1
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Svenvik M, Jenmalm MC, Brudin L, Raffetseder J, Hellberg S, Axelsson D, Lindell G, Blomberg M, Ernerudh J. Chemokine and cytokine profiles in preterm and term labor, in preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes, and in normal pregnancy. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 164:104278. [PMID: 38901109 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the immune mechanisms involved in preterm labor (PTL), preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM), and normal pregnancies. The second objective was to explore immune profiles in PTL for association with early ( < 34 gestational weeks (gw)) or instant ( < 48 h) delivery. This prospective observational multi-center study included women with singleton pregnancies with PTL (n = 80) or PPROM (n = 40) before 34 gw, women with normal pregnancies scheduled for antenatal visits (n = 44), and women with normal pregnancies in active labor at term (n = 40). Plasma samples obtained at admission were analyzed for cytokine and chemokine quantification using a multiplex bead assay in order to compare the immune profiles between PTL, PPROM, and normal pregnancies. In PTL, CXCL1 and CCL17 were significantly higher compared to gestational age-matched women at antenatal visits, whereas for PPROM, CXCL1 and IL-6 were increased. Women in term labor had a more pronounced inflammatory pattern with higher levels of CXCL1, CXCL8, and IL-6 compared with PTL (p = 0.007, 0.003, and 0.013, respectively), as well as higher levels of CCL17, CXCL1 and IL-6 (all p < 0.001) compared with the women at antenatal visits. In PTL, CXCL8 was higher in women with delivery before 34 gw, whereas CXCL8, GM-CSF, and IL-6 were significantly higher in women with delivery within 48 h. To conclude, PTL and PPROM were associated with a complex pattern of inflammation, both involving Th17 (CXCL1) responses. Although further studies are needed, CXCL8, GM-CSF, and IL-6 may be potential candidates for predicting preterm birth in PTL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Svenvik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Maria C Jenmalm
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Lars Brudin
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden; Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johanna Raffetseder
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sandra Hellberg
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Daniel Axelsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Gunnel Lindell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Marie Blomberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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2
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De Moraes Salgado C, Viana LR, Gomes-Marcondes MCC. Placental, Foetal, and Maternal Serum Metabolomic Profiles in Pregnancy-Associated Cancer: Walker-256 Tumour Model in a Time-Course Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13026. [PMID: 37685833 PMCID: PMC10487647 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713026] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer during pregnancy presents a delicate coexistence, imposing ethical and professional challenges on both the patient and medical team. In this study, we aimed to explore in a pre-clinical model the impact of tumour evolution in serum, placental and foetal metabolomics profiles during pregnancy in a time-course manner. Pregnant Wistar rats were distributed into two experimental groups: Control (C) and Walker-256 tumour-bearing (W). The rats were euthanised on three different gestational periods: at 12 days post-conception (dpc), at 16 dpc, and at 19 dpc. Serum, placenta and foetal metabolomic profiles were performed by 1H-NMR spectra following the analyses using Chenomx NMR Analysis Software V8.3. The tumour evolution was exponential, affecting the placental metabolomic profile during all the pregnancy stages. The placental tissue in tumour-bearing dams developed at a lower speed, decreasing the foetus's weight. Associated with the serum metabolomic changes related to tumour growth, the placental metabolomic alterations impacted many metabolic pathways related to energy provision, protein synthesis and signalling, which directly harmed the foetus's development. The development of the foetus is clearly affected by the damage induced by the tumour evolution, which alters the metabolic profile of both the serum and the placenta, impairing early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laís Rosa Viana
- Nutrition and Cancer Laboratory, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Sao Paulo 13083-862, Brazil;
| | - Maria Cristina Cintra Gomes-Marcondes
- Nutrition and Cancer Laboratory, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Sao Paulo 13083-862, Brazil;
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3
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Pradhan J, Mallick S, Mishra N, Tiwari A, Negi VD. Pregnancy, infection, and epigenetic regulation: A complex scenario. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023:166768. [PMID: 37269984 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A unique immunological condition, pregnancy ensures fetus from maternal rejection, allows adequate fetal development, and protects against microorganisms. Infections during pregnancy may lead to devastating consequences for pregnant women and fetuses, resulting in the mother's death, miscarriage, premature childbirth, or neonate with congenital infection and severe diseases and defects. Epigenetic (heritable changes in gene expression) mechanisms like DNA methylation, chromatin modification, and gene expression modulation during gestation are linked with the number of defects in the fetus and adolescents. The feto-maternal crosstalk for fetal survival during the entire gestational stages are tightly regulated by various cellular pathways, including epigenetic mechanisms that respond to both internal as well outer environmental factors, which can influence the fetal development across the gestational stages. Due to the intense physiological, endocrinological, and immunological changes, pregnant women are more susceptible to bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections than the general population. Microbial infections with viruses (LCMV, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) and bacteria (Clostridium perfringens, Coxiella burnetii, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis) further increase the risk to maternal and fetal life and developmental outcome. If the infections remain untreated, the possibility of maternal and fetal death exists. This article focused on the severity and susceptibility to infections caused by Salmonella, Listeria, LCMV, and SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and their impact on maternal health and the fetus. How epigenetic regulation during pregnancy plays a vital role in deciding the fetus's developmental outcome under various conditions, including infection and other stress. A better understanding of the host-pathogen interaction, the characterization of the maternal immune system, and the epigenetic regulations during pregnancy may help protect the mother and fetus from infection-mediated outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Pradhan
- Laboratory of Infection Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Swarupa Mallick
- Laboratory of Infection Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Neha Mishra
- Laboratory of Infection Immunology, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India.
| | - Aman Tiwari
- Vidya Devi Negi, Infection Immunology Laboratory (2i-Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Punjab 140306, India
| | - Vidya Devi Negi
- Vidya Devi Negi, Infection Immunology Laboratory (2i-Lab), Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, Knowledge City, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Punjab 140306, India.
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Maxwell A, Adzibolosu N, Hu A, You Y, Stemmer PM, Ruden DM, Petriello MC, Sadagurski M, Debarba LK, Koshko L, Ramadoss J, Nguyen AT, Richards D, Liao A, Mor G, Ding J. Intrinsic sexual dimorphism in the placenta determines the differential response to benzene exposure. iScience 2023; 26:106287. [PMID: 37153445 PMCID: PMC10156617 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) by environmental challenges is linked to severe developmental complications, such as neurocognitive disorders, autism, and even fetal/maternal death. Benzene is a major toxic compound in air pollution that affects the mother as well as the fetus and has been associated with reproductive complications. Our objective was to elucidate whether benzene exposure during gestation triggers MIA and its impact on fetal development. We report that benzene exposure during pregnancy leads MIA associated with increased fetal resorptions, fetal growth, and abnormal placenta development. Furthermore, we demonstrate the existence of a sexual dimorphic response to benzene exposure in male and female placentas. The sexual dimorphic response is a consequence of inherent differences between male and female placenta. These data provide crucial information on the origins or sexual dimorphism and how exposure to environmental factors can have a differential impact on the development of male and female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Maxwell
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nicholas Adzibolosu
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Anna Hu
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yuan You
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Paul M. Stemmer
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Douglas M. Ruden
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Michael C. Petriello
- Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Marianna Sadagurski
- Department of Biological Sciences, Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Lucas K. Debarba
- Department of Biological Sciences, Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Lisa Koshko
- Department of Biological Sciences, Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jayanth Ramadoss
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | - Darby Richards
- School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Aihua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, PR China
| | - Gil Mor
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jiahui Ding
- C.S Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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5
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Betti M, Vizza E, Piccione E, Pietropolli A, Chiofalo B, Pallocca M, Bruno V. Towards reproducible research in recurrent pregnancy loss immunology: Learning from cancer microenvironment deconvolution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1082087. [PMID: 36911667 PMCID: PMC9996132 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1082087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The most recent international guidelines regarding recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) exclude most of the immunological tests recommended for RPL since they do not reach an evidence-based level. Comparisons for metanalysis and systematic reviews are limited by the ambiguity in terms of RPL definition, etiological and risk factors, diagnostic work-up, and treatments applied. Therefore, cohort heterogeneity, the inadequacy of numerosity, and the quality of data confirm a not standardized research quality in the RPL field, especially for immunological background, for which potential research application remains confined in a separate single biological layer. Innovative sequencing technologies and databases have proved to play a significant role in the exploration and validation of cancer research in the context of dataset quality and bioinformatics tools. In this article, we will investigate how bioinformatics tools born for large-scale cancer immunological research could revolutionize RPL immunological research but are limited by the nature of current RPL datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Betti
- Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Clinical Trial Center, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Vizza
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Piccione
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tiranë, Albania
| | - Adalgisa Pietropolli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Benito Chiofalo
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Pallocca
- Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Clinical Trial Center, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Bruno
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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6
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Andrawus M, Sharvit L, Atzmon G. Epigenetics and Pregnancy: Conditional Snapshot or Rolling Event. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012698. [PMID: 36293556 PMCID: PMC9603966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics modification such as DNA methylation can affect maternal health during the gestation period. Furthermore, pregnancy can drive a range of physiological and molecular changes that have the potential to contribute to pathological conditions. Pregnancy-related risk factors include multiple environmental, behavioral, and hereditary factors that can impact maternal DNA methylation with long-lasting consequences. Identification of the epigenetic patterns linked to poor pregnancy outcomes is crucial since changes in DNA methylation patterns can have long-term effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the epigenetic changes that influence pregnancy-related molecular programming such as gestational diabetes, immune response, and pre-eclampsia, in an effort to close the gap in current understanding regarding interactions between the environment, the genetics of the fetus, and the pregnant woman.
