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Çetin Ç, Bakar RZ, Takmaz T, Pasin Ö, Kütük MS. The effects of maternal smoking on fetal cranial development. Findings from routine midtrimester sonographic anomaly screening. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2023; 43:2176205. [PMID: 36772953 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2023.2176205] [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: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of continued smoking before and during pregnancy on mid-trimester fetal head development. A total of 250 pregnant women enrolled in the study. All participants were confirmed to be smokers or non-smokers by verifying breath carbon monoxide readings. Biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), lateral ventricle (LV), and cisterna magna (CM) were evaluated by ultrasound between 20-22 weeks of pregnancy. Gender and gestational age-adjusted BPD z- scores were not statistically different between smokers and non-smokers (-0.75 ± 1.6 vs -0.51 ± 1, p = .3). HC measurements and z- scores were significantly lower in the smoking group than in the non-smoking groups (183.38 ± 14.56 vs. 189.28 ± 12.53, p = .003, 0.18 ± 1.39 multiple of median (MoM) vs. 0.56 ± 0.92, respectively, p = .023). At linear regression analysis, maternal smoking was the only independent factor associated with fetal HC z score (p = .041). In conclusion, continued smoking during pregnancy reduces fetal HC and has no effect on BPD, LV, or CM measurements at mid-gestation.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Smoking during pregnancy is one of the most common environmental factors affecting fetal and neonatal growth and well-being. Despite the well-known effects of smoking on somatic growth, current studies have shown that it selectively affects some parts of the fetal brain, even in appropriately growing fetuses.What do the results of this study add? Continued smoking during pregnancy reduces fetal HC and has no effect on BPD, LV or CM measurements at mid-gestation. Since smoking is well known for its early and late childhood behavioral and neurological consequences, smaller mid-trimester fetal HC measurements should bring maternal smoking to mind as one of the potentially reversible causes.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The harmful effects of smoking start before the third trimester and antenatal counseling should be started early in the gestation. Every effort should be made to quit smoking before or early in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Çağlar Çetin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bezmialem University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rabia Zehra Bakar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bezmialem University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Taha Takmaz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özge Pasin
- Department of Biostatistics, Bezmialem University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Serdar Kütük
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bezmialem University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Torrillas de la Cal A, Paniagua-Torija B, Arevalo-Martin A, Faulkes CG, Jiménez AJ, Ferrer I, Molina-Holgado E, Garcia-Ovejero D. The Structure of the Spinal Cord Ependymal Region in Adult Humans Is a Distinctive Trait among Mammals. Cells 2021; 10:2235. [PMID: 34571884 PMCID: PMC8469235 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In species that regenerate the injured spinal cord, the ependymal region is a source of new cells and a prominent coordinator of regeneration. In mammals, cells at the ependymal region proliferate in normal conditions and react after injury, but in humans, the central canal is lost in the majority of individuals from early childhood. It is replaced by a structure that does not proliferate after damage and is formed by large accumulations of ependymal cells, strong astrogliosis and perivascular pseudo-rosettes. We inform here of two additional mammals that lose the central canal during their lifetime: the Naked Mole-Rat (NMR, Heterocephalus glaber) and the mutant hyh (hydrocephalus with hop gait) mice. The morphological study of their spinal cords shows that the tissue substituting the central canal is not similar to that found in humans. In both NMR and hyh mice, the central canal is replaced by tissue reminiscent of normal lamina X and may include small groups of ependymal cells in the midline, partially resembling specific domains of the former canal. However, no features of the adult human ependymal remnant are found, suggesting that this structure is a specific human trait. In order to shed some more light on the mechanism of human central canal closure, we provide new data suggesting that canal patency is lost by delamination of the ependymal epithelium, in a process that includes apical polarity loss and the expression of signaling mediators involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Torrillas de la Cal
