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Zhang S, Lock MC, Tie M, McMillen IC, Botting KJ, Morrison JL. Cardiac programming in the placentally restricted sheep fetus in early gestation. J Physiol 2024; 602:3815-3832. [PMID: 38975864 DOI: 10.1113/jp286702] [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: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs in 8% of human pregnancies, and the growth restricted newborn is at a greater risk of developing heart disease in later adult life. In sheep, experimental restriction of placental growth (PR) from conception results in FGR, a decrease in cardiomyocyte endowment and an upregulation of pathological hypertrophic signalling in the fetal heart in late gestation. However, there is no change in the expression of markers of cellular proliferation nor in the level of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the heart of the PR fetus in late gestation. This suggests that FGR arises early in gestation and programs a decrease in cardiomyocyte endowment in early, rather than late, gestation. Here, control and PR fetal sheep were humanely killed at 55 days' gestation (term, 150 days). Fetal body and heart weight were lower in PR compared with control fetuses and there was evidence of sparing of fetal brain growth. While there was no change in the proportion of cardiomyocytes that were proliferating in the early gestation PR heart, there was an increase in measures of apoptosis, and markers of autophagy and pathological hypertrophy in the PR fetal heart. These changes in early gestation highlight that FGR is associated with evidence of early cell death and compensatory hypertrophic responses of cardiomyocytes in the fetal heart. The data suggest that early placental restriction results in a decrease in the pool of proliferative cardiomyocytes in early gestation, which would limit cardiomyocyte endowment in the heart of the PR fetus in late gestation. KEY POINTS: Placental restriction leading to fetal growth restriction (FGR) and chronic fetal hypoxaemia in sheep results in a decrease in cardiomyocyte endowment in late gestation. FGR did not change cardiomyocyte proliferation during early gestation but did result in increased apoptosis and markers of autophagy in the fetal heart, which may result in the decreased endowment of cardiomyocytes observed in late gestation. FGR in early gestation also results in increased hypoxia inducible factor signalling in the fetal heart, which in turn may result in the altered expression of epigenetic regulators, increased expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy during late gestation and after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mitchell C Lock
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Michelle Tie
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - I Caroline McMillen
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kimberley J Botting
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Dimasi CG, Darby JRT, Cho SKS, Saini BS, Holman SL, Meakin AS, Wiese MD, Macgowan CK, Seed M, Morrison JL. Reduced in utero substrate supply decreases mitochondrial abundance and alters the expression of metabolic signalling molecules in the fetal sheep heart. J Physiol 2023. [PMID: 37996982 DOI: 10.1113/jp285572] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Babies born with fetal growth restriction (FGR) are at higher risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases across the life course. The reduction in substrate supply to the developing fetus that causes FGR not only alters cardiac growth and structure but may have deleterious effects on metabolism and function. Using a sheep model of placental restriction to induce FGR, we investigated key cardiac metabolic and functional markers that may be altered in FGR. We also employed phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging MRI to assess left ventricular cardiac output (LVCO) as a measure of cardiac function. We hypothesized that signalling molecules involved in cardiac fatty acid utilisation and contractility would be impaired by FGR and that this would have a negative impact on LVCO in the late gestation fetus. Key glucose (GLUT4 protein) and fatty acid (FATP, CD36 gene expression) substrate transporters were significantly reduced in the hearts of FGR fetuses. We also found reduced mitochondrial numbers as well as abundance of electron transport chain complexes (complexes II and IV). These data suggest that FGR diminishes metabolic and mitochondrial capacity in the fetal heart; however, alterations were not correlated with fetal LVCO. Overall, these data show that FGR alters fetal cardiac metabolism in late gestation. If sustained ex utero, this altered metabolic profile may contribute to poor cardiac outcomes in FGR-born individuals after birth. KEY POINTS: Around the time of birth, substrate utilisation in the fetal heart switches from carbohydrates to fatty acids. However, the effect of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on this switch, and thus the ability of the fetal heart to effectively metabolise fatty acids, is not fully understood. Using a sheep model of early onset FGR, we observed significant downregulation in mRNA expression of fatty acid receptors CD36 and FABP in the fetal heart. FGR fetuses also had significantly lower cardiac mitochondrial abundance than controls. There was a reduction in abundance of complexes II and IV within the electron transport chain of the FGR fetal heart, suggesting altered ATP production. This indicates reduced fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial function in the heart of the FGR fetus, which may have detrimental long-term implications and contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine G Dimasi
