a novel role for H3 serotonylation in coordinating placental transcription at the intersection of maternal physiology and offspring brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer C Chan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalia Alenina
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ashley M Cunningham
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aarthi Ramakrishnan
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Shen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ian Maze
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Archambault JL, Delaney CA. A Review of Serotonin in the Developing Lung and Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3049. [PMID: 38002049 PMCID: PMC10668978 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113049] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) is a bioamine that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The lung serves as an important site of 5-HT synthesis, uptake, and metabolism with signaling primarily regulated by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the 5-HT transporter (SERT), and numerous unique 5-HT receptors. The 5-HT hypothesis of PH was first proposed in the 1960s and, since that time, preclinical and clinical studies have worked to elucidate the role of 5-HT in adult PH. Over the past several decades, accumulating evidence from both clinical and preclinical studies has suggested that the 5-HT signaling pathway may play an important role in neonatal cardiopulmonary transition and the development of PH in newborns. The expression of TPH, SERT, and the 5-HT receptors is developmentally regulated, with alterations resulting in pulmonary vasoconstriction and pulmonary vascular remodeling. However, much remains unknown about the role of 5-HT in the developing and newborn lung. The purpose of this review is to discuss the implications of 5-HT on fetal and neonatal pulmonary circulation and summarize the existing preclinical and clinical literature on 5-HT in neonatal PH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cassidy A. Delaney
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
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Ahmadzadeh E, Polglase GR, Stojanovska V, Herlenius E, Walker DW, Miller SL, Allison BJ. Does fetal growth restriction induce neuropathology within the developing brainstem? J Physiol 2023; 601:4667-4689. [PMID: 37589339 PMCID: PMC10953350 DOI: 10.1113/jp284191] [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: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a complex obstetric issue describing a fetus that does not reach its genetic growth potential. The primary cause of FGR is placental dysfunction resulting in chronic fetal hypoxaemia, which in turn causes altered neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory development, some of which may be pathophysiological, particularly for neonatal life. The brainstem is the critical site of cardiovascular, respiratory and autonomic control, but there is little information describing how chronic hypoxaemia and the resulting FGR may affect brainstem neurodevelopment. This review provides an overview of the brainstem-specific consequences of acute and chronic hypoxia, and what is known in FGR. In addition, we discuss how brainstem structural alterations may impair functional control of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Finally, we highlight the clinical and translational findings of the potential roles of the brainstem in maintaining cardiorespiratory adaptation in the transition from fetal to neonatal life under normal conditions and in response to the pathological environment that arises during development in growth-restricted infants. This review emphasises the crucial role that the brainstem plays in mediating cardiovascular and respiratory responses during fetal and neonatal life. We assess whether chronic fetal hypoxaemia might alter structure and function of the brainstem, but this also serves to highlight knowledge gaps regarding FGR and brainstem development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Ahmadzadeh
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Graeme R. Polglase
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Vanesa Stojanovska
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Eric Herlenius
- Department of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetSolnaSweden
- Astrid Lindgren Children´s HospitalKarolinska University Hospital StockholmSolnaSweden
| | - David W. Walker
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Neurodevelopment in Health and Disease Research Program, School of Health and Biomedical SciencesRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Suzanne L. Miller
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
| | - Beth J. Allison
- The Ritchie CentreHudson Institute of Medical ResearchClaytonVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoriaAustralia
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19
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Zosen D, Kondratskaya E, Kaplan-Arabaci O, Haugen F, Paulsen RE. Antidepressants escitalopram and venlafaxine up-regulate BDNF promoter IV but down-regulate neurite outgrowth in differentiating SH-SY5Y neurons. Neurochem Int 2023; 169:105571. [PMID: 37451345 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105571] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Antidepressants are used to treat depression and some anxiety disorders, including use in pregnant patients. The pharmacological actions of these drugs generally determine the uptake and metabolism of a series of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine, along with an increase in BDNF expression. However, many aspects of antidepressant action remain unknown, particularly whether antidepressants interfere with normal neurodevelopment when taken by pregnant women. In order to reveal cellular and molecular implications crucial to the functioning of pathways related to antidepressant effects, we performed an investigation on neuronally differentiating human SH-SY5Y cells. To our knowledge, this is the first time human SH-SY5Y cells in cultures of purely neuronal cells induced by controlled differentiation with retinoic acid are followed by short-term 48-h exposure to 0.1-10 μM escitalopram or venlafaxine. Treatment with antidepressants (1 μM) did not affect the electrophysiological properties of SH-SY5Y cells. However, the percentage of mature neurons exhibiting voltage-gated sodium currents was substantially higher in cultures pre-treated with either antidepressant. After exposure to escitalopram or venlafaxine, we observed a concentration-dependent increase in activity-dependent BDNF promoter IV activation. The assessment of neurite metrics showed significant down-regulation of neurite outgrowth upon exposure to venlafaxine. Identified changes may represent links to molecular processes of importance to depression and be involved in neurodevelopmental alterations observed in postpartum children exposed to antidepressants antenatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Zosen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elena Kondratskaya
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Oykum Kaplan-Arabaci
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Fred Haugen
- Department of Work Psychology and Physiology, National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Elisabeth Paulsen
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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20
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Ahmadzadeh E, Dudink I, Walker DW, Sutherland AE, Pham Y, Stojanovska V, Polglase GR, Miller SL, Allison BJ. The medullary serotonergic centres involved in cardiorespiratory control are disrupted by fetal growth restriction. J Physiol 2023. [PMID: 37641535 DOI: 10.1113/jp284971] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with cardiovascular and respiratory complications after birth and beyond. Despite research showing a range of neurological changes following FGR, little is known about how FGR affects the brainstem cardiorespiratory control centres. The primary neurons that release serotonin reside in the brainstem cardiorespiratory control centres and may be affected by FGR. At two time points in the last trimester of sheep brain development, 110 and 127 days of gestation (0.74 and 0.86 of gestation), we assessed histopathological alterations in the brainstem cardiorespiratory control centres of the pons and medulla in early-onset FGR versus control fetal sheep. The FGR cohort were hypoxaemic and asymmetrically growth restricted. Compared to the controls, the brainstem of FGR fetuses exhibited signs of neuropathology, including elevated cell death and reduced cell proliferation, grey and white matter deficits, and evidence of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. FGR brainstem pathology was predominantly observed in the medullary raphé nuclei, hypoglossal nucleus, nucleus ambiguous, solitary tract and nucleus of the solitary tract. The FGR groups showed imbalanced brainstem serotonin and serotonin 1A receptor abundance in the medullary raphé nuclei, despite evidence of increased serotonin staining within vascular regions of placentomes collected from FGR fetuses. Our findings demonstrate both early and adaptive brainstem neuropathology in response to placental insufficiency. KEY POINTS: Early-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) was induced in fetal sheep, resulting in chronic fetal hypoxaemia. Growth-restricted fetuses exhibit persistent neuropathology in brainstem nuclei, characterised by disrupted cell proliferation and reduced neuronal cell number within critical centres responsible for the regulation of cardiovascular and respiratory functions. Elevated brainstem inflammation and oxidative stress suggest potential mechanisms contributing to the observed neuropathological changes. Both placental and brainstem levels of 5-HT were found to be impaired following FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Ahmadzadeh
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ingrid Dudink
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David W Walker
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amy E Sutherland
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yen Pham
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vanesa Stojanovska
