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van Vliet MM, Schoenmakers S, Gribnau J, Steegers-Theunissen RP. The one-carbon metabolism as an underlying pathway for placental DNA methylation - a systematic review. Epigenetics 2024; 19:2318516. [PMID: 38484284 PMCID: PMC10950272 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2024.2318516] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, are proposed mechanisms explaining the impact of parental exposures to foetal development and lifelong health. Micronutrients including folate, choline, and vitamin B12 provide methyl groups for the one-carbon metabolism and subsequent DNA methylation processes. Placental DNA methylation changes in response to one-carbon moieties hold potential targets to improve obstetrical care. We conducted a systematic review on the associations between one-carbon metabolism and human placental DNA methylation. We included 22 studies. Findings from clinical studies with minimal ErasmusAGE quality score 5/10 (n = 15) and in vitro studies (n = 3) are summarized for different one-carbon moieties. Next, results are discussed per study approach: (1) global DNA methylation (n = 9), (2) genome-wide analyses (n = 4), and (3) gene specific (n = 14). Generally, one-carbon moieties were not associated with global methylation, although conflicting outcomes were reported specifically for choline. Using genome-wide approaches, few differentially methylated sites associated with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), or dietary patterns. Most studies taking a gene-specific approach indicated site-specific relationships depending on studied moiety and genomic region, specifically in genes involved in growth and development including LEP, NR3C1, CRH, and PlGF; however, overlap between studies was low. Therefore, we recommend to further investigate the impact of an optimized one-carbon metabolism on DNA methylation and lifelong health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein M van Vliet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sam Schoenmakers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joost Gribnau
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Powell TL, Ferchaud-Roucher V, Madi L, Uhlson C, Zemski-Berry K, Kramer AC, Erickson K, Palmer C, Chassen SS, Castillo-Castrejon M. Synthesis of phospholipids in human placenta. Placenta 2024; 147:12-20. [PMID: 38278000 PMCID: PMC10923060 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.007] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Placental phospholipid synthesis is critical for the expansion of the placental exchange surface area and for production of signaling molecules. Despite their importance, it is not yet established which enzymes involved in the de novo synthesis and remodeling of placental phospholipids are expressed and active in the human placenta. METHODS We identified phospholipid synthesis enzymes by immunoblotting in placental homogenates and immunofluorescence in placenta tissue sections. Primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells from term healthy placentas (n = 10) were cultured and exposed to 13C labeled fatty acids (16:0, 18:1 and 18:2 n-6, 22:6 n-3) for 2 and 24 h. Three phospholipid classes; phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine, and lysophosphatidylcholine containing 13C fatty acids were quantified by Liquid Chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS). RESULTS Acyl transferase and phospholipase enzymes were detected in human placenta homogenate and primarily expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast. Three representative 13C fatty acids (16:0, 18:1 and 18:2 n-6) were incorporated rapidly into phosphatidic acid in trophoblasts, but 13C labeled docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 n-3) incorporation was not detected. 13C DHA was incorporated into phosphatidylcholine. Lysophosphatidylcholine containing all four 13C labeled fatty acids were found in high abundance. CONCLUSIONS Phospholipid synthesis and remodeling enzymes are present in the syncytiotrophoblast. 13C labeled fatty acids were rapidly incorporated into cellular phospholipids. 13C DHA was incorporated into phospholipids through the remodeling pathway rather than by de novo synthesis. These understudied pathways are highly active and critical for structure and function of the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa L Powell
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Veronique Ferchaud-Roucher
- University of Nantes-INRAE UMR 1280 PhAN, CHU Nantes, CRNH Ouest CHU Hotel Dieu, 1 place Alexis Ricordeau, 1er etage aile nord HNB, 44093, Nantes Cedex 1, France.
