1
|
Thompson LP, Turan S, Aberdeen GW. Sex differences and the effects of intrauterine hypoxia on growth and in vivo heart function of fetal guinea pigs. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2020; 319:R243-R254. [PMID: 32639864 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00249.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesized that the physiological adaptations of the fetus in response to chronic intrauterine hypoxia depend on its sex and the gestational age of exposure. Pregnant guinea pigs were exposed to room air (normoxia, NMX) or 10.5% O2 (hypoxia, HPX) at either 25 days (early onset) or 50 days (late onset) of gestation until term (~65 days). We evaluated the effects of HPX on hemodynamic and cardiac function indices using Doppler ultrasound and determined sex-related differences in near-term fetuses. Indices of uterine/umbilical artery pulsatility (PI index) and fetal heart systolic and diastolic function [Tei index and passive filling (E-wave) to filling due to atrial contraction (A-wave) (E/A ratios), respectively] were measured in utero and fetal body (FBW) and organ weights measured from extracted fetuses. Both early- and late-onset HPX decreased FBW in both males and females, had no effect on placenta weights, and increased placenta weight-to-FBW ratios. Early- but not late-onset HPX increased uterine artery PI, but neither HPX condition affected umbilical artery PI. Early-onset HPX increased left ventricle E/A ratios in both males and females, whereas late-onset HPX increased the right ventricle E/A ratio in females only. Hypoxia had no effect on the Tei index in either sex. Early- and late-onset HPX induce placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction and increase diastolic filling depending on the sex, with female fetuses having a greater capacity than males to compensate for intrauterine hypoxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loren P Thompson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Shifa Turan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Graham W Aberdeen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Teulings NEWD, Garrud TAC, Niu Y, Skeffington KL, Beck C, Itani N, Conlon FG, Botting KJ, Nicholas LM, Ashmore TJ, Blackmore HL, Tong W, Camm EJ, Derks JB, Logan A, Murphy MP, Ozanne SE, Giussani DA. Isolating adverse effects of glucocorticoids on the embryonic cardiovascular system. FASEB J 2020; 34:9664-9677. [PMID: 32502311 PMCID: PMC7611332 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000697r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy reduces mortality in the preterm infant, but evidence suggests off-target adverse effects on the developing cardiovascular system. Whether deleterious effects are direct on the offspring or secondary to alterations in uteroplacental physiology is unclear. Here, we isolated direct effects of glucocorticoids using the chicken embryo, a model system in which the effects on the developing heart and circulation of therapy can be investigated, independent of effects on the mother and/or the placenta. Fertilized chicken eggs were incubated and divided randomly into control (C) or dexamethasone (Dex) treatment at day 14 out of the 21-day incubation period. Combining functional experiments at the isolated organ, cellular and molecular levels, embryos were then studied close to term. Chicken embryos exposed to dexamethasone were growth restricted and showed systolic and diastolic dysfunction, with an increase in cardiomyocyte volume but decreased cardiomyocyte nuclear density in the left ventricle. Underlying mechanisms included a premature switch from tissue accretion to differentiation, increased oxidative stress, and activated signaling of cellular senescence. These findings, therefore, demonstrate that dexamethasone treatment can have direct detrimental off-target effects on the cardiovascular system in the developing embryo, which are independent of effects on the mother and/or placenta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noor E. W. D. Teulings
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tessa A. C. Garrud
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Youguo Niu
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katie L. Skeffington
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christian Beck
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nozomi Itani
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fiona G. Conlon
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kimberley J. Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lisa M. Nicholas
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thomas J. Ashmore
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Heather L. Blackmore
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wen Tong
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily J. Camm
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jan B. Derks
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Angela Logan
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael P. Murphy
- Medical Research Council Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Susan E. Ozanne
- Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dino A. Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vaughan OR, Rossi CA, Ginsberg Y, White A, Hristova M, Sebire NJ, Martin J, Zachary IC, Peebles DM, David AL. Perinatal and long-term effects of maternal uterine artery adenoviral VEGF-A165 gene therapy in the growth-restricted guinea pig fetus. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 315:R344-R353. [PMID: 29847165 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00210.