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graeme R Polglase
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Suzanne L Miller
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Beth J Allison
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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21
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Staud F, Pan X, Karahoda R, Dong X, Kastner P, Horackova H, Vachalova V, Markert UR, Abad C. Characterization of a human placental clearance system to regulate serotonin levels in the fetoplacental unit. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2023; 21:74. [PMID: 37612712 PMCID: PMC10464227 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01128-z] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serotonin (5-HT) is a biogenic monoamine with diverse functions in multiple human organs and tissues. During pregnancy, tightly regulated levels of 5-HT in the fetoplacental unit are critical for proper placental functions, fetal development, and programming. Despite being a non-neuronal organ, the placenta expresses a suite of homeostatic proteins, membrane transporters and metabolizing enzymes, to regulate monoamine levels. We hypothesized that placental 5-HT clearance is important for maintaining 5-HT levels in the fetoplacental unit. We therefore investigated placental 5-HT uptake from the umbilical circulation at physiological and supraphysiological levels as well as placental metabolism of 5-HT to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 5-HIAA efflux from trophoblast cells. METHODS We employed a systematic approach using advanced organ-, tissue-, and cellular-level models of the human placenta to investigate the transport and metabolism of 5-HT in the fetoplacental unit. Human placentas from uncomplicated term pregnancies were used for perfusion studies, culturing explants, and isolating primary trophoblast cells. RESULTS Using the dually perfused placenta, we observed a high and concentration-dependent placental extraction of 5-HT from the fetal circulation. Subsequently, within the placenta, 5-HT was metabolized to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), which was then unidirectionally excreted to the maternal circulation. In the explant cultures and primary trophoblast cells, we show concentration- and inhibitor-dependent 5-HT uptake and metabolism and subsequent 5-HIAA release into the media. Droplet digital PCR revealed that the dominant gene in all models was MAO-A, supporting the crucial role of 5-HT metabolism in placental 5-HT clearance. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, we present transcriptional and functional evidence that the human placenta has an efficient 5-HT clearance system involving (1) removal of 5-HT from the fetal circulation by OCT3, (2) metabolism to 5-HIAA by MAO-A, and (3) selective 5-HIAA excretion to the maternal circulation via the MRP2 transporter. This synchronized mechanism is critical for regulating 5-HT in the fetoplacental unit; however, it can be compromised by external insults such as antidepressant drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - Xin Pan
- Placenta-Lab, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Rona Karahoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Xiaojing Dong
- Placenta-Lab, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Petr Kastner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Horackova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Vachalova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Udo R Markert
- Placenta-Lab, Department of Obstetrics, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Cilia Abad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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22
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Domingues RR, Wiltbank MC, Hernandez LL. Maternal serotonin: implications for the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during gestation†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:17-28. [PMID: 37098165 PMCID: PMC10344603 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad046] [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] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal use of antidepressants has increased throughout the last decades; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the most prescribed antidepressants. Despite the widespread use of SSRI by women during reproductive age and pregnant women, an increasing amount of research warns of possible detrimental effects of maternal use of SSRI during pregnancy including low birthweight/small for gestational age and preterm birth. In this review, we revisited the impact of maternal use of SSRI during pregnancy, its impact on serotonin homeostasis in the maternal and fetal circulation and the placenta, and its impact on pregnancy outcomes-particularly intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth. Maternal use of SSRI increases maternal and fetal serotonin. The increase in maternal circulating serotonin and serotonin signaling likely promotes vasoconstriction of the uterine and placental vascular beds decreasing blood perfusion to the uterus and consequently to the placenta and fetus with potential impact on placental function and fetal development. Several adverse pregnancy outcomes are similar between women, sheep, and rodents (decreased placental size, decreased birthweight, shorter gestation length/preterm birth, neonatal morbidity, and mortality) highlighting the importance of animal studies to assess the impacts of SSRI. Herein, we address the complex interactions between maternal SSRI use during gestation, circulating serotonin, and the regulation of blood perfusion to the uterus and fetoplacental unit, fetal growth, and pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael R Domingues
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Milo C Wiltbank
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Laura L Hernandez
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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23
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Perić M, Horvatiček M, Tandl V, Bečeheli I, Majali-Martinez A, Desoye G, Štefulj J. Glucose, Insulin and Oxygen Modulate Expression of Serotonin-Regulating Genes in Human First-Trimester Trophoblast Cell Line ACH-3P. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1619. [PMID: 37371714 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Serotonin signaling plays an important role in regulating development and functions of the placenta. We hypothesized that metabolic disturbances associated with maternal obesity and/or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affect placental serotonin homeostasis. Therefore, we examined the effects of high glucose (25 mM) and insulin (10 nM)-two hallmarks of maternal obesity and GDM-on mRNA expression of key regulators of serotonin homeostasis, including serotonin transporter (SERT), tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), in the first-trimester trophoblast cell line ACH-3P, focusing on oxygen levels characteristic of early human placental development. Glucose downregulated expression of SERT and MAOA independently of oxygen level and upregulated expression of TPH1 at 6.5% oxygen but not at 2.5% oxygen. Compared to 6.5% oxygen, 2.5% oxygen upregulated SERT and downregulated TPH1 expression, with no effect on MAOA expression. Insulin upregulated SERT only at 2.5% oxygen but had no effect on TPH1 and MAOA expression. These results suggest that maternal metabolic alterations in early pregnancy may be a driving force for changes in placental serotonin homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Perić
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Horvatiček
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Veronika Tandl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, A-8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Ivona Bečeheli
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alejandro Majali-Martinez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, A-8036 Graz, Austria
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, A-8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Jasminka Štefulj
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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24
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Reis ACC, Jorge BC, da Silva Moreira S, Stein J, Perdão CB, de Matos Manoel B, Arena AC. Embryo-fetal safety evaluation of ondansetron in rats. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:605-613. [PMID: 36737400 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2154] [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: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ondansetron is a 5HT3 receptor antagonist, used to mitigate the effects of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy or surgery. Since nausea and vomiting are common experiences during the first trimester of pregnancy, this antiemetic has been the main drug used during this period. METHODS To evaluate the effects of ondansetron on the embryo-fetal development, which are still very contradictory, pregnant rats were exposed to therapeutic doses of ondansetron (1.7 or 2.5 mg/kg) daily, from gestational day (GD) 6 to 15. RESULTS No clinical signs of toxicity were observed in dams during the treatment. Although the hemato-biochemical parameters were similar among the groups, histological changes, as well as a reduction in the weight of kidney were found in the treated dams. After fetal examination, no visceral and skeletal abnormalities were observed in treated fetuses. CONCLUSION In conclusion, therapeutic doses of ondansetron have low teratogenic potential in rats. These data provide important information about the drug safety during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Casali Reis
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Campos Jorge
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Suyane da Silva Moreira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlia Stein
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolina Barizan Perdão
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz de Matos Manoel
- College of Health Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Arielle Cristina Arena
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center of Toxicological Assistance (CEATOX), Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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25
