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Umapathy A, Clark A, Sehgal A, Karanam V, Rajaraman G, Kalionis B, Jones H, James J, Murthi P. Molecular regulators of defective placental and cardiovascular development in fetal growth restriction. Clin Sci (Lond) 2024; 138:761-775. [PMID: 38904187 PMCID: PMC11193155 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220428] [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: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Placental insufficiency is one of the major causes of fetal growth restriction (FGR), a significant pregnancy disorder in which the fetus fails to achieve its full growth potential in utero. As well as the acute consequences of being born too small, affected offspring are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases in later life. The placenta and heart develop concurrently, therefore placental maldevelopment and function in FGR may have profound effect on the growth and differentiation of many organ systems, including the heart. Hence, understanding the key molecular players that are synergistically linked in the development of the placenta and heart is critical. This review highlights the key growth factors, angiogenic molecules and transcription factors that are common causes of defective placental and cardiovascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anandita Umapathy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alys Clark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Bioengineering Institute, New Zealand
| | - Arvind Sehgal
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia and Monash Newborn, Monash Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Vijaya Karanam
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gayathri Rajaraman
- First year college, Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Bill Kalionis
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helen N. Jones
- Department of Physiology and Aging, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A
- Center for Research in Perinatal Outcomes, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, U.S.A
| | - Jo James
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, Bioengineering Institute, New Zealand
| | - Padma Murthi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne and Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Lamberto F, Shashikadze B, Elkhateib R, Lombardo SD, Horánszky A, Balogh A, Kistamás K, Zana M, Menche J, Fröhlich T, Dinnyés A. Low-dose Bisphenol A exposure alters the functionality and cellular environment in a human cardiomyocyte model. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122359. [PMID: 37567409 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Early embryonic development represents a sensitive time-window during which the foetus might be vulnerable to the exposure of environmental contaminants, potentially leading to heart diseases also later in life. Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical widely used in plastics manufacturing, has been associated with heart developmental defects, even in low concentrations. This study aims to investigate the effects of environmentally relevant doses of BPA on developing cardiomyocytes using a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived model. Firstly, a 2D in vitro differentiation system to obtain cardiomyocytes from hiPSCs (hiPSC-CMs) have been established and characterised to provide a suitable model for the early stages of cardiac development. Then, the effects of a repeated BPA exposure, starting from the undifferentiated stage throughout the differentiation process, were evaluated. The chemical significantly decreased the beat rate of hiPSC-CMs, extending the contraction and relaxation time in a dose-dependent manner. Quantitative proteomics analysis revealed a high abundance of basement membrane (BM) components (e.g., COL4A1, COL4A2, LAMC1, NID2) and a significant increase in TNNC1 and SERBP1 proteins in hiPSC-CMs treated with BPA. Network analysis of proteomics data supported altered extracellular matrix remodelling and provided a disease-gene association with well-known pathological conditions of the heart. Furthermore, upon hypoxia-reoxygenation challenge, hiPSC-CMs treated with BPA showed higher rate of apoptotic events. Taken together, our results revealed that a long-term treatment, even with low doses of BPA, interferes with hiPSC-CMs functionality and alters the surrounding cellular environment, providing new insights about diseases that might arise upon the toxin exposure. Our study contributes to the current understanding of BPA effects on developing human foetal cardiomyocytes, in correlation with human clinical observations and animal studies, and it provides a suitable model for New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for environmental chemical hazard and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Lamberto
- BioTalentum Ltd., Aulich Lajos Str. 26, Gödöllő, H-2100, Hungary; Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Nutrition, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, H-2100, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Bachuki Shashikadze
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Radwa Elkhateib
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Salvo Danilo Lombardo
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria; Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, 1030, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alex Horánszky
- BioTalentum Ltd., Aulich Lajos Str. 26, Gödöllő, H-2100, Hungary; Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Nutrition, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, H-2100, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Andrea Balogh
- BioTalentum Ltd., Aulich Lajos Str. 26, Gödöllő, H-2100, Hungary
| | - Kornél Kistamás
- BioTalentum Ltd., Aulich Lajos Str. 26, Gödöllő, H-2100, Hungary
| | - Melinda Zana
- BioTalentum Ltd., Aulich Lajos Str. 26, Gödöllő, H-2100, Hungary
| | - Jörg Menche
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), 1030, Vienna, Austria; Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, 1030, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 1090, Vienna, Austria; Faculty of Mathematics, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Fröhlich
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - András Dinnyés
- BioTalentum Ltd., Aulich Lajos Str. 26, Gödöllő, H-2100, Hungary; Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Nutrition, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, H-2100, Gödöllő, Hungary; Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6720, Szeged, Hungary.
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Elia A, Mohsin S, Khan M. Cardiomyocyte Ploidy, Metabolic Reprogramming and Heart Repair. Cells 2023; 12:1571. [PMID: 37371041 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The adult heart is made up of cardiomyocytes (CMs) that maintain pump function but are unable to divide and form new myocytes in response to myocardial injury. In contrast, the developmental cardiac tissue is made up of proliferative CMs that regenerate injured myocardium. In mammals, CMs during development are diploid and mononucleated. In response to cardiac maturation, CMs undergo polyploidization and binucleation associated with CM functional changes. The transition from mononucleation to binucleation coincides with unique metabolic changes and shift in energy generation. Recent studies provide evidence that metabolic reprogramming promotes CM cell cycle reentry and changes in ploidy and nucleation state in the heart that together enhances cardiac structure and function after injury. This review summarizes current literature regarding changes in CM ploidy and nucleation during development, maturation and in response to cardiac injury. Importantly, how metabolism affects CM fate transition between mononucleation and binucleation and its impact on cell cycle progression, proliferation and ability to regenerate the heart will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Elia
- Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Sadia Mohsin
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Mohsin Khan
- Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
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Dorey ES, Headrick JP, Paravicini TM, Wlodek ME, Moritz KM, Reichelt ME. Periconceptional alcohol alters in vivo heart function in ageing female rat offspring: Possible involvement of oestrogen receptor signalling. Exp Physiol 2023; 108:772-784. [PMID: 36951040 PMCID: PMC10988452 DOI: 10.1113/ep090587] [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: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? What are the cardiovascular consequences of periconceptual ethanol on offspring throughout the lifespan? What is the main finding and its importance? It is shown for the first time that periconceptional alcohol has sex-specific effects on heart growth, with ageing female offspring exhibiting decreased cardiac output. Altered in vivo cardiac function in ageing female offspring may be linked to changes in cardiac oestrogen receptor expression. ABSTRACT Alcohol exposure throughout gestation is detrimental to cardiac development and function. Although many women decrease alcohol consumption once aware of a pregnancy, exposure prior to recognition is common. We, therefore, examined the effects of periconceptional alcohol exposure (PC:EtOH) on heart function, and explored mechanisms that may contribute. Female Sprague-Dawley rats received a liquid diet ±12.5% v/v ethanol from 4 days prior to mating until 4 days after mating (PC:EtOH). Cardiac function was assessed via echocardiography, and offspring were culled at multiple time points for assessment of morphometry, isolated heart and aortic ring function, protein and transcriptional changes. PC:EtOH-exposed embryonic day 20 fetuses (but not postnatal offspring) had larger hearts relative to body weight. Ex vivo analysis of hearts at 5-7 months old (mo) indicated no changes in coronary function or cardiac ischaemic tolerance, and apparently improved ventricular compliance in PC:EtOH females (compared to controls). At 12 mo, vascular responses in isolated aortic rings were unaltered by PC:EtOH, whilst echocardiography revealed reduced cardiac output in female but not male PC:EtOH offspring. At 19 mo, left ventricular transcript and protein for type 1 oestrogen receptor (ESR1), HSP90 transcript and plasma oestradiol levels were all elevated in female PC:EtOH exposed offspring. Summarising, PC:EtOH adversely impacts in vivo heart function in mature female offspring, associated with increased ventricular oestrogen-related genes. PC:EtOH may thus influence age-related heart dysfunction in females through modulation of oestrogen signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S. Dorey
- School of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - John P. Headrick
- School of Pharmacy and Medical ScienceGriffith UniversitySouthportQueenslandAustralia
| | - Tamara M. Paravicini
- School of Health and Biomedical SciencesRMIT UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mary E. Wlodek
- The Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Karen M. Moritz
- School of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Child Health Research CentreUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Melissa E. Reichelt
- School of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
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Myocardial perfusion and function dichotomy in growth restricted preterm infants. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2023; 14:302-310. [PMID: 36408644 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174422000630] [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: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Compared to preterm appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses, fetuses with fetal growth restriction (FGR) have earlier visualisation of coronary artery blood flow (CABF) but impaired cardiac function. This dichotomy remains uncharacterised during postnatal life. This study compared CABF and cardiac function in preterm FGR infants, against AGA infants during the postnatal period. FGR was defined as birthweight < 10th centile for gestation and sex with absent/reversed antenatal umbilical artery Doppler. Diastolic CABF was measured in the left anterior descending coronary artery. Twenty-eight FGR infants were compared with 26 AGA infants (gestation and birthweight, 29.7 ± 1.3 vs 29.9 ± 1 weeks, P = 0.6 and 918 ± 174 vs 1398 ± 263g, P < 0.001, respectively). Echocardiography was performed in the second week of life. FGR infants had higher CABF (velocity time integral, 2.4 ± 0.9 vs 1.6 ± 0.8 cm, P = 0.002). Diastolic function was impaired (↑ trans-mitral E/A ratio in FGR infants; 0.84 ± 0.05 vs 0.79 ± 0.03, P = 0.0002) while the systolic function was also affected (mean velocity of circumferential fibre shortening [mVCFc], 1.9 ± 0.3 vs 2.7 ± 0.5 circ/s, P < 0.001). Indexing CABF to cardiac function noted significant differences between the groups (CABF: E/A [FGR vs AGA], 2.9 ± 1.1 vs 2.1 ± 1, P = 0.01 and CABF: mVCFc [FGR vs AGA], 1.3 ± 0.5 vs 0.6 ± 0.3, P < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure (BP) was significantly higher, and CABF to diastolic BP ratio trended higher in FGR infants (30 ± 2 vs 25 ± 3 mmHg, P < 0.001 and 0.08 ± 0.03 vs 0.06 ± 0.03, P = 0.059, respectively). Greater CABF in FGR infants did not translate into better cardiac function. This dichotomy may be a persistent response to fetal hypoxaemia (fetal programming) and/or reflection of altered cardiac architecture.