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Uterine artery application of adenoviral vascular endothelial growth factor A165 (Ad.VEGF-A165) gene therapy increases uterine blood flow and fetal growth in experimental animals with fetal growth restriction (FGR). Whether Ad.VEGF-A165 reduces lifelong cardiovascular disease risk imposed by FGR remains unknown. Here, pregnant guinea pigs fed 70% normal food intake to induce FGR received Ad.VEGF-A165 (1×1010 viral particles, n = 15) or vehicle ( n = 10), delivered to the external surface of the uterine arteries, in midpregnancy. Ad libitum-fed controls received vehicle only ( n = 14). Litter size, gestation length, and perinatal mortality were similar in control, untreated FGR, and FGR+Ad.VEGF-A165 animals. When compared with controls, birth weight was lower in male but higher in female pups following maternal nutrient restriction, whereas both male and female FGR+Ad.VEGF-A165 pups were heavier than untreated FGR pups ( P < 0.05, ANOVA). Postnatal weight gain was 10-20% greater in female FGR+Ad.VEGF-A165 than in untreated FGR pups, depending on age, although neither group differed from controls. Maternal nutrient restriction reduced heart weight in adult female offspring irrespective of Ad.VEGF-A165 treatment but did not alter ventricular wall thickness. In males, postnatal weight gain and heart morphology were not affected by maternal treatment. Neither systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressure, adrenal weight, nor basal or challenged plasma cortisol were affected by maternal undernutrition or Ad.VEGF-A165 in either sex. Therefore, increased fetal growth conferred by maternal uterine artery Ad.VEGF-A165 is sustained postnatally in FGR female guinea pigs. In this study, we did not find evidence for an effect of maternal nutrient restriction or Ad.VEGF-A165 therapy on adult offspring blood pressure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O R Vaughan
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - C A Rossi
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - Y Ginsberg
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - A White
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - M Hristova
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - N J Sebire
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - J Martin
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - I C Zachary
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - D M Peebles
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| | - A L David
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Institute for Women's Health, University College London , London , United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Botting KJ, Loke XY, Zhang S, Andersen JB, Nyengaard JR, Morrison JL. IUGR decreases cardiomyocyte endowment and alters cardiac metabolism in a sex- and cause-of-IUGR-specific manner. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 315:R48-R67. [PMID: 29561647 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00180.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk of ischemic heart disease in adulthood. Studies in rats suggest cardiac vulnerability is more pronounced in males and in offspring that were exposed to hypoxia in utero. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypotheses that 1) IUGR adolescent males, but not females, have fewer cardiomyocytes and altered expression of cardiometabolic genes compared with controls; and 2) IUGR due to hypoxia has a greater effect on these parameters compared with IUGR due to nutrient restriction. IUGR was induced in guinea pigs by maternal hypoxia (MH; 10% O2, n = 9) or maternal nutrient restriction (MNR; ~30% reduction in food intake, n = 9) in the second half of pregnancy and compared with control ( n = 11). At 120 days of age, postmortem was performed and the left ventricle perfusion fixed for stereological determination of cardiomyocyte number or snap frozen to determine the abundance of cardiometabolic genes and proteins by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. MH reduced the number of cardiomyocytes in female ( P < 0.05), but not male or MNR, adolescent offspring. Furthermore, IUGR males had decreased expression of genes responsible for fatty acid activation in the sarcoplasm ( FACS) and transport into the mitochondria ( AMPK-a2 and ACC; P < 0.05) and females exposed to MH had increased activation/phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase-α ( P < 0.05). We postulate that the changes in cardiomyocyte endowment and cardiac gene expression observed in the present study are a direct result of in utero programming, as offspring at this age did not suffer from obesity, hypertension, or left ventricular hypertrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K J Botting
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia.,Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Science, The University of Adelaide , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia
| | - X Y Loke
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia
| | - S Zhang
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia
| | - J B Andersen
- Core Centre for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy, Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - J R Nyengaard
- Core Centre for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy, Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - J 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, South Australia , Australia.,Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Science, The University of Adelaide , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Altimiras J, Lindgren I, Giraldo-Deck LM, Matthei A, Garitano-Zavala Á. Aerobic performance in tinamous is limited by their small heart. A novel hypothesis in the evolution of avian flight. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15964. [PMID: 29162941 PMCID: PMC5698454 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16297-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some biomechanical studies from fossil specimens suggest that sustained flapping flight of birds could have appeared in their Mesozoic ancestors. We challenge this idea because a suitable musculoskeletal anatomy is not the only requirement for sustained flapping flight. We propose the “heart to fly” hypothesis that states that sustained flapping flight in modern birds required an enlargement of the heart for the aerobic performance of the flight muscles and test it experimentally by studying tinamous, the living birds with the smallest hearts. The small ventricular size of tinamous reduces cardiac output without limiting perfusion pressures, but when challenged to fly, the heart is unable to support aerobic metabolism (quick exhaustion, larger lactates and post-exercise oxygen consumption and compromised thermoregulation). At the same time, cardiac growth shows a crocodilian-like pattern and is correlated with differential gene expression in MAPK kinases. We integrate this physiological evidence in a new evolutionary scenario in which the ground-up, short and not sustained flapping flight displayed by tinamous represents an intermediate step in the evolution of the aerobic sustained flapping flight of modern birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Altimiras