| | - Lana Madi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Charis Uhlson
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Karin Zemski-Berry
- Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Avery C Kramer
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Kathryn Erickson
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Claire Palmer
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Stephanie S Chassen
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Marisol Castillo-Castrejon
- Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th St., Stanton L Young Biomedical Research Center Room 458, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
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Ostojic SM, Ratgeber L, Betlehem J, Acs P. Molecular nutrition in life course perspective: Pinpointing metabolic pathways to target during periconception. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024; 20 Suppl 2:e13474. [PMID: 36794361 PMCID: PMC10765360 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13474] [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: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Lifecourse nutrition encompasses nourishment from early development into parenthood. From preconception and pregnancy to childhood, late adolescence, and reproductive years, life course nutrition explores links between dietary exposures and health outcomes in current and future generations from a public health perspective, usually addressing lifestyle behaviours, reproductive well-being and maternal-child health strategies. However, nutritional factors that play a role in conceiving and sustaining new life might also require a molecular perspective and recognition of critical interactions between specific nutrients and relevant biochemical pathways. The present perspective summarises evidence about the links between diet during periconception and next-generation health and outlines the main metabolic networks involved in nutritional biology of this sensitive time frame.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergej M. Ostojic
- Department of Nutrition and Public HealthUniversity of AgderKristiansandNorway
- Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PécsPécsHungary
- Applied Bioenergetcis Lab, Faculty of Sport and Physical EducationUniversity of Novi SadNovi SadSerbia
| | | | | | - Pongrac Acs
- Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of PécsPécsHungary
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Silva E, Ferchaud‐Roucher V, Kramer A, Madi L, Pantham P, Chassen S, Jansson T, Powell TL. Oleic acid stimulation of amino acid uptake in primary human trophoblast cells is mediated by phosphatidic acid and mTOR signaling. FASEB Bioadv 2024; 6:1-11. [PMID: 38223199 PMCID: PMC10782470 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2023-00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Normal fetal development is critically dependent on optimal nutrient supply by the placenta, and placental amino acid transport has been demonstrated to be positively associated with fetal growth. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a positive regulator of placental amino acid transporters, such as System A. Oleic acid (OA) has been previously shown to have a stimulatory role on placental mTOR signaling and System A amino acid uptake in primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells. We investigated the mechanistic link between OA and System A activity in PHT. We found that inhibition of mTOR complex 1 or 2, using small interfering RNA to knock down raptor or rictor, prevented OA-stimulated System A amino acid transport indicating the interaction of OA with mTOR. Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a key intermediary for phospholipid biosynthesis and a known regulator of the mTOR pathway; however, phospholipid biosynthetic pathways have not been extensively studied in placenta. We identified placental isoforms of acyl transferase enzymes involved in de novo phospholipid synthesis. Silencing of 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase-4, an enzyme in this pathway, prevented OA mediated stimulation of mTOR and System A amino acid transport. These data indicate that OA stimulates mTOR and amino acid transport in PHT cells mediated through de novo synthesis of PA. We speculate that fatty acids in the maternal circulation, such as OA, regulate placental functions critical for fetal growth by interaction with mTOR and that late pregnancy hyperlipidemia may be critical for increasing nutrient transfer to the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Silva
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | | | - Anita Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Lana Madi
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Priyadarshini Pantham
- Ob/Gyn & Reproductive SciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Stephanie Chassen
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of NeonatologyUniversity of Colorado, Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of NeonatologyUniversity of Colorado, Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
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Powell TL, Uhlson C, Madi L, Berry KZ, Chassen SS, Jansson T, Ferchaud-Roucher V. Fetal sex differences in placental LCPUFA ether and plasmalogen phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine contents in pregnancies complicated by obesity. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:66. [PMID: 37770949 PMCID: PMC10540428 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00548-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously reported that maternal obesity reduces placental transport capacity for lysophosphatidylcholine-docosahexaenoic acid (LPC-DHA), a preferred form for transfer of DHA (omega 3) to the fetal brain, but only in male fetuses. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), have either sn-1 ester, ether or vinyl ether (plasmalogen) linkages to primarily unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and DHA or arachidonic acid (ARA, omega 6) in the sn-2 position. Whether ether and plasmalogen PC and PE metabolism in placenta impacts transfer to the fetus is unexplored. We hypothesized that ether and plasmalogen PC and PE containing DHA and ARA are reduced in maternal-fetal unit in pregnancies complicated by obesity and these differences are dependent on fetal sex. METHODS In maternal, umbilical cord plasma and placentas from obese women (11 female/5 male infants) and normal weight women (9 female/7 male infants), all PC and PE species containing DHA and ARA were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Placental protein expression of enzymes involved in phospholipid synthesis, were determined by immunoblotting. All variables were compared between control vs obese groups and separated by fetal sex, in each sample using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate adjustment to account for multiple testing. RESULTS Levels of ester PC containing DHA and ARA were profoundly reduced by 60-92% in male placentas of obese mothers, while levels of ether and plasmalogen PE containing DHA and ARA were decreased by 51-84% in female placentas. PLA2G4C abundance was lower in male placentas and LPCAT4 abundance was lower solely in females in obesity. In umbilical cord, levels of ester, ether and plasmalogen PC and PE with DHA were reduced by 43-61% in male, but not female, fetuses of obese mothers. CONCLUSIONS We found a fetal sex effect in placental PE and PC ester, ether and plasmalogen PE and PC containing DHA in response to maternal obesity which appears to reflect an ability of female placentas to adapt to maintain optimal fetal DHA transfer in maternal obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Charis Uhlson
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lana Madi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Karin Zemski Berry
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stephanie S Chassen
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Veronique Ferchaud-Roucher
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INRAE UMR 1280 PhAN, CRNH Ouest, 44000, Nantes, France.