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7
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KUDRET U, ÖZÇİL MD. Ağır preeklampsiyi öngörmede hemogram inflamatuar belirteçlerin önemi. MUSTAFA KEMAL ÜNIVERSITESI TIP DERGISI 2022. [DOI: 10.17944/mkutfd.1034264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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8
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Huang X, Zha B, Zhang M, Li Y, Wu Y, Zhang R, Sheng L, Xu J, Yu Z, Gao C, Chen Z, Ding H, Ma L, Zhang Y, Zang S, Zhang TN, Liu J. Decreased Monocyte Count Is Associated With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Development, Macrosomia, and Inflammation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:192-204. [PMID: 34478541 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The immune system plays a central role in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Monocytes, the main innate immune cells, are especially important in the maintenance of a normal pregnancy. OBJECTIVE Here, we investigated the potential effect of monocytes in GDM. METHODS Monocyte count was monitored throughout pregnancy in 214 women with GDM and 926 women without in a case-control and cohort study. Circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines, placenta-derived macrophages, and their products were measured. RESULTS Throughout pregnancy, monocyte count was significantly decreased in women with GDM, and was closely associated with glucose level, insulin resistance, and newborn weight. First-trimester monocyte count outperformed that of the second and third trimester as a risk factor and diagnostic predictor of GDM and macrosomia both in the case-control and cohort study. In addition, our cohort study showed that as first-trimester monocyte count decreased, GDM and macrosomia incidence, glucose level, and newborn weight increased in a stepwise manner. Risk of GDM started to decrease rapidly when first-trimester monocyte count exceeded 0.48 × 109/L. Notably, CD206 and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were significantly lower, whereas CD80, CD86, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were higher both in GDM placental tissue and peripheral blood. First-trimester monocyte count was positively related to IL-10 and CD206, but negatively related to CD80, CD86, TNF-α, and IL-6. CONCLUSION Decreased monocyte count throughout pregnancy was closely associated with the development of GDM, macrosomia, and the chronic inflammatory state of GDM. First-trimester monocyte count has great potential as an early diagnostic marker of GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinmei Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Bingbing Zha
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Manna Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yueyue Wu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Li Sheng
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jiong Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhiyan Yu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Cuijun Gao
- Department of Obstetrics, Wujing Hospital, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Zaoping Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Heyuan Ding
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ling Ma
- Department of Obstetrics, Wujing Hospital, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yanquan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, Wujing Hospital, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Shufei Zang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tie-Ning Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
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9
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Yang H, Fan Y, Zhu Z, Wu H, Chen Z, Hu X, Wu T, Zhang M. Strategies for the Emergency Treatment of Pregnant Women with Neurological Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Aging Dis 2022; 14:290-298. [PMID: 37008058 PMCID: PMC10017149 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.0718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has been spreading all over the world for more than two years. Though several kinds of vaccines are currently available, emergence of new variants, spike mutations and immune escape have raised new challenges. Pregnant women are vulnerable to respiratory infections due to their altered immune defence and surveillance functions. Besides, whether pregnant persons should receive a COVID-19 vaccine is still under debate because limited data are available on the efficacy and safety of receiving a vaccine during pregnancy. Physiological features and lack of effective protection making pregnant women at high risk of getting infected. Another concern is that pregnancy may trigger the onset of underlying existing neurological disease, which is highly similar to those neurological symptoms of pregnant women caused by COVID-19. These similarities interfere with diagnosis and delay timely and effective management. Therefore, providing efficient emergency support for pregnant women suffering from neurological symptoms caused by COVID-19 remains a challenge among neurologists and obstetricians. To improve the diagnosis and treatment efficiency of pregnant women with neurological symptoms, we propose an emergency management framework based on the clinicians' experience and available resources. This emergency care system aimed at addressing the conundrums faced by the emergency guarantee system under COVID-19 pandemic and could serve as a potential multisystem project for clinical practice and medical education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojun Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yishu Fan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziqing Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haiyue Wu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhuohui Chen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinhang Hu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengqi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Mengqi Zhang, Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .
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10
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Badam TV, Hellberg S, Mehta RB, Lechner-Scott J, Lea RA, Tost J, Mariette X, Svensson-Arvelund J, Nestor CE, Benson M, Berg G, Jenmalm MC, Gustafsson M, Ernerudh J. CD4 + T-cell DNA methylation changes during pregnancy significantly correlate with disease-associated methylation changes in autoimmune diseases. Epigenetics 2021; 17:1040-1055. [PMID: 34605719 PMCID: PMC9487751 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1982510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics may play a central, yet unexplored, role in the profound changes that the maternal immune system undergoes during pregnancy and could be involved in the pregnancy-induced modulation of several autoimmune diseases. We investigated changes in the methylome in isolated circulating CD4+ T-cells in non-pregnant and pregnant women, during the 1st and 2nd trimester, using the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation 450K array, and explored how these changes were related to autoimmune diseases that are known to be affected during pregnancy. Pregnancy was associated with several hundreds of methylation differences, particularly during the 2nd trimester. A network-based modular approach identified several genes, e.g., CD28, FYN, VAV1 and pathways related to T-cell signalling and activation, highlighting T-cell regulation as a central component of the observed methylation alterations. The identified pregnancy module was significantly enriched for disease-associated methylation changes related to multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. A negative correlation between pregnancy-associated methylation changes and disease-associated changes was found for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, diseases that are known to improve during pregnancy whereas a positive correlation was found for systemic lupus erythematosus, a disease that instead worsens during pregnancy. Thus, the directionality of the observed changes is in line with the previously observed effect of pregnancy on disease activity. Our systems medicine approach supports the importance of the methylome in immune regulation of T-cells during pregnancy. Our findings highlight the relevance of using pregnancy as a model for understanding and identifying disease-related mechanisms involved in the modulation of autoimmune diseases.Abbreviations: BMIQ: beta-mixture quantile dilation; DMGs: differentially methylated genes; DMPs: differentially methylated probes; FE: fold enrichment; FDR: false discovery rate; GO: gene ontology; GWAS: genome-wide association studies; MDS: multidimensional scaling; MS: multiple sclerosis; PBMC: peripheral blood mononuclear cells; PBS: phosphate buffered saline; PPI; protein-protein interaction; RA: rheumatoid arthritis; SD: standard deviation; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism; TH: CD4+ T helper cell; VIStA: diVIsive Shuffling Approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tejaswi V Badam
- Bioinformatics Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,School of Bioscience, Skövde University, Skövde, Sweden
| | - Sandra Hellberg
- Bioinformatics Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Ratnesh B Mehta
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jeannette Lechner-Scott
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia.,Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Rodney A Lea
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Centre for Brain and Mental Health, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovations, Genomics Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Australia
| | - Jorg Tost
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National De Recherche En Génomique Humaine, CEA-Institut De Biologie Francois Jacob, Evry, France
| | - Xavier Mariette
- Université Paris-Saclay, AP-HP-Université Paris-Saclay, Hôpital Bicêtre, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm) U1184, Center for Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases, France
| | - Judit Svensson-Arvelund
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Colm E Nestor
- The Centre for Individualized Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mikael Benson
- The Centre for Individualized Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Göran Berg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria C Jenmalm
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mika Gustafsson
- Bioinformatics Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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11
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Raffetseder J, Lindau R, van der Veen S, Berg G, Larsson M, Ernerudh J. MAIT Cells Balance the Requirements for Immune Tolerance and Anti-Microbial Defense During Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:718168. [PMID: 34497611 PMCID: PMC8420809 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.718168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are an innate-like T cell subset with proinflammatory and cytotoxic effector functions. During pregnancy, modulation of the maternal immune system, both at the fetal-maternal interface and systemically, is crucial for a successful outcome and manifests through controlled enhancement of innate and dampening of adaptive responses. Still, immune defenses need to efficiently protect both the mother and the fetus from infection. So far, it is unknown whether MAIT cells are subjected to immunomodulation during pregnancy, and characterization of decidual MAIT cells as well as their functional responses during pregnancy are mainly lacking. We here characterized the presence and phenotype of Vα7.2+CD161+ MAIT cells in blood and decidua (the uterine endometrium during pregnancy) from women pregnant in the 1st trimester, i.e., the time point when local immune tolerance develops. We also assessed the phenotype and functional responses of MAIT cells in blood of women pregnant in the 3rd trimester, i.e., when systemic immunomodulation is most pronounced. Multi-color flow cytometry panels included markers for MAIT subsets, and markers of activation (CD69, HLA-DR, Granzyme B) and immunoregulation (PD-1, CTLA-4). MAIT cells were numerically decreased at the fetal-maternal interface and showed, similar to other T cells in the decidua, increased expression of immune checkpoint markers compared with MAIT cells in blood. During the 3rd trimester, circulating MAIT cells showed a higher expression of CD69 and CD56, and their functional responses to inflammatory (activating anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies, and IL-12 and IL-18) and microbial stimuli (Escherichia coli, group B streptococci and influenza A virus) were generally increased compared with MAIT cells from non-pregnant women, indicating enhanced antimicrobial defenses during pregnancy. Taken together, our findings indicate dual roles for MAIT cells during pregnancy, with an evidently well-adapted ability to balance the requirements of immune tolerance in parallel with maintained antimicrobial defenses. Since MAIT cells are easily activated, they need to be strictly regulated during pregnancy, and failure to do so could contribute to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Raffetseder