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Tehrani JM, Kennedy E, Tung PW, Burt A, Hermetz K, Punshon T, Jackson BP, Hao K, Chen J, Karagas MR, Koestler DC, Lester B, Marsit CJ. Human placental microRNAs dysregulated by cadmium exposure predict neurobehavioral outcomes at birth. Pediatr Res 2023; 93:1410-1418. [PMID: 35906307 PMCID: PMC9884320 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02201-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal cadmium (Cd) exposure has been implicated in both placental toxicity and adverse neurobehavioral outcomes. Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) may function to developmentally program adverse pregnancy and newborn health outcomes in response to gestational Cd exposure. METHODS In a subset of the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n = 115) and the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS, = 281), we used small RNA sequencing and trace metal analysis to identify Cd-associated expression of placental miRNAs using negative binomial generalized linear models. We predicted mRNAs targeted by Cd-associated miRNAs and relate them to neurobehavioral outcomes at birth through the integration of transcriptomic data and summary scores from the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS). RESULTS Placental Cd concentrations are significantly associated with the expression level of five placental miRNAs in NHBCS, with similar effect sizes in RICHS. These miRNA target genes overrepresented in nervous system development, and their expression is correlated with NNNS metrics suggestive of atypical neurobehavioral outcomes at birth. CONCLUSIONS Gestational Cd exposure is associated with the expression of placental miRNAs. Predicted targets of these miRNAs are involved in nervous system development and may also regulate placental physiology, allowing their dysregulation to modify developmental programming of early life health outcomes. IMPACT This research aims to address the poor understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing adverse pregnancy and newborn health outcomes in response to Gestational cadmium (Cd) exposure. Our results outline a robust relationship between Cd-associated placental microRNA expression and NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scales (NNNS) at birth indicative of atypical neurobehavior. This study utilized healthy mother-infant cohorts to describe the role of Cd-associated dysregulation of placental microRNAs as a potential mechanism by which adverse neurobehavioral outcomes are developmentally programmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse M Tehrani
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kennedy
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pei Wen Tung
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tracy Punshon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Brian P Jackson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Devin C Koestler
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Barry Lester
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
- The Brown Center of the Study of Children at Risk, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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26
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AbdRabou MA, Alrashdi BM, Alruwaili HK, Elmazoudy RH, Alwaili MA, Othman SI, Alghamdi FA, Fahmy GH. Exploration of Maternal and Fetal Toxicity Risks for Metronidazole-Related Teratogenicity and Hepatotoxicity through an Assessment in Albino Rats. TOXICS 2023; 11:303. [PMID: 37112529 PMCID: PMC10141390 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Metronidazole is the primary antimicrobial drug for treating acute and chronic vaginal pathogens during pregnancy; however, there has been insufficient research on placental disorders, early pregnancy loss, and preterm birth. Here, the potential activity of metronidazole on pregnancy outcomes was investigated. 130 mg/kg body weight of metronidazole was orally given individually to pregnant rats on gestation days 0-7, 7-14, and 0-20. Pregnancy outcome evaluations were carried out on gestation day 20. It was demonstrated that metronidazole could induce maternal and fetal hepatotoxicity. There is a significant increase in the activities of maternal hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), total cholesterol, and triglycerides compared with the control. These biochemical findings were evidenced by maternal and fetal liver histopathological alterations. Furthermore, metronidazole caused a significant decrease in the number of implantation sites and fetal viability, whereas it caused an increase in fetal lethality and the number of fetal resorptions. In addition, a significant decrease in fetal weight, placental weight, and placental diameter was estimated. Macroscopical examination revealed placental discoloration and hypotrophy in the labyrinth zone and the degeneration of the basal zone. The fetal defects are related to exencephaly, visceral hernias, and tail defects. These findings suggest that the administration of metroniazole during gestation interferes with embryonic implantation and fetal organogenesis and enhances placental pathology. We can also conclude that metronidazole has potential maternal and fetal risks and is unsafe during pregnancy. Additionally, it should be strictly advised and prescribed, and further consideration should be given to the associated health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mervat A. AbdRabou
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Barakat M. Alrashdi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hadeel K. Alruwaili
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jouf University, P.O. Box 2014, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reda H. Elmazoudy
- Biology Department, College of Science, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha A. Alwaili
- Biology Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah I. Othman
- Biology Department, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawzyah A. Alghamdi
- Biology Department, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23218, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gehan H. Fahmy
- Biology Department, College of Science, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 30001, Saudi Arabia
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Kilic F. The nature of the binding between insulin receptor and serotonin transporter in placenta (review). Placenta 2023; 133:40-44. [PMID: 36796293 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.02.001] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The interplay between the insulin receptor (IR) and serotonin transporter (SERT) allows reciprocal regulation of each other's physiological roles to ensure appropriate responses to specific environmental and developmental signals. The studies reported herein provided substantial evidence of how insulin signaling influences the modification and trafficking of SERT to the plasma membrane via enabling its association with specific endoplasmic reticulum (ER) proteins. While insulin signaling is important for the modifications of SERT proteins, the fact that phosphorylation of IR was significantly down-regulated in the placenta of SERT knock out (KO) mice suggests that SERT also regulates IR. Further suggestive of SERT functional regulation of IR, SERT-KO mice developed obesity and glucose intolerance with symptoms similar to those of type 2 diabetes. The picture emerging from those studies proposes that the interplay between IR and SERT maintains conditions supportive of IR phosphorylation and regulates insulin signaling in placenta which ultimately enables the trafficking of SERT to the plasma membrane. IR-SERT association thus appears to play a protective metabolic role in placenta and is impaired under diabetic conditions. This review focuses on recent findings describing the functional and physical associations between IR and SERT in placental cells, and the dysregulation of this process in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusun Kilic
- Biology Department, Merced College, Merced, CA, USA.
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use in Pregnancy and Protective Mechanisms in Preeclampsia. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:701-712. [PMID: 35984571 PMCID: PMC9944568 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01065-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Depression and preeclampsia share risk factors and are bi-directionally associated with increased risk for each other. Despite epidemiological evidence linking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnancy to preeclampsia, serotonin (5-HT) and vasopressin (AVP) secretion mechanisms suggest that SSRIs may attenuate preeclampsia risk. However, there is a need to clarify the relationship between SSRIs and preeclampsia in humans to determine therapeutic potential. This retrospective cohort study included clinical data from 9558 SSRI-untreated and 9046 SSRI-treated pregnancies. In a subcohort of 233 pregnancies, early pregnancy (< 20 weeks) maternal plasma copeptin, an inert and stable AVP prosegment secreted 1:1 with AVP, was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Diagnoses and depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) were identified via medical records review. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were conducted (α = 0.05). SSRI use was associated with decreased preeclampsia after controlling for clinical confounders (depression severity, chronic hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, age) (OR = 0.9 [0.7-1.0], p = 0.05). Moderate-to-severe depression symptoms were associated with significantly higher copeptin secretion than mild-to-no depression symptoms (240 ± 29 vs. 142 ± 10 ng/mL, p < 0.001). SSRIs significantly attenuated first trimester plasma copeptin (78 ± 22 users vs. 240 ± 29 ng/ml non-users, p < 0.001). In preeclampsia, SSRI treatment was associated with significantly lower copeptin levels (657 ± 164 vs. 175 ± 134 ng/mL, p = 0.04). Interaction between SSRI treatment and preeclampsia was also significant (p = 0.04). SSRIs may modulate preeclampsia risk and mechanisms, although further studies are needed to investigate the relationships between 5-HT and AVP in depression and preeclampsia.
