Population-based plasma lipidomics reveals developmental changes in metabolism and signatures of obesity risk: a mother-offspring cohort study

Lipidomics and plasma hormone analysis differentiate reproductive and pregnancy statuses in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) are protected as a threatened species, and data are lacking regarding their reproductive physiology. This study aimed to (1) quantify plasma steroid hormones in Florida manatees from two field sites, Crystal River and Indian River Lagoon, at different gestational stages and to (2) identify individual lipids associated with pregnancy status. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric analysis was used to measure plasma steroid hormones and lipids. Pregnant female manatees were morphometrically distinct from male and non-pregnant female manatees, characterized by larger body weight and maximal girth. Progesterone concentrations in manatees were also elevated during early gestation versus late gestation. Cholesterol, an important metabolic lipid, and precursor for reproductive steroids, was not different between groups. Mass spectrometry quantified 949 lipids. Plasma concentrations of glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, sphingolipids, acylcarnitines, and cholesteryl esters were associated with pregnancy status in the Florida manatee. Most of the lipid species associated with pregnancy were triacylglycerides, phosphatidylethanolamines, and ether-linked phosphatidylethanolamines, which may serve as energy sources for fetal development. This research contributes to improving knowledge of manatee reproductive physiology by providing data on plasma steroid hormones relative to reproductive status and by identifying plasma lipids that may be important for pregnancy. Elucidation of lipid species directly associated with pregnancy has the potential to serve as a diagnostic approach to identify pregnant individuals in fresh and archived samples. These biochemical and morphometric indicators of reproductive status advance the understanding of manatee physiology.

Longitudinal lipidomic profiles during pregnancy and associations with neonatal anthropometry: findings from a multiracial cohort

BACKGROUND

Maternal lipidomic profiling offers promise for characterizing lipid metabolites during pregnancy, but longitudinal data are limited. This study aimed to examine associations of longitudinal lipidomic profiles during pregnancy with multiple neonatal anthropometry using data from a multiracial cohort.

METHODS

We measured untargeted plasma lipidome profiles among 321 pregnant women from the NICHD Fetal Growth Study-Singletons using plasma samples collected longitudinally during four study visits at gestational weeks (GW) 10-14, 15-26, 23-31, and 33-39, respectively. We evaluated individual lipidomic metabolites at each study visit in association with neonatal anthropometry. We also evaluated the associations longitudinally by constructing lipid networks using weighted correlation network analysis and common networks using consensus network analysis across four visits using linear mixed-effects models with the adjustment of false discover rate.

FINDINGS

Multiple triglycerides (TG) were positively associated with birth weight (BW), BW Z-score, length and head circumference, while some cholesteryl ester (CE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelines (SM), phosphatidylethanolamines (PE), and lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC 20:3) families were inversely associated with BW, length, abdominal and head circumference at different GWs. Longitudinal trajectories of TG, PC, and glucosylcermides (GlcCer) were associated with BW, and CE (18:2) with BW z-score, length, and sum of skinfolds (SS), while some PC and PE were significantly associated with abdominal and head circumference. Modules of TG at GW 10-14 and 15-26 mainly were associated with BW. At GW 33-39, two networks of LPC (20:3) and of PC, TG, and CE, showed inverse associations with abdominal circumference. Distinct trajectories within two consensus modules with changes in TG, CE, PC, and LPC showed significant differences in BW and length.

INTERPRETATION

The results demonstrated that longitudinal changes of TGs during early- and mid-pregnancy and changes of PC, LPC, and CE during late-pregnancy were significantly associated with neonatal anthropometry.

FUNDING

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development intramural funding.

Maternal weight, blood lipids, and the offspring weight trajectories during infancy and early childhood in twin pregnancies

BACKGROUND

The intrauterine environment has a profound and long-lasting influence on the health of the offspring. However, its impact on the postnatal catch-up growth of twin children remains unclarified. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the maternal factors in pregnancy associated with twin offspring growth.