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jack R T Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Steven K S Cho
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brahmdeep S Saini
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Research Institute, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stacey L Holman
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ashley S Meakin
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael D Wiese
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher K Macgowan
- Research Institute, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Research Institute, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Research Institute, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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3
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Darby JR, Zhang S, Holman SL, Muhlhausler BS, McMillen IC, Morrison JL. Cardiac growth and metabolism of the fetal sheep are not vulnerable to a 10 day increase in fetal glucose and insulin concentrations during late gestation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18292. [PMID: 37519661 PMCID: PMC10372399 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18292] [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: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims To evaluate the effects of fetal glucose infusion in late gestation on the mRNA expression and protein abundance of molecules involved in the regulation of cardiac growth and metabolism. Main methods Either saline or glucose was infused into fetal sheep from 130 to 140 days (d) gestation (term, 150 d). At 140 d gestation, left ventricle tissue samples were collected. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR and Western blot were used to determine the mRNA expression and protein abundance of key signalling molecules within the left ventricle of the fetal heart. Key findings Although intra-fetal glucose infusion increased fetal plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, there was no change in the expression of molecules within the signalling pathways that regulate proliferation, hypertrophy, apoptosis or fibrosis in the fetal heart. Cardiac Solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1) mRNA expression was decreased by glucose infusion. Glucose infusion increased cardiac mRNA expression of both Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARA) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG). However, there was no change in the mRNA expression of PPAR cofactors or molecules with PPAR response elements. Furthermore, glucose infusion did not impact the protein abundance of the 5 oxidative phosphorylation complexes of the electron transport chain. Significance Despite a 10-day doubling of fetal plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, the present study suggests that within the fetal left ventricle, the mRNA and protein expression of the signalling molecules involved in cardiac growth, development and metabolism are relatively unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Janna L. Morrison
- Corresponding author. Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia,
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Dimasi CG, Darby JRT, Morrison JL. A change of heart: understanding the mechanisms regulating cardiac proliferation and metabolism before and after birth. J Physiol 2023; 601:1319-1341. [PMID: 36872609 PMCID: PMC10952280 DOI: 10.1113/jp284137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cardiomyocytes undergo major maturational changes in preparation for birth and postnatal life. Immature cardiomyocytes contribute to cardiac growth via proliferation and thus the heart has the capacity to regenerate. To prepare for postnatal life, structural and metabolic changes associated with increased cardiac output and function must occur. This includes exit from the cell cycle, hypertrophic growth, mitochondrial maturation and sarcomeric protein isoform switching. However, these changes come at a price: the loss of cardiac regenerative capacity such that damage to the heart in postnatal life is permanent. This is a significant barrier to the development of new treatments for cardiac repair and contributes to heart failure. The transitional period of cardiomyocyte growth is a complex and multifaceted event. In this review, we focus on studies that have investigated this critical transition period as well as novel factors that may regulate and drive this process. We also discuss the potential use of new biomarkers for the detection of myocardial infarction and, in the broader sense, cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine G. Dimasi
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health SciencesUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Jack R. T. Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health SciencesUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Janna L. Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health SciencesUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
