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Tjon JK, Lakeman P, van Leeuwen E, Waisfisz Q, Weiss MM, Tan-Sindhunata GMB, Nikkels PGJ, van der Voorn PJP, Salomons GS, Burchell GL, Linskens IH, van der Knoop BJ, de Vries JIP. Fetal akinesia deformation sequence and massive perivillous fibrin deposition resulting in fetal death in six fetuses from one consanguineous couple, including literature review. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1827. [PMID: 34636181 PMCID: PMC8606203 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPFD) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and is mainly caused by maternal factors with limited involvement of fetal or genetic causes. We present one consanguineous couple with six fetuses developing Fetal Akinesia Deformation Sequence (FADS) and MPFD, with a possible underlying genetic cause. This prompted a literature review on prevalence of FADS and MPFD. Methods Fetal ultrasound examination, motor assessment, genetic testing, postmortem examination, and placenta histology are presented (2009–2019). Literature was reviewed for the association between congenital anomalies and MPFD. Results All six fetuses developed normally during the first trimester. Thereafter, growth restriction, persistent flexed position, abnormal motility, and contractures in 4/6, consistent with FADS occurred. All placentas showed histologically confirmed MPFD. Genetic analyses in the five available cases showed homozygosity for two variants of unknown significance in two genes, VARS1 (OMIM*192150) and ABCF1 (OMIM*603429). Both parents are heterozygous for these variants. From 63/1999 manuscripts, 403 fetal outcomes were mobilized. In 14/403 fetuses, congenital abnormalities in association with MPFD were seen of which two fetuses with contractures/FADS facial anomalies. Conclusion The low prevalence of fetal contractures/FADS facial anomalies in association with MPFD in the literature review supports the possible fetal or genetic contribution causing FADS and MPFD in our family. This study with literature review supports the finding that fetal, fetoplacental, and/or genetic components may play a role in causing a part of MPFDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill K Tjon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Phillis Lakeman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth van Leeuwen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Quinten Waisfisz
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjan M Weiss
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gita M B Tan-Sindhunata
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter G J Nikkels
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Gajja S Salomons
- Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - George L Burchell
- Medical Library, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg H Linskens
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bloeme J van der Knoop
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna I P de Vries
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Brady CA, Williams C, Sharps MC, Shelleh A, Batra G, Heazell AEP, Crocker IP. Chronic histiocytic intervillositis: A breakdown in immune tolerance comparable to allograft rejection? Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 85:e13373. [PMID: 33155353 PMCID: PMC7988544 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) is a pregnancy disorder characterized by infiltration of maternal macrophages into the intervillous space of the human placenta, often with accompanying perivillous fibrin deposition. CHI is associated strongly with foetal growth restriction and increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Although rare, affecting 6 in every 10 000 pregnancies beyond 12 weeks' gestation, the rate of recurrence is high at 25%-100%. To date, diagnosis of CHI can only be made post-delivery upon examination of the placenta due to a lack of diagnostic biomarkers, and criteria vary across publications. No treatment options have shown proven efficacy, and CHI remains a serious obstetric conundrum. Although its underlying aetiology is unclear, due to the presence of maternal macrophages and the reported increased incidence in women with autoimmune disease, CHI is hypothesized to be an inappropriate immune response to the semi-allogeneic foetus. Given this lack of understanding, treatment approaches remain experimental with limited rationale. However, there is recent evidence that immunosuppression and antithrombotic therapies may be effective in preventing recurrence of associated adverse pregnancy outcomes. With similarities noted between the pathological features of CHI and acute rejection of solid organ transplants, further investigation of this hypothesis may provide a basis for tackling CHI and other immune-related placental conditions. This review will explore parallels between CHI and allograft rejection and identify areas requiring further confirmation and exploitation of this comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe A. Brady
- Tommy's Maternal and Fetal Health Research CentreSt. Mary’s HospitalThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Charlotte Williams
- Tommy's Maternal and Fetal Health Research CentreSt. Mary’s HospitalThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
- University of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Megan C. Sharps
- Tommy's Maternal and Fetal Health Research CentreSt. Mary’s HospitalThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Amena Shelleh
- St Mary’s HospitalManchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
| | - Gauri Batra
- Paediatric HistopathologyCentral Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
| | - Alexander E. P. Heazell
- Tommy's Maternal and Fetal Health Research CentreSt. Mary’s HospitalThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
- St Mary’s HospitalManchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
| | - Ian P. Crocker
- Tommy's Maternal and Fetal Health Research CentreSt. Mary’s HospitalThe University of ManchesterManchesterUK
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Aplin JD, Myers JE, Timms K, Westwood M. Tracking placental development in health and disease. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2020; 16:479-494. [PMID: 32601352 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-020-0372-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction arise from disorders of placental development and have some shared mechanistic features. Initiation is often rooted in the maldevelopment of a maternal-placental blood supply capable of providing for the growth requirements of the fetus in later pregnancy, without exerting undue stress on maternal body systems. Here, we review normal development of a placental bed with a safe and adequate blood supply and a villous placenta-blood interface from which nutrients and oxygen can be extracted for the growing fetus. We consider disease mechanisms that are intrinsic to the maternal environment, the placenta or the interaction between the two. Systemic signalling from the endocrine placenta targets the maternal endothelium and multiple organs to adjust metabolism for an optimal pregnancy and later lactation. This signalling capacity is skewed when placental damage occurs and can deliver a dangerous pathogenic stimulus. We discuss the placental secretome including glycoproteins, microRNAs and extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers of disease. Angiomodulatory mediators, currently the only effective biomarkers, are discussed alongside non-invasive imaging approaches to the prediction of disease risk. Identifying the signs of impending pathology early enough to intervene and ameliorate disease in later pregnancy remains a complex and challenging objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Aplin
- Maternal and Fetal Health Group, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK.
| | - Jenny E Myers
- Maternal and Fetal Health Group, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Kate Timms
- Lydia Becker Institute of Inflammation and Immunology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Melissa Westwood
- Maternal and Fetal Health Group, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
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