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
| | - Beatriz Paniagua-Torija
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
| | - Angel Arevalo-Martin
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
| | - Christopher Guy Faulkes
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Antonio Jesús Jiménez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071 Malaga, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Malaga, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Eduardo Molina-Holgado
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
| | - Daniel Garcia-Ovejero
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
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Cumulative Damage: Cell Death in Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081911. [PMID: 34440681 PMCID: PMC8393895 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, approximately 11% of all infants are born preterm, prior to 37 weeks’ gestation. In these high-risk neonates, encephalopathy of prematurity (EoP) is a major cause of both morbidity and mortality, especially for neonates who are born very preterm (<32 weeks gestation). EoP encompasses numerous types of preterm birth-related brain abnormalities and injuries, and can culminate in a diverse array of neurodevelopmental impairments. Of note, posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus of prematurity (PHHP) can be conceptualized as a severe manifestation of EoP. PHHP impacts the immature neonatal brain at a crucial timepoint during neurodevelopment, and can result in permanent, detrimental consequences to not only cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics, but also to white and gray matter development. In this review, the relevant literature related to the diverse mechanisms of cell death in the setting of PHHP will be thoroughly discussed. Loss of the epithelial cells of the choroid plexus, ependymal cells and their motile cilia, and cellular structures within the glymphatic system are of particular interest. Greater insights into the injuries, initiating targets, and downstream signaling pathways involved in excess cell death shed light on promising areas for therapeutic intervention. This will bolster current efforts to prevent, mitigate, and reverse the consequential brain remodeling that occurs as a result of hydrocephalus and other components of EoP.
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Lavezzi AM, Mehboob R, Alfonsi G, Ferrero S. Substantia Nigra Abnormalities Provide New Insight on the Neural Mechanisms Underlying the Sleep-Arousal Phase Dysfunctions in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. ASN Neuro 2020; 12:1759091420962695. [PMID: 32993318 PMCID: PMC7545522 DOI: 10.1177/1759091420962695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to research possible developmental alterations of the substantia nigra (SN) in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a syndrome frequently attributed to arousal failure from sleep. Brain stems of 46 victims of sudden infant death, aged from 1 to about 7 months (4 to 30 postnatal weeks), were investigated. Twenty-six of these cases were diagnosed as SIDS, due to the lack of any pathological finding, while the remaining 20 cases in which the cause of death was determined at autopsy served as controls. Maternal smoking was reported in 77% of SIDS and 10% of controls. Histopathological examination of the SN was done on 5-µm-thick sections of caudal midbrain stained with both hematoxylin-eosin and Klüver-Barrera. Densitometry, immunohistochemistry and histochemistry were applied to highlight the neuronal concentration, the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, and the presence of neuromelanin (NM) in this structure. Hypoplasia of the pars compacta portion of the SN was observed in 69% of SIDS but never in controls; TH expression was significantly higher in controls than in SIDS; and NM was observed only in 4 infants of the control group but not in SIDS. A significant correlation was found between SIDS, hypoplasia/low neuronal density, low TH expression in the pars compacta, and maternal smoking. Because the SN pars compacta, being the major dopamine brain center, controls many functions, including the sleep-arousal phase, its alterations, especially concurrently with smoking exposure, may contribute to explain the pathogenesis of SIDS that occur in the great part of cases at awakening from sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Lavezzi
- "Lino Rossi" Research Center for the Study and Prevention of Unexpected Perinatal Death and SIDS, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Riffat Mehboob
- "Lino Rossi" Research Center for the Study and Prevention of Unexpected Perinatal Death and SIDS, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Graziella Alfonsi