- Division of Inflammation and Infection (II), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Robert Lindau
- Division of Inflammation and Infection (II), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sigrid van der Veen
- Division of Inflammation and Infection (II), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Göran Berg
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Marie Larsson
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology (MMV), Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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12
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Hao F, Zhou X, Jin L. Natural killer cells: functional differences in recurrent spontaneous abortion†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:524-531. [PMID: 31742319 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is one of the major pregnancy disorders and poses a serious risk to both the mother and the fetus. Although a number of research efforts have been conducted, therapeutic advances for treating RSA have not lived up to their expectations. Hence, other treatments should be explored. The important role of natural killer (NK) cells in immunotherapy is attracting increasing attention, both as a pharmaceutical target and for cell therapies. NK cells are abundant in the endometrium and play a role in implantation and placentation in normal pregnancy. As research progresses, NK cells are increasingly regarded as playing essential roles in the emergence and development of RSA. In this article, I review recent findings on the role of uterine NK cells in the pathophysiology of RSA. These cells may become therapeutic NK cell-related targets. In conclusion, although several issues regarding NK cells in RSA remain unresolved and require further investigation, extensive evidence is available for the treatment of RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Hao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhou
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Jin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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13
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Papapavlou G, Hellberg S, Raffetseder J, Brynhildsen J, Gustafsson M, Jenmalm MC, Ernerudh J. Differential effects of estradiol and progesterone on human T cell activation in vitro. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2430-2440. [PMID: 34223649 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202049144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) are steroid hormones important for the regulation of immune responses during pregnancy. Their increasing levels coincide with an improvement of T cell-mediated diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Although immune-endocrine interactions are involved in this phenomenon, the relative contribution of hormones is not known. We here report a direct comparison of E2- and P4-mediated effects on human CD4+ T cells, key cells in immune regulation. T cells were stimulated to obtain different activation levels and exposed to a broad range of hormone concentrations. Activation level was assessed by CD69/CD25 expression by flow cytometry, and secreted proteins (n = 196) were measured in culture supernatants using proximity extension assay and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. We found that in low activated cells, pregnancy-relevant E2 concentrations increased activation and the secretion of several immune- and inflammation-related proteins. P4, on the other hand, showed a biphasic pattern, where serum-related concentrations upregulated activation and protein secretion while placenta-relevant concentrations induced a prominent dampening irrespective of the initial activation level. Our results demonstrate the importance of P4 as a major hormone in the immune modulation of T cells during pregnancy and emphasize the need to further evaluate its potency in the treatment of diseases like MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Papapavlou
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sandra Hellberg
- Division of Bioinformatics, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Johanna Raffetseder
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jan Brynhildsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Mika Gustafsson
- Division of Bioinformatics, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria C Jenmalm
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Peer V, Muhsen K, Betser M, Green MS. Antibody Response to Pertussis Vaccination in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women-The Role of Sex Hormones. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060637. [PMID: 34200795 PMCID: PMC8230440 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pertussis containing vaccine is recommended for pregnant women to protect neonates prior to being fully immunized against the disease. The immune response during pregnancy may be impacted by changes in the hormonal status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune response to pertussis immunization in pregnancy and to assess the role of sex hormones. In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were drawn from 174 pregnant and 74 non-pregnant women 45-60 days following immunization. Anti-pertussis toxin (Anti-PT) IgG antibody levels, estrogen, and progestogen concentrations were compared between the two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between serum antibody and sex hormone concentrations in each group, controlling for age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status. The geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-PT IgG antibody was significantly higher in non-pregnant women compared with pregnant women (median of 2.09 and 1.86, interquartile range = 2.36-1.8 and 2.11-1.16 respectively, p < 0.0001). Among pregnant women, the anti-PT IgG antibody GMC was negatively associated with both progesterone (odds ratio = 0.300, 95% CI = 0.116, 0.772, p = 0.013) and estrogen (odds ratio = 0.071, 95% CI = 0.017, 0.292, p < 0.0001), after controlling for age, BMI, and smoking. Pregnancy was associated with lower anti-PT IgG antibody levels (odds ratio = 0.413, 95% CI = -0.190, 0.899, p = 0.026). This appears to be at least partially explained by the higher levels of hormones during pregnancy. These findings demonstrate the important role of sex hormones in the response to pertussis vaccine during pregnancy and can help to evaluate the optimum vaccination schedule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Peer
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Abba Khoushy 199, Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
- Correspondence:
| | - Khitam Muhsen
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 6139001, Israel;
| | - Moshe Betser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center (Formerly Assaf Harofeh Medical Center), Zerifin 70300, Israel;
| | - Manfred S Green
- School of Public Health, University of Haifa, Abba Khoushy 199, Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
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15
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Svenvik M, Raffetseder J, Brudin L, Lindberg R, Blomberg M, Axelsson D, Jenmalm MC, Ernerudh J, Nording ML. Plasma oxylipin levels associated with preterm birth in preterm labor ✰. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2021; 166:102251. [PMID: 33626402 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2021.102251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preterm labor is a common clinical problem in obstetrics. Since the majority of women with preterm labor eventually deliver at full term, biomarkers are needed to more accurately predict who will deliver preterm. Oxylipins, given their importance in inflammation regulation, are highly interesting in this respect since labor is an inflammatory process. METHODS Eighty women with preterm labor before 34 weeks of gestation were enrolled in a prospective observational multi-center cohort study. Oxylipin levels of 67 analytes in plasma samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS Twenty-one (26%) of the women delivered before 34 weeks of gestation, and of those women, fourteen delivered within 48 h of admission. Logistic multivariate regression showed that lower levels of 9,10-DiHODE were associated with delivery before 34 weeks of gestation (aOR 0.12 (0.024-0.62)) and within 48 h ((aOR 0.13 (0.019-0.93)). Furthermore, higher levels of 11,12-DiHETrE were associated with delivery before 34 weeks of gestation ((aOR 6.19 (1.17-32.7)) and higher levels of 8-HETE were associated with delivery within 48 h ((aOR 5.01 (1.13-22.14)). CONCLUSIONS The oxylipin 9,10-DiHODE may be protective in preterm labor, both for delivery after 34 weeks of gestation and for delivery later than 48 h of admission, whereas 11,12-DiHETrE and 8-HETE display the opposite effect. Larger studies are needed to validate these mediators as biomarkers for prediction of preterm birth following preterm labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Svenvik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - J Raffetseder
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - L Brudin
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Region Kalmar County, Kalmar, Sweden; Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - R Lindberg
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - M Blomberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - D Axelsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - M C Jenmalm
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - J Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - M L Nording
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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16
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Deng S, Qiu K, Tu R, Zheng H, Lu W. Relationship Between Pregnancy and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis: A Single-Case Study. Front Immunol 2021; 11:609476. [PMID: 33597947 PMCID: PMC7882727 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.609476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between pregnancy and autoimmune diseases is unclear. This study investigated the possible role of local immune changes and the activation state of the HMGB1/TLR4/Nf-κB/IL-6 pathway at the maternal–fetal interface during pregnancy in the pathogenesis of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Clinical data and blood samples of a patient with ADEM were collected to observe the dynamic changes in lymphocyte populations after an abortion. The expression of HMGB1, TLR4, Nf-κB, AQP4, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α in the fetal membrane and placenta was compared between the patient with pregnancy-related ADEM and a woman with a normal pregnancy using Real-time qPCR and western blotting (WB). The patient was diagnosed with ADEM in the early stage of pregnancy after showing limb weakness symptoms. In the third month of gestation, the symptoms worsened, with a disturbance of consciousness and breathing. After the abortion, the patient relapsed with vertigo and visual rotation. Analysis of lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry showed that B lymphocytes increased, while natural killer T lymphocytes decreased. WB and Real-time qPCR showed that the expression levels of HMGB1, TLR4, Nf-κB, AQP4, and IL-6 in the fetal membrane and placenta were higher in the patient with pregnancy-related ADEM than in the woman with a normal pregnancy, while those of IL-2 were lower in the patient than in the woman with a normal pregnancy. The local immune changes and the activation of the HMGB1/TLR4/Nf-κB/IL-6 pathway at the maternal–fetal interface may be related to the pathogenesis of ADEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Deng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ke Qiu
- Department of Neurology, The Third Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Ranran Tu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Haiping Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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17
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Maternal DNA Methylation During Pregnancy: a Review. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:2758-2769. [PMID: 33469876 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00456-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Multiple environmental, behavioral, and hereditary factors affect pregnancy. Recent studies suggest that epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), affect both maternal and fetal health during the period of gestation. Some of the pregnancy-related risk factors can influence maternal DNAm, thus predisposing both the mother and the neonate to clinical adversities with long-lasting consequences. DNAm alterations in the promoter and enhancer regions modulate gene expression changes which play vital physiological role. In this review, we have discussed the recent advances in our understanding of maternal DNA methylation changes during pregnancy and its associated complications such as gestational diabetes and anemia, adverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth, and preeclampsia. We have also highlighted some major gaps and limitations in the area which if addressed might improve our understanding of pregnancy and its associated adverse clinical conditions, ultimately leading to healthy pregnancies and reduction of public health burden.