- AVIAN Behavioral Genomics and Physiology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Isa Lindgren
- AVIAN Behavioral Genomics and Physiology, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Itani N, Salinas CE, Villena M, Skeffington KL, Beck C, Villamor E, Blanco CE, Giussani DA. The highs and lows of programmed cardiovascular disease by developmental hypoxia: studies in the chicken embryo. J Physiol 2017; 596:2991-3006. [PMID: 28983923 DOI: 10.1113/jp274111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now established that adverse conditions during pregnancy can trigger a fetal origin of cardiovascular dysfunction and/or increase the risk of heart disease in later life. Suboptimal environmental conditions during early life that may promote the development of cardiovascular dysfunction in the offspring include alterations in fetal oxygenation and nutrition as well as fetal exposure to stress hormones, such as glucocorticoids. There has been growing interest in identifying the partial contributions of each of these stressors to programming of cardiovascular dysfunction. However, in humans and in many animal models this is difficult, as the challenges cannot be disentangled. By using the chicken embryo as an animal model, science has been able to circumvent a number of problems. In contrast to mammals, in the chicken embryo the effects on the developing cardiovascular system of changes in oxygenation, nutrition or stress hormones can be isolated and determined directly, independent of changes in the maternal or placental physiology. In this review, we summarise studies that have exploited the chicken embryo model to determine the effects on prenatal growth, cardiovascular development and pituitary-adrenal function of isolated chronic developmental hypoxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Itani
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.,Cambridge Cardiovascular Strategic Research Initiative, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - C E Salinas
- Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - M Villena
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - K L Skeffington
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - C Beck
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - E Villamor
- Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), School for Oncology and Developmental Biology (GROW), Universiteitssingel 40, 6229, ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - C E Blanco
- Department of Neonatology, The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin, D02 YH21, Ireland
| | - D A Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.,Cambridge Cardiovascular Strategic Research Initiative, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Burggren WW, Elmonoufy NA. Critical developmental windows for morphology and hematology revealed by intermittent and continuous hypoxic incubation in embryos of quail (Coturnix coturnix). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183649. [PMID: 28926567 PMCID: PMC5604962 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia during embryonic growth in embryos is frequently a powerful determinant of development, but at least in avian embryos the effects appear to show considerable intra- and inter-specific variation. We hypothesized that some of this variation may arise from different protocols that may or may not result in exposure during the embryo’s critical window for hypoxic effects. To test this hypothesis, quail embryos (Coturnix coturnix) in the intact egg were exposed to hypoxia (~15% O2) during “early” (Day 0 through Day 5, abbreviated as D0-D5), “middle” (D6-D10) or “late” (D11-D15) incubation or for their entire 16–18 day incubation (“continuous hypoxia”) to determine critical windows for viability and growth. Viability, body mass, beak and toe length, heart mass, and hematology (hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration) were measured on D5, D10, D15 and at hatching typically between D16 and D18 Viability rate was ~50–70% immediately following the exposure period in the early, middle and late hypoxic groups, but viability improved in the early and late groups once normoxia was restored. Middle hypoxia groups showed continuing low viability, suggesting a critical period from D6-D10 for embryo viability. The continuous hypoxia group experienced viability reaching <10% after D15. Hypoxia, especially during late and continuous hypoxia, also inhibited growth of body, beak and toe when measured at D15. Full recovery to normal body mass upon hatching occurred in all other groups except for continuous hypoxia. Contrary to previous avian studies, heart mass, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration were not altered by any hypoxic incubation pattern. Although hypoxia can inhibit embryo viability and organ growth during most incubation periods, the greatest effects result from continuous or middle incubation hypoxic exposure. Hypoxic inhibition of growth can subsequently be “repaired” by catch-up growth if a final period of normoxic development is available. Collectively, these data indicate a critical developmental window for hypoxia susceptibility during the mid-embryonic period of development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warren W. Burggren
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Nourhan A. Elmonoufy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Evans RG. Oxygen regulation in biological systems. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 310:R673-8. [PMID: 26911461 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00004.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roger G Evans
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|