- "Lino Rossi" Research Center for the Study and Prevention of Unexpected Perinatal Death and SIDS, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- "Lino Rossi" Research Center for the Study and Prevention of Unexpected Perinatal Death and SIDS, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Lavezzi AM, Piscioli F, Pusiol T, Jorizzo G, Ferrero S. Sudden intrauterine unexplained death: time to adopt uniform postmortem investigative guidelines? BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2019; 19:526. [PMID: 31888538 PMCID: PMC6936151 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-019-2603-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Worldwide approximately 2.6 million are stillborn, mostly occurring in developing countries. In the great part these deaths are inexplicable. The evenness and standardisation of the diagnostic criteria are prerequisites to understand their pathogenesis. The core goal of this article is to propose new evidence based investigative post-mortem guidelines that should be adopted in all the Institutions especially when a fetal death, after a routine autopsy procedure, is diagnosed as “unexplained”. The proposed protocol is mainly focused on the anatomopathological examination of the autonomic nervous system and in particular of the brainstem where the main centers that control vital functions are located. Methods Updated investigative guidelines for the examination of unexplained stillbirths, prevalently focused on the histological examination of the brainstem, where the main centers that are involved in monitoring the vital functions are located, are here presented. A section of this protocol concerns the Immunohistochemical evaluation of specific functional markers such as the neuronal nuclear antigen, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, serotonin, orexin, apoptosis and gliosis. The important role of risk factors, having regard in particular to maternal smoking and air pollution is also contemplated in these guidelines. Results Specific morphological and/or functional alterations of vital brainstem structures have been found with high incidence in over 100 cases of unexplained fetal death sent to the “Lino Rossi Research Center” of the Milan University according to the Italian law. These alterations were rarely detected in a group of control cases. Conclusions We hope this protocol can be adopted in all the Institutions notably for the examination of unexplained fetal deaths, in order to make uniform investigations. This will lead to identify a plausible explanation of the pathogenetic mechanism behind the unexplained fetal deaths and to design preventive strategies to decrease the incidence of these very distressing events for both parents and clinicians. Trial registration not applicable for this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Lavezzi
- "Lino Rossi" Research Center for the study and prevention of unexpected perinatal death and SIDS, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Via della Commenda 19, 20122, Milan, Italy.
| | | | - Teresa Pusiol
- Institute of Pathology, Hospital of Rovereto (Trento), Rovereto, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Ferrero
- "Lino Rossi" Research Center for the study and prevention of unexpected perinatal death and SIDS, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Via della Commenda 19, 20122, Milan, Italy.,Division of Pathology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Toxic Effect of Cigarette Smoke on Brainstem Nicotinic Receptor Expression: Primary Cause of Sudden Unexplained Perinatal Death. TOXICS 2018; 6:toxics6040063. [PMID: 30340403 PMCID: PMC6316297 DOI: 10.3390/toxics6040063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Among the neurotoxicants contained in tobacco smoke, if absorbed during pregnancy, nicotine significantly affects α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which play essential roles in the development of the brainstem regions receiving cholinergic projections in perinatal life. Immunohistochemical procedures for analysing formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded brainstem samples from 68 fetuses and early newborns, with smoking and non-smoking mothers, who died of known and unknown causes, were carried out in order to determine if nicotine had activated the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. High α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression levels were only observed in the victims with smoking mothers. Frequently, these findings were associated with the hypoplasia of the brainstem structures controlling vital functions. The results of this study indicate that the exposition to nicotine in pregnancy exerts a strong direct effect on α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activity especially in perinatal life and may be one of the primary risk factors leading to the sudden unexplained death of fetuses and newborns.