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18
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Alqudah A, Eastwood KA, Jerotic D, Todd N, Hoch D, McNally R, Obradovic D, Dugalic S, Hunter AJ, Holmes VA, McCance DR, Young IS, Watson CJ, Robson T, Desoye G, Grieve DJ, McClements L. FKBPL and SIRT-1 Are Downregulated by Diabetes in Pregnancy Impacting on Angiogenesis and Endothelial Function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:650328. [PMID: 34149611 PMCID: PMC8206806 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.650328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth. Although the mechanisms leading to these pregnancy complications are still poorly understood, aberrant angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction play a key role. FKBPL and SIRT-1 are critical regulators of angiogenesis, however, their roles in pregnancies affected by diabetes have not been examined before in detail. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of FKBPL and SIRT-1 in pre-gestational (type 1 diabetes mellitus, T1D) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Placental protein expression of important angiogenesis proteins, FKBPL, SIRT-1, PlGF and VEGF-R1, was determined from pregnant women with GDM or T1D, and in the first trimester trophoblast cells exposed to high glucose (25 mM) and varying oxygen concentrations [21%, 6.5%, 2.5% (ACH-3Ps)]. Endothelial cell function was assessed in high glucose conditions (30 mM) and following FKBPL overexpression. Placental FKBPL protein expression was downregulated in T1D (FKBPL; p<0.05) whereas PlGF/VEGF-R1 were upregulated (p<0.05); correlations adjusted for gestational age were also significant. In the presence of GDM, only SIRT-1 was significantly downregulated (p<0.05) even when adjusted for gestational age (r=-0.92, p=0.001). Both FKBPL and SIRT-1 protein expression was reduced in ACH-3P cells in high glucose conditions associated with 6.5%/2.5% oxygen concentrations compared to experimental normoxia (21%; p<0.05). FKBPL overexpression in endothelial cells (HUVECs) exacerbated reduction in tubule formation compared to empty vector control, in high glucose conditions (junctions; p<0.01, branches; p<0.05). In conclusion, FKBPL and/or SIRT-1 downregulation in response to diabetic pregnancies may have a key role in the development of vascular dysfunction and associated complications affected by impaired placental angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelrahim Alqudah
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Kelly-Ann Eastwood
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Naomi Todd
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Denise Hoch
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ross McNally
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stefan Dugalic
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Alyson J. Hunter
- Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Valerie A. Holmes
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - David R. McCance
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Ian S. Young
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Chris J. Watson
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Tracy Robson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - David J. Grieve
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Lana McClements
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Lana McClements,
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Wang Y, Li D, Yu T, Hu M, Xing J, Bai S, Qu W, Tong X. Dynamics of TIGIT and PD-1 expression on NK cells during the course of normal pregnancy. Immunol Lett 2020; 230:42-48. [PMID: 33359535 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PROBLEM Immune checkpoint molecules are receptors that can transmit inhibitory signals into cells to negatively modulate the immune response. However, their roles in NK cells during normal pregnancy remain poorly understood. METHOD OF STUDY Peripheral blood samples were collected from women during the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Peripheral blood NK (pNK) cells and T cells were analyzed for the expression of the immune checkpoint molecules TIGIT and PD-1 by flow cytometry. In addition, the ability of pNK cells to secret functional molecules was also evaluated. RESULTS The expression of TIGIT on pNK cells increased gradually throughout pregnancy, whereas that of PD-1 showed the opposite pattern. However, on T cells, the expression of both TIGIT and PD-1 peaked during early pregnancy, and then declined gradually thereafter. Moreover, the expressions of granzyme B, IFN-γ and CD107a by pNK cells also decreased over the course of pregnancy. Compared with TIGIT- NK cells, TIGIT + NK cells possessed reduced expression of functional molecules. CONCLUSIONS As pregnancy progressed, the levels of immune checkpoint molecules expressed on pNK cells and T cells changed and the two molecules showed different trends. Furthermore, the secretion of functional molecules from pNK cells was negatively correlated with the trend of TIGIT expression, indicating TIGIT may play an important role in modulating the functions of pNK cells during pregnancy. Further study of TIGIT expression on pNK cells may enhance our understanding of its role in maintaining maternal-fetal tolerance and provide a useful marker for predicting instability during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanshi Wang
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Daojing Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Ting Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Meihong Hu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Juan Xing
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Shun Bai
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wanjun Qu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Xianhong Tong
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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20
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Comparative analysis of immune related genes between domestic pig and germ-free minipig. Lab Anim Res 2020; 36:44. [PMID: 33292811 PMCID: PMC7709342 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-020-00077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, minipig has been considered as an animal model that is appropriate for human disease model to study toxicology, pharmacology, and xenotransplantation. Nevertheless, minipigs are bred in various environment according to their use. Here, we suggest that minipigs used for research should be bred in well-controlled facility, comparing immune status of pigs raised in different breeding environment. DNA microarray was performed with ear skin and placenta of Landrace domestic pigs (DPs) and Minnesota germ-free minipigs (GPs). Their immune transcriptome was analyzed by gene ontology (GO) annotation database, based on criteria of |log2 fold change| ≥1 with P ≤ 0.05. As a result, we found that immune related genes in the ear skin of DPs were highly activated, compared to GPs. On the other hand, no significant s were found in the placenta. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed in five candidate immune genes. Their fold changes were consistent with the results from DNA microarray (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, we experimentally proved that porcine immune system was affected by different breeding environment, suggesting the importance of controlling microbes in animal room for the qualified research.
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21
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Forsberg A, Abrahamsson TR, Nilsson L, Ernerudh J, Duchén K, Jenmalm MC. Changes in peripheral immune populations during pregnancy and modulation by probiotics and ω-3 fatty acids. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18723. [PMID: 33127947 PMCID: PMC7599237 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75312-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic diseases have become a major health problem, partly due to reduced microbial stimulation and a decreased dietary ω-3/ω-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio. Prenatal exposures have been reported to influence allergy development, possibly induced via changes in maternal immune regulation. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter allergy prevention trial (PROOM-3), pregnant women were recruited at gestational week 20, and randomized to four study groups, one receiving both L. reuteri oil drops and ω-3 PUFA capsules (n = 22), the second receiving ω-3 PUFA supplementation and placebo regarding L. reuteri (n = 21), the third receiving L. reuteri and placebo regarding ω-3 PUFA (n = 22) and the fourth group receiving placebo capsules and placebo oil drops (n = 23). In this substudy, supplemental and pregnancy-related effects on maternal peripheral immune cell populations during pregnancy were assessed by flow cytometry immune phenotyping at gestational week 20, 32 and 4 days after delivery. The numbers of activated and regulatory T (Treg) cells (CD45RA− Foxp3++/CD45RA+Foxp3+) were reduced after delivery, with the lowest count in the L. reuteri supplemented group compared with the placebo group 4 days after delivery, while the ω-3 PUFA group did not differ from the placebo group. Several treatment-independent changes were observed during and after pregnancy in lymphocytes (CD4+/8+/19+/56+/45RA+/−), CD14+16+/− monocytes, and in subpopulations of T helper cells (Th) CD4+CD45RA−Tbet+ (Th1) and CD4+CD45RA−RORC+ (Th17) cells. In conclusion, probiotic supplementation to the mother during the second half of pregnancy resulted in immunomodulatory effects among activated and resting Treg cells. Furthermore, several systemic immune modifying effects of pregnancy were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Forsberg
- Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - T R Abrahamsson
- Department of Paediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - L Nilsson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Allergy Centre, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - J Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - K Duchén
- Department of Paediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - M C Jenmalm
- Division of Neuro and Inflammation Sciences, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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22
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Wienke J, Brouwers L, van der Burg LM, Mokry M, Scholman RC, Nikkels PG, van Rijn BB, van Wijk F. Human Tregs at the materno-fetal interface show site-specific adaptation reminiscent of tumor Tregs. JCI Insight 2020; 5:137926. [PMID: 32809975 PMCID: PMC7526557 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.137926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tregs are crucial for maintaining maternal immunotolerance against the semiallogeneic fetus. We investigated the elusive transcriptional profile and functional adaptation of human uterine Tregs (uTregs) during pregnancy. Uterine biopsies, from placental bed (materno-fetal interface) and incision site (control) and blood were obtained from women with uncomplicated pregnancies undergoing cesarean section. Tregs and CD4+ non-Tregs were isolated for transcriptomic profiling by Cel-Seq2. Results were validated on protein and single cell levels by flow cytometry. Placental bed uTregs showed elevated expression of Treg signature markers, including FOXP3, CTLA-4, and TIGIT. Their transcriptional profile was indicative of late-stage effector Treg differentiation and chronic activation, with increased expression of immune checkpoints GITR, TNFR2, OX-40, and 4-1BB; genes associated with suppressive capacity (HAVCR2, IL10, LAYN, and PDCD1); and transcription factors MAF, PRDM1, BATF, and VDR. uTregs mirrored non-Treg Th1 polarization and tissue residency. The particular transcriptional signature of placental bed uTregs overlapped strongly with that of tumor-infiltrating Tregs and was remarkably pronounced at the placental bed compared with uterine control site. In conclusion, human uTregs acquire a differentiated effector Treg profile similar to tumor-infiltrating Tregs, specifically at the materno-fetal interface. This introduces the concept of site-specific transcriptional adaptation of Tregs within 1 organ. Human regulatory T cells at the maternal-fetal interface show uterine site-specific functional adaptation with late-stage effector differentiation, chronic activation, Th1 polarization, and tumor-infiltrating, Treg-like features.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michal Mokry
- Regenerative Medicine Utrecht.,Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, and
| | | | - Peter Gj Nikkels
- Department of Pathology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Netherlands
| | - Bas B van Rijn
- Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Birth Center.,Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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23
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Bruno V, Lindau R, Jenmalm MC, Ticconi C, Piccione E, Pietropolli A, Ernerudh J. First-trimester trophoblasts obtained by chorionic villus sampling maintain tolerogenic and proteomic features in successful pregnancies despite a history of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 84:e13314. [PMID: 32734710 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM While there are several known causes for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), about 50% are unexplained (uRPL), and in these cases, an aberrant immune regulation seems to be involved. Although fetally derived trophoblast cells have a key role in immune regulation, it is difficult to study their immune function during pregnancy, and it is not known whether trophoblast function may be an inherent aberration in uRPL or whether it is associated with the outcome of the current pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed for clinical indications at 12 weeks of gestation. Superfluous materials, divided in small explants, were cultured for 20-24 hours, and supernatants (conditioned medium) were collected from 36 women with singleton normal pregnancies, of whom 9 women had a history of RPL. The secreted immune protein profile was measured by proximity extension assay, and the conditioned medium was further used in functional ex vivo models to assess ability to polarize blood monocytes and CD4+ T cells into immune regulatory phenotypes, as detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS Conditioned medium from chorionic villi, human fetally derived placental tissue, was able to induce a decidual-type of M2-like macrophages, as well as an expansion of Treg cells ex vivo, both in women with uRPL and in control women. The preserved immunological properties were confirmed by a maintained immune protein profile in RPL compared with controls. CONCLUSION Trophoblasts in an ex vivo model maintain tolerogenic and proteomic profile features in successful pregnancies, despite a previous history of RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bruno
- Section of Gynecology, Academic Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Academic Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Lindau
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria C Jenmalm
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Carlo Ticconi
- Academic Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Piccione
- Academic Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Adalgisa Pietropolli
- Academic Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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24