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Ravaei A, Emanuele M, Nazzaro G, Fadiga L, Rubini M. Placental DNA methylation profile as predicting marker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mol Med 2023; 29:8. [PMID: 36647002 PMCID: PMC9843962 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs normal brain development and socio-cognitive abilities. The pathogenesis of this condition points out the involvement of genetic and environmental factors during in-utero life. Placenta, as an interface tissue between mother and fetus, provides developing fetus requirements and exposes it to maternal environment as well. Therefore, the alteration of DNA methylation as epigenetic consequence of gene-environmental interaction in the placenta could shed light on ASD pathogenesis. In this study, we reviewed the current findings on placental methylation status and its association with ASD. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in ASD-developing placenta were found to be mainly enriched in ASD gene loci affecting synaptogenesis, microtubule dynamics, neurogenesis and neuritogenesis. In addition, non-genic DMRs in ASD-placenta proposes an alternative contributing mechanism for ASD development. Our study highlights the importance of placental DNA methylation signature as a biomarker for ASD prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Ravaei
- grid.8484.00000 0004 1757 2064Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Marco Emanuele
- grid.8484.00000 0004 1757 2064Section of Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy ,grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907IIT@UniFe Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nazzaro
- grid.8484.00000 0004 1757 2064Section of Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy ,grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907IIT@UniFe Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Luciano Fadiga
- grid.8484.00000 0004 1757 2064Section of Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy ,grid.25786.3e0000 0004 1764 2907IIT@UniFe Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Rubini
- grid.8484.00000 0004 1757 2064Medical Genetics Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 74, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Bravo K, González-Ortiz M, Beltrán-Castillo S, Cáceres D, Eugenín J. Development of the Placenta and Brain Are Affected by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Exposure During Critical Periods. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1428:179-198. [PMID: 37466774 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32554-0_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are usually prescribed to treat major depression and anxiety disorders. Fetal brain development exhibits dependency on serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) from maternal, placental, and fetal brain sources. At very early fetal stages, fetal serotonin is provided by maternal and placental sources. However, in later fetal stages, brain sources are indispensable for the appropriate development of neural circuitry and the rise of emergent functions implied in behavior acquisition. Thus, susceptible serotonin-related critical periods are recognized, involving the early maternal and placental 5-HT synthesis and the later endogenous 5-HT synthesis in the fetal brain. Acute and chronic exposure to SSRIs during these critical periods may result in short- and long-term placental and brain dysfunctions affecting intrauterine and postnatal life. Maternal and fetal cells express serotonin receptors which make them susceptible to changes in serotonin levels influenced by SSRIs. SSRIs block the serotonin transporter (SERT), which is required for 5-HT reuptake from the synaptic cleft into the presynaptic neuron. Chronic SSRI administration leads to pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT receptor rearrangement. In this review, we focus on the effects of SSRIs administered during critical periods upon placentation and brain development to be considered in evaluating the risk-safety balance in the clinical use of SSRIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Bravo
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile USACH, Santiago, Chile.
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Marcelo González-Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Sebastian Beltrán-Castillo
- Centro integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Cáceres
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile USACH, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime Eugenín
- Laboratorio de Sistemas Neurales, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile USACH, Santiago, Chile
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Levitan RD, Sqapi M, Post M, Knight JA, Lye SJ, Matthews SG. Increasing maternal age predicts placental protein expression critical for fetal serotonin metabolism: Potential implications for neurodevelopmental research. Placenta 2022; 130:9-11. [PMID: 36343528 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
High fetal exposure to serotonin and increasing maternal age both contribute to the risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. While identifying covariates for a study of placental protein expression, we found a significant negative correlation between maternal age and the expression of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), and a significant positive correlation between maternal age and the expression of the serotonin transporter SERT. MAOA and SERT play key roles in placental serotonin metabolism relevant to fetal neurodevelopment. These preliminary findings suggest that the effect of increasing maternal age on neurodevelopmental risk may be mediated in part by changes in placental protein expression relevant to fetal serotonin metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Levitan
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Maria Sqapi
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Post
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julia A Knight
- Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Lye
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen G Matthews
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
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32
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Song JY, Lee KE, Byeon EJ, Choi J, Kim SJ, Shin JE. Maternal Gestational Diabetes Influences DNA Methylation in the Serotonin System in the Human Placenta. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12111869. [PMID: 36431006 PMCID: PMC9695704 DOI: 10.3390/life12111869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at a higher risk for metabolic dysregulation and neurodevelopmental impairment. Evidence suggests that serotonin, which is present in both the placenta and the brain, programs the development and growth of the fetal brain. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that GDM affects the methylation of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and serotonin receptor gene (HTR2A) in the placenta. Ninety pregnant women were included in this study. Thirty mothers were diagnosed with GDM, and sixty mothers served as controls in a 1:2 ratio. Ten CpG sites within the promoter regions of SLC6A4 and HTR2A were analyzed using pyrosequencing. The relative expression of genes involved in DNA methylation was evaluated using real-time PCR. The average DNA methylation of placental SLC6A4 was higher in the GDM group than in the control group (2.29 vs. 1.16%, p < 0.001). However, the average DNA methylation level of HTR2A did not differ between the two groups. SLC6A4 methylation showed a positive correlation with maternal plasma glucose level and neonatal birth weight percentile and a negative correlation with the neonatal head circumference percentile. This finding suggests that epigenetic modification of the placental serotonin system may affect placental adaptation to a harmful maternal environment, thereby influencing the long-term outcome in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Jae Eun Shin
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-32-340-2262; Fax: +82-32-340-2663
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Sahlman H, Itkonen A, Lehtonen M, Keski-Nisula L, Rysä J. Altered activities of CYP1A1 and CYP19A1 enzymes in women using SSRI medication during pregnancy. Placenta 2022; 129:30-35. [PMID: 36198245 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used medication for the treatment of depression during pregnancy. Their use may affect various biological molecules such as enzymes which regulate placental hormonal production and xenobiotic metabolism. Our aim was to investigate the effect of maternal SSRI use on activities of three placental enzymes. METHODS We analyzed activities of xenobiotic metabolism enzymes cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), aromatase (CYP19A1), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) from placental microsomal and cytosolic subcellular fractions. Term placentas were collected from 47 SSRI users and 49 control women participating Kuopio Birth cohort (KuBiCo) during the years 2013-2015. Among SSRI users, escitalopram was the most widely used SSRI medication. RESULTS The mean enzyme activities of all studied enzymes were lower in SSRI users compared to controls. A statistically significant difference was observed in the enzyme activities of CYP19A1 (p = 0.001) and CYP1A1 (p = 0.002) between the study groups after adjusting for use of additional medication, gestational diabetes, sex of the newborn and gestational weeks at delivery. SSRI use had no significant effect on placental GST enzyme activity. DISCUSSION Our results indicate that SSRI medication alters placental enzyme activities. This may lead disturbances in maternal steroid hormone balance as well as in xenobiotic metabolism and may provide risk for both developing fetus and pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Sahlman
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.