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Ren J, Darby JRT, Lock MC, Holman SL, Saini BS, Bradshaw EL, Orgeig S, Perumal SR, Wiese MD, Macgowan CK, Seed M, Morrison JL. Impact of maternal late gestation undernutrition on surfactant maturation, pulmonary blood flow and oxygen delivery measured by magnetic resonance imaging in the sheep fetus. J Physiol 2021; 599:4705-4724. [PMID: 34487347 DOI: 10.1113/jp281292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Restriction of fetal substrate supply has an adverse effect on surfactant maturation in the lung and thus affects the transition from in utero placental oxygenation to pulmonary ventilation ex utero. The effects on surfactant maturation are mediated by alteration in mechanisms regulating surfactant protein and phospholipid synthesis. This study aimed to determine the effects of late gestation maternal undernutrition (LGUN) and LGUN plus fetal glucose infusion (LGUN+G) compared to Control on surfactant maturation and lung development, and the relationship with pulmonary blood flow and oxygen delivery ( D O 2 ) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with molecules that regulate lung development. LGUN from 115 to 140 days' gestation significantly decreased fetal body weight, which was normalized by glucose infusion. LGUN and LGUN+G resulted in decreased fetal plasma glucose concentration, with no change in fetal arterial P O 2 compared to control. There was no effect of LGUN and LGUN+G on the mRNA expression of surfactant proteins (SFTP) and genes regulating surfactant maturation in the fetal lung. However, blood flow in the main pulmonary artery was significantly increased in LGUN, despite no change in blood flow in the left or right pulmonary artery and D O 2 to the fetal lung. There was a negative relationship between left pulmonary artery flow and D O 2 to the left lung with SFTP-B and GLUT1 mRNA expression, while their relationship with VEGFR2 was positive. These results suggest that increased pulmonary blood flow measured by MRI may have an adverse effect on surfactant maturation during fetal lung development. KEY POINTS: Maternal undernutrition during gestation alters fetal lung development by impacting surfactant maturation. However, the direction of change remains controversial. We examined the effects of maternal late gestation maternal undernutrition (LGUN) on maternal and fetal outcomes, signalling pathways involved in fetal lung development, pulmonary haemodynamics and oxygen delivery in sheep using a combination of molecular and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. LGUN decreased fetal plasma glucose concentration without affecting arterial P O 2 . Surfactant maturation was not affected; however, main pulmonary artery blood flow was significantly increased in the LGUN fetuses. This is the first study to explore the relationship between in utero MRI measures of pulmonary haemodynamics and lung development. Across all treatment groups, left pulmonary artery blood flow and oxygen delivery were negatively correlated with surfactant protein B mRNA and protein expression in late gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Ren
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jack R T Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mitchell C Lock
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stacey L Holman
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Brahmdeep S Saini
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Emma L Bradshaw
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sandra Orgeig
- UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sunthara R Perumal
- Preclinical Imaging & Research Laboratories, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Michael D Wiese
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Mike Seed
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Placental insufficiency induces a sexually dimorphic response in the expression of cardiac growth and metabolic signalling molecules upon exposure to a postnatal western diet in guinea pigs. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 13:345-357. [PMID: 34308829 DOI: 10.1017/s204017442100043x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
There is a strong relationship between low birth weight (LBW) and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). In postnatal life, LBW offspring are becoming more commonly exposed to the additional independent CVD risk factors, such as an obesogenic diet. However, how an already detrimentally programmed LBW myocardium responds to a secondary insult, such as an obesogenic diet (western diet; WD), during postnatal life is ill defined. Herein, we aimed to determine in a pre-clinical guinea pig model of CVD, both the independent and interactive effects of LBW and a postnatal WD on the molecular pathways that regulate cardiac growth and metabolism. Uterine artery ablation was used to induce placental insufficiency (PI) in pregnant guinea pigs to generate LBW offspring. Normal birth weight (NBW) and LBW offspring were weaned onto either a Control diet or WD. At ˜145 days after birth (young adulthood), male and female offspring were humanely killed, the heart weighed and left ventricle tissue collected. The mRNA expression of signalling molecules involved in a pathological hypertrophic and fibrotic response was increased in the myocardium of LBW male, but not female offspring, fed a WD as was the mRNA expression of transcription factors involved in fatty acid oxidation. The mRNA expression of glucose transporters was downregulated by LBW and WD in male, but not female hearts. This study has highlighted a sexually dimorphic cardiac pathological hypertrophic and fibrotic response to the secondary insult of postnatal WD consumption in LBW offspring.