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Vrselja A, Pillow JJ, Bensley JG, Ahmadi-Noorbakhsh S, Noble PB, Black MJ. Dose-related cardiac outcomes in response to postnatal dexamethasone treatment in premature lambs. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023. [PMID: 36924351 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25202] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postnatal corticosteroids are used in the critical care of preterm infants for the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We aimed to investigate the effects of early postnatal dexamethasone therapy and dose on cardiac maturation and morphology in preterm lambs. METHODS Lambs were delivered prematurely at ~128 days of gestational age and managed postnatally according to best clinical practice. Preterm lambs were administered dexamethasone daily at either a low-dose (n = 9) or a high-dose (n = 7), or were naïve to steroid treatment and administered saline (n = 9), over a 7-day time-course. Hearts were studied at postnatal Day 7 for gene expression and assessment of myocardial structure. RESULTS High-dose dexamethasone treatment in the early postnatal period led to marked differences in cardiac gene expression, altered cardiomyocyte maturation and reduced cardiomyocyte endowment in the right ventricle, as well as increased inflammatory infiltrates into the left ventricle. Low-dose exposure had minimal effects on the preterm heart. CONCLUSION Neonatal dexamethasone treatment led to adverse effects in the preterm heart in a dose-dependent manner within the first week of life. The observed cardiac changes associated with high-dose postnatal dexamethasone treatment may influence postnatal growth and remodeling of the preterm heart and subsequent long-term cardiac function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Vrselja
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jennifer Jane Pillow
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jonathan G Bensley
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Peter B Noble
- School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mary Jane Black
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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South AM, Allen NB. Antenatal Programming of Hypertension: Paradigms, Paradoxes, and How We Move Forward. Curr Hypertens Rep 2022; 24:655-667. [PMID: 36227517 PMCID: PMC9712278 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-022-01227-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Synthesize the clinical, epidemiological, and preclinical evidence for antenatal programming of hypertension and critically appraise paradigms and paradoxes to improve translation. RECENT FINDINGS Clinical and epidemiological studies persistently demonstrate that antenatal factors contribute to programmed hypertension under the developmental origins of health and disease framework, including lower birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction. Preclinical mechanisms include preeclampsia, maternal diabetes, maternal undernutrition, and antenatal corticosteroid exposure. However, clinical and epidemiological studies to date have largely failed to adequately identify, discuss, and mitigate many sources and types of bias in part due to heterogeneous study designs and incomplete adherence to scientific rigor. These limitations have led to incomplete and biased paradigms as well as persistent paradoxes that have significantly limited translation into clinical and population health interventions. Improved understanding of these paradigms and paradoxes will allow us to substantially move the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M South
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nephrology, Brenner Children's, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, One Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA.
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Department of Surgery-Hypertension and Vascular Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
- Cardiovascular Sciences Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Norrina B Allen
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Folguieri MS, Franco ATB, Vieira AS, Gontijo JAR, Boer PA. Transcriptome and morphological analysis on the heart in gestational protein-restricted aging male rat offspring. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:892322. [PMID: 36353510 PMCID: PMC9638007 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.892322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Adverse factors that influence embryo/fetal development are correlated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), type-2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, impaired kidney development, psychiatric disorders, and enhanced susceptibility to oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in adulthood. Human and experimental studies have demonstrated a reciprocal relationship between birthweight and cardiovascular diseases, implying intrauterine adverse events in the onset of these abnormalities. In this way, it is plausible that confirmed functional and morphological heart changes caused by gestational protein restriction could be related to epigenetic effects anticipating cardiovascular disorders and reducing the survival time of these animals. Methods: Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to the protein diet content offered during the pregnancy: a normal protein diet (NP, 17%) or a Low-protein diet (LP, 6%). The arterial pressure was measured, and the cardiac mass, cardiomyocytes area, gene expression, collagen content, and immunostaining of proteins were performed in the cardiac tissue of male 62-weeks old NP compared to LP offspring. Results: In the current study, we showed a low birthweight followed by catch-up growth phenomena associated with high blood pressure development, increased heart collagen content, and cardiomyocyte area in 62-week-old LP offspring. mRNA sequencing analysis identified changes in the expression level of 137 genes, considering genes with a p-value < 0.05. No gene was. Significantly changed according to the adj-p-value. After gene-to-gene biological evaluation and relevance, the study demonstrated significant differences in genes linked to inflammatory activity, oxidative stress, apoptosis process, autophagy, hypertrophy, and fibrosis pathways resulting in heart function disorders. Conclusion: The present study suggests that gestational protein restriction leads to early cardiac diseases in the LP progeny. It is hypothesized that heart dysfunction is associated with fibrosis, myocyte hypertrophy, and multiple abnormal gene expression. Considering the above findings, it may suppose a close link between maternal protein restriction, specific gene expression, and progressive heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina S. Folguieri
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Nucleus of Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, FCM, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Ana Teresa Barufi Franco
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Nucleus of Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, FCM, Campinas, Brazil
| | - André Schwambach Vieira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Biology Institute, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - José Antonio Rocha Gontijo
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Nucleus of Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, FCM, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Patricia Aline Boer
- Fetal Programming and Hydroelectrolyte Metabolism Laboratory, Nucleus of Medicine and Experimental Surgery, Department of Internal Medicine, FCM, Campinas, Brazil
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Effects of Maternal Nutrient Restriction and Melatonin Supplementation on Cardiomyocyte Cell Development Parameters Using Machine Learning Techniques. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12141818. [PMID: 35883365 PMCID: PMC9311781 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141818] [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: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the current study was to examine the effects of maternal feed restriction and melatonin supplementation on fetal cardiomyocyte cell development parameters and predict binucleation and hypertrophy using machine learning techniques using pregnant beef heifers. Brangus heifers (n = 29) were assigned to one of four treatment groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design at day 160 of gestation: (1) 100% of nutrient requirements (adequately fed; ADQ) with no dietary melatonin (CON); (2) 100% of nutrient requirements (ADQ) with 20 mg/d of dietary melatonin (MEL); (3) 60% of nutrient requirements (nutrient-restricted; RES) with no dietary melatonin (CON); (4) 60% of nutrient requirements (RES) with 20 mg/d of dietary melatonin (MEL). On day 240 of gestation, fetuses were removed, and fetal heart weight and thickness were determined. The large blood vessel perimeter was increased in fetuses from RES compared with ADQ (p = 0.05). The total number of capillaries per tissue area exhibited a nutrition by treatment interaction (p = 0.01) where RES-MEL increased capillary number compared (p = 0.03) with ADQ-MEL. The binucleated cell number per tissue area showed a nutrition by treatment interaction (p = 0.010), where it was decreased in RES-CON vs. ADQ-CON fetuses. Hypertrophy was estimated by dividing ventricle thickness by heart weight. Based on machine learning results, for the binucleation and hypertrophy target variables, the Bagging model with 5 Decision Tree estimators and 3 Decision Tree estimators produced the best results without overfitting. In the prediction of binucleation, left heart ventricular thickness feature had the highest Gin importance weight followed by fetal body weight. In the case of hypertrophy, heart weight was the most important feature. This study provides evidence that restricted maternal nutrition leads to a reduction in the number of cardiomyocytes while melatonin treatment can mitigate some of these disturbances.
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Mühlfeld C, Schipke J. Methodological Progress of Stereology in Cardiac Research and Its Application to Normal and Pathological Heart Development. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132032. [PMID: 35805115 PMCID: PMC9265976 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Design-based stereology is the gold standard for obtaining unbiased quantitative morphological data on volume, surface area, and length, as well as the number of tissues, cells or organelles. In cardiac research, the introduction of a stereological method to unbiasedly estimate the number of cardiomyocytes has considerably increased the use of stereology. Since its original description, various modifications to this method have been described. A particular field in which this method has been employed is the normal developmental life cycle of cardiomyocytes after birth, and particularly the question of when, during postnatal development, cardiomyocytes lose their capacity to divide and proliferate, and thus their inherent regenerative ability. This field is directly related to a second major application of stereology in recent years, addressing the question of what consequences intrauterine growth restriction has on the development of the heart, particularly of cardiomyocytes. Advances have also been made regarding the quantification of nerve fibers and collagen deposition as measures of heart innervation and fibrosis. In the present review article, we highlight the methodological progress made in the last 20 years and demonstrate how stereology has helped to gain insight into the process of normal cardiac development, and how it is affected by intrauterine growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Mühlfeld
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Research Core Unit Electron Microscopy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Julia Schipke
- Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Intrauterine inflammation exacerbates maladaptive remodeling of the immature myocardium after preterm birth in lambs. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:1555-1565. [PMID: 35277596 PMCID: PMC9771797 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-01955-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal conditions that are linked with preterm birth, such as intrauterine inflammation, can influence fetal cardiac development thereby rendering the heart more vulnerable to the effects of prematurity. We aimed to investigate the effect of intrauterine inflammation, consequent to lipopolysaccharide exposure, on postnatal cardiac growth and maturation in preterm lambs. METHODS Preterm lambs (~129 days gestational age) exposed antenatally to lipopolysaccharide or saline were managed according to contemporary neonatal care and studied at postnatal day 7. Age-matched fetal controls were studied at ~136 days gestational age. Cardiac tissue was sampled for molecular analyses and assessment of cardiac structure and cardiomyocyte maturation. RESULTS Lambs delivered preterm showed distinct ventricular differences in cardiomyocyte growth and maturation trajectories as well as remodeling of the left ventricular myocardium compared to fetal controls. Antenatal exposure to lipopolysaccharide resulted in further collagen deposition in the left ventricle and a greater presence of immune cells in the preterm heart. CONCLUSIONS Adverse impacts of preterm birth on cardiac structure and cardiomyocyte growth kinetics within the first week of postnatal life are exacerbated by intrauterine inflammation. The maladaptive remodeling of the cardiac structure and perturbed cardiomyocyte growth likely contribute to the increased vulnerability to cardiac dysfunction following preterm birth. IMPACT Preterm birth induces maladaptive cardiac remodeling and adversely impacts cardiomyocyte growth kinetics within the first week of life in sheep. These effects of prematurity on the heart are exacerbated when preterm birth is preceded by exposure to intrauterine inflammation, a common antecedent of preterm birth. Inflammatory injury to the fetal heart coupled with preterm birth consequently alters neonatal cardiac growth and maturation and thus, may potentially influence long-term cardiac function and health.