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Link D, Many A, Ben Sira L, Tarrasch R, Bak S, Kidron D, Gordon Z, Yagel S, Harel S, Ben Bashat D. Placental vascular tree characterization based on ex-vivo MRI with a potential application for placental insufficiency assessment. Placenta 2020; 101:252-260. [PMID: 32933767 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding regarding the whole placental vascular network structure is limited. Our aim was to quantitatively characterize the human placental vascular tree ex-vivo using high-resolution MRI. METHODS 34 normal placentas were rinsed and injected with a solution of gelatin and contrast agent through the umbilical vessels. A sample of six placentas taken from pregnancies with intrauterine-growth-restriction (IUGR) was used to demonstrate the potential application to cases with placental insufficiency. Structural ex-vivo MR scans of the placenta were performed using high resolution T1 weighted images. A semi-automatic method was developed to segment and characterize the placental vascular architecture: placental volume and cord insertion location; number of bifurcations, generations and vessels diameters. RESULTS Different vascular patterns were found in placentas with central versus marginal cord-insertion. Based on the placental volume and number of bifurcations we were able to predict birth weight. Furthermore, preliminary results on IUGR sample demonstrated the potential of this method to differentiate between small newborns with suspected IUGR from small normal newborns who reached their full growth potential. Results obtained using the automatic method were validated against manual values demonstrating no significant differences or bias. Histopathology supported the imaging findings. DISCUSSION This is the first study to quantitatively characterize the human placental vascular architecture using high resolution ex-vivo MRI. Different patterns of vascular architecture may be related to different functioning of the placenta and affect fetal development. This method is simple, relatively fast, provides detailed information of the placental vascular architecture, and may have important clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphna Link
- Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariel Many
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Liat Ben Sira
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Division of Pediatric Radiology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ricardo Tarrasch
- Jaime and Joan Constantiner School of Education, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Stella Bak
- Division of Pathology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Debora Kidron
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Pathology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Zoya Gordon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Medical Engineering Afeka, Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Simcha Yagel
- Obstretrics and Gynecology Division, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shaul Harel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Pediatric Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dafna Ben Bashat
- Sagol Brain Institute, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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25
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Kaipe H, Raffetseder J, Ernerudh J, Solders M, Tiblad E. MAIT Cells at the Fetal-Maternal Interface During Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1788. [PMID: 32973750 PMCID: PMC7466580 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main functions of the human placenta is to provide a barrier between the fetal and maternal blood circulations, where gas exchange and transfer of nutrients to the developing fetus take place. Despite being a barrier, there is a multitude of crosstalk between maternal immune cells and fetally derived semi-allogeneic trophoblast cells. Therefore, the maternal immune system has a difficult task to both tolerate the fetus but at the same time also defend the mother and the fetus from infections. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are an increasingly recognized subset of T cells with anti-microbial functions that get activated in the context of non-polymorphic MR1 molecules, but also in response to inflammation. MAIT cells accumulate at term pregnancy in the maternal blood that flows into the intervillous space inside the placenta. Chemotactic factors produced by the placenta may be involved in recruiting and retaining particular immune cell subsets, including MAIT cells. In this Mini-Review, we describe what is known about MAIT cells during pregnancy and discuss the potential biological functions of MAIT cells at the fetal-maternal interface. Since MAIT cells have anti-microbial and tissue-repairing functions, but lack alloantigen reactivity, they could play an important role in protecting the fetus from bacterial infections and maintaining tissue homeostasis without risks of mediating harmful responses toward semi-allogenic fetal tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Kaipe
- Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna Raffetseder
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jan Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Martin Solders
- Division of Biomolecular and Cellular Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eleonor Tiblad
- Center for Fetal Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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26
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Peterson LS, Stelzer IA, Tsai AS, Ghaemi MS, Han X, Ando K, Winn VD, Martinez NR, Contrepois K, Moufarrej MN, Quake S, Relman DA, Snyder MP, Shaw GM, Stevenson DK, Wong RJ, Arck P, Angst MS, Aghaeepour N, Gaudilliere B. Multiomic immune clockworks of pregnancy. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 42:397-412. [PMID: 32020337 PMCID: PMC7508753 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-019-00772-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth is the leading cause of mortality in children under the age of five worldwide. Despite major efforts, we still lack the ability to accurately predict and effectively prevent preterm birth. While multiple factors contribute to preterm labor, dysregulations of immunological adaptations required for the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy is at its pathophysiological core. Consequently, a precise understanding of these chronologically paced immune adaptations and of the biological pacemakers that synchronize the pregnancy "immune clock" is a critical first step towards identifying deviations that are hallmarks of peterm birth. Here, we will review key elements of the fetal, placental, and maternal pacemakers that program the immune clock of pregnancy. We will then emphasize multiomic studies that enable a more integrated view of pregnancy-related immune adaptations. Such multiomic assessments can strengthen the biological plausibility of immunological findings and increase the power of biological signatures predictive of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura S Peterson
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ina A Stelzer
- Department of Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Amy S Tsai
- Department of Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mohammad S Ghaemi
- Department of Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xiaoyuan Han
- Department of Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kazuo Ando
- Department of Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Virginia D Winn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nadine R Martinez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Contrepois
- Stanford Metabolic Health Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mira N Moufarrej
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Engineering, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stephen Quake
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Engineering, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David A Relman
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Infectious Diseases Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Michael P Snyder
- Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David K Stevenson
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ronald J Wong
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Petra Arck
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin S Angst
- Department of Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nima Aghaeepour
- Department of Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brice Gaudilliere
- Department of Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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27
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Pflitsch C, Feldmann CN, Richert L, Hagen S, Diemert A, Goletzke J, Hecher K, Jazbutyte V, Renné T, Arck PC, Altfeld M, Ziegler S. In-depth characterization of monocyte subsets during the course of healthy pregnancy. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 141:103151. [PMID: 32531656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103151] [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] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy represents an immunological challenge for the maternal immune system. Pregnancy augments innate immune responses, and particularly monocytes contribute to maintaining the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses required for the successful sequence of distinct immunological phases throughout pregnancy. Nonetheless, studies that focus on the heterogeneity of monocytes and analyze the alteration of monocyte subsets in a longitudinal approach throughout healthy pregnancies have remained scarce. In this study, we characterized the gradual phenotypic changes of monocyte subsets and the secretory potential of bulk monocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy pregnant women from a population-based prospective birth cohort study. Blood samples at predefined time points were analyzed using flow cytometry for in-depth characterization of monocyte subsets, which confirmed a shift from classical towards intermediate monocytes throughout pregnancy. Principal component analysis revealed characteristic phenotypic changes on monocyte subsets, especially on the intermediate monocyte subset, throughout pregnancy. Pregnancy-related hormones were measured in serum and β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were significantly associated with expression of CD11b, CD116 and CCR2 on monocyte subsets. TLR4 and TLR7/8 stimulation of monocytes furthermore showed reduced polycytokine production towards the end of pregnancy. These data provide a comprehensive overview of phenotypic changes and secretory potential of monocytes in healthy pregnant women and establish a selective contribution of different monocyte subsets to healthy pregnancy. The results from this study therefore build a basis for future comparisons and evaluation of women with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Pflitsch
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Cai Niklaas Feldmann
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Laura Richert
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany; Université Bordeaux, ISPED, Centre INSERM U1219, Inria, SISTM, F-33000, Bordeaux, France; CHU de Bordeaux, pôle de santé publique, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sven Hagen
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Anke Diemert
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Janina Goletzke
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Kurt Hecher
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Virginija Jazbutyte
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Thomas Renné
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Petra Clara Arck
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Marcus Altfeld
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany
| | - Susanne Ziegler
- Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20251, Germany.
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28
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Placental vascular tree characterization based on ex-vivo MRI with a potential application for placental insufficiency assessment. Placenta 2020; 96:34-43. [PMID: 32560856 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Understanding regarding the whole placental vascular network structure is limited. Our aim was to quantitatively characterize the human placental vascular tree ex-vivo using high-resolution MRI. METHODS 34 normal placentas were rinsed and injected with a solution of gelatin and contrast agent through the umbilical vessels. A sample of six placentas taken from pregnancies with intrauterine-growth-restriction (IUGR) was used to demonstrate the potential application to cases with placental insufficiency. Structural ex-vivo MR scans of the placenta were performed using high resolution T1 weighted images. A semi-automatic method was developed to segment and characterize the placental vascular architecture: placental volume and cord insertion location, number of bifurcations, generations and vessels diameters. RESULTS Different vascular patterns were found in placentas with central versus marginal cord-insertion. Based on the placental volume and number of bifurcations we were able to predict birth weight. Furthermore, preliminary results on IUGR sample demonstrated the potential of this method to differentiate between small newborns with suspected IUGR from small normal newborns who reached their full growth potential. Results obtained using the automatic method were validated against manual values demonstrating no significant differences or bias. Histopathology supported the imaging findings. DISCUSSION This is the first study to quantitatively characterize the human placental vascular architecture using high resolution ex-vivo MRI. Different patterns of vascular architecture may be related to different functioning of the placenta and affect fetal development. This method is simple, relatively fast, provides detailed information of the placental vascular architecture, and may have important clinical applications.
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29
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Placental Galectin-2 Expression in Gestational Diabetes: A Systematic, Histological Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072404. [PMID: 32244351 PMCID: PMC7177347 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common pregnancy-associated metabolic disorder that negatively impacts on the health of both mothers and their offspring in the long-term. The molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. As in other states of insulin resistance, a disproportionate immune response in GDM leads to a state of chronic low-grade inflammation. Galectin-2 exerts regulatory effects on different immune cells. This study investigated galectin-2 expression in the placenta of 40 GDM patients and 40 controls, in a sex-specific manner. Immunohistochemistry was used for semi-quantitative analysis of expression strength. The phenotypes of galectin-2 expressing cells were characterized through double immunofluorescence. We found a significant up-regulation of galectin-2 in the fetal syncytiotrophoblast, as well as in the maternal decidua of GDM placentas. Double staining showed a strong galectin-2 expression in extra villous trophoblast cells and fetal endothelial cells in GDM. These findings present the first systematic investigation of galectin-2 in GDM. The findings contribute to the emerging understanding of the role of immunomodulation and inflammation in GDM and of galectin-2 itself. This might also have implications for the long-term cardiovascular health of the offspring.