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7
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Lazniewska J, Darby JRT, Holman SL, Sorvina A, Plush SE, Massi M, Brooks DA, Morrison JL. In utero substrate restriction by placental insufficiency or maternal undernutrition decreases optical redox ratio in foetal perirenal fat. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2021; 14:e202000322. [PMID: 33389813 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202000322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) can result from reduced delivery of substrates, including oxygen and glucose, during pregnancy and may be caused by either placental insufficiency or maternal undernutrition. As a consequence of IUGR, there is altered programming of adipose tissue and this can be associated with metabolic diseases later in life. We have utilised two sheep models of IUGR, placental restriction and late gestation undernutrition, to determine the metabolic effects of growth restriction on foetal perirenal adipose tissue (PAT). Two-photon microscopy was employed to obtain an optical redox ratio, which gives an indication of cell metabolism. PAT of IUGR foetuses exhibited higher metabolic activity, altered lipid droplet morphology, upregulation of cytochrome c oxidase subunit genes and decreased expression of genes involved in growth and differentiation. Our results indicate that there are adaptations in PAT of IUGR foetuses that might be protective and ensure survival in response to an IUGR insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lazniewska
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jack R T Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stacey L Holman
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alexandra Sorvina
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sally E Plush
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Massimiliano Massi
- Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Doug A Brooks
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Darby JRT, Sorvina A, Bader CA, Lock MC, Soo JY, Holman SL, Seed M, Kuchel T, Brooks DA, Plush SE, Morrison JL. Detecting metabolic differences in fetal and adult sheep adipose and skeletal muscle tissues. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2020; 13:e201960085. [PMID: 31793184 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201960085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The primary metabolic pathway required to produce ATP differs as a result of tissue type, developmental stage and substrate availability. We utilized molecular and histological techniques to define the metabolic status in foetal and adult, adipose and skeletal muscle tissues. Redox ratios of these tissues were also determined optically by two-photon microscopy. Adult perirenal adipose tissue had a higher optical redox ratio than fetal perirenal adipose tissue, which aligned with glycolysis being used for ATP production; whereas adult skeletal muscle had a lower optical redox ratio than fetal skeletal muscle, which aligned with oxygen demanding oxidative phosphorylation activity being utilized for ATP production. We have compared traditional molecular and microscopy techniques of metabolic tissue characterization with optical redox ratios to provide a more comprehensive report on the dynamics of tissue metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack R T Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alexandra Sorvina
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Christie A Bader
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mitchell C Lock
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jia Yin Soo
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stacey L Holman
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mike Seed
- The Hospital for Sick Kids, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tim Kuchel
- Preclinical Imaging and Research Laboratories, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Douglas A Brooks
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sally E Plush
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Darby JRT, Saini BS, Soo JY, Lock MC, Holman SL, Bradshaw EL, McInnes SJP, Voelcker NH, Macgowan CK, Seed M, Wiese MD, Morrison JL. Subcutaneous maternal resveratrol treatment increases uterine artery blood flow in the pregnant ewe and increases fetal but not cardiac growth. J Physiol 2019; 597:5063-5077. [PMID: 31483497 DOI: 10.1113/jp278110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Substrate restriction during critical developmental windows of gestation programmes offspring for a predisposition towards cardiovascular disease in adult life. This study aimed to determine the effect of maternal resveratrol (RSV) treatment in an animal model in which chronic fetal catheterisation is possible and the timing of organ maturation reflects that of the human. Maternal RSV treatment increased uterine artery blood flow, fetal oxygenation and fetal weight. RSV was not detectable in the fetal circulation, indicating that it may not cross the sheep placenta. This study highlights RSV as a possible intervention to restore fetal substrate supply in pregnancies affected by placental insufficiency. ABSTRACT Suboptimal in utero environments with reduced substrate supply during critical developmental windows of gestation predispose offspring to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Improving fetal substrate supply in these pregnancies may ameliorate the predisposition these offspring have toward adult-onset CVD. This study aimed to determine the effect of maternal resveratrol (RSV) supplementation on uterine artery blood flow and the direct effects of RSV on the fetal heart in a chronically catheterised sheep model of human pregnancy. Maternal RSV treatment significantly increased uterine artery blood flow as measured by phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging, mean gestational fetal P a O 2 and S a O 2 as well as fetal weight. RSV was not detectable in the fetal circulation, and mRNA and protein expression of the histone/protein deacetylase SIRT1 did not differ between treatment groups. No effect of maternal RSV supplementation on AKT/mTOR or CAMKII signalling in the fetal left ventricle was observed. Maternal RSV supplementation is capable of increasing fetal oxygenation and growth in an animal model in which cardiac development parallels that of the human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack R T Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001.,School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001
| | - Brahmdeep S Saini
- Univeristy of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jia Yin Soo
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001.,School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001
| | - Mitchell C Lock
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001.,School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001