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Grzęda E, Matuszewska J, Ziarniak K, Gertig-Kolasa A, Krzyśko- Pieczka I, Skowrońska B, Sliwowska JH. Animal Foetal Models of Obesity and Diabetes - From Laboratory to Clinical Settings. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:785674. [PMID: 35197931 PMCID: PMC8858803 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.785674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The prenatal period, during which a fully formed newborn capable of surviving outside its mother's body is built from a single cell, is critical for human development. It is also the time when the foetus is particularly vulnerable to environmental factors, which may modulate the course of its development. Both epidemiological and animal studies have shown that foetal programming of physiological systems may alter the growth and function of organs and lead to pathology in adulthood. Nutrition is a particularly important environmental factor for the pregnant mother as it affects the condition of offspring. Numerous studies have shown that an unbalanced maternal metabolic status (under- or overnutrition) may cause long-lasting physiological and behavioural alterations, resulting in metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Various diets are used in laboratory settings in order to induce maternal obesity and metabolic disorders, and to alter the offspring development. The most popular models are: high-fat, high-sugar, high-fat-high-sugar, and cafeteria diets. Maternal undernutrition models are also used, which results in metabolic problems in offspring. Similarly to animal data, human studies have shown the influence of mothers' diets on the development of children. There is a strong link between the maternal diet and the birth weight, metabolic state, changes in the cardiovascular and central nervous system of the offspring. The mechanisms linking impaired foetal development and adult diseases remain under discussion. Epigenetic mechanisms are believed to play a major role in prenatal programming. Additionally, sexually dimorphic effects on offspring are observed. Therefore, further research on both sexes is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Grzęda
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Julia Matuszewska
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Kamil Ziarniak
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Molecular and Cell Biology Unit, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Gertig-Kolasa
- Department of Paediatric Diabetes and Obesity, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Izabela Krzyśko- Pieczka
- Department of Paediatric Diabetes and Obesity, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Bogda Skowrońska
- Department of Paediatric Diabetes and Obesity, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna H. Sliwowska
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- *Correspondence: Joanna H. Sliwowska,
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Carvalho RM, Ferreira IMDESR, Miranda Jr F. Protein malnutrition during lactation affects thoracic aortic tunica media thickness in Wistar rat pups. Acta Cir Bras 2021; 36:e361008. [PMID: 34852134 PMCID: PMC8650804 DOI: 10.1590/acb361008] [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: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the morphological effects of a low-protein diet during maternal lactation on the offspring's thoracic aorta. METHODS Two female Wistar rats were mated with male of the same species at 4 months of age. Until the birth of the pups, all animals received commercial rat chow. After giving birth, the puerperal females were divided into two groups and adjusted the litter to five puppies per group: a control group that received commercial feed, and an experimental group whose diet included the same amount of calories, but 8% lower protein content. All animals' masses were measured throughout the lactation period, and the pups were euthanized after weaning at 21 days of age. The thoracic aorta was removed, histologically processed and stained with Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin for histomorphometric analysis of tunica media thickness. RESULTS Although both groups were born with similar body mass, during the 21 days of lactation the restricted protein group gained only 39% of the body mass of the control group. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the restricted protein group had a significantly lower mean tunica media thickness than the control group. CONCLUSIONS A low-protein diet for nursing mothers influences mass gain and aortic tunica media thickness in their offspring.
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Cardiac structure and function in very preterm-born adolescents compared to term-born controls: A longitudinal cohort study. Early Hum Dev 2021; 163:105505. [PMID: 34763163 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2021.105505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is emerging evidence of differences in cardiac structure and function in preterm-born adults and increased risk of heart failure. However, there is a paucity of data in populations who have been exposed to modern intensive care and the impact of perinatal factors is unclear. AIMS To compare echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function in a regional cohort of 17-year-olds born very preterm compared to term-born peers and the influence of perinatal factors. STUDY DESIGN Observational longitudinal cohort study. SUBJECTS A regional cohort of ninety-one 17-year-olds born at <32 weeks gestation compared to sixty-two term-born controls. OUTCOME MEASURES Echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function. RESULTS Left ventricular and right atrial volume and left ventricular mass, indexed to body surface area, were significantly smaller in preterm-born adolescents compared to term-born controls even when adjusted for sex. There were no between group differences in cardiac function. Within those born preterm we found a significant association between gestational age and birthweight z-score and measures of cardiac function at 17 years. Within the preterm group, those with a diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia had higher left ventricular posterior wall thickness, higher mitral deceleration time and lower left atrial area and tricuspid annular plane of systolic excursion. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents born very prematurely, who have received modern intensive care, have measurable differences in heart structure compared to their term-born peers but heart function is preserved. For those born preterm, gestational age, birthweight and bronchopulmonary dysplasia are associated with differences in cardiac function.
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Ivanova VV, Milto IV, Serebrjakova ON, Sukhodolo IV. The Rat Heart in the Prenatal and Postnatal Periods of Ontogenesis. Russ J Dev Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360421050039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Environmental Alterations during Embryonic Development: Studying the Impact of Stressors on Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101564. [PMID: 34680959 PMCID: PMC8536136 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) sauch as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases are rising rapidly in all countries world-wide. Environmental maternal factors (e.g., diet, oxidative stress, drugs and many others), maternal illnesses and other stressors can predispose the newborn to develop diseases during different stages of life. The connection between environmental factors and NCDs was formulated by David Barker and colleagues as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis. In this review, we describe the DOHaD concept and the effects of several environmental stressors on the health of the progeny, providing both animal and human evidence. We focus on cardiovascular diseases which represent the leading cause of death worldwide. The purpose of this review is to discuss how in vitro studies with pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), such as embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (ESC, iPSC), can underpin the research on non-genetic heart conditions. The PSCs could provide a tool to recapitulate aspects of embryonic development “in a dish”, studying the effects of environmental exposure during cardiomyocyte (CM) differentiation and maturation, establishing a link to molecular mechanism and epigenetics.
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Unravelling the impact of intrauterine growth restriction on heart development: insights into mitochondria and sexual dimorphism from a non-hominoid primate. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:1767-1772. [PMID: 34313297 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Fetal exposure to an unfavorable intrauterine environment programs an individual to have a greater susceptibility later in life to non-communicable diseases, such as coronary heart disease, but the molecular processes are poorly understood. An article in Clinical Science recently reported novel details on the effects of maternal nutrient reduction (MNR) on fetal heart development using a primate model that is about 94% genetically similar to humans and is also mostly monotocous. MNR adversely impacted fetal left ventricular (LV) mitochondria in a sex-dependent fashion with a greater effect on male fetuses, although mitochondrial transcripts increased more so in females. Increased expression for several respiratory chain and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase proteins were observed. However, fetal LV mitochondrial complex I and complex II/III activities were significantly decreased, likely contributing to a 73% decreased LV ATP content and increased LV lipid peroxidation. Moreover, MNR fetal LV mitochondria showed sparse and disarranged cristae. This study indicates that mitochondria are targets of the remodeling and imprinting processes in a sex-dependent manner. Mitochondrial ROS production and inadequate energy production add another layer of complexity. Altogether these observations raise the possibility that dysfunctional mitochondria in the fetus may contribute in turn to epigenetic memory of in utero stress in the adult. The role of mitoepigenetics and involvement of mitochondrial and genomic non-coding RNAs in mitochondrial functions and nuclei-mitochondria crosstalk with in utero stress awaits further investigation.
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Lê B, Dahl MJ, Albertine KH, Sutherland MR, Black MJ. Preterm Birth With Neonatal Interventions Accelerates Collagen Deposition in the Left Ventricle of Lambs Without Affecting Cardiomyocyte Development. CJC Open 2021; 3:574-584. [PMID: 34036257 PMCID: PMC8134943 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2020.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adults born preterm (< 37 weeks’ gestation) exhibit altered cardiac growth and are susceptible to cardiac dysfunction. Sheep studies have shown that moderate preterm birth results in maladaptive structural remodelling of the cardiac ventricles. The aim of this study was to examine ventricular structure in lambs born at a greater severity of preterm birth and ventilated postnatally. Methods Former-preterm lambs delivered at 128 days’ gestation, and mechanically ventilated for a week after birth, were compared with unventilated lambs born at term (150 days’ gestation), at 2 months (term: n = 10, former-preterm: n = 8), and 5 months (term: n = 9, former-preterm: n = 8) term-equivalent age. The right ventricle and left ventricle plus septum were analysed using immunohistochemistry, histology, and stereology. Results Cardiomyocyte number, cross-sectional area, proliferation, and apoptosis were not affected by preterm birth or age. Left ventricle plus septum interstitial collagen levels increased with age (P = 0.0015) and were exacerbated by preterm birth (P = 0.0006; 2 months term: 0.57% ± 0.07%, former-preterm: 1.44% ± 0.18%; 5 months term: 1.37% ± 0.25%, former-preterm: 2.15% ± 0.31%). Right ventricle interstitial collagen levels increased with age (P = 0.012) but were not affected by preterm birth. Conclusion This study is the first to explore the effect of preterm birth combined with modern neonatal interventions on the ventricular myocardium in lambs. There was no adverse impact on cardiomyocyte growth in early postnatal life. Of concern, however, there was increased collagen deposition in the preterm hearts, which has the potential to induce cardiac dysfunction, especially if it becomes exaggerated with ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Lê
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mar Janna Dahl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Kurt H Albertine
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Megan R Sutherland
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mary Jane Black
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology and Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Clarke GD, Li J, Kuo AH, Moody AJ, Nathanielsz PW. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: insights into developmental programming and its consequences for aging. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 12:203-219. [PMID: 33349289 PMCID: PMC7987688 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174420001233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are important consequences of adverse perinatal conditions such as fetal hypoxia and maternal malnutrition. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can produce a wealth of physiological information related to the development of the heart. This review outlines the current state of CMR technologies and describes the physiological biomarkers that can be measured. These phenotypes include impaired ventricular and atrial function, maladaptive ventricular remodeling, and the proliferation of myocardial steatosis and fibrosis. The discussion outlines the applications of CMR to understanding the developmental pathways leading to impaired cardiac function. The use of CMR, both in animal models of developmental programming and in human studies, is described. Specific examples are given in a baboon model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). CMR offers great potential as a tool for understanding the sequence of dysfunctional adaptations of developmental origin that can affect the human cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D Clarke
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - J Li
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - A H Kuo
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A J Moody
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - P W Nathanielsz
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
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Impact of Maternal Food Restriction on Heart Proteome in Appropriately Grown and Growth-Restricted Wistar-Rat Offspring. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13020466. [PMID: 33573223 PMCID: PMC7912475 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020466] [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: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Fetal growth restriction is associated with increased postnatal cardiovascular morbidity. The alterations in heart physiology and structure caused by in utero nutrient deprivation have not been extensively studied. We aim to investigate the impact of maternal food restriction on the cardiac proteome of newborn rats with normal (non-fetal growth-restricted (FGR)) and reduced (FGR) birth weight. Methods: On day 14 of gestation, 10 timed pregnant rats were randomized into two nutritional groups: (a) Standard laboratory diet and (b) 50% global food restriction. Pups born to food-restricted mothers were subdivided, based on birthweight, into fetal growth-restricted (FGR) and non-FGR, while pups born from normally nourished mothers were considered controls. Rat neonates were euthanized immediately after birth and the hearts of 11 randomly selected male offspring (n = 4 FGR, n = 4 non-FGR, n = 3 control group) were analyzed using quantitative proteomics. Results: In total, 7422 proteins were quantified (q < 0.05). Of these, 1175 were differentially expressed in FGR and 231 in non-FGR offspring vs. control with 151 common differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the two groups. Bioinformatics analysis of DEPs in FGR vs. control showed decreased integrin and apelin cardiac fibroblast signaling, decreased muscle contraction and glycolysis, and over-representation of a protein network related to embryonic development, and cell death and survival. Conclusion: Our study illustrates the distinct proteomic profile of FGR and non-FGR offspring of food-restricted dams underlying the importance of both prenatal adversities and birth weight in cardiac physiology and development.