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30
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Bruno V, Corrado G, Baci D, Chiofalo B, Carosi MA, Ronchetti L, Piccione E, Albini A, Noonan DM, Piaggio G, Vizza E. Endometrial Cancer Immune Escape Mechanisms: Let Us Learn From the Fetal-Maternal Interface. Front Oncol 2020; 10:156. [PMID: 32226771 PMCID: PMC7080858 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune escape mechanisms at the base of tumor progression in endometrial cancer mimic immune tolerance mechanisms occurring at the maternal-fetal interface. The biological and immunological processes behind the maternal-fetal interface are finely tuned in time and space during embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy stages; conversely, those behind cancer progression are often aberrant. The environment composition at the maternal-fetal interface parallels the pro-tumor microenvironment identified in many cancers, pointing to the possibility for the use of the maternal-fetal interface as a model to depict immune therapeutic targets in cancer. The framework of cancer environment signatures involved in immune adaptations, precisely timed in cancer progression, could reveal a specific "immune clock" in endometrial cancer, which might guide clinicians in patient risk class assessment, diagnostic workup, management, surgical and therapeutic approach, and surveillance strategies. Here, we review studies approaching this hypothesis, focusing on what is known so far about oncofetal similarities in immunity with the idea to individualize personalized immunotherapy targets, through the downregulation of the immune escape stage or the reactivation of the pro-inflammatory processes suppressed by the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bruno
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Corrado
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Women and Children Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS-Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Denisa Baci
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Benito Chiofalo
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Antonia Carosi
- Anatomy Pathology Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia Ronchetti
- Anatomy Pathology Unit, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Piccione
- Section of Gynecology, Academic Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University Hospital, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Albini
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Science and Technology Pole (PST), IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Douglas M Noonan
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.,Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Science and Technology Pole (PST), IRCCS MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Piaggio
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Vizza
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Department of Experimental Clinical Oncology, IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
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31
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Tian X, Eikmans M, van der Hoorn ML. The Role of Macrophages in Oocyte Donation Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030939. [PMID: 32023856 PMCID: PMC7037275 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The embryo of an oocyte donation (OD) pregnancy is completely allogeneic to the mother, which leads to a more serious challenge for the maternal immune system to tolerize the fetus. It is thought that macrophages are essential in maintaining a healthy pregnancy, by acting in immunomodulation and spiral arterial remodeling. OD pregnancies represent an interesting model to study complex immunologic interactions between the fetus and the pregnant woman since the embryo is totally allogeneic compared to the mother. Here, we describe a narrative review on the role of macrophages and pregnancy and a systematic review was performed on the role of macrophages in OD pregnancies. Searches were made in different databases and the titles and abstracts were evaluated by three independent authors. In total, four articles were included on OD pregnancies and macrophages. Among these articles, some findings are conflicting between studies, indicating that more research is needed in this area. From current research, we could identify that there are multiple subtypes of macrophages, having diverse biological effects, and that the ratio between subtypes is altered during gestation and in aberrant pregnancy. The study of macrophages’ phenotypes and their functions in OD pregnancies might be beneficial to better understand the maternal-fetal tolerance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuezi Tian
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Michael Eikmans
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Marie-Louise van der Hoorn
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence:
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32
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Sanchez TW, Li B, Molinaro C, Casiano CA, Bellinger DL, Mata-Greenwood E. Maternal plasma proteomics in a rat model of pregnancy complications reveals immune and pro-coagulant gene pathway activation. Am J Reprod Immunol 2019; 83:e13205. [PMID: 31677200 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM The Brown Norway (BN) rat is a model of T-helper 2 immune diseases, and also a model of pregnancy disorders that include placental insufficiency, fetal loss, and pre-eclampsia-like symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma proteomic/cytokine profile of pregnant BN rats in comparison to that of the Lewis (LEW) rat strain. METHOD OF STUDY Plasma proteomics differences were studied at day 13 of pregnancy in pooled plasma samples by differential in-gel electrophoresis, and protein identification was performed by mass spectrometry. Key protein findings and predicted cytokine differences were validated by ELISA using plasma from rats at various pregnancy stages. Proteomics data were used for ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). RESULTS In-gel analysis revealed 74 proteins with differential expression between BN and LEW pregnant dams. ELISA studies confirmed increased maternal plasma levels of complement 4, prothrombin, and C-reactive protein in BN compared to LEW pregnancies. LEW pregnancies showed higher maternal plasma levels of transthyretin and haptoglobin than BN pregnancies. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that BN pregnancies are characterized by activation of pro-coagulant, reactive oxygen species, and immune-mediated chronic inflammation pathways, and suggested increased interleukin 6 and decreased transforming growth factor-β1 as potential upstream events. Plasma cytokine analysis revealed that pregnant BN dams have a switch from anti- to pro-inflammatory cytokines with the opposite switch observed in pregnant LEW dams. CONCLUSION Brown Norway rats show a maternal pro-inflammatory response to pregnancy that likely contributes to the reproductive outcomes observed in this rat strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tino W Sanchez
- School of Medicine, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Bo Li
- School of Medicine, Lawrence D. Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Christine Molinaro
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Carlos A Casiano
- School of Medicine, Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Denise L Bellinger
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Eugenia Mata-Greenwood
- School of Medicine, Lawrence D. Longo MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
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33
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Deepak V, Sahu MB, Yu J, Jones JW, Kane MA, Taylor RN, Badell ML, Sidell N, Rajakumar A. Retinoic Acid Is a Negative Regulator of sFLT1 Expression in Decidual Stromal Cells, and Its Levels Are Reduced in Preeclamptic Decidua. Hypertension 2019; 73:1104-1111. [PMID: 30879360 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.118.12564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
sFLT1 (soluble VEGF [vascular endothelial growth factor] receptor-1) levels are increased in preeclampsia-a pathological condition of pregnancy. The mechanism of sFLT1 overexpression by gestational tissues, particularly the decidua, remains unknown. Mass spectrometry measurement of the active retinoid metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (RA), showed significantly lower levels of RA in preeclamptic versus normotensive decidua. In this study, we investigated the involvement of RA in regulating decidual sFLT1 expression. When decidual stromal cells (DSCs) isolated from the decidua basalis of normotensive and preeclampsia placentas were treated with BMS493-a pan-RAR (RA nuclear receptor) antagonist-upregulation of sFLT1 expression was observed. Conversely, treatment with RA resulted in downregulation of sFLT1 in normotensive DSCs and preeclampsia DSCs. Unlike treatment with cAMP, which induces decidualization while downregulating sFLT1, RA treatment did not alter DSC expression of prolactin-a marker of decidualization-or FOXO1 (forkhead box protein 01)-a transcription factor required for prolactin upregulation. TFAP2A (transcription factor AP-2-alpha [activating enhancer-binding protein 2 alpha]), a different transcription factor was upregulated in normotensive DSCs but not in preeclampsia DSCs after RA treatment. Collectively, our data show that RA suppresses sFLT1 expression in DSCs independently of cellular decidualization. These findings suggest that reduced decidual RA levels may contribute to preeclampsia pathogenesis by allowing sFLT1 accumulation at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkataraman Deepak
- From the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (V.D., M.B.S., M.L.B., N.S., A.R.)
| | - Margaret B Sahu
- From the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (V.D., M.B.S., M.L.B., N.S., A.R.)
| | - Jianshi Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore (J.Y., J.W.J., M.A.K.)
| | - Jace W Jones
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore (J.Y., J.W.J., M.A.K.)
| | - Maureen A Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore (J.Y., J.W.J., M.A.K.)
| | - Robert N Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City (R.N.T.)
| | - Martina L Badell
- From the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (V.D., M.B.S., M.L.B., N.S., A.R.)
| | - Neil Sidell
- From the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (V.D., M.B.S., M.L.B., N.S., A.R.)
| | - Augustine Rajakumar
- From the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA (V.D., M.B.S., M.L.B., N.S., A.R.)
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Olgun NS. Viral Infections in Pregnancy: A Focus on Ebola Virus. Curr Pharm Des 2019; 24:993-998. [PMID: 29384053 DOI: 10.2174/1381612824666180130121946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
During gestation, the immune response of the placenta to viruses and other pathogens plays an important role in determining a pregnant woman's vulnerability toward infectious diseases. Located at the maternalfetal interface, trophoblast cells serve to minimize the spread of viruses between the host and developing fetus through an intricate system of innate antiviral immune signaling. Adverse pregnancy outcomes, ranging from learning disabilities to preterm birth and fetal death, are all documented results of a viral breach in the placental barrier. Viral infections during pregnancy can also be spread through blood and vaginal secretions, and during the post-natal period, via breast milk. Thus, even in the absence of vertical transmission of viral infection to the fetus, maternal health can still be compromised and threaten the pregnancy. The most common viral DNA isolates found in gestation are adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, and enterovirus. However, with the recent pandemic of Ebola virus, and the first documented case of a neonate to survive due to experimental therapies in 2017, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the changing roles and impacts of viral infection during pregnancy needs to be better understood, while strategies to minimize adverse pregnancy outcomes need to be identified. This review focuses on the adverse impacts of viral infection during gestation, with an emphasis on Ebola virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S Olgun
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
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35
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Lu H, Hu R. The role of immunity in the pathogenesis and development of pre‐eclampsia. Scand J Immunol 2019; 90:e12756. [PMID: 30739345 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hui‐Qing Lu
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Rong Hu
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fudan University Shanghai China
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36
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Wang LQ, Yu XW, Zhang YA, Chu J, Zhou XL, Zhang HM, Cao GF, Teng L. Decreased expression of CD200 and CD200R1 by human decidual tissues in spontaneous early abortion. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 33:3399-3408. [PMID: 30897989 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1572741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To examine the cellular distribution and the expression of CD200 and its receptor 1 (CD200R1) in human deciduas in first-trimester pregnant women with spontaneous early abortion (SEA) and normal pregnancy, and to explore their role in the etiology of SEA.Subjects and methods: Thirty-five women at 6-10-week gestation with SA and 30 women of similar gestational age with a healthy pregnancy were recruited. Expression of CD200 and CD200R1 in the deciduas was determined using immunohistochemistry, confocal laser scanning microscope, Western blot, and real-time PCR (RT-PCR).Results: The decidual stromal cells, glandular epithelial cells, and vessel endothelial cells during the first trimester of pregnancy express both CD200 and CD200R1 proteins. During this period, the expression of CD200 in glandular epithelial cells and vessel endothelial cells is significantly higher in normal pregnancy than that in women with SEA (0.3079 ± 0.0674 versus 0.2735 ± 0.0515; 0.4077 ± 0.1366 versus 0.3249 ± 0.0993); the expression of CD200R1 in stromal cells, decidual stromal cells, glandular epithelial cells is significantly higher during normal pregnancy than SEA (0.2574 ± 0.0588 versus 0.2292 ± 0.0415; 0.3617 ± 0.1046 versus 0.2804 ± 0.0640). Western blot analysis showed an approximately 44% decrease in CD200R1expression in decidua in the SEA versus the controls. Finally, in decidua, the expression of both CD200 protein and CD200R1 transcript are significantly higher in healthy first-trimester pregnancy than in SEA (CD200: 2.2089 ± 1.2754 versus 0.7241 ± 0.2143; CD200R1: 15.7843 ± 10.7085 versus 7.3381 ± 5.8529).Conclusions: Women with SEA have a lower level of CD200 and CD200R1 expression in deciduas compared with normal pregnant women suggesting that under physiological conditions, CD200 and CD200R1 expression by deciduas is important to prevent fetal loss ensure a successful pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qin Wang
- Nursing Department and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Xi'an Medical College, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Xue-Wen Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Ai Zhang
- Nursing Department and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Xi'an Medical College, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Jing Chu
- Nursing Department and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Xi'an Medical College, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Xiao-Lan Zhou
- Nursing Department and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Xi'an Medical College, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Hai-Miao Zhang
- Nursing Department and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Xi'an Medical College, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Guo-Fen Cao
- Nursing Department and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Xi'an Medical College, Xi'an, P. R. China
| | - Li Teng
- Nursing Department and Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Xi'an Medical College, Xi'an, P. R. China
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37
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Groen B, Links TP, van den Berg PP, de Vos P, Faas MM. The role of autoimmunity in women with type 1 diabetes and adverse pregnancy outcome: A missing link. Immunobiology 2019; 224:334-338. [PMID: 30819511 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of pregnancy complications in women with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) is greater than in healthy pregnant women. This has mostly been attributed to hyperglycemia. However, despite the implementation of stricter guidelines regarding glycemic control, pregnancy complications remain more common in women with T1D. This may suggest that other etiological factors are involved. We suggest that the immune response may play a role, since the immune response has to adapt during pregnancy in order to facilitate implantation, placental and fetal development, and aberrant immunological adaptations to pregnancy are involved in various pregnancy complications. Since T1D is an autoimmune disorder, the question rises whether the immune response of women with T1D is able to adapt properly during pregnancy. Here we review the current proof and views on the role of aberrant immunological adaptations in pregnancy complications and whether such aberrant adaptations could be involved in the pregnancy complications of T1D patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Groen
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - T P Links
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - P P van den Berg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - P de Vos
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Div. of Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - M M Faas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Div. of Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.