| | - A Itkonen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | - M Lehtonen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | - L Keski-Nisula
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland
| | - J Rysä
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
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Hong J, Lu X, Wang J, Jiang M, Liu Q, Lin J, Sun W, Zhang J, Shi Y, Liu X. Triphenyl phosphate disturbs placental tryptophan metabolism and induces neurobehavior abnormal in male offspring. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 243:113978. [PMID: 36007322 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that prenatal triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) exposure is related to abnormal neurobehavior in children. However, the neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP in mammals is limited. To study the neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP in mammals and investigate the underlying mechanism, we used a mouse intrauterine TPhP exposure model. We measured the inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNFα) and NFκB levels, and tryptophan metabolism in placentae, detected the fetal brain transcriptome, hippocampal neuron development and neurobehavioral in the male offspring. The results showed that the protein level of IL-6, TNFα and NFκB in the placenta of the TPhP treatment group (1, 5 mg/kg) were significantly increased. Change of the protein level of these pro-inflammatory factors in maternal serum or fetal brain was not observed. Expression of genes along tryptophan-serotonin metabolism pathway were significantly decreased. While, the concentration of 5-HT levels in the placenta or fetal brain were significantly increased. Consistent with the increased 5-HT, the Nissl body was reduced in the hippocampus of treatment group. The expression of serotonergic neuron gene markers including Tph2, Htr1A, Htr2A, Pet1 and Lmx1b in the hippocampus of treatment group was significantly decreased. The neurobehavioral test showed that TPhP decreased center time that represent anxiety-like behavior, and reduced learning and memory in male offspring. Meanwhile, expression of genes along tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism pathway were significantly increased. The result of the transcriptome analysis of fetal brain showed that the differentially expressed genes are mainly involved in the transcription regulation of DNA as a template in the nucleus, and the enriched pathways are mainly signal pathways regulated by axon guidance and neurotrophic factors, dopaminergic and cholinergic synapses, suggest that not only serotonergic neuronal was affected. Overall, this study demonstrates that TPhP has the potential to induce placental inflammatory response in the placenta, disturb placental tryptophan metabolism, compromise the neuronal development and synaptic transmission, and cause abnormal neurobehavior in male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Hong
- School of Public Health, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Xiaoxun Lu
- School of Public Health, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Jieyu Wang
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mengzhu Jiang
- School of Public Health, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Qian Liu
- School of Public Health, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Juntong Lin
- School of Public Health, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Wenjing Sun
- China-America Cancer Research Institute, Key Laboratory for Medical Molecular Diagnostics of Guangdong Province, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- School of Public Health, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Yanwei Shi
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Province Translational Forensic Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiaoshan Liu
- School of Public Health, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China.
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Domingues RR, Beard AD, Connelly MK, Wiltbank MC, Hernandez LL. Fluoxetine-induced perinatal morbidity in a sheep model. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:955560. [PMID: 35991651 PMCID: PMC9386076 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.955560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the most common antidepressants used by pregnant women. However, adverse pregnancy outcomes have been described in women taking SSRI during pregnancy—placental lesions, premature birth, poor neonatal adaptation. We aimed to investigate the effects of fluoxetine (Prozac® most commonly used SSRI) treatment during the last month of gestation on pregnancy complications, placental and neonatal health in a non-depressed sheep model. On day 119 ± 1 postbreeding (experimental day 0; E0) of a 151-day expected gestation, Hampshire ewes were randomly assigned to receive fluoxetine (n = 9 ewes, 15 lambs; daily intravenously treatment with 10 mg/kg on E0 and E1 and 5 mg/kg daily thereafter until parturition) or to a control group (n = 10; 14 lambs; vehicle only). Blood samples from ewes were collected throughout the experimental period and postpartum; blood from lambs were collected postpartum. Analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Fluoxetine treatment reduced placentome growth during the last month of pregnancy. Gestation length was decreased by 4.5 days in fluoxetine-treated ewes. Birthweight was reduced in lambs exposed to fluoxetine in utero; weights remained decreased until postnatal day 3. Placentome diameter by birthweight ratio was not different between groups suggesting that the decreased placentome diameter was accompanied by decreased lamb birthweight. During the first week postnatal, lambs exposed to fluoxetine in utero had decreased blood pH and decreased total carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and base excess and increased lactate (days 3–6), collectively indicative of metabolic acidemia. Additionally, ionized calcium was decreased between postnatal days 0 to 4 in lambs exposed to fluoxetine in utero. Using a non-depressed animal model clearly defines a role for SSRI on the occurrence of perinatal complications and neonatal morbidity. The decreased placentome diameter, shortened gestation, decreased birthweight, decreased calcium levels, and neonatal acidemia suggest the occurrence of intrauterine growth restriction. The persistence of neonatal acidemia for several days postpartum suggests poor neonatal adaptation to extrauterine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael R. Domingues
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Adam D. Beard
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Meghan K. Connelly
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Milo C. Wiltbank
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Laura L. Hernandez
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- *Correspondence: Laura L. Hernandez
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Dockx Y, Bijnens E, Saenen N, Aerts R, Aerts JM, Casas L, Delcloo A, Dendoncker N, Linard C, Plusquin M, Stas M, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Van Orshoven J, Somers B, Nawrot T. Residential green space in association with the methylation status in a CpG site within the promoter region of the placental serotonin receptor HTR2A. Epigenetics 2022; 17:1863-1874. [PMID: 35723001 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2022.2088464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Green space could influence adult cognition and childhood neurodevelopment , and is hypothesized to be partly driven by epigenetic modifications. However, it remains unknown whether some of these associations are already evident during foetal development. Similar biological signals shape the developmental processes in the foetal brain and placenta.Therefore, we hypothesize that green space can modify epigenetic processes of cognition-related pathways in placental tissue, such as DNA-methylation of the serotonin receptor HTR2A. HTR2A-methylation was determined within 327 placentas from the ENVIRONAGE (ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGEing) birth cohort using bisulphite-PCR-pyrosequencing. Total green space exposure was calculated using high-resolution land cover data derived from the Green Map of Flanders in seven buffers (50 m-3 km) and stratified into low (<3 m) and high (≥3 m) vegetation. Residential nature was calculated using the Land use Map of Flanders. We performed multivariate regression models adjusted for several a priori chosen covariables. For an IQR increment in total green space within a 1,000 m, 2,000 m and 3,000 m buffer the methylation of HTR2A increased with 1.47% (95%CI:0.17;2.78), 1.52% (95%CI:0.21;2.83) and 1.42% (95%CI:0.15;2.69), respectively. Additionally,, we found 3.00% (95%CI:1.09;4.91) and 1.98% (95%CI:0.28;3.68) higher HTR2A-methylation when comparing residences with and without the presence of nature in a 50 m and 100 m buffer, respectively. The methylation status of HTR2A in placental tissue is positively associated with maternal green space exposure. Future research is needed to understand better how these epigenetic changes are related to functional modifications in the placenta and the consequent implications for foetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinthe Dockx
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Esmée Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Nelly Saenen
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Raf Aerts
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Risk and Health Impact Assessment, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium.,Division Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Mycology and Aerobiology, Sciensano (Belgian Institute of Health), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Marie Aerts
- Division Animal and Human Health Engineering, Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), KU LeuvenMeasure, Model & Manage Bioresponses (M3-BIORES), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lidia Casas
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.,Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IMDO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Andy Delcloo
- Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Dendoncker
- Department of Geography, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.,Institute for Life, Earth and Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Catherine Linard