METHODS

This study included 3142 live twin children born to 1571 mothers from the Beijing Birth Cohort Study conducted from 2016 to 2021 in Beijing, China. Original and corrected weight-for-age standard deviation scores of the twin offspring from birth to 36 months of age were calculated according to the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. The corresponding weight trajectories were identified by the latent trajectory model. Maternal factors in pregnancy associated with the weight trajectories of the twin offspring were examined after adjustment for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Five weight trajectories of the twin children were identified, with 4.9% (154/3142) exhibiting insufficient catch-up growth, 30.6% (961/3142), and 46.8% (1469/3142) showing adequate catch-up growth from different birth weights, and 15.0% (472/3142) and 2.7% (86/3142) showing various degrees of excessive catch-up growth. Maternal short stature [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.691, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.563-0.848, P = 0.0004] and lower total gestational weight gain (GWG) (adjusted OR = 0.774, 95% CI = 0.616-0.972, P = 0.03) were associated with insufficient catch-up growth of the offspring. Maternal stature (adjusted OR = 1.331, 95% CI = 1.168-1.518, P < 0.001), higher pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (adjusted OR = 1.230, 95% CI = 1.090-1.387, P < 0.001), total GWG (adjusted OR = 1.207, 95% CI = 1.068-1.364, P = 0.002), GWG rate (adjusted OR = 1.165, 95% CI = 1.027-1.321, P = 0.02), total cholesterol (TC) (adjusted OR = 1.150, 95% CI = 1.018-1.300, P = 0.03) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (adjusted OR = 1.177, 95% CI = 1.041-1.330) in early pregnancy were associated with excessive growth of the offspring. The pattern of weight trajectories was similar between monochorionic and dichorionic twins. Maternal height, pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG, TC and LDL-C in early pregnancy were positively associated with excess growth in dichorionic twins, yet a similar association was observed only between maternal height and postnatal growth in monochorionic twins.

CONCLUSION

This study identified the effect of maternal stature, weight status, and blood lipid profiles during pregnancy on postnatal weight trajectories of the twin offspring, thereby providing a basis for twin pregnancy management to improve the long-term health of the offspring.

Recent advances towards mass spectrometry-based clinical lipidomics

The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest methodological advancements and emerging patterns in utilizing lipidomics in clinical research.In this review, we assess the recent advancements in lipidomics methodologies that exhibit high levels of selectivity and sensitivity, capable of generating numerous molecular lipid species from limited quantities of biological matrices. The reviewed studies demonstrate that molecular lipid signatures offer new opportunities for precision medicine by providing sensitive diagnostic tools for disease prediction and monitoring. Moreover, the latest innovations in microsampling techniques have the potential to make a substantial contribution to clinical lipidomics. The review also shows that more work is needed to harmonize results across diverse lipidomics platforms and avoid significant errors in analysis and reporting. The increased implementation of internal standards and standard reference materials in analytical workflows will aid in this direction.

Fetal sex differences in placental LCPUFA ether and plasmalogen phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine contents in pregnancies complicated by obesity

BACKGROUND

We have previously reported that maternal obesity reduces placental transport capacity for lysophosphatidylcholine-docosahexaenoic acid (LPC-DHA), a preferred form for transfer of DHA (omega 3) to the fetal brain, but only in male fetuses. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC), have either sn-1 ester, ether or vinyl ether (plasmalogen) linkages to primarily unsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and DHA or arachidonic acid (ARA, omega 6) in the sn-2 position. Whether ether and plasmalogen PC and PE metabolism in placenta impacts transfer to the fetus is unexplored. We hypothesized that ether and plasmalogen PC and PE containing DHA and ARA are reduced in maternal-fetal unit in pregnancies complicated by obesity and these differences are dependent on fetal sex.

METHODS

In maternal, umbilical cord plasma and placentas from obese women (11 female/5 male infants) and normal weight women (9 female/7 male infants), all PC and PE species containing DHA and ARA were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Placental protein expression of enzymes involved in phospholipid synthesis, were determined by immunoblotting. All variables were compared between control vs obese groups and separated by fetal sex, in each sample using the Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate adjustment to account for multiple testing.