| | - Stacey L Holman
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001.,School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001
| | - Emma L Bradshaw
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001.,School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001
| | - Steven J P McInnes
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,School of Engineering, Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5095
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | | | - Mike Seed
- Univeristy of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D Wiese
- School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001.,School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 5001
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Lock MC, Darby JRT, Soo JY, Brooks DA, Perumal SR, Selvanayagam JB, Seed M, Macgowan CK, Porrello ER, Tellam RL, Morrison JL. Differential Response to Injury in Fetal and Adolescent Sheep Hearts in the Immediate Post-myocardial Infarction Period. Front Physiol 2019; 10:208. [PMID: 30890961 PMCID: PMC6412108 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Characterizing the response to myocardial infarction (MI) in the regenerative sheep fetus heart compared to the post-natal non-regenerative adolescent heart may reveal key morphological and molecular differences that equate to the response to MI in humans. We hypothesized that the immediate response to injury in (a) infarct compared with sham, and (b) infarct, border, and remote tissue, in the fetal sheep heart would be fundamentally different to the adolescent, allowing for repair after damage. Methods: We used a sheep model of MI induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Surgery was performed on fetuses (105 days) and adolescent sheep (6 months). Sheep were randomly separated into MI (n = 5) or Sham (n = 5) surgery groups at both ages. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histological/immunohistochemical staining, and qRT-PCR to assess the morphological and molecular differences between the different age groups in response to infarction. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging showed no difference in fetuses for key functional parameters; however there was a significant decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac output in the adolescent sheep heart at 3 days post-infarction. There was no significant difference in functional parameters between MRI sessions at Day 0 and Day 3 after surgery. Expression of genes involved in glucose transport and fatty acid metabolism, inflammatory cytokines as well as growth factors and cell cycle regulators remained largely unchanged in the infarcted compared to sham ventricular tissue in the fetus, but were significantly dysregulated in the adolescent sheep. Different cardiac tissue region-specific gene expression profiles were observed between the fetal and adolescent sheep. Conclusion: Fetuses demonstrated a resistance to cardiac damage not observed in the adolescent animals. The manipulation of specific gene expression profiles to a fetal-like state may provide a therapeutic strategy to treat patients following an infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell C Lock
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jack R T Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jia Yin Soo
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Doug A Brooks
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sunthara Rajan Perumal
- Preclinical, Imaging and Research Laboratories, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Joseph B Selvanayagam
- Cardiac Imaging Research Group, Department of Heart Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mike Seed
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Division of Cardiology, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Enzo R Porrello
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ross L Tellam
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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11
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Lu Q, Li X, Liu J, Sun X, Rousselle T, Ren D, Tong N, Li J. AMPK is associated with the beneficial effects of antidiabetic agents on cardiovascular diseases. Biosci Rep 2019; 39:BSR20181995. [PMID: 30710062 PMCID: PMC6379227 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20181995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetics have higher morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular disease (CVD). A variety of antidiabetic agents are available for clinical choice. Cardiovascular (CV) safety assessment of these agents is crucial in addition to hypoglycemic effect before clinical prescription. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important cell energy sensor, which plays an important role in regulating myocardial energy metabolism, reducing ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, improving heart failure (HF) and ventricular remodeling, ameliorating vascular endothelial dysfunction, antichronic inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and regulating autophagy. In this review, we summarized the effects of antidiabetic agents to CVD according to basic and clinical research evidence and put emphasis on whether these agents can play roles in CV system through AMPK-dependent signaling pathways. Metformin has displayed definite CV benefits related to AMPK. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors also demonstrate sufficient clinical evidence for CV protection, but the mechanisms need further exploration. Glucagon-likepeptide1 analogs, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, α-glucosidase inhibitors and thiazolidinediones also show some AMPK-dependent CV benefits. Sulfonylureas and meglitinides may be unfavorable to CV system. AMPK is becoming a promising target for the treatment of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and CVD. But there are still some questions to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingguo Lu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 39216 Jackson, MS, U.S.A
| | - Xuan Li
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 39216 Jackson, MS, U.S.A
| | - Jia Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 39216 Jackson, MS, U.S.A
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 130021 Changchun, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 39216 Jackson, MS, U.S.A
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, 261000 Weifang, China
| | - Thomas Rousselle
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 39216 Jackson, MS, U.S.A
| | - Di Ren
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 39216 Jackson, MS, U.S.A
| | - Nanwei Tong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, 610041 Chengdu, China
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 39216 Jackson, MS, U.S.A.