- Department of Geography, University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.,Institute for Life, Earth and Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Michelle Plusquin
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Michiel Stas
- Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division Animal and Human Health Engineering, Department of Biosystems (BIOSYST), KU LeuvenMeasure, Model & Manage Bioresponses (M3-BIORES), Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Jos Van Orshoven
- Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ben Somers
- Division Forest, Nature and Landscape, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Center for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health, Leuven University (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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Li S, Liu Y, Liu B, Hu YQ, Ding YQ, Zhang J, Feng L. Maternal urban particulate matter exposure and signaling pathways in fetal brains and neurobehavioral development in offspring. Toxicology 2022; 474:153225. [PMID: 35659516 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153225] [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: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
It is well understood that exposure to particulate matter (PM) can have adverse effects on the nervous system. When pregnant women are exposed to PM, their fetuses are also affected through the placenta. However, the mechanisms by which fetal brain development is regulated between mother and fetus remain unclear. C57BL/6J pregnant mice were exposed to PM at embryonic day (E) 2.5, 5.5, 8.5, 11.5, 14.5, and 17.5 via nasal drip at three doses (3, 6, 12 mg/kg of body weight) or PBS control. Neurobehavioral changes in the offspring were examined at 5-6-week-old by open field test (OFT) and elevated plus maze (EPM). The maternal and fetal brain and placenta were collected at E18.5, and molecular signal changes were explored using transcriptome analysis. We found that both male and female low-dose pups and male middle-dose pups traveled a significantly longer distance than controls in EPM tests. Both male and female low-dose pups showed a higher frequency of entering the center area and female low-dose pups exhibited a higher percentage of distance moved in the center area than controls in OFT tests. Gene expression in the maternal brain, fetal brain, and placenta at E18.5 was altered. Differentially expressed genes were enriched in the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway in all three tissue types. Pathway analysis revealed that the PI3K-Akt and PKC signaling was dysregulated in the fetal brain in the high-dose group compared with the control group. The pathways play a role in neuronal survival and apoptosis. Furthermore, there is a dose-dependent increase in Caspase-6, neuronal apoptosis and neurodegeneration biomarker, levels in E18.5 fetal brain (P = 0.06). In conclusion, our study demonstrated that prenatal PM exposure enhanced exploration and locomotor activity in adolescent offspring and altered molecular events in maternal brain, fetal brain, and placenta. The connections of these changes warrant further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuman Li
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongjie Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun-Qing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, No.130 Dong'an Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Liping Feng
- Ministry of Education-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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Perspective: Chicken Models for Studying the Ontogenetic Origin of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051155. [PMID: 35625892 PMCID: PMC9138209 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051155] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrients and xenobiotics cross the blood–placenta barrier, potentially depositing in the fetal brain. The prenatal exposure affects the neuroendocrine and microbial development. The mechanism underlying maternal risk factors reprograming the microbiota–gut–brain axis with long-term effects on psychosocial behaviors in offspring is not clear. In humans, it is not possible to assess the nutrient or xenobiotic deposition in the fetal brain and gastrointestinal system for ethical reasons. Moreover, the maternal–fetal microbe transfer during gestation, natural labor, and breast-feeding constitutes the initial gut microbiome in the progeny, which is inevitable in the most widely utilized rodent models. The social predisposition in precocial birds, including chickens, provides the possibility to test behavioral responses shortly after being hatched. Hence, chickens are advantageous in investigating the ontogenetic origin of behaviors. Chicken embryos are suitable for deposition assessment and mechanistic study due to the accessibility, self-contained development, uniform genetic background, robust microbiota, and easy in vivo experimental manipulation compared to humans and rodents. Therefore, chicken embryos can be used as an alternative to the rodent models in assessing the fetal exposure effect on neurogenesis and investigating the mechanism underlying the ontogenetic origin of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Li Y, Yang M, Zhang L, Mao Z, Lin Y, Xu S, Fang Z, Che L, Feng B, Li J, Zhuo Y, Wu D. Dietary Fiber Supplementation in Gestating Sow Diet Improved Fetal Growth and Placental Development and Function Through Serotonin Signaling Pathway. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:831703. [PMID: 35647096 PMCID: PMC9133666 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.831703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fiber (DF) supplementation in gestation diet on fetal growth and placental development and function and explore the possible mechanism of DF improving sow reproductive performance. A total of 16 Large White × Landrace crossbred gilts were randomly allotted to two groups and fed a semi-purified basal diet [non-fiber (NF) group, 0.1% total DF] or a basal diet supplemented with 8.33 g/kg inulin and 200 g/kg cellulose [Fiber (F) group] during the gestation period. On day 106 of gestation, five sows per group were chosen and slaughtered for sample collection. Results showed that DF supplementation during gestation increased the total fetal weight and placental weight on day 106 of gestation; elevated serum serotonin concentration; increased concentrations of serotonin and short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), as well as tryptophan hydroxylase 1 expression, in colon; elevated serotonin and progesterone concentrations and up-regulated the serotonin transporter, cytochrome P450 11A1, and insulin-like growth factor 2 expressions in the placenta. Besides, the sows in the F group had microbial community structures distinct from those in the NF group. Supplementation of DF in gestation diet increased the Coprococcus 3 abundance that was positively correlated with colonic serotonin concentration, while significantly decreasing the Family XIII AD3011 group abundance which was negatively correlated with colonic serotonin concentration. Above all, DF supplementation in the gestation diet could increase placental serotonin levels by promoting maternal serotonin synthesis in the colon and the transport from the mother to the placenta in sows, and then improve placental development and function, finally promoting fetal growth. Our findings provided insight into the mechanisms of DF improving sow reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Animal Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, China
| | - Min Yang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Pet Nutrition and Health Research Center, Chengdu Agricultural College, Chengdu, China
| | - Lijia Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengyu Mao
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Lin
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shengyu Xu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengfeng Fang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lianqiang Che
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Feng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Zhuo
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Zhuo
| | - De Wu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistance Nutrition of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- De Wu
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Casalino M, Murphy MC, Gauda EB. A preterm infant with abnormal movements. Paediatr Child Health 2022; 27:195-197. [PMID: 35859685 PMCID: PMC9291341 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxac024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Casalino
- Faculty of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Madeleine C Murphy
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Estelle B Gauda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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41
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Rosenfeld CS. The placenta as a target of opioid drugs†. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:676-686. [PMID: 35024817 PMCID: PMC9040663 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid drugs are analgesics increasingly being prescribed to control pain associated with a wide range of causes. Usage of pregnant women has dramatically increased in the past decades. Neonates born to these women are at risk for neonatal abstinence syndrome (also referred to as neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome). Negative birth outcomes linked with maternal opioid use disorder include compromised fetal growth, premature birth, reduced birthweight, and congenital defects. Such infants require lengthier hospital stays necessitating rising health care costs, and they are at greater risk for neurobehavioral and other diseases. Thus, it is essential to understand the genesis of such disorders. As the primary communication organ between mother and conceptus, the placenta itself is susceptible to opioid effects but may be key to understanding how these drugs affect long-term offspring health and potential avenue to prevent later diseases. In this review, we will consider the evidence that placental responses are regulated through an endogenous opioid system. However, maternal consumption of opioid drugs can also bind and act through opioid receptors express by trophoblast cells of the placenta. Thus, we will also discuss the current human and rodent studies that have examined the effects of opioids on the placenta. These drugs might affect placental hormones associated with maternal recognition of pregnancy, including placental lactogens and human chorionic gonadotropin in rodents and humans, respectively. A further understanding of how such drugs affect the placenta may open up new avenues for early diagnostic and remediation approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- MU Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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42