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Postnatal Growth Restriction in Mice Alters Cardiac Protein Composition and Leads to Functional Impairment in Adulthood. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249459. [PMID: 33322681 PMCID: PMC7763900 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Postnatal growth restriction (PGR) increases the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood, yet there is minimal mechanistic rationale for the observed pathology. The purpose of this study was to identify proteomic differences in hearts of growth-restricted and unrestricted mice, and propose mechanisms related to impairment in adulthood. Friend leukemia virus B (FVB) mouse dams were fed a control (CON: 20% protein), or low-protein (LP: 8% protein) isocaloric diet 2 weeks before mating. LP dams produce 20% less milk, inducing growth restriction. At birth (postnatal; PN1), pups born to dams fed the CON diet were switched to LP dams (PGR group) or a different CON dam. At PN21, a sub-cohort of CON (n = 3 males; n = 3 females) and PGR (n = 3 males; n = 3 females) were euthanized and their proteome analyzed by two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2D DIGE) and mass spectroscopy. Western blotting and silver nitrate staining confirmed 2D DIGE results. Littermates (CON: n = 4 males and n = 4 females; PGR: n = 4 males and n = 4 females) were weaned to the CON diet. At PN77, echocardiography measured cardiac function. At PN80, hearts were removed for western blotting to determine if differences persisted into adulthood. 2D DIGE and western blot confirmation indicated PGR had reductions in p57kip2, Titin (Ttn), and Collagen (Col). At PN77, PGR had impaired cardiac function as measured by echocardiography. At PN80, western blots of p57kip2 showed protein abundance recovered from PN21. PN80 silver staining of large molecular weight proteins (Ttn and Col) was reduced in PGR. PGR reduces cell cycle activity at PN21, which is recovered in adulthood. However, collagen fiber networks are altered into adulthood.
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Kumar P, Morton JS, Shah A, Do V, Sergi C, Serrano‐Lomelin J, Davidge ST, Beker D, Levasseur J, Hornberger LK. Intrauterine exposure to chronic hypoxia in the rat leads to progressive diastolic function and increased aortic stiffness from early postnatal developmental stages. Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14327. [PMID: 31960611 PMCID: PMC6971413 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM We sought to explore whether fetal hypoxia exposure, an insult of placental insufficiency, is associated with left ventricular dysfunction and increased aortic stiffness at early postnatal ages. METHODS Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to hypoxic conditions (11.5% FiO2 ) from embryonic day E15-21 or normoxic conditions (controls). After delivery, left ventricular function and aortic pulse wave velocity (measure of aortic stiffness) were assessed longitudinally by echocardiography from day 1 through week 8. A mixed ANOVA with repeated measures was performed to compare findings between groups across time. Myocardial hematoxylin and eosin and picro-sirius staining were performed to evaluate myocyte nuclear shape and collagen fiber characteristics, respectively. RESULTS Systolic function parameters transiently increased following hypoxia exposure primarily at week 2 (p < .008). In contrast, diastolic dysfunction progressed following fetal hypoxia exposure beginning weeks 1-2 with lower early inflow Doppler velocities, and less of an increase in early to late inflow velocity ratios and annular and septal E'/A' tissue velocities compared to controls (p < .008). As further evidence of altered diastolic function, isovolumetric relaxation time was significantly shorter relative to the cardiac cycle following hypoxia exposure from week 1 onward (p < .008). Aortic stiffness was greater following hypoxia from day 1 through week 8 (p < .008, except week 4). Hypoxia exposure was also associated with altered nuclear shape at week 2 and increased collagen fiber thickness at week 4. CONCLUSION Chronic fetal hypoxia is associated with progressive LV diastolic dysfunction, which corresponds with changes in nuclear shape and collagen fiber thickness, and increased aortic stiffness from early postnatal stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Kumar
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Women and Children’s Health Research InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Jude S. Morton
- Women and Children’s Health Research InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Department of Obstetrics/GynecologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Mazankowski Alberta Heart InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Amin Shah
- Women and Children’s Health Research InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Department of Obstetrics/GynecologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Mazankowski Alberta Heart InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Victor Do
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Women and Children’s Health Research InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Consolato Sergi
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Mazankowski Alberta Heart InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Jesus Serrano‐Lomelin
- Women and Children’s Health Research InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Department of Obstetrics/GynecologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Sandra T. Davidge
- Women and Children’s Health Research InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Department of Obstetrics/GynecologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Mazankowski Alberta Heart InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Donna Beker
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Mazankowski Alberta Heart InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Jody Levasseur
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Mazankowski Alberta Heart InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Lisa K. Hornberger
- Division of CardiologyDepartment of PediatricsUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Women and Children’s Health Research InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Department of Obstetrics/GynecologyUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
- Cardiovascular Research Institute and Mazankowski Alberta Heart InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
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Size and shape of the four-chamber view of the fetal heart in fetuses with an estimated fetal weight less than the tenth centile. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019; 221:495.e1-495.e9. [PMID: 31207236 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.06.008] [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] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetuses with an estimated fetal weight below the 10th centile have an increased risk of adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes as well as increased rates of cardiac dysfunction, which often alters cardiac size and shape of the 4-chamber view and the individual ventricles. As a result, a simple method has emerged to screen for potential cardiac dysfunction in fetuses with estimated fetal weights <10th centile by measuring the size and shape of the 4-chamber view and the size of the ventricles. OBJECTIVE To determine the number of fetuses with an abnormal size and shape of the 4-chamber view and size of the ventricles in fetuses with an estimated fetal weight <10th centile. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study of 50 fetuses between 25 and 37 weeks of gestation with an estimated fetal weight <10th centile. Data from their last examination were analyzed. From an end-diastolic image of the 4-chamber view, the largest basal-apical length and transverse width were measured from their corresponding epicardial borders. This allowed the 4-chamber view area and global sphericity index (4-chamber view length/4-chamber view width) to be computed. In addition, tracing along the endocardial borders with speckle tracking software enabled measurements of the right and left ventricular chamber areas and the right ventricle/left ventricle area ratios to be computed. Doppler waveform pulsatility indices from the umbilical (umbilical artery pulsatility index) and middle cerebral arteries (middle cerebral artery pulsatility index) were analyzed, and the cerebroplacental ratio (middle cerebral artery pulsatility index/umbilical artery pulsatility index) computed. Umbilical artery pulsatility indices >90th and cerebroplacental ratios <10th centile were considered abnormal. Using data from the control fetuses, the centile for each of the cardiac measurements was categorized by whether it was <10th or >90th centile, depending upon the measurement. RESULTS Of the 50 fetuses with estimated fetal weight <10th centile, 50% (n = 25) had a normal umbilical artery pulsatility index and cerebroplacental ratio. These fetuses had significantly more (P < 0.02 to <0.0001) abnormalities of the size and shape of the 4-chamber view than controls. In all, 44% had a 4-chamber view area >90th centile, 32% had a 4-chamber view global sphericity index <10th centile, 56% had a 4-chamber view width >90th centile, and 80% had 1 or more abnormalities of size and/or shape. The remaining 50% of fetuses (n = 25) had abnormalities of 1 or both for the umbilical artery pulsatility index and/or cerebroplacental ratio. These fetuses had significantly higher rates of abnormalities (P <0.05 to <0.0001) than controls for the following 4-chamber view measurements: 36% had a 4-chamber view area >90th centile; 28% had a 4-chamber view global sphericity index <10th centile; and 68% had a 4-chamber view width >90th centile. Only those fetuses with an abnormal umbilical artery pulsatility index had significant changes in ventricular size; 56% had a left ventricular area <10th centile; 28% had a right ventricular area <10th centile; 36% had right ventricular/left ventricular area ratio >90th centile. One or more of the above abnormal measurements were present in 92% of the fetuses. CONCLUSION Higher rates of abnormalities of cardiac size and shape of the 4-chamber view were found in fetuses with an estimated fetal weight <10th centile, regardless of their umbilical artery pulsatility index and cerebroplacental ratio measurements. Those with a normal umbilical artery pulsatility index and an abnormal cerebroplacental ratio had larger and wider measurements of the 4-chamber view. In addition, the shape of the 4-chamber view was more globular or round than in controls. These fetuses may have an increased risk of perinatal complications and childhood and/or adult cardiovascular disease. Screening tools derived from the 4-chamber view, acting as surrogates for ventricular dysfunction, may identify fetuses who could benefit from further comprehensive testing and future preventive interventions.