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38
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Lindau R, Mehta RB, Lash GE, Papapavlou G, Boij R, Berg G, Jenmalm MC, Ernerudh J, Svensson-Arvelund J. Interleukin-34 is present at the fetal-maternal interface and induces immunoregulatory macrophages of a decidual phenotype in vitro. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:588-599. [PMID: 29579271 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is the newly discovered cytokine interleukin (IL)-34 expressed at the human fetal-maternal interface in order to influence polarization of monocytes into macrophages of a decidual immunoregulatory phenotype? SUMMARY ANSWER IL-34 was found to be present at the fetal-maternal interface, in both fetal placenta and maternal decidua, and it was able to polarize monocytes into macrophages of a decidual phenotype. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY IL-34 was shown to bind to the same receptor as macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), which has an important immunomodulatory role at the fetal-maternal interface, for example by polarizing decidual macrophages to an M2-like regulatory phenotype. IL-34 is known to regulate macrophage subsets, such as microglia and Langerhans cells, but its presence at the fetal-maternal interface is unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The presence of IL-34 at the fetal-maternal interface was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and ELISA in placental and decidual tissues as well as in isolated trophoblast cells and decidual stromal cells obtained from first trimester elective surgical terminations of pregnancy (n = 49). IL-34 expression was also assessed in third trimester placental biopsies from women with (n = 21) or without (n = 15) pre-eclampsia. The effect of IL-34 on macrophage polarization was evaluated in an in vitro model of blood monocytes obtained from healthy volunteers (n = 14). In this model, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) serves as a growth factor for M1-like polarization, and M-CSF as a growth factor for M2-like polarization. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS First trimester placental and decidual tissues were obtained from elective pregnancy terminations. Placental biopsies were obtained from women with pre-eclampsia and matched controls in the delivery ward. Polarization of macrophages in vitro was determined by flow-cytometric phenotyping and secretion of cytokines and chemokines in cell-free supernatants by multiplex bead assay. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Our study shows that IL-34 is produced at the fetal-maternal interface by both placental cyto- and syncytiotrophoblasts and decidual stromal cells. We also show that IL-34, in vitro, is able to polarize blood monocytes into macrophages with a phenotype (CD14highCD163+CD209+) and cytokine secretion pattern similar to that of decidual macrophages. The IL-34-induced phenotype was similar, but not identical to the phenotype induced by M-CSF, and both IL-34- and M-CSF-induced macrophages were significantly different (P < 0.05-0.0001 depending on marker) from GM-CSF-polarized M1-like macrophages. Our findings suggest that IL-34 is involved in the establishment of the tolerant milieu found at the fetal-maternal interface by skewing polarization of macrophages into a regulatory phenotype. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Although it is clear that IL-34 is present at the fetal-maternal interface and polarizes macrophages in vitro, its precise role in vivo remains to be established. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The recently discovered cytokine IL-34 is present at the fetal-maternal interface and has immunomodulatory properties with regard to induction of decidual macrophages, which are important for a healthy pregnancy. Knowledge of growth factors related to macrophage polarization can potentially be translated to treatment of pregnancy complications involving dysregulation of this process. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by grants from the Medical Research Council (Grant K2013-61X-22310-01-04), the Research Council of South-East Sweden (FORSS), and the County Council of Östergötland, Sweden. No author has any conflicts of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lindau
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - R B Mehta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - G E Lash
- Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, CN-510623 Guangzhou, China
| | - G Papapavlou
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - R Boij
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, County Hospital Ryhov, SE-551 85 Jönköping, Sweden
| | - G Berg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - M C Jenmalm
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - J Ernerudh
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - J Svensson-Arvelund
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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Buse E, Markert UR. The immunology of the macaque placenta: A detailed analysis and critical comparison with the human placenta. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2019; 56:118-145. [PMID: 30632863 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2018.1538200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The cynomolgus monkey is increasingly considered in toxicological research as the most appropriate model for humans due to the species' close physiological contiguity, including reproductive physiology. Here, literature on the cynomolgus monkey placenta is reviewed in regards to its similarity to the human placenta and particularly for its immunological role, which is not entirely mirrored in humans. Pertinent original data are included in this article. The cynomolgus monkey placenta is evaluated based on three aspects: first, morphological development; second, the spatial and temporal appearance of maternal and fetal immune cells and certain immune cell products of the innate and adaptive immune systems; and third, the expression of relevant immune tolerance-related molecules including the homologs of anti-human leucocyte antigen, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, FAS/FAS-L, annexin II, and progesterone. Parameters relevant to the immunological role of the placenta are evaluated from the immunologically immature stage of gestational day (GD) 50 until more mature stages close to birth. Selected comparisons are drawn with human and other laboratory animal placentas. In conclusion, the cynomolgus monkey placenta has a high degree of morphological and physiological similarity to the human placenta. However, there are differences in the topographical distribution of cell types and immune tolerance-related molecules. Three basic features are recognized: (1) the immunological capacity of the placenta changes throughout the lifetime of the organ; (2) these immunological changes include multiple parameters such as morphological adaptations, cell type involvement, and changes in immune-relevant molecule expression; and (3) the immune systems of two genetically disparate individuals (mother and child) are functionally intertwined at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Udo R Markert
- b Placenta Lab, Department of Obstetrics , University Hospital Jena , Jena , Germany
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40
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The most common causative bacteria in maternal sepsis-related deaths in Japan were group A Streptococcus: A nationwide survey. J Infect Chemother 2019; 25:41-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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41
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Pang XL, Yin TL, Yan WJ, Li J, He F, Yang J. Molecular detection of uterine innate lymphoid cells in the immunological mouse model of pregnancy loss. Int Immunopharmacol 2018; 68:1-6. [PMID: 30597415 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are newly identified members of the innate lymphocyte family, which can function as adaptive T cells and act as critical modulators of inflammatory processes within different tissues and immune diseases. The role of uterine ILCs (uILCs) has recently been elucidated alongside changes associated with normal pregnancy. However, the proportions of uterine ILCs and their role in unsuccessful pregnancy remain unclear. We analyzed the characterization of uILC subsets and the expression of signature cytokines associated with ILCs in a mouse model of unsuccessful pregnancy induced by LPS, and we describe the dynamic changes they undergo during this process. We found that mice exposed to LPS display significantly higher levels of uNK cells, and uILC3s. However, a lower proportion of uILC2s and uILC1s were detected in abortion mice. In addition, we found that abortion mice display markedly higher expression of IFN-γ and IL-A17, and lower levels of IL-5. No significant differences in the expression of IL-13 and IL-22 were observed. The findings suggest that uILCs play distinct non-redundant roles during pregnancy, and uILCs may affect maternal-fetal tolerance via IL-17A, IL-5, and IFN-γ production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Li Pang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R.C; Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development in Hubei province, Wuhan, China
| | - Tai-Lang Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R.C; Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development in Hubei province, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen-Jie Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R.C; Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development in Hubei province, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R.C; Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development in Hubei province, Wuhan, China
| | - Fan He
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Jing Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei Province, P.R.C; Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development in Hubei province, Wuhan, China.