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Shook LL, Sullivan EL, Lo JO, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. COVID-19 in pregnancy: implications for fetal brain development. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:319-330. [PMID: 35277325 PMCID: PMC8841149 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy on the developing fetal brain is poorly understood. Other antenatal infections such as influenza have been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Although vertical transmission has been rarely observed in SARS-CoV-2 to date, given the potential for profound maternal immune activation (MIA), impact on the developing fetal brain is likely. Here we review evidence that SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections during pregnancy can result in maternal, placental, and fetal immune activation, and ultimately in offspring neurodevelopmental morbidity. Finally, we highlight the need for cellular models of fetal brain development to better understand potential short- and long-term impacts of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L Shook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elinor L Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Jamie O Lo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Zuccarello D, Sorrentino U, Brasson V, Marin L, Piccolo C, Capalbo A, Andrisani A, Cassina M. Epigenetics of pregnancy: looking beyond the DNA code. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:801-816. [PMID: 35301622 PMCID: PMC9050975 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is the branch of genetics that studies the different mechanisms that influence gene expression without direct modification of the DNA sequence. An ever-increasing amount of evidence suggests that such regulatory processes may play a pivotal role both in the initiation of pregnancy and in the later processes of embryonic and fetal development, thus determining long-term effects even in adult life. In this narrative review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of epigenetics in pregnancy, from its most studied and well-known mechanisms to the new frontiers of epigenetic regulation, such as the role of ncRNAs and the effects of the gestational environment on fetal brain development. Epigenetic mechanisms in pregnancy are a dynamic phenomenon that responds both to maternal-fetal and environmental factors, which can influence and modify the embryo-fetal development during the various gestational phases. Therefore, we also recapitulate the effects of the most notable environmental factors that can affect pregnancy and prenatal development, such as maternal nutrition, stress hormones, microbiome, and teratogens, focusing on their ability to cause epigenetic modifications in the gestational environment and ultimately in the fetus. Despite the promising advancements in the knowledge of epigenetics in pregnancy, more experience and data on this topic are still needed. A better understanding of epigenetic regulation in pregnancy could in fact prove valuable towards a better management of both physiological pregnancies and assisted reproduction treatments, other than allowing to better comprehend the origin of multifactorial pathological conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Zuccarello
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy.
| | - Ugo Sorrentino
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Valeria Brasson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Loris Marin
- Gynaecological Clinic, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Chiara Piccolo
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Andrisani
- Gynaecological Clinic, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassina
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy
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Domingues RR, Wiltbank MC, Hernandez LL. Pregnancy Complications and Neonatal Mortality in a Serotonin Transporter Null Mouse Model: Insight Into the Use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor During Pregnancy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:848581. [PMID: 35360732 PMCID: PMC8960382 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.848581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are widely prescribed to pregnant woman. Although some SSRI compounds are known to cause pregnancy loss and fetal malformations, other SSRI continue to be used by pregnant women. However, several studies have associated the use of SSRI with adverse pregnancy outcomes: intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and neonatal morbidity. Nonetheless, interpretation of studies in humans are typically complicated by the adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by depression itself. Therefore, we used a mutant mouse model with genetic ablation of the serotonin transporter, the target site for SSRI, to unravel the role of the serotonin transporter on pregnancy outcomes. The serotonin transporter null mice had increased pregnancy loss (17.5 vs. 0%), decreased number of pups born (6.6 ± 0.2 vs. 7.5 ± 0.2), and increased neonatal mortality (2.3-fold). Furthermore, preterm birth, dystocia, and fetal malformations were only observed in serotonin transporter null mice. This genetically ablated serotonin transporter mouse recapitulates several adverse pregnancy outcomes similar to those in women undergoing SSRI treatment during gestation. Additionally, neonatal loss in the present study reproduced a sudden infant death phenotype as in humans and mice with altered serotonergic signaling. In conclusion, findings from this study demonstrate a role for serotonin transporter in pregnancy maintenance and neonatal health. Additionally, it suggests that the adverse pregnancy outcomes in women taking SSRI during gestation might be due to altered serotonin transporter function caused by SSRI independent of underlying depression. This is a critical finding, given the number of women prescribed SSRI during pregnancy, and provides the framework for critical research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael R. Domingues
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Milo C. Wiltbank
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Laura L. Hernandez
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- *Correspondence: Laura L. Hernandez,
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Maternal Metabolic State and Fetal Sex and Genotype Modulate Methylation of the Serotonin Receptor Type 2A Gene (HTR2A) in the Human Placenta. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020467. [PMID: 35203678 PMCID: PMC8962258 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The serotonin receptor 2A gene (HTR2A) is a strong candidate for the fetal programming of future behavior and metabolism. Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been associated with an increased risk of metabolic and psychological problems in offspring. We tested the hypothesis that maternal metabolic status affects methylation of HTR2A in the placenta. The prospective study included 199 pairs of mothers and healthy full-term newborns. Genomic DNA was extracted from feto-placental samples and analyzed for genotypes of two polymorphisms (rs6311, rs6306) and methylation of four cytosine residues (−1665, −1439, −1421, −1224) in the HTR2A promoter region. Placental HTR2A promoter methylation was higher in male than female placentas and depended on both rs6311 and rs6306 genotypes. A higher maternal pre-gestational body mass index (pBMI) and, to a lesser extent, diagnosis of GDM were associated with reduced HTR2A promoter methylation in female but not male placentas. Higher pBMI was associated with reduced methylation both directly and indirectly through increased GDM incidence. Tobacco use during pregnancy was associated with reduced HTR2A promoter methylation in male but not female placentas. The obtained results suggest that HTR2A is a sexually dimorphic epigenetic target of intrauterine exposures. The findings may contribute to a better understanding of the early developmental origins of neurobehavioral and metabolic disorders associated with altered HTR2A function.
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Effects of Maternal Diabetes and Diet on Gene Expression in the Murine Placenta. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13010130. [PMID: 35052470 PMCID: PMC8775503 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse exposures during pregnancy have been shown to contribute to susceptibility for chronic diseases in offspring. Maternal diabetes during pregnancy is associated with higher risk of pregnancy complications, structural birth defects, and cardiometabolic health impairments later in life. We showed previously in a mouse model that the placenta is smaller in diabetic pregnancies, with reduced size of the junctional zone and labyrinth. In addition, cell migration is impaired, resulting in ectopic accumulation of spongiotrophoblasts within the labyrinth. The present study had the goal to identify the mechanisms underlying the growth defects and trophoblast migration abnormalities. Based upon gene expression assays of 47 candidate genes, we were able to attribute the reduced growth of diabetic placenta to alterations in the Insulin growth factor and Serotonin signaling pathways, and provide evidence for Prostaglandin signaling deficiencies as the possible cause for abnormal trophoblast migration. Furthermore, our results reinforce the notion that the exposure to maternal diabetes has particularly pronounced effects on gene expression at midgestation time points. An implication of these findings is that mechanisms underlying developmental programming act early in pregnancy, during placenta morphogenesis, and before the conceptus switches from histiotrophic to hemotrophic nutrition.