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Dietary protein restriction throughout intrauterine and postnatal life results in potentially beneficial myocardial tissue remodeling in the adult mouse heart. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15126. [PMID: 31641210 PMCID: PMC6805892 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-51654-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diet composition impacts metabolic and cardiovascular health with high caloric diets contributing to obesity related disorders. Dietary interventions such as caloric restriction exert beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system, but alteration of which specific nutrient is responsible is less clear. This study investigates the effects of a low protein diet (LPD) on morphology, tissue composition and function of the neonatal and adult mouse heart. Mice were subjected to LPD (8.8% protein) or standard protein diet (SPD, 22% protein) throughout intrauterine and postnatal life. At birth LPD female but not male offspring exhibit reduced body weight whereas heart weight was unchanged in both sexes. Cardiomyocyte cross sectional area was increased in newborn LPD females compared to SPD, whereas proliferation, cellular tissue composition and vascularization were unaffected. Adult female mice on LPD exhibit reduced body weight but normal heart weight compared to SPD controls. Echocardiography revealed normal left ventricular contractility in LPD animals. Histology showed reduced interstitial fibrosis, lower cardiomyocyte volume and elevated numbers of cardiomyocyte and non-myocyte nuclei per tissue area in adult LPD versus SPD myocardium. Furthermore, capillary density was increased in LPD hearts. In conclusion, pre- and postnatal dietary protein restriction in mice causes a potentially beneficial myocardial remodeling.
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Chattergoon NN. Thyroid hormone signaling and consequences for cardiac development. J Endocrinol 2019; 242:T145-T160. [PMID: 31117055 PMCID: PMC6613780 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The fetal heart undergoes its own growth and maturation stages all while supplying blood and nutrients to the growing fetus and its organs. Immature contractile cardiomyocytes proliferate to rapidly increase and establish cardiomyocyte endowment in the perinatal period. Maturational changes in cellular maturation, size and biochemical capabilities occur, and require, a changing hormonal environment as the fetus prepares itself for the transition to extrauterine life. Thyroid hormone has long been known to be important for neuronal development, but also for fetal size and survival. Fetal circulating 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) levels surge near term in mammals and are responsible for maturation of several organ systems, including the heart. Growth factors like insulin-like growth factor-1 stimulate proliferation of fetal cardiomyocytes, while thyroid hormone has been shown to inhibit proliferation and drive maturation of the cells. Several cell signaling pathways appear to be involved in this complicated and coordinated process. The aim of this review was to discuss the foundational studies of thyroid hormone physiology and the mechanisms responsible for its actions as we speculate on potential fetal programming effects for cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha N Chattergoon
- Center for Developmental Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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26
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Assalin HB, Gontijo JAR, Boer PA. miRNAs, target genes expression and morphological analysis on the heart in gestational protein-restricted offspring. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210454. [PMID: 31034522 PMCID: PMC6507319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational protein restriction was associated with low birth weight, hypertension and higher prevalence of cardiac disorders in adults. Several mechanisms, including epigenetics, could be related with the cardiovascular phenotype on protein-restricted offspring. Thus, we investigated the morphological cardiac effects of gestational protein restriction and left ventricle miRNAs and target genes expression pattern in both 12-day and 16-week old gestational protein-restricted male offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats were allocated into two groups, according to protein supply during pregnancy: NP (normal protein diet- 17%) or LP (low protein diet-6%). Dams on the gestational protein-restricted diet had lower body weight gain and higher food intake. Gestational protein-restricted offspring had low birth weight, followed by rapidly body weight recovery, hypertension, and increased myocytes cross-sectional area and collagen fraction at 16-week old age. At 12-days old, miR-184, miR-192, miR-376c, miR-380-3p, miR-380-5p, miR-451, and miR-582-3p had increased expression, and miR-547 and miR-743a had decreased expression in the gestational protein-restricted left ventricle. At 16-week old, let-7b, miR-125a-3p, miR-142-3p, miR-182 and miR-188-5p had increased expression and let-7g, miR-107, miR-127, miR-181a, miR-181c, miR-184, miR-324-5p, miR-383, miR-423-5p and miR-484 had decreased expression in gestational protein-restricted left ventricle. Target predicted gene expression analysis showed higher expression of Dnmt3a, Oxct1, Rictor and Trps1 and lower expression of Bbs1 and Calml3 in 12-day old protein-restricted offspring. 16-week old protein-restricted offspring had higher expression of Adrbk1, Bbs1, Dnmt3a, Gpr22, Inppl1, and Oxct1 genes. In conclusion, gestational protein restriction was related to offspring low birth weight, increased systolic blood pressure and morphological heart alterations that could be related to early heart miRNA expression changes that perpetuate into adulthood and which are associated with the regulation of essential genes involved in cardiovascular development, heart morphology, function, and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heloisa Balan Assalin
- Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, State
University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Patrícia Aline Boer
- Internal Medicine Department, School of Medicine, State
University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: ,
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27
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Ferguson DP, Monroe TO, Heredia CP, Fleischmann R, Rodney GG, Taffet GE, Fiorotto ML. Postnatal undernutrition alters adult female mouse cardiac structure and function leading to limited exercise capacity. J Physiol 2019; 597:1855-1872. [PMID: 30730556 DOI: 10.1113/jp277637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Impaired growth during fetal life can reprogramme heart development and increase the risk for long-term cardiovascular dysfunction. It is uncertain if the developmental window during which the heart is vulnerable to reprogramming as a result of inadequate nutrition extends into the postnatal period. We found that adult female mice that had been undernourished only from birth to 3 weeks of age had disproportionately smaller hearts compared to males, with thinner ventricle walls and more mononucleated cardiomyocytes. In females, but not males, cardiac diastolic function, and heart rate responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation were limited and maximal exercise capacity was compromised. These data suggest that the developmental window during which the heart is vulnerable to reprogramming by inadequacies in nutrient intake may extend into postnatal life and such individuals could be at increased risk for a cardiac event as a result of strenuous exercise. ABSTRACT Adults who experienced undernutrition during critical windows of development are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. The contribution of cardiac function to this increased disease risk is uncertain. We evaluated the effect of a short episode of postnatal undernutrition on cardiovascular function in mice at the whole animal, organ, and cellular levels. Pups born to control mouse dams were suckled from birth to postnatal day (PN) 21 on dams fed either a control (20% protein) or a low protein (8% protein) isocaloric diet. After PN21 offspring were fed the same control diet until adulthood. At PN70 V ̇ O 2 , max was measured by treadmill test. At PN80 cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography and Doppler analysis at rest and following β-adrenergic stimulation. Isolated cardiomyocyte nucleation and Ca2+ transients (with and without β-adrenergic stimulation) were measured at PN90. Female mice that were undernourished and then refed (PUN), unlike male mice, had disproportionately smaller hearts and their exercise capacity, cardiac diastolic function, and heart rate responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation were limited. A reduced left ventricular end diastolic volume, impaired early filling, and decreased stored energy at the beginning of diastole contributed to these impairments. Female PUN mice had more mononucleated cardiomyocytes; under resting conditions binucleated cells had a functional profile suggestive of increased basal adrenergic activation. Thus, a brief episode of early postnatal undernutrition in the mouse can produce persistent changes to cardiac structure and function that limit exercise/functional capacity and thereby increase the risk for the development of a wide variety of cardiovascular morbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David P Ferguson
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Tanner O Monroe
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Celia Pena Heredia
- Section of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ryan Fleischmann
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - George G Rodney
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - George E Taffet
- Section of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Marta L Fiorotto
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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28
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Sutherland MR, Ng KW, Drenckhahn JD, Wlodek ME, Black MJ. Impact of Intrauterine Growth Restriction on the Capillarization of the Early Postnatal Rat Heart. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 302:1580-1586. [PMID: 30471197 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Capillarization plays a key role in the growth of the developing heart. We therefore hypothesized that impaired heart development following intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) may arise from inadequate myocardial capillary growth. The aims of the study were to examine the effect of IUGR on the growth and diffusion radius of intramyocardial capillaries in rats at postnatal day 1. Uteroplacental insufficiency was induced in rats in late gestation (E18, term = E22) by bilateral uterine artery and vein ligation (restricted offspring N = 12; six males and six females); offspring from sham-operated dams were used as controls (N = 10; five males and five females). At postnatal day 1, the hearts were immersion-fixed and heart volume, capillary length density, capillary diffusion radius, and total capillary length were stereologically determined. Restricted offspring were significantly smaller at birth, with a concomitant reduction in heart volume and total myocardial capillary length compared to controls. Capillary growth was not impaired relative to heart size, with no significant differences in capillary length density or diffusion radius in the myocardium of restricted and control offspring. There were no sex differences in any of the parameters examined. In conclusion, there was no evidence to indicate that microvascular development is compromised in the heart of IUGR offspring at 1 day after birth. Total myocardial capillary length, however, was significantly reduced in the growth restricted offspring and further longitudinal studies are required to elucidate the long-term impact, particularly following hypertrophic cardiac growth. Anat Rec, 302:1580-1586, 2019. © 2018 American Association for Anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R Sutherland
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology and the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ka Wing Ng
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology and the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jörg D Drenckhahn
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mary E Wlodek
- Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mary Jane Black
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology and the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract
The prevalence of age-associated disease is increasing at a striking rate globally and there is evidence to suggest that the ageing process may actually begin before birth. It has been well-established that the status of both the maternal and early postnatal environments into which an individual is exposed can have huge implications for the risk of developing age-associated disease, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), type-2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity in later life. Therefore, the dissection of underlying molecular mechanisms to explain this phenomenon, known as 'developmental programming' is a highly investigated area of research. This book chapter will examine the epidemiological evidence and the animal models of suboptimal maternal and early postnatal environments and will discuss the progress being made in the development of safe and effective intervention strategies which ultimately could target those 'programmed' individuals who are known to be at-risk of age-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane L Tarry-Adkins
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
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30
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Vaiserman A, Koliada A, Lushchak O. Developmental programming of aging trajectory. Ageing Res Rev 2018; 47:105-122. [PMID: 30059788 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that aging phenotype and longevity may be developmentally programmed. Main mechanisms linking developmental conditions to later-life health outcomes include persistent changes in epigenetic regulation, (re)programming of major endocrine axes such as growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and also early-life immune maturation. Recently, evidence has also been generated on the role of telomere biology in developmental programming of aging trajectory. In addition, persisting changes of intestinal microbiota appears to be crucially involved in these processes. In this review, experimental and epidemiological evidence on the role of early-life conditions in programming of aging phenotypes are presented and mechanisms potentially underlying these associations are discussed.