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12
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Cerf ME. Cardiac Glucolipotoxicity and Cardiovascular Outcomes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 54:medicina54050070. [PMID: 30344301 PMCID: PMC6262512 DOI: 10.3390/medicina54050070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac insulin signaling can be impaired due to the altered fatty acid metabolism to induce insulin resistance. In diabetes and insulin resistance, the metabolic, structural and ultimately functional alterations in the heart and vasculature culminate in diabetic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, ischemia and eventually heart failure. Glucolipotoxicity describes the combined, often synergistic, adverse effects of elevated glucose and free fatty acid concentrations on heart structure, function, and survival. The quality of fatty acid shapes the cardiac structure and function, often influencing survival. A healthy fatty acid balance is therefore critical for maintaining cardiac integrity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlon E Cerf
- Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.
- Division of Medical Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.
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13
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Darby JRT, McMillen IC, Morrison JL. Maternal undernutrition in late gestation increases IGF2 signalling molecules and collagen deposition in the right ventricle of the fetal sheep heart. J Physiol 2018; 596:2345-2358. [PMID: 29604078 DOI: 10.1113/jp275806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS This study investigates the impact of decreased fetal plasma glucose concentrations on the developing heart in late gestation, by subjecting pregnant ewes to a 50% global nutrient restriction. Late gestation undernutrition (LGUN) decreased fetal plasma glucose concentrations whilst maintaining a normoxemic blood gas status. LGUN increased the mRNA expression of IGF2 and IGF2R. Fetal plasma glucose concentrations, but not fetal blood pressure, were significantly correlated with IGF2 expression and the activation of CAMKII in the fetal right ventricle. LGUN increased interstitial collagen deposition and altered the protein abundance of phospho-PLB and phospho-troponin I, regulators of cardiac contractility and relaxation. This study shows that a decrease in fetal plasma glucose concentrations may play a role in the development of detrimental changes in the right ventricle in early life, highlighting CAMKII as a potential target for the development of intervention strategies. ABSTRACT Exposure of the fetus to a range of environmental stressors, including maternal undernutrition, is associated with an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease in adult life. This study aimed to determine the effect of maternal nutrient restriction in late gestation on the molecular mechanisms that regulate cardiac growth and development of the fetal heart. Maternal undernutrition resulted in a decrease in fetal glucose concentrations across late gestation, whilst fetal arterial PO2 remained unchanged between the control and late gestation undernutrition (LGUN) groups. There was evidence of an up-regulation of IGF2/IGF2R signalling through the CAMKII pathway in the fetal right ventricle in the LGUN group, suggesting an increase in hypertrophic signalling. LGUN also resulted in an increased mRNA expression of COL1A, TIMP1 and TIMP3 in the right ventricle of the fetal heart. In addition, there was an inverse relationship between fetal glucose concentrations and COL1A expression. The presence of interstitial fibrosis in the heart of the LGUN group was confirmed through the quantification of picrosirius red-stained sections of the right ventricle. We have therefore shown that maternal undernutrition in late gestation may drive the onset of myocardial remodelling in the fetal right ventricle and thus has negative implications for right ventricle function and cardiac health in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack R T Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - I Caroline McMillen
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
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14
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Zhang S, Barker P, Botting KJ, Roberts CT, McMillan CM, McMillen IC, Morrison JL. Early restriction of placental growth results in placental structural and gene expression changes in late gestation independent of fetal hypoxemia. Physiol Rep 2018; 4:4/23/e13049. [PMID: 27923976 PMCID: PMC5357827 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental restriction and insufficiency are associated with altered patterns of placental growth, morphology, substrate transport capacity, growth factor expression, and glucocorticoid exposure. We have used a pregnant sheep model in which the intrauterine environment has been perturbed by uterine carunclectomy (Cx). This procedure results in early restriction of placental growth and either the development of chronic fetal hypoxemia (PaO2≤17 mmHg) in late gestation or in compensatory placental growth and the maintenance of fetal normoxemia (PaO2>17 mmHg). Based on fetal PaO2, Cx, and Control ewes were assigned to either a normoxemic fetal group (Nx) or a hypoxemic fetal group (Hx) in late gestation, resulting in 4 groups. Cx resulted in a decrease in the volumes of fetal and maternal connective tissues in the placenta and increased placental mRNA expression of IGF2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGFR‐2,ANGPT2, and TIE2. There were reduced volumes of trophoblast, maternal epithelium, and maternal connective tissues in the placenta and a decrease in placental GLUT1 and 11βHSD2 mRNA expression in the Hx compared to Nx groups. Our data show that early restriction of placental growth has effects on morphological and functional characteristics of the placenta in late gestation, independent of whether the fetus becomes hypoxemic. Similarly, there is a distinct set of placental changes that are only present in fetuses that were hypoxemic in late gestation, independent of whether Cx occurred. Thus, we provide further understanding of the different placental cellular and molecular mechanisms that are present in early placental restriction and in the emergence of later placental insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Paige Barker
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kimberley J Botting
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Claire T Roberts
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Christine M McMillan
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Isabella Caroline McMillen
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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15
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Bazargan M, Foster DJR, Muhlhausler BS, Morrison JL, McMillen IC, Davey AK. Limited fetal metabolism of rosiglitazone: Elimination via the maternal compartment in the pregnant ewe. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 61:162-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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16
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Clifton VL, Moss TJM, Wooldridge AL, Gatford KL, Liravi B, Kim D, Muhlhausler BS, Morrison JL, Davies A, De Matteo R, Wallace MJ, Bischof RJ. Development of an experimental model of maternal allergic asthma during pregnancy. J Physiol 2015; 594:1311-25. [PMID: 26235954 DOI: 10.1113/jp270752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal asthma during pregnancy adversely affects pregnancy outcomes but identification of the cause/s, and the ability to evaluate interventions, is limited by the lack of an appropriate animal model. We therefore aimed to characterise maternal lung and cardiovascular responses and fetal-placental growth and lung surfactant levels in a sheep model of allergic asthma. Immune and airway functions were studied in singleton-bearing ewes, either sensitised before pregnancy to house dust mite (HDM, allergic, n = 7) or non-allergic (control, n = 5), and subjected to repeated airway challenges with HDM (allergic group) or saline (control group) throughout gestation. Maternal lung, fetal and placental phenotypes were characterised at 140 ± 1 days gestational age (term, ∼147 days). The eosinophil influx into lungs was greater after HDM challenge in allergic ewes than after saline challenge in control ewes before mating and in late gestation. Airway resistance increased throughout pregnancy in allergic but not control ewes, consistent with increased airway smooth muscle in allergic ewes. Maternal allergic asthma decreased relative fetal weight (-12%) and altered placental phenotype to a more mature form. Expression of surfactant protein B mRNA was 48% lower in fetuses from allergic ewes than controls, with a similar trend for surfactant protein D. Thus, allergic asthma in pregnant sheep modifies placental phenotype, and inhibits fetal growth and lung development consistent with observations from human pregnancies. Preconceptional allergen sensitisation and repeated airway challenges in pregnant sheep therefore provides an animal model to identify mechanisms of altered fetal development and adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by maternal asthma in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki L Clifton
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.,Mater Medical Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4101, Australia
| | - Timothy J M Moss
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Amy L Wooldridge
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Kathryn L Gatford
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Bahar Liravi
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Dasom Kim
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Beverly S Muhlhausler
- FOODplus Research Centre, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Andrew Davies
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Peninsula Campus, Monash University, Frankston, VIC, 3199, Australia
| | - Robert De Matteo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Megan J Wallace
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Robert J Bischof
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
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