- Nantes Université, INRAE, UMR 1280 PhAN, CHU Hôtel Dieu, HNB1, 1 place Alexis Ricordeau, 44093, Nantes, France.
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Krebs NF, Hambidge KM, Westcott JL, Garcés AL, Figueroa L, Tshefu AK, Lokangaka AL, Goudar SS, Dhaded SM, Saleem S, Ali SA, Bauserman MS, Derman RJ, Goldenberg RL, Das A, Chowdhury D. Birth length is the strongest predictor of linear growth status and stunting in the first 2 years of life after a preconception maternal nutrition intervention: the children of the Women First trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2022; 116:86-96. [PMID: 35681255 PMCID: PMC9257468 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The multicountry Women First trial demonstrated that nutritional supplementation initiated prior to conception (arm 1) or early pregnancy (arm 2) and continued until delivery resulted in significantly greater length at birth and 6 mo compared with infants in the control arm (arm 3). OBJECTIVES We evaluated intervention effects on infants' longitudinal growth trajectory from birth through 24 mo and identified predictors of length status and stunting at 24 mo. METHODS Infants' anthropometry was obtained at 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo after the Women First trial (registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01883193), which was conducted in low-resource settings: Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, and Pakistan. Longitudinal models evaluated intervention effects on infants' growth trajectory from birth to 24 mo, with additional modeling used to identify adjusted predictors for growth trajectories and outcomes at 24 mo. RESULTS Data for 2337 (95% of original live births) infants were evaluated. At 24 mo, stunting rates were 62.8%, 64.8%, and 66.3% for arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively (NS). For the length-for-age z-score (LAZ) trajectory, treatment arm was a significant predictor, with adjusted mean differences of 0.19 SD (95% CI: 0.08, 0.30; P < 0.001) and 0.17 SD (95% CI: 0.07, 0.27; P < 0.001) for arms 1 and 2, respectively. The strongest predictors of LAZ at 24 mo were birth LAZ <-2 and <-1 to ≥-2, with adjusted mean differences of -0.76 SD (95% CI: -0.93, -0.58; P < 0.001) and -0.47 SD (95% CI: -0.56, -0.38; P < 0.001), respectively. For infants with ultrasound-determined gestational age (n = 1329), the strongest predictors of stunting were birth LAZ <-2 and <-1 to ≥- 2: adjusted relative risk of 1.62 (95% CI: 1.39, 1.88; P < 0.001) and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.31, 1.62; P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Substantial improvements in postnatal growth are likely to depend on improved intrauterine growth, especially during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy F Krebs
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nutrition, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
| | - K Michael Hambidge
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nutrition, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Jamie L Westcott
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nutrition, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Ana L Garcés
- Unidad de Salud Materno Infantil, Instituto de Nutrición de Centroamérica y Panamá (INCAP), Calzada Roosevelt, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Lester Figueroa
- Unidad de Salud Materno Infantil, Instituto de Nutrición de Centroamérica y Panamá (INCAP), Calzada Roosevelt, Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Antoinette K Tshefu
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Hôpital Général de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Adrien L Lokangaka
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Hôpital Général de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Shivaprasad S Goudar
- KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, India
| | - Sangappa M Dhaded
- KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, India
| | - Sarah Saleem
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sumera Aziz Ali
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Melissa S Bauserman
- Department of Pediatrics Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Richard J Derman
- Department of OBGYN, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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