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31
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Ducsay CA, Goyal R, Pearce WJ, Wilson S, Hu XQ, Zhang L. Gestational Hypoxia and Developmental Plasticity. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1241-1334. [PMID: 29717932 PMCID: PMC6088145 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00043.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is one of the most common and severe challenges to the maintenance of homeostasis. Oxygen sensing is a property of all tissues, and the response to hypoxia is multidimensional involving complicated intracellular networks concerned with the transduction of hypoxia-induced responses. Of all the stresses to which the fetus and newborn infant are subjected, perhaps the most important and clinically relevant is that of hypoxia. Hypoxia during gestation impacts both the mother and fetal development through interactions with an individual's genetic traits acquired over multiple generations by natural selection and changes in gene expression patterns by altering the epigenetic code. Changes in the epigenome determine "genomic plasticity," i.e., the ability of genes to be differentially expressed according to environmental cues. The genomic plasticity defined by epigenomic mechanisms including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs during development is the mechanistic substrate for phenotypic programming that determines physiological response and risk for healthy or deleterious outcomes. This review explores the impact of gestational hypoxia on maternal health and fetal development, and epigenetic mechanisms of developmental plasticity with emphasis on the uteroplacental circulation, heart development, cerebral circulation, pulmonary development, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and adipose tissue. The complex molecular and epigenetic interactions that may impact an individual's physiology and developmental programming of health and disease later in life are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A. Ducsay
- The Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California
| | - Ravi Goyal
- The Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California
| | - William J. Pearce
- The Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California
| | - Sean Wilson
- The Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California
| | - Xiang-Qun Hu
- The Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California
| | - Lubo Zhang
- The Lawrence D. Longo, MD Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California
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32
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Camm EJ, Botting KJ, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Near to One's Heart: The Intimate Relationship Between the Placenta and Fetal Heart. Front Physiol 2018; 9:629. [PMID: 29997513 PMCID: PMC6029139 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of the fetal heart is exquisitely controlled by a multitude of factors, ranging from humoral to mechanical forces. The gatekeeper regulating many of these factors is the placenta, an external fetal organ. As such, resistance within the placental vascular bed has a direct influence on the fetal circulation and therefore, the developing heart. In addition, the placenta serves as the interface between the mother and fetus, controlling substrate exchange and release of hormones into both circulations. The intricate relationship between the placenta and fetal heart is appreciated in instances of clinical placental pathology. Abnormal umbilical cord insertion is associated with congenital heart defects. Likewise, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, where monochorionic twins have unequal sharing of their placenta due to inter-twin vascular anastomoses, can result in cardiac remodeling and dysfunction in both fetuses. Moreover, epidemiological studies have suggested a link between placental phenotypic traits and increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adult life. To date, the mechanistic basis of the relationships between the placenta, fetal heart development and later risk of cardiac dysfunction have not been fully elucidated. However, studies using environmental exposures and gene manipulations in experimental animals are providing insights into the pathways involved. Likewise, surgical instrumentation of the maternal and fetal circulations in large animal species has enabled the manipulation of specific humoral and mechanical factors to investigate their roles in fetal cardiac development. This review will focus on such studies and what is known to date about the link between the placenta and heart development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Camm
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberley J Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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33
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Small size at birth predicts decreased cardiomyocyte number in the adult ovine heart. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2018; 8:618-625. [PMID: 28975880 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174417000381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Low birth weight is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) hearts have fewer CMs in early postnatal life, which may impair postnatal cardiovascular function and hence, explain increased disease risk, but whether the cardiomyocyte deficit persists to adult life is unknown. We therefore studied the effects of experimentally induced placental restriction (PR) on cardiac outcomes in young adult sheep. Heart size, cardiomyocyte number, nuclearity and size were measured in control (n=5) and PR (n=5) male sheep at 1 year of age. PR lambs were 36% lighter at birth (P=0.007), had 38% faster neonatal relative growth rates (P=0.001) and had 21% lighter heart weights relative to body weight as adults (P=0.024) than control lambs. Cardiomyocyte number, nuclearity and size in the left ventricle did not differ between control and PR adults; hearts of both groups contained cardiomyocytes (CM) with between one and four nuclei. Overall, cardiomyocyte number in the adult left ventricle correlated positively with birth weight but not with adult weight. This study is the first to demonstrate that intrauterine growth directly influences the complement of CM in the adult heart. Cardiomyocyte size was not correlated with cardiomyocyte number or birth weight. Our results suggest that body weight at birth affects lifelong cardiac functional reserve. We hypothesise that decreased cardiomyocyte number of low birth weight individuals may impair their capacity to adapt to additional challenges such as obesity and ageing.
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34
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Botting KJ, Loke XY, Zhang S, Andersen JB, Nyengaard JR, Morrison JL. IUGR decreases cardiomyocyte endowment and alters cardiac metabolism in a sex- and cause-of-IUGR-specific manner. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2018; 315:R48-R67. [PMID: 29561647 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00180.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk of ischemic heart disease in adulthood. Studies in rats suggest cardiac vulnerability is more pronounced in males and in offspring that were exposed to hypoxia in utero. Therefore, we aimed to test the hypotheses that 1) IUGR adolescent males, but not females, have fewer cardiomyocytes and altered expression of cardiometabolic genes compared with controls; and 2) IUGR due to hypoxia has a greater effect on these parameters compared with IUGR due to nutrient restriction. IUGR was induced in guinea pigs by maternal hypoxia (MH; 10% O2, n = 9) or maternal nutrient restriction (MNR; ~30% reduction in food intake, n = 9) in the second half of pregnancy and compared with control ( n = 11). At 120 days of age, postmortem was performed and the left ventricle perfusion fixed for stereological determination of cardiomyocyte number or snap frozen to determine the abundance of cardiometabolic genes and proteins by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. MH reduced the number of cardiomyocytes in female ( P < 0.05), but not male or MNR, adolescent offspring. Furthermore, IUGR males had decreased expression of genes responsible for fatty acid activation in the sarcoplasm ( FACS) and transport into the mitochondria ( AMPK-a2 and ACC; P < 0.05) and females exposed to MH had increased activation/phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase-α ( P < 0.05). We postulate that the changes in cardiomyocyte endowment and cardiac gene expression observed in the present study are a direct result of in utero programming, as offspring at this age did not suffer from obesity, hypertension, or left ventricular hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Botting
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia.,Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Science, The University of Adelaide , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia
| | - X Y Loke
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia
| | - S Zhang
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia
| | - J B Andersen
- Core Centre for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy, Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - J R Nyengaard
- Core Centre for Molecular Morphology, Section for Stereology and Microscopy, Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - J L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia.,Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Science, The University of Adelaide , Adelaide, South Australia , Australia
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35
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Menendez-Castro C, Rascher W, Hartner A. Intrauterine growth restriction - impact on cardiovascular diseases later in life. Mol Cell Pediatr 2018; 5:4. [PMID: 29560535 PMCID: PMC5861253 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-018-0082-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a fetal pathology which leads to increased risk for certain neonatal complications. Furthermore, clinical and experimental studies revealed that IUGR is associated with a significantly higher incidence of metabolic, renal and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) later in life. One hypothesis for the higher risk of CVD after IUGR postulates that IUGR induces metabolic alterations that then lead to CVD.This minireview focuses on recent studies which demonstrate that IUGR is followed by early primary cardiovascular alterations which may directly progress to CVD later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Menendez-Castro
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Loschgestrasse 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Rascher
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Loschgestrasse 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrea Hartner
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Loschgestrasse 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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36
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Le B, Sutherland MR, Black MJ. Maladaptive structural remodelling of the heart following preterm birth. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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37
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Crispi F, Miranda J, Gratacós E. Long-term cardiovascular consequences of fetal growth restriction: biology, clinical implications, and opportunities for prevention of adult disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018; 218:S869-S879. [PMID: 29422215 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the modern world, cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women. Epidemiologic studies consistently have suggested an association between low birthweight and/or fetal growth restriction and increased rate of cardiovascular mortality in adulthood. Furthermore, experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that sustained nutrient and oxygen restriction that are associated with fetal growth restriction activate adaptive cardiovascular changes that might explain this association. Fetal growth restriction results in metabolic programming that may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and, consequently, of cardiovascular morbidity in the adult. In addition, fetal growth restriction is strongly associated with fetal cardiac and arterial remodeling and a subclinical state of cardiovascular dysfunction. The cardiovascular effects ocurring in fetal life, includes cardiac morphology changes, subclinical myocardial dysfunction, arterial remodeling, and impaired endothelial function, persist into childhood and adolescence. Importantly, these changes have been described in all clinical presentations of fetal growth restriction, from severe early- to milder late-onset forms. In this review we summarize the current evidence on the cardiovascular effects of fetal growth restriction, from subcellular to organ structure and function as well as from fetal to early postnatal life. Future research needs to elucidate whether and how early life cardiovascular remodeling persists into adulthood and determines the increased cardiovascular mortality rate described in epidemiologic studies.