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Lavezzi AM, Pusiol T, Matturri L. Cytoarchitectural and functional abnormalities of the inferior colliculus in sudden unexplained perinatal death. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94:e487. [PMID: 25674737 PMCID: PMC4602737 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000000487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The inferior colliculus is a mesencephalic structure endowed with serotonergic fibers that plays an important role in the processing of acoustic information. The implication of the neuromodulator serotonin also in the aetiology of sudden unexplained fetal and infant death syndromes and the demonstration in these pathologies of developmental alterations of the superior olivary complex (SOC), a group of pontine nuclei likewise involved in hearing, prompted us to investigate whether the inferior colliculus may somehow contribute to the pathogenetic mechanism of unexplained perinatal death. Therefore, we performed in a wide set of fetuses and infants, aged from 33 gestational weeks to 7 postnatal months and died of both known and unknown cause, an in-depth anatomopathological analysis of the brainstem, particularly of the midbrain. Peculiar neuroanatomical and functional abnormalities of the inferior colliculus, such as hypoplasia/structural disarrangement and immunonegativity or poor positivity of serotonin, were exclusively found in sudden death victims, and not in controls. In addition, these alterations were frequently related to dysgenesis of connected structures, precisely the raphé nuclei and the superior olivary complex, and to nicotine absorption in pregnancy. We propose, on the basis of these results, the involvement of the inferior colliculus in more important functions than those related to hearing, as breathing and, more extensively, all the vital activities, and then in pathological conditions underlying a sudden death in vulnerable periods of the autonomic nervous system development, particularly associated to harmful risk factors as cigarette smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Lavezzi
- From the "Lino Rossi" Research Center for the Study and Prevention of Unexpected Perinatal Death and SIDS, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy (AML, LM) and Institute of Anatomic Pathology, Hospital of Rovereto (Trento), Italy (TP)
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Dušková M, Hruškovičová H, Šimůnková K, Stárka L, Pařízek A. The effects of smoking on steroid metabolism and fetal programming. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2014; 139:138-43. [PMID: 23685014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Revised: 04/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco addiction is a serious psychosocial and health problem. A pregnant woman who smokes not only influences the maternal organism, but also passes health risks on to the unborn child. A fetus exposed to maternal smoking is not only directly influenced, but is also endangered by a wide range of diseases up to his or her adult years. The components of tobacco smoke play a significant role in the development of a number of diseases for a large proportion of the smoking population, as well as among those pregnant. This article summarizes findings regarding the impacts on the production of steroid hormones - first describing the smoking-related changes in steroidogenesis in women, and then focusing on the influence of maternal smoking on the fetus's developing steroidogenesis. We assume that if during prenatal development the fetus has already been exposed to the effect of endocrine disruptors at the time fetal steroidogenesis begins fetal programming, this exposure can have serious pathophysiological effects both in the pregnancy as well as later in life. An example of such effects might be a delay in the creation of kidney adrenal androgens, which could also be evident on the level of steroid neuroactive metabolites that may influence the individual's psychological state and lead to later addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Dušková
- Institute of Endocrinology, Narodní 8, 116 94, Prague 1, Czech Republic; First Faculty of Medicine, Katerinska 32, 121 08, Praha 2, Czech Republic.
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The anti-apoptotic effect of hydrogen sulfide attenuates injuries to the medullary respiratory centers of neonatal rats subjected to in utero cigarette smoke exposure. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2013; 188:29-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2013.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Lavezzi AM, Matturri L, Del Corno G, Johanson CE. Vulnerability of fourth ventricle choroid plexus in sudden unexplained fetal and infant death syndromes related to smoking mothers. Int J Dev Neurosci 2013; 31:319-27. [PMID: 23680292 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The human choroid plexuses in the ventricular system represent the main source of cerebrospinal fluid secretion and constitute a major barrier interface that controls the brain's environment. The present study focused on the choroid plexus of the fourth ventricle, the main cavity of the brainstem containing important nuclei and/or structures mediating autonomic vital functions. In serial sections of 84 brainstems of subjects aged from 17 gestational weeks to 8 postnatal months of life, the deaths due to both known and unknown causes, we examined the cytoarchitecture and the developmental steps of the fourth ventricle choroid plexus to determine whether this structure shows morphological and/or functional alterations in unexplained perinatal deaths (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Sudden Intrauterine Unexplained Death Syndrome). High incidence of histological and immunohistochemical alterations (prevalence of epithelial dark cells, the presence of cystic cells in the stroma, decreased number of blood capillaries, hyperexpression of Substance P and apoptosis) were prevalently observed in unexplained death victims (p<0.05 vs. controls). A significant correlation was found between maternal smoking in pregnancy and choroidal neuropathological parameters (p<0.01). This work underscores the negative effects of prenatal exposure to nicotine on the development of the autonomic nervous system, and in particular of the fourth ventricle choroid plexus that is a very vulnerable structure in the developing CSF-brain system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Lavezzi