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Dzanibe S, Jaspan HB, Zulu MZ, Kiravu A, Gray CM. Impact of maternal HIV exposure, feeding status, and microbiome on infant cellular immunity. J Leukoc Biol 2018; 105:281-289. [PMID: 30577072 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.mr0318-120r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
At least one-third of infants born in sub-Saharan Africa have been exposed to the effects of maternal HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment. Intrauterine HIV exposure is associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality in children. Although the mechanisms responsible for poor infant health with HIV-1 exposure are likely to be multifactorial, we posit that the maternal environment during gestation and in the perinatal period results in altered infant immunity and is possibly the strongest contributing factor responsible for the disproportionally high infectious events among HIV-exposed infants who remain HIV uninfected. This review provides a synthesis of studies reporting the impact of intrauterine HIV exposure, feeding practices, and microbiota on immune ontogeny in the first year of life in HIV-exposed uninfected infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonwabile Dzanibe
- Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather B Jaspan
- Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Seattle Children's Research Institute and Departments of Paediatrics and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael Z Zulu
- Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Agano Kiravu
- Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Clive M Gray
- Division of Immunology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,National Health Laboratory Services, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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Geldenhuys J, Rossouw TM, Lombaard HA, Ehlers MM, Kock MM. Disruption in the Regulation of Immune Responses in the Placental Subtype of Preeclampsia. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1659. [PMID: 30079067 PMCID: PMC6062603 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder, of which one of its major subtypes, the placental subtype is considered a response to an ischemic placental environment, impacting fetal growth and pregnancy outcome. Inflammatory immune responses have been linked to metabolic and inflammatory disorders as well as reproductive failures. In healthy pregnancy, immune regulatory mechanisms prevent excessive systemic inflammation. However, in preeclampsia, the regulation of immune responses is disrupted as a result of aberrant activation of innate immune cells and imbalanced differentiation of T-helper cell subsets creating a cytotoxic environment in utero. Recognition events that facilitate immune interaction between maternal decidual T cells, NK cells, and cytotrophoblasts are considered an indirect cause of the incomplete remodeling of spiral arteries in preeclampsia. The mechanisms involved include the activation of immune cells and the subsequent secretion of cytokines and placental growth factors affecting trophoblast invasion, angiogenesis, and eventually placentation. In this review, we focus on the role of excessive systemic inflammation as the result of a dysregulated immune system in the development of preeclampsia. These include insufficient control of inflammation, failure of tolerance toward paternal antigens at the fetal-maternal interface, and subsequent over- or insufficient activation of immune mediators. It is also possible that external stimuli, such as bacterial endotoxin, may contribute to the excessive systemic inflammation in preeclampsia by stimulating the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, a disrupted immune system might be a predisposing factor or result of placental oxidative stress or excessive inflammation in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can thus be considered a hyperinflammatory state associated with defective regulation of the immune system proposed as a key element in the pathological events of the placental subtype of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janri Geldenhuys
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Theresa Marie Rossouw
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Hendrik Andries Lombaard
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Wits Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Research Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Marthie Magdaleen Ehlers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Tshwane Academic Division, National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Marleen Magdalena Kock
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Tshwane Academic Division, National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa
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Changes in intestinal gene expression and microbiota composition during late pregnancy are mouse strain dependent. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10001. [PMID: 29968760 PMCID: PMC6030191 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28292-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hormones and placental factors are thought to underlie the maternal immunological changes during pregnancy. However, as several intestinal microbiota are linked to immune modulations, we hypothesized that the intestinal microbiota are altered during pregnancy in favor of species associated with pregnancy associated immune modulations. We studied the fecal microbiota composition (MITchip) and intestinal and peripheral immune cells (microarray and flow cytometry) in pregnant and non-pregnant C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. Pregnancy influenced intestinal microbiota diversity and composition, however in a mouse strain dependent way. Pregnant BALB/c mice had, among others, a relative higher abundance of Lactobacillus paracasei et rel., Roseburia intestinalis et rel. and Eubacterium hallii et rel., as compared to non-pregnant BALB/c mice, while the microbiota composition in B6 mice hardly changed during pregnancy. Additionally, intestinal immunological pathways were changed during pregnancy, however again in a mouse strain dependent way. Correlations between various bacteria and immunological genes were observed. Our data do support a role for the microbiome in changing immune responses in pregnancy. However, other factors are also involved, such as for instance changes in SCFA or changes in sensitivity to bacteria, since although immunological changes are observed in B6 mice, hardly any changes in microbiota were found in this strain. Follow up studies are needed to study the exact relationship between these parameters.
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von Chamier M, Reyes L, Hayward LF, Brown MB. Impact of gestational nicotine exposure on intrauterine and fetal infection in a rodent model. Biol Reprod 2018; 96:1071-1084. [PMID: 28419180 PMCID: PMC5803783 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the interaction between prenatal nicotine exposure and intrauterine infection using established rat models. Beginning at gestation day (GD) 6, dams were continuously infused with either saline or 6 mg/kg/day nicotine (Nic). At GD 14, dams received either sterile broth or 105 colony-forming units Mycoplasma pulmonis (MP), resulting in four treatment groups: control (4 dams, 33 fetal units); MP only (5 dams, 55 fetal units); Nic only (5 dams, 61 fetal units), and Nic + MP (7 dams, 82 fetal units). At GD 18, nicotine exposure significantly increased (P ≤ 0.02) the percentage of amniotic fluids and fetuses infected by MP but did not impact colonization rates of maternal sites. Nicotine exposure significantly reduced the numbers of MP in the placenta required for high microbial loads (≥104 color-changing units) in the amniotic fluid (P < 0.01). Fetal inflammatory response lesions were most extensive in the Nic only and Nic + MP groups (P < 0.0001). Control and MP only placentas were interleukin (IL)10-dominant, consistent with an M2/Th2 environment. Placentas exposed to nicotine shifted to a neutral environment, with equivalent levels of interferon gamma (IFNG) and IL10. Both IL6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels in amniotic fluid were highly elevated when both nicotine and infection were present. Our study suggests that prenatal exposure to nicotine increases the risk for intrauterine infection, lowers the infectious dose required to breach the placental barrier and infect the amniotic fluid and fetus, and alters the pathology and inflammatory profile associated with maternal and fetal sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria von Chamier
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Leticia Reyes
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.,Department of Pathobiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin
| | - Linda F Hayward
- Department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mary B Brown
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Effects of low molecular weight heparin on the polarization and cytokine profile of macrophages and T helper cells in vitro. Sci Rep 2018. [PMID: 29520033 PMCID: PMC5843640 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22418-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is widely used in recurrent miscarriage treatment. The anti-coagulant effects are established, while immunological effects are not fully known. Our aim was to assess LMWH effects on activation and polarization of central regulatory immune cells from healthy women, and on placenta tissues from women undergoing elective abortions. Isolated blood monocytes and T helper (Th) cells under different activation and polarizing conditions were cultured with or without LMWH. Flow cytometry showed that LMWH exposure induced increased expression of HLA-DR and CD206 in macrophages. This phenotype was associated with increased secretion of Th17-associated CCL20, and decreased secretion of CCL2 (M2-associated) and CCL22 (Th2), as measured by multiplex bead array. In accordance, LMWH exposure to Th cells reduced the proportion of CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T-cells, intensified IFN-γ secretion and showed a tendency to increase the lymphoblast proportions. Collectively, a mainly pro-inflammatory effect was noted on two essential tolerance-promoting cells. Although the biological significancies of these in vitro findings are uncertain and need to be confirmed in vivo, they suggest the possibility that immunological effects of LMWH may be beneficial mainly at an earlier gestational age to provide an appropriate implantation process in women with recurrent miscarriage.
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Gustafsson AM, Fransson E, Dubicke A, Hjelmstedt AK, Ekman-Ordeberg G, Silfverdal SA, Lange S, Jennische E, Bohlin K. Low levels of anti-secretory factor in placenta are associated with preterm birth and inflammation. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2018; 97:349-356. [DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Gustafsson
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Neonatology; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Emma Fransson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Aurelija Dubicke
- Department of Women's and Children's Health; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Anna K. Hjelmstedt
- Department of Women's and Children's Health; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Gunvor Ekman-Ordeberg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
| | | | - Stefan Lange
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology; Institute of Biomedicine; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Eva Jennische
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology; Institute of Biomedicine; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Kajsa Bohlin
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology; Karolinska Institutet; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Neonatology; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
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Food Aversions and Cravings during Pregnancy on Yasawa Island, Fiji. HUMAN NATURE-AN INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE 2017; 27:296-315. [PMID: 27180176 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-016-9262-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Women often experience novel food aversions and cravings during pregnancy. These appetite changes have been hypothesized to work alongside cultural strategies as adaptive responses to the challenges posed by pregnancy (e.g., maternal immune suppression). Here, we report a study that assessed whether data from an indigenous population in Fiji are consistent with the predictions of this hypothesis. We found that aversions focus predominantly on foods expected to exacerbate the challenges of pregnancy. Cravings focus on foods that provide calories and micronutrients while posing few threats to mothers and fetuses. We also found that women who experience aversions to specific foods are more likely to crave foods that meet nutritional needs similar to those provided by the aversive foods. These findings are in line with the predictions of the hypothesis. This adds further weight to the argument that appetite changes may function in parallel with cultural mechanisms to solve pregnancy challenges.
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Lekva T, Norwitz ER, Aukrust P, Ueland T. Impact of Systemic Inflammation on the Progression of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Curr Diab Rep 2016; 16:26. [PMID: 26879309 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-016-0715-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
With increasing rates of obesity and new diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the overall prevalence of GDM is increasing worldwide. Women with GDM have an increased risk of maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy as well as long-term risks including higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. In recent years, the role of immune activation and inflammation in the pathogenesis of GDM has gained increasing attention. This monograph explores the current state of the literature as regards the expression of markers of inflammation in the maternal circulation, placenta, and adipose tissue of women with GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Lekva
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0027, Oslo, Norway.
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02116, USA.
| | - Errol R Norwitz
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02116, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Pål Aukrust
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0027, Oslo, Norway.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Thor Ueland
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Sognsvannsveien 20, 0027, Oslo, Norway.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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50
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van der Hoeven NW, Hollander MR, Yıldırım C, Jansen MF, Teunissen PF, Horrevoets AJ, van der Pouw Kraan TCTM, van Royen N. The emerging role of galectins in cardiovascular disease. Vascul Pharmacol 2016; 81:31-41. [PMID: 26945624 DOI: 10.1016/j.vph.2016.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Galectins are an ancient family of β-galactoside-specific lectins and consist of 15 different types, each with a specific function. They play a role in the immune system, inflammation, wound healing and carcinogenesis. In particular the role of galectin in cancer is widely studied. Lately, the role of galectins in the development of cardiovascular disease has gained attention. Worldwide cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death. In ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis limits adequate blood flow. Angiogenesis and arteriogenesis are highly important mechanisms relieving ischemia by restoring perfusion to the post-stenotic myocardial area. Galectins act ambiguous, both relieving ischemia and accelerating atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can ultimately lead to myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke, which are both associated with galectins. There is also a role for galectins in the development of myocarditis by their influence on inflammatory processes. Moreover, galectin acts as a biomarker for the severity of myocardial ischemia and heart failure. This review summarizes the association between galectins and the development of multiple cardiovascular diseases such as myocarditis, ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Furthermore it focuses on the association between galectin and more general mechanisms such as angiogenesis, arteriogenesis and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurits R Hollander
- Department of Cardiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cansu Yıldırım
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs F Jansen
- Department of Cardiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul F Teunissen
- Department of Cardiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton J Horrevoets
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Niels van Royen
- Department of Cardiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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