RESULTS

Levels of ester PC containing DHA and ARA were profoundly reduced by 60-92% in male placentas of obese mothers, while levels of ether and plasmalogen PE containing DHA and ARA were decreased by 51-84% in female placentas. PLA2G4C abundance was lower in male placentas and LPCAT4 abundance was lower solely in females in obesity. In umbilical cord, levels of ester, ether and plasmalogen PC and PE with DHA were reduced by 43-61% in male, but not female, fetuses of obese mothers.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a fetal sex effect in placental PE and PC ester, ether and plasmalogen PE and PC containing DHA in response to maternal obesity which appears to reflect an ability of female placentas to adapt to maintain optimal fetal DHA transfer in maternal obesity.

Lipidomic Approaches in Common and Rare Cerebrovascular Diseases: The Discovery of Unconventional Lipids as Novel Biomarkers

Stroke remains a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Identifying new circulating biomarkers able to distinguish and monitor common and rare cerebrovascular diseases that lead to stroke is of great importance. Biomarkers provide complementary information that may improve diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of progression as well. Furthermore, biomarkers can contribute to filling the gap in knowledge concerning the underlying disease mechanisms by pointing out novel potential therapeutic targets for personalized medicine. If many "conventional" lipid biomarkers are already known to exert a relevant role in cerebrovascular diseases, the aim of our study is to review novel "unconventional" lipid biomarkers that have been recently identified in common and rare cerebrovascular disorders using novel, cutting-edge lipidomic approaches.

Plasma lipids are dysregulated preceding diagnosis of preeclampsia or delivery of a growth restricted infant

BACKGROUND

Lipids serve as multifunctional metabolites that have important implications for the pregnant mother and developing fetus. Abnormalities in lipids have emerged as potential risk factors for pregnancy diseases, such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of lipid metabolites for detection of late-onset preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction.

METHODS

We used a case-cohort of 144 maternal plasma samples at 36 weeks' gestation from patients before the diagnosis of late-onset preeclampsia (n = 22), delivery of a fetal growth restricted infant (n = 55, defined as <5th birthweight centile), gestation-matched controls (n = 72). We performed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ) -based targeted lipidomics to identify 421 lipids, and fitted logistic regression models for each lipid, correcting for maternal age, BMI, smoking, and gestational diabetes.

FINDINGS

Phosphatidylinositol 32:1 (AUC = 0.81) and cholesterol ester 17:1 (AUC = 0.71) best predicted the risk of developing preeclampsia or delivering a fetal growth restricted infant, respectively. Five times repeated five-fold cross validation demonstrated the lipids alone did not out-perform existing protein biomarkers, soluble tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) for the prediction of preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction. However, lipids combined with sFlt-1 and PlGF measurements improved disease prediction.

INTERPRETATION

This study successfully identified 421 lipids in maternal plasma collected at 36 weeks' gestation from participants who later developed preeclampsia or delivered a fetal growth restricted infant. Our results suggest the predictive capacity of lipid measurements for gestational disorders holds the potential to improve non-invasive assessment of maternal and fetal health.

FUNDING

This study was funded by a grant from National Health and Medical Research Council.

Maternal preconception BMI and gestational weight gain are associated with weight retention and maternal and child body fat at 6-7 years postpartum in the PRECONCEPT cohort

Background

There is limited evidence from prospective cohorts in low-resource settings on the long-term impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index (PPBMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on postpartum weight retention (PPWR) and maternal and child body composition.

Objectives

We examined the associations between PPBMI and timing of GWG on PPWR at 1, 2, and 6-7 years and maternal and child percent body fat at 6-7 years.

Methods

We used data from the PRECONCEPT study (NCT01665378) that included prospectively collected data on 864 mother-child pairs from preconception through 6-7 years postpartum. The key outcomes were PPWR at 1, 2, and 6-7 years, and maternal and child percent body fat at 6-7 years that was measured using bioelectric impedance. Maternal conditional GWG (CGWG) was defined as window-specific weight gains (< 20wk, 21-29wk, and  ≥ 30wk), uncorrelated with PPBMI and all prior body weights. PPBMI and CGWG were calculated as standardized z-scores to allow for relative comparisons of a 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in weight gain for each window. We used multivariable linear regressions to examine the associations, adjusting for baseline demographic characteristics, intervention, breastfeeding practices, diet and physical activity.