- Lino Rossi Research Center for the Study and Prevention of Unexpected Perinatal Death and SIDS, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
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Lavezzi AM, Mecchia D, Matturri L. Neuropathology of the area postrema in sudden intrauterine and infant death syndromes related to tobacco smoke exposure. Auton Neurosci 2012; 166:29-34. [PMID: 21982783 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2011.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The area postrema is a densely vascularized small protuberance at the inferoposterior limit of the fourth ventricle, outside of the blood-brain barrier. This structure, besides to induce emetic reflex in the presence of noxious chemical stimulation, has a multifunctional integrative capacity to send major and minor efferents to a variety of brain centers particularly involved in autonomic control of the cardiovascular and respiratory activities. In this study we aimed to focus on the area postrema, which is so far little studied in humans, in a large sample of subjects aged from 25 gestational weeks to 10 postnatal months, who died of unknown (sudden unexplained perinatal and infant deaths) and known causes (controls). Besides we investigated a possible link between alterations of this structure, sudden unexplained fetal and infant deaths and maternal smoking. By the application of morphological and immunohistochemical methods, we observed a significantly high incidence of alterations of the area postrema in fetal and infant victims of sudden death as compared with age-matched controls. These pathological findings, including hypoplasia, lack of vascularization, cystic formations and reactive gliosis, were related to maternal smoking. We hypothesize that components from maternal cigarette smoke, particularly in pregnancy, could affect neurons of the area postrema connected with specific nervous centers involved in the control of vital functions. In conclusion, we suggest that the area postrema should be in depth examined particularly in victims of sudden fetal or infant death with smoker mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Lavezzi
- Lino Rossi Research Center for the Study and Prevention of Unexpected Perinatal Death and SIDS, Department of Surgical, Reconstructive and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.
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Fredriksson L, Nilsson I, Su EJ, Andrae J, Ding H, Betsholtz C, Eriksson U, Lawrence DA. Platelet-derived growth factor C deficiency in C57BL/6 mice leads to abnormal cerebral vascularization, loss of neuroependymal integrity, and ventricular abnormalities. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 180:1136-1144. [PMID: 22230248 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2011.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2011] [Revised: 11/04/2011] [Accepted: 12/02/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their tyrosine kinase receptors (PDGFRs) are known to play important roles during development of the lungs, central nervous system (CNS), and skeleton and in several diseases. PDGF-C is a ligand for the tyrosine kinase receptor PDGFRα. Mutations in the gene encoding PDGF-C have been linked to clefts of the lip and/or palate in humans, and ablation of PDGF-C in 129/Sv background mice results in death during the perinatal period. In this study, we report that ablation of PDGF-C in C57BL/6 mice results in a milder phenotype than in 129/Sv mice, and we present a phenotypic characterization of PDGF-C deficiency in the adult murine CNS. Multiple congenital defects were observed in the CNS of PDGF-C-null C57BL/6 mice, including cerebral vascular abnormalities with abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell coverage. In vivo imaging of mice deficient in PDGF-C also revealed cerebral ventricular abnormalities, such as asymmetry of the lateral ventricles and hypoplasia of the septum, reminiscent of cavum septum pellucidum in humans. We further noted that PDGF-C-deficient mice displayed a distorted ependymal lining of the lateral ventricles, and we found evidence of misplaced neurons in the ventricular lining. We conclude that PDGF-C plays a critical role in the development of normal cerebral ventricles and neuroependymal integrity as well as in normal cerebral vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Fredriksson
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Vascular Biology Group, Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Nilsson
- Tissue Biology Group, Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Enming J Su
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Johanna Andrae
- Vascular Biology Group, Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hao Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Christer Betsholtz
- Vascular Biology Group, Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulf Eriksson
- Tissue Biology Group, Division of Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Daniel A Lawrence
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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