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Etemadi-Aleagha A, Akhgari M. Psychotropic drug abuse in pregnancy and its impact on child neurodevelopment: A review. World J Clin Pediatr 2022; 11:1-13. [PMID: 35096542 PMCID: PMC8771314 DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v11.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance abuse by women of child-bearing age and fetal in utero drug exposure has increased in the number of infants born with health issues. Prenatal exposure to psychoactive substances can lead to neurological and neurodevelopmental deficits later in life. Useful data concerning the effects of psychoactive drugs on fetal neurodevelopmental status are sparse. Understanding the neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatally drug-exposed children has become a pressing global concern. The aim of this review is to gather current evidence and information on neurodevelopmental outcomes of in utero drug exposure. A literature search was performed on the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using the terms “psychotropic drugs”, “neurodevelopmental consequences”, “prenatal drug exposure”, and “pregnancy”. Available studies on in utero drug exposure were reviewed and found to support the idea that some degree of health issues are present in fetuses and children. Different psychoactive substances have profound neurodevelopmental consequences, such as structural brain changes, poor attention span, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, imbalances in neurotransmitter levels, and many structural deficits. The pervasive use of psychoactive drugs in women of child-bearing age is an important health concern. Further scientific efforts are needed to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to psychoactive drugs on children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshar Etemadi-Aleagha
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1145765111, Iran
| | - Maryam Akhgari
- Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran 1114795113, Iran
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Sato A, Kotajima-Murakami H, Tanaka M, Katoh Y, Ikeda K. Influence of Prenatal Drug Exposure, Maternal Inflammation, and Parental Aging on the Development of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:821455. [PMID: 35222122 PMCID: PMC8863673 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.821455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects reciprocal social interaction and produces abnormal repetitive, restrictive behaviors and interests. The diverse causes of ASD are divided into genetic alterations and environmental risks. The prevalence of ASD has been rising for several decades, which might be related to environmental risks as it is difficult to consider that the prevalence of genetic disorders related to ASD would increase suddenly. The latter includes (1) exposure to medications, such as valproic acid (VPA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (2), maternal complications during pregnancy, including infection and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and (3) high parental age. Epidemiological studies have indicated a pathogenetic role of prenatal exposure to VPA and maternal inflammation in the development of ASD. VPA is considered to exert its deleterious effects on the fetal brain through several distinct mechanisms, such as alterations of γ-aminobutyric acid signaling, the inhibition of histone deacetylase, the disruption of folic acid metabolism, and the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin. Maternal inflammation that is caused by different stimuli converges on a higher load of proinflammatory cytokines in the fetal brain. Rodent models of maternal exposure to SSRIs generate ASD-like behavior in offspring, but clinical correlations with these preclinical findings are inconclusive. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and advanced parental age increase the risk of ASD in humans, but the mechanisms have been poorly investigated in animal models. Evidence of the mechanisms by which environmental factors are related to ASD is discussed, which may contribute to the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Sato
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Miho Tanaka
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Katoh
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
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Domingues RR, Fricke HP, Sheftel CM, Bell AM, Sartori LC, Manuel RSJ, Krajco CJ, Wiltbank MC, Hernandez LL. Effect of Low and High Doses of Two Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors on Pregnancy Outcomes and Neonatal Mortality. TOXICS 2022; 10:11. [PMID: 35051053 PMCID: PMC8780128 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the most common antidepressant used by pregnant women; however, they have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and perinatal morbidity in pregnant women and animal models. We investigated the effects of two SSRI, fluoxetine and sertraline, on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in mice. Wild-type mice were treated daily with low and high doses of fluoxetine (2 and 20 mg/kg) and sertraline (10 and 20 mg/kg) from the day of detection of a vaginal plug until the end of lactation (21 days postpartum). Pregnancy rate was decreased only in the high dose of fluoxetine group. Maternal weight gain was reduced in the groups receiving the high dose of each drug. Number of pups born was decreased in the high dose of fluoxetine and low and high doses of sertraline while the number of pups weaned was decreased in all SSRI-treated groups corresponding to increased neonatal mortality in all SSRI-treated groups. In conclusion, there was a dose-dependent effect of SSRI on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in a non-depressed mouse model. However, the distinct placental transfer of each drug suggests that the effects of SSRI on pup mortality may be mediated by SSRI-induced placental insufficiency rather than a direct toxic effect on neonatal development and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael R. Domingues
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Hannah P. Fricke
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Celeste M. Sheftel
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Autumn M. Bell
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
| | - Luma C. Sartori
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
| | - Robbie S. J. Manuel
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
| | - Chandler J. Krajco
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
| | - Milo C. Wiltbank
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Laura L. Hernandez
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (R.R.D.); (H.P.F.); (C.M.S.); (A.M.B.); (L.C.S.); (R.S.J.M.); (C.J.K.); (M.C.W.)
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Mao J, Kinkade JA, Bivens NJ, Roberts RM, Rosenfeld CS. Placental Changes in the serotonin transporter (Slc6a4) knockout mouse suggest a role for serotonin in controlling nutrient acquisition. Placenta 2021; 115:158-168. [PMID: 34649169 PMCID: PMC8585720 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The mouse placenta accumulates and possibly produces serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) in parietal trophoblast giant cells (pTGC) located at the interface between the placenta and maternal deciduum. However, the roles of 5-HT in placental function are unclear. This lack of information is unfortunate, given that selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are commonly used to combat depression in pregnant women. The high affinity 5-HT transporter SLC6A4 (also known as SERT) is the target of such drugs and likely controls much of 5-HT uptake into pTGC and other placental cells. We hypothesized that ablation of the Slc6a4 gene would result in morphological changes correlated with placental gene expression changes, especially for those involved in nutrient acquisition and metabolism, and thereby, provide insights into 5-HT placental function. METHODS Placentas were collected at embryonic age (E) 12.5 from Slc6a4 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) conceptuses. Histological analyses, RNAseq, qPCR, and integrative correlation analyses were performed. RESULTS Slc6a4 KO placentas had a considerable increased pTGC to spongiotrophoblast area ratio relative to WT placentas and significantly elevated expression of genes associated with intestinal functions, including nutrient sensing, uptake, and catabolism, and blood clotting. Integrative correlation analyses revealed upregulation of many of these genes was correlated with pTGC layer expansion. One other key gene was dopa decarboxylase (Ddc), which catalyzes conversion of L-5-hydroxytryptophan to 5-HT. DISCUSSION Our studies possibly suggest a new paradigm relating to how 5-HT operates in the placenta, namely as a factor regulating metabolic functions and blood coagulation. We further suggest that pTGC might be functional analogs of enterochromaffin 5-HT-positive cells of the intestinal mucosa, which regulate similar activities within the gut. Further work, including proteomics and metabolomic studies, are needed to buttress our hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiude Mao
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
| | - Jessica A Kinkade
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Nathan J Bivens
- Genomics Technology Core, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - R Michael Roberts
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
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