Results

Mean (SD) PPBMI and GWG were 19.7 (2.1) kg/m² and 10.2 (4.0) kg, respectively. Average PPWR at 1, 2, and 6-7 years was 1.1, 1.5 and 4.3 kg, respectively. A one SD increase in PPBMI was associated with a decrease in PPWR at 1 year (β [95% CI]: -0.21 [-0.37, -0.04]) and 2 years (-0.20 [-0.39, -0.01]); while a one SD in total CGWG was associated with an increase in PPWR at 1 year (1.01 [0.85,1.18]), 2 years (0.95 [0.76, 1.15]) and 6-7 years (1.05 [0.76, 1.34]). Early CGWG (< 20 weeks) had the greatest association with PPWR at each time point as well as with maternal (0.67 [0.07, 0.87]) and child (0.42 [0.15, 0.69]) percent body fat at 6-7 years.

Conclusion

Maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy may have long-term implications for PPWR and body composition. Interventions should consider targeting women preconception and early in pregnancy to optimize maternal and child health outcomes.

Untargeted Lipidomic Profiling Reveals Lysophosphatidylcholine and Ceramide as Atherosclerotic Risk Factors in apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice

Despite the availability and use of numerous cholesterol-lowering drugs, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the leading cause of mortality globally. Many researchers have focused their effort on identifying modified lipoproteins. However, lipid moieties such as lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and ceramide (CER) contribute to atherogenic events. LPC and CER both cause endothelial mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to fatty acid and triglyceride (TG) accumulation. In addition, they cause immune cells to differentiate into proinflammatory phenotypes. To uncover alternative therapeutic approaches other than cholesterol- and TG-lowering medications, we conducted untargeted lipidomic investigations to assess the alteration of lipid profiles in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE^-/-) mouse model, with or without feeding a high-fat diet (HFD). Results indicated that, in addition to hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia, LPC levels were two to four times higher in apoE^-/- mice compared to wild-type mice in C57BL/6 background, regardless of whether they were 8 or 16 weeks old. Sphingomyelin (SM) and CER were elevated three- to five-fold in apoE^-/- mice both at the basal level and after 16 weeks when compared to wild-type mice. After HFD treatment, the difference in CER levels elevated more than ten-fold. Considering the atherogenic properties of LPC and CER, they may also contribute to the early onset of atherosclerosis in apoE^-/- mice. In summary, the HFD-fed apoE^-/- mouse shows elevated LPC and CER contents and is a suitable model for developing LPC- and CER-lowering therapies.

Clinical lipidomics in the era of the big data

Lipidomics as a branch of metabolomics provides unique information on the complex lipid profile in biological materials. In clinically focused studies, hundreds of lipids together with available clinical information proved to be an effective tool in the discovery of biomarkers and understanding of pathobiochemistry. However, despite the introduction of lipidomics nearly twenty years ago, only dozens of big data studies using clinical lipidomics have been published to date. In this review, we discuss the lipidomics workflow, statistical tools, and the challenges of standartisation. The consequent summary divided into major clinical areas of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative and liver diseases is demonstrating the importance of clinical lipidomics. In these publications, the potential of lipidomics for prediction, diagnosis or finding new targets for the treatment of selected diseases can be seen. The first of these results have already been implemented in clinical practice in the field of cardiovascular diseases, while in other areas we can expect the application of the results summarized in this review in the near future.

Plasma lipidomic profiling reveals metabolic adaptations to pregnancy and signatures of cardiometabolic risk: a preconception and longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Adaptations in lipid metabolism are essential to meet the physiological demands of pregnancy and any aberration may result in adverse outcomes for both mother and offspring. However, there is a lack of population-level studies to define the longitudinal changes of maternal circulating lipids from preconception to postpartum in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors.