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38
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Arima Y, Nishiyama K, Izumiya Y, Kaikita K, Hokimoto S, Tsujita K. Fetal Origins of Hypertension. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1012:41-48. [PMID: 29956193 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-5526-3_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension is a common noncommunicable disease. According to the World Health Organization, 1.13 billion people were suffering from hypertension in the year 2015. High blood pressure, hypertension, has a multifactorial etiology. Arterial atherosclerotic changes, systolic or diastolic dysfunction of the heart, and other noncardiac factors are involved. Epidemiological evidence has revealed that perinatal growth disturbance elevates the prevalence of hypertension. However, the specific effects of developmental disturbances on the pathological process of hypertension are poorly understood. Recently, it has become apparent that the perinatal period plays many essential roles in cardiovascular development. In this chapter, we focus on the perinatal development of the cardiovascular system, especially in murine models. Individual organs, blood, blood vessels, and the heart show unique growth characteristics during this period. We also introduce evidence from related clinical studies regarding the developmental origins of hypertension. Finally, evidence from several animal models is presented to reveal the effects of developmental disturbance or stress on arterial pathology. Improving our understanding of both developmental events and the results of clinical studies will give fresh insight into the fetal origins of hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Arima
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. .,International Research Center for Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
| | - Koichi Nishiyama
- International Research Center for Medical Science, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Izumiya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Koichi Kaikita
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Seiji Hokimoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kenichi Tsujita
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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39
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Asif Y, Wlodek ME, Black MJ, Russell AP, Soeding PF, Wadley GD. Sustained cardiac programming by short-term juvenile exercise training in male rats. J Physiol 2017; 596:163-180. [PMID: 29143975 DOI: 10.1113/jp275339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Cardiac hypertrophy following endurance-training is thought to be due to hypertrophy of existing cardiomyocytes. The benefits of endurance exercise on cardiac hypertrophy are generally thought to be short-lived and regress to sedentary levels within a few weeks of stopping endurance training. We have now established that cardiomyocyte hyperplasia also plays a considerable role in cardiac growth in response to just 4 weeks of endurance exercise in juvenile (5-9 weeks of age) rats. The effect of endurance exercise on cardiomyocyte hyperplasia diminishes with age and is lost by adulthood. We have also established that the effect of juvenile exercise on heart mass is sustained into adulthood. ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate if endurance training during juvenile life 'reprogrammes' the heart and leads to sustained improvements in the structure, function, and morphology of the adult heart. Male Wistar Kyoto rats were exercise trained 5 days week-1 for 4 weeks in either juvenile (5-9 weeks of age), adolescent (11-15 weeks of age) or adult life (20-24 weeks of age). Juvenile exercise training, when compared to 24-week-old sedentary rats, led to sustained increases in left ventricle (LV) mass (+18%; P < 0.05), wall thickness (+11%; P < 0.05), the longitudinal area of binucleated cardiomyocytes (P < 0.05), cardiomyocyte number (+36%; P < 0.05), and doubled the proportion of mononucleated cardiomyocytes (P < 0.05), with a less pronounced effect of exercise during adolescent life. Adult exercise training also increased LV mass (+11%; P < 0.05), wall thickness (+6%; P < 0.05) and the longitudinal area of binucleated cardiomyocytes (P < 0.05), despite no change in cardiomyocyte number or the proportion of mono- and binucleated cardiomyocytes. Resting cardiac function, LV chamber dimensions and fibrosis levels were not altered by juvenile or adult exercise training. At 9 weeks of age, juvenile exercise significantly reduced the expression of microRNA-208b, which is a known regulator of cardiac growth, but this was not sustained to 24 weeks of age. In conclusion, juvenile exercise leads to physiological cardiac hypertrophy that is sustained into adulthood long after exercise training has ceased. Furthermore, this cardiac reprogramming is largely due to a 36% increase in cardiomyocyte number, which results in an additional 20 million cardiomyocytes in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Asif
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - M E Wlodek
- Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - M J Black
- Department of Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - A P Russell
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3125, Australia
| | - P F Soeding
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - G D Wadley
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3125, Australia.,Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
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Cardiovascular susceptibility to in vivo ischemic myocardial injury in male and female rat offspring exposed to prenatal hypoxia. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131:2303-2317. [DOI: 10.1042/cs20171122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) following prenatal hypoxia exposure leads to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in later life. Our aim was to evaluate cardiac susceptibility and its pathophysiological mechanisms following acute myocardial infarction (MI) in adult rat offspring exposed to prenatal hypoxia. Male and female rat offspring, which experienced normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (11% O2) in utero underwent sham or MI surgery at 12 weeks of age. Echocardiographic data revealed that both sexes had systolic dysfunction following MI surgery, independent of prenatal hypoxia. Male offspring exposed to prenatal hypoxia, however, had left ventricular dilatation, global dysfunction, and signs of diastolic dysfunction following MI surgery as evident by increased left ventricular internal diameter (LVID) during diastole (MI effect, P<0.01), Tei index (MI effect, P<0.001), and E/E′ ratio (prenatal hypoxia or MI effect, P<0.01). In contrast, diastolic dysfunction in female offspring was not as evident. Cardiac superoxide levels increased only in prenatal hypoxia exposed male offspring. Cardiac sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase2a (SERCA2a) levels, a marker of cardiac injury and dysfunction, decreased in both male and female MI groups independent of prenatal hypoxia. Prenatal hypoxia increased cardiac ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2) protein levels, while MI reduced RYR2 in only male offspring. In conclusion, male offspring exposed to prenatal hypoxia had an increased susceptibility to ischemic myocardial injury involving cardiac phenotypes similar to heart failure involving diastolic dysfunction in adult life compared with both offspring from healthy pregnancies and their female counterparts.
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Preserved heart function after left ventricular pressure overload in adult mice subjected to neonatal cardiac hypoplasia. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2017; 9:112-124. [PMID: 28737122 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174417000514] [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: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction in animal models reduces heart size and cardiomyocyte number at birth. Such incomplete cardiomyocyte endowment is believed to increase susceptibility toward cardiovascular disease in adulthood, a phenomenon referred to as developmental programming. We have previously described a mouse model of impaired myocardial development leading to a 25% reduction of cardiomyocyte number in neonates. This study investigated the response of these hypoplastic hearts to pressure overload in adulthood, applied by abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). Echocardiography revealed a similar hypertrophic response in hypoplastic hearts compared with controls over the first 2 weeks. Subsequently, control mice develop mild left ventricular (LV) dilation, wall thinning and contractile dysfunction 4 weeks after AAC, whereas hypoplastic hearts fully maintain LV dimensions, wall thickness and contractility. At the cellular level, controls exhibit increased cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area after 4 weeks pressure overload compared with sham operated animals, but this hypertrophic response is markedly attenuated in hypoplastic hearts. AAC mediated induction of fibrosis, apoptosis or cell cycle activity was not different between groups. Expression of fetal genes, indicative of pathological conditions, was similar in hypoplastic and control hearts after AAC. Among various signaling pathways involved in cardiac hypertrophy, pressure overload induces p38 MAP-kinase activity in hypoplastic hearts but not controls compared with the respective sham operated animals. In summary, based on the mouse model used in this study, our data indicates that adult hearts after neonatal cardiac hypoplasia show an altered growth response to pressure overload, eventually resulting in better functional outcome compared with controls.
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Schipke J, Gonzalez-Tendero A, Cornejo L, Willführ A, Bijnens B, Crispi F, Mühlfeld C, Gratacós E. Experimentally induced intrauterine growth restriction in rabbits leads to differential remodelling of left versus right ventricular myocardial microstructure. Histochem Cell Biol 2017; 148:557-567. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-017-1587-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Kuo AH, Li C, Huber HF, Schwab M, Nathanielsz PW, Clarke GD. Maternal nutrient restriction during pregnancy and lactation leads to impaired right ventricular function in young adult baboons. J Physiol 2017; 595:4245-4260. [PMID: 28439937 PMCID: PMC5491873 DOI: 10.1113/jp273928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Maternal nutrient restriction induces intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and leads to heightened cardiovascular risks later in life. We report right ventricular (RV) filling and ejection abnormalities in IUGR young adult baboons using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Both functional and morphological indicators of poor RV function were seen, many of which were similar to effects of ageing, but also with a few key differences. We observed more pronounced RV changes compared to our previous report of the left ventricle, suggesting there is likely to be a component of isolated RV abnormality in addition to expected haemodynamic sequelae from left ventricular dysfunction. In particular, our findings raise the suspicion of pulmonary hypertension after IUGR. This study establishes that IUGR also leads to impairment of the right ventricle in addition to the left ventricle classically studied. ABSTRACT Maternal nutrient restriction induces intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), increasing later life chronic disease including cardiovascular dysfunction. Our left ventricular (LV) CMRI studies in IUGR baboons (8 M, 8 F, 5.7 years - human equivalent approximately 25 years), control offspring (8 M, 8 F, 5.6 years), and normal elderly (OLD) baboons (6 M, 6 F, mean 15.9 years) revealed long-term LV abnormalities in IUGR offspring. Although it is known that right ventricular (RV) function is dependent on LV health, the IUGR right ventricle remains poorly studied. We examined the right ventricle with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the same cohorts. We observed decreased ejection fraction (49 ± 2 vs. 33 ± 3%, P < 0.001), cardiac index (2.73 ± 0.27 vs. 1.89 ± 0.20 l min-1 m-2 , P < 0.05), early filling rate/body surface area (BSA) (109.2 ± 7.8 vs. 44.6 ± 7.3 ml s-1 m-2 , P < 0.001), wall thickening (61 ± 3 vs. 44 ± 5%, P < 0.05), and longitudinal shortening (26 ± 3 vs. 15 ± 2%, P < 0.01) in IUGR animals with increased chamber volumes. Many, but not all, of these changes share similarities to normal older animals. Our findings suggest IUGR-induced pulmonary hypertension should be further investigated and that atrial volume, pulmonic outflow and interventricular septal motion may provide valuable insights into IUGR cardiovascular physiology. Overall, our findings reaffirm that gestational and neonatal challenges can result in long-term programming of poor offspring cardiovascular health. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting IUGR-induced programmed adult RV dysfunction in an experimental primate model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson H. Kuo
- Department of Radiology and Research Imaging InstituteUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTXUSA
| | - Cun Li
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of WyomingLaramieWYUSA
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterSan AntonioTXUSA
| | | | - Matthias Schwab
- Hans Berger Department for NeurologyUniversity HospitalJenaGermany
| | - Peter W. Nathanielsz
- Department of Animal ScienceUniversity of WyomingLaramieWYUSA
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterSan AntonioTXUSA
| | - Geoffrey D. Clarke
- Department of Radiology and Research Imaging InstituteUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTXUSA
- Southwest National Primate Research CenterSan AntonioTXUSA
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Muralimanoharan S, Li C, Nakayasu ES, Casey CP, Metz TO, Nathanielsz PW, Maloyan A. Sexual dimorphism in the fetal cardiac response to maternal nutrient restriction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2017. [PMID: 28641979 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Poor maternal nutrition causes intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR); however, its effects on fetal cardiac development are unclear. We have developed a baboon model of moderate maternal undernutrition, leading to IUGR. We hypothesized that the IUGR affects fetal cardiac structure and metabolism. Six control pregnant baboons ate ad-libitum (CTRL)) or 70% CTRL from 0.16 of gestation (G). Fetuses were euthanized at C-section at 0.9G under general anesthesia. Male but not female IUGR fetuses showed left ventricular fibrosis inversely correlated with birth weight. Expression of extracellular matrix protein TSP-1 was increased (p<0.05) in male IUGR. Expression of cardiac fibrotic markers TGFβ, SMAD3 and ALK-1 were downregulated in male IUGRs with no difference in females. Autophagy was present in male IUGR evidenced by upregulation of ATG7 expression and lipidation LC3B. Global miRNA expression profiling revealed 56 annotated and novel cardiac miRNAs exclusively dysregulated in female IUGR, and 38 cardiac miRNAs were exclusively dysregulated in males (p<0.05). Fifteen (CTRL) and 23 (IUGR) miRNAs, were differentially expressed between males and females (p<0.05) suggesting sexual dimorphism, which can be at least partially explained by differential expression of upstream transcription factors (e.g. HNF4α, and NFκB p50). Lipidomics analysis of fetal cardiac tissue exhibited a net increase in diacylglycerol and plasmalogens and a decrease in triglycerides and phosphatidylcholines. In summary, IUGR resulting from decreased maternal nutrition is associated with sex-dependent dysregulations in cardiac structure, miRNA expression, and lipid metabolism. If these changes persist postnatally, they may program offspring for higher later life cardiac risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sribalasubashini Muralimanoharan
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Cun Li
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA
| | - Ernesto S Nakayasu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA
| | - Cameron P Casey
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA
| | - Thomas O Metz
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, USA
| | - Peter W Nathanielsz
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA
| | - Alina Maloyan
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
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Rodríguez-Rodríguez P, López de Pablo AL, García-Prieto CF, Somoza B, Quintana-Villamandos B, Gómez de Diego JJ, Gutierrez-Arzapalo PY, Ramiro-Cortijo D, González MC, Arribas SM. Long term effects of fetal undernutrition on rat heart. Role of hypertension and oxidative stress. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171544. [PMID: 28212445 PMCID: PMC5315302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Fetal undernutrition is a risk factor for heart disease in both genders, despite the protection of women against hypertension development. Using a rat model of maternal undernutrition (MUN) we aimed to assess possible sex differences in the development of cardiac alterations and the implication of hypertension and cardiac oxidative stress. Methods Male and female offspring from rats fed ad libitum (control) or with 50% of the normal daily intake during the second half of gestation (MUN) were used. Heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW), hemodynamic parameters (anaesthetized rats) and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP, ELISA) were assessed in 21-day, 6-month and 22-month old rats. Plasma testosterone (ELISA) and cardiac protein expression of enzymes related to reactive oxygen species synthesis (p22phox, xanthine-oxidase) and degradation (catalase, Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, Ec-SOD) were evaluated in 21-day and 6-month old rats (Western Blot). Heart structure and function was studied at the age of 22 months (echocardiography). Results At the age of 21 days MUN males exhibited significantly larger HW/BW and cardiac p22phox expression while females had reduced p22phox expression, compared to their respective sex-matched controls. At the age of 6-months, MUN males showed significantly larger blood pressure and cardiac xanthine-oxidase expression; MUN females were normotensive and had a lower cardiac expression of antioxidant enzymes, compared to their respective sex-matched controls. At the age of 22 months, both MUN males and females showed larger HW/BW and left ventricular mass and lower ejection fraction compared to sex-matched controls; only MUN males exhibited hypertension and a larger plasma BNP compared to aged male controls. Conclusions 1) During perinatal life females exposed to fetal undernutrition are protected from cardiac alterations, but in ageing they exhibit ventricular hypertrophy and functional loss, like MUN males; 2) cardiac oxidative stress might be implicated in the observed heart alterations in both sexes and 3) the severity of cardiac damage might be greater in males due to hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angel L. López de Pablo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Concha F. García-Prieto
- Departamento de Ciencias Experimentales y de la Salud; Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Somoza
- Departamento de Ciencias Experimentales y de la Salud; Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Quintana-Villamandos
- Departamento de Anestesiología y Reanimación; Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - David Ramiro-Cortijo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Carmen González
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia M. Arribas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Botting KJ, Giussani DA. At the heart of accelerated old matter. J Physiol 2017; 595:1009-1010. [PMID: 28198011 DOI: 10.1113/jp273656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley J Botting
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dino A Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Here, we provide a summary of the current knowledge on the impact of early life nutrition on cardiovascular diseases that have emerged from studies in humans and experimental animal models. The involvement of epigenetic mechanisms in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease will be discussed in relation to the implications for the heart and the cardiovascular system. RECENT FINDINGS Environmental cues, such as parental diet and a suboptimal in utero environment can shape growth and development, causing long-lasting cardiometabolic perturbations. Increasing evidence suggest that these effects are mediated at the epigenomic level, and can be passed onto future generations. In the last decade, epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone modifications) and RNA-based mechanisms (microRNAs, piRNAs, and tRNAs) have therefore emerged as potential candidates for mediating inheritance of cardiometabolic diseases. SUMMARY The burden of obesity and associated cardiometabolic diseases is believed to arise through interaction between an individual's genetics and the environment. Moreover, the risk of developing poor cardiometabolic health in adulthood is defined by early life exposure to pathological cues and can be inherited by future generations, initiating a vicious cycle of transmission of disease. Elucidating the molecular triggers of such a process will help tackle and prevent the uncontrolled rise in obesity and cardiometabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Loche
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Keenaghan M, Sun L, Wang A, Hyodo E, Homma S, Ten VS. Intrauterine growth restriction impairs right ventricular response to hypoxia in adult male rats. Pediatr Res 2016; 80:547-53. [PMID: 27557421 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2016.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) predisposes to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. The mechanisms of this phenomenon remain cryptic. We hypothesized that heart mitochondria in IUGR-born adult rats are more sensitive to acute hypoxia which translates into dysfunctional cardiac response to hypoxic stress. METHODS Adult IUGR-born male rats (the offspring of dams fed with calories-restricted diet during pregnancy) were exposed to acute hypoxic stress with echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function. In parallel, mitochondrial respiration in organelles isolated from left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) was tested in normoxic and anoxic conditions. The extent of post-anoxic inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and cardiac function was compared with controls, non-IUGR rats. RESULTS Compared with controls, in the IUGR rats hypoxia significantly reduced only RV contractility, evidenced by decreased fractional shortening, functional area of contraction, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. In isolated mitochondria, anoxic challenge inhibited respiratory chain in both groups of rats. However, compared with controls, the extent of anoxic mitochondrial depression was significantly greater in IUGR-born rats, but only in the organelles isolated from RV. CONCLUSIONS In adult IUGR-born rats, mitochondria from RV are hypersensitive to oxygen deprivation and this translates into maladaptive RV cardiac response to acute hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Keenaghan
- Department of Pediatrics, Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York.,Department of Pediatrics, St. Georges University, Grenada, West Indies
| | - Lena Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York.,Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Aili Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Eiichi Hyodo
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Sinichi Homma
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Vadim S Ten
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Abstract
Fetal programming describes long-term adaptive changes that an organism undergoes in response to an intrauterine insult. This term was coined to describe the increased incidence of adult disease, such as cardiovascular disease, seen among populations that suffered an intrauterine insult. While changes induced by such an insult may be initially beneficial, they can have deleterious long-term effects. Cardiac programming effects can be induced by maternal diet alterations, fetal exposure to increased levels of corticosteroids, chronic fetal hypoxia and anemia, and maternal use of nicotine or cocaine. These stimuli result in a variety of changes in cardiac function and gene expression, many of which persist into adulthood. A possible mediator of these changes is an alteration in the DNA methylation pattern of the cardiomyocytes. This review gives an overview of the changes that have been observed in the heart in response to various programming stimuli and potential programming mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Meyer
- Center for Perinatal Biology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Loma Linda University, School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California 92350, USA.
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Pravastatin ameliorates placental vascular defects, fetal growth, and cardiac function in a model of glucocorticoid excess. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:6265-70. [PMID: 27185937 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1520356113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetoplacental glucocorticoid overexposure is a significant mechanism underlying fetal growth restriction and the programming of adverse health outcomes in the adult. Placental glucocorticoid inactivation by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) plays a key role. We previously discovered that Hsd11b2(-/-) mice, lacking 11β-HSD2, show marked underdevelopment of the placental vasculature. We now explore the consequences for fetal cardiovascular development and whether this is reversible. We studied Hsd11b2(+/+), Hsd11b2(+/-), and Hsd11b2(-/-) littermates from heterozygous (Hsd11b(+/-)) matings at embryonic day (E)14.5 and E17.5, where all three genotypes were present to control for maternal effects. Using high-resolution ultrasound, we found that umbilical vein blood velocity in Hsd11b2(-/-) fetuses did not undergo the normal gestational increase seen in Hsd11b2(+/+) littermates. Similarly, the resistance index in the umbilical artery did not show the normal gestational decline. Surprisingly, given that 11β-HSD2 absence is predicted to initiate early maturation, the E/A wave ratio was reduced at E17.5 in Hsd11b2(-/-) fetuses, suggesting impaired cardiac function. Pravastatin administration from E6.5, which increases placental vascular endothelial growth factor A and, thus, vascularization, increased placental fetal capillary volume, ameliorated the aberrant umbilical cord velocity, normalized fetal weight, and improved the cardiac function of Hsd11b2(-/-) fetuses. This improved cardiac function occurred despite persisting indications of increased glucocorticoid exposure in the Hsd11b2(-/-) fetal heart. Thus, the pravastatin-induced enhancement of fetal capillaries within the placenta and the resultant hemodynamic changes correspond with restored fetal cardiac function. Statins may represent a useful therapeutic approach to intrauterine growth retardation due to placental vascular hypofunction.
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