METHODS

LC-MS/MS-based quantification of 689 lipid species was performed on 1595 plasma samples collected at three time points in a preconception and longitudinal cohort, Singapore PREconception Study of long-Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO). We mapped maternal plasma lipidomic profiles at preconception (N = 976), 26-28 weeks' pregnancy (N = 337) and 3 months postpartum (N = 282) to study longitudinal lipid changes and their associations with cardiometabolic risk factors including pre-pregnancy body mass index, body weight changes and glycaemic traits.

RESULTS

Around 56% of the lipids increased and 24% decreased in concentration in pregnancy before returning to the preconception concentration at postpartum, whereas around 11% of the lipids went through significant changes in pregnancy and their concentrations did not revert to the preconception concentrations. We observed a significant association of body weight changes with lipid changes across different physiological states, and lower circulating concentrations of phospholipids and sphingomyelins in pregnant mothers with higher pre-pregnancy BMI. Fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations were lower whereas the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), 2-h post-load glucose and fasting insulin concentrations were higher in pregnancy as compared to both preconception and postpartum. Association studies of lipidomic profiles with these glycaemic traits revealed their respective lipid signatures at three physiological states. Assessment of glycaemic traits in relation to the circulating lipids at preconception with a large sample size (n = 936) provided an integrated view of the effects of hyperglycaemia on plasma lipidomic profiles. We observed a distinct relationship of lipidomic profiles with different measures, with the highest percentage of significant lipids associated with HOMA-IR (58.9%), followed by fasting insulin concentration (56.9%), 2-h post-load glucose concentration (41.8%), HbA1c (36.7%), impaired glucose tolerance status (31.6%) and fasting glucose concentration (30.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

We describe the longitudinal landscape of maternal circulating lipids from preconception to postpartum, and a comprehensive view of trends and magnitude of pregnancy-induced changes in lipidomic profiles. We identified lipid signatures linked with cardiometabolic risk traits with potential implications both in pregnancy and postpartum life. Our findings provide insights into the metabolic adaptations and potential biomarkers of modifiable risk factors in childbearing women that may help in better assessment of cardiometabolic health, and early intervention at the preconception period.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03531658.

Maternal factors during pregnancy influencing maternal, fetal, and childhood outcomes

Enhancing pregnancy health is known to improve the mother's and offspring's life-long well-being. The maternal environment, encompassing genetic factors, impacts of social determinants, the nutritional/metabolic milieu, and infections and inflammation, have immediate consequences for the in utero development of the fetus and long-term programming into childhood and adulthood. Moreover, adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth or preeclampsia, often attributed to the maternal environmental factors listed above, have been associated with poor maternal cardiometabolic health after pregnancy. In this BMC Medicine article collection, we explore a broad spectrum of maternal characteristics across pregnancy and postnatal phenotypes, anticipating substantial cross-fertilization of new understanding and shared mechanisms around diverse outcomes. Advances in the ability to leverage 'omics across different platforms (genome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, microbiome, lipidome), large high-dimensional population databases, and unique cohorts are generating exciting new insights: The first articles in this collection highlight the role of placental biomarkers of preterm birth, metabolic influences on fetal and childhood growth, and the impact of common pre-existing maternal disorders, obesity and smoking on pregnancy outcomes, and the child's health. As the collection grows, we look forward to seeing the connections emerge across maternal, fetal, and childhood outcomes that will foster new insights and preventative strategies for women.

Developmental origins of adult diseases

The occurrence and mechanisms of developmental adult diseases have gradually attracted attention in recent years. Exposure of gametes and embryos to adverse environments, especially during plastic development, can alter the expression of certain tissue-specific genes, leading to increased susceptibility to certain diseases in adulthood, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric, and reproductive system diseases, etc. The occurrence of chronic disease in adulthood is partly due to genetic factors, and the remaining risk is partly due to environmental-dependent epigenetic information alteration, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs. Changes in this epigenetic information potentially damage our health, which has also been supported by numerous epidemiological and animal studies in recent years. Environmental factors functionally affect embryo development through epimutation, transmitting diseases to offspring and even later generations. This review mainly elaborated on the concept of developmental origins of adult diseases, and revealed the epigenetic mechanisms underlying these events, discussed the theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.