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Shimada H, Powell TL, Jansson T. Regulation of placental amino acid transport in health and disease. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024; 240:e14157. [PMID: 38711335 PMCID: PMC11162343 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14157] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal fetal growth, i.e., intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or fetal growth restriction (FGR) and fetal overgrowth, is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality and is strongly linked to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in childhood and later in life. Emerging evidence suggests that changes in placental amino acid transport may contribute to abnormal fetal growth. This review is focused on amino acid transport in the human placenta, however, relevant animal models will be discussed to add mechanistic insights. At least 25 distinct amino acid transporters with different characteristics and substrate preferences have been identified in the human placenta. Of these, System A, transporting neutral nonessential amino acids, and System L, mediating the transport of essential amino acids, have been studied in some detail. Importantly, decreased placental Systems A and L transporter activity is strongly associated with IUGR and increased placental activity of these two amino acid transporters has been linked to fetal overgrowth in human pregnancy. An array of factors in the maternal circulation, including insulin, IGF-1, and adiponectin, and placental signaling pathways such as mTOR, have been identified as key regulators of placental Systems A and L. Studies using trophoblast-specific gene targeting in mice have provided compelling evidence that changes in placental Systems A and L are mechanistically linked to altered fetal growth. It is possible that targeting specific placental amino acid transporters or their upstream regulators represents a novel intervention to alleviate the short- and long-term consequences of abnormal fetal growth in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Shimada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, US
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Dawid M, Pich K, Mlyczyńska E, Respekta-Długosz N, Wachowska D, Greggio A, Szkraba O, Kurowska P, Rak A. Adipokines in pregnancy. Adv Clin Chem 2024; 121:172-269. [PMID: 38797542 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2024.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Reproductive success consists of a sequential events chronology, starting with the ovum fertilization, implantation of the embryo, placentation, and cellular processes like proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, endocrinology, or metabolic changes, which taken together finally conduct the birth of healthy offspring. Currently, many factors are known that affect the regulation and proper maintenance of pregnancy in humans, domestic animals, or rodents. Among the determinants of reproductive success should be distinguished: the maternal microenvironment, genes, and proteins as well as numerous pregnancy hormones that regulate the most important processes and ensure organism homeostasis. It is well known that white adipose tissue, as the largest endocrine gland in our body, participates in the synthesis and secretion of numerous hormones belonging to the adipokine family, which also may regulate the course of pregnancy. Unfortunately, overweight and obesity lead to the expansion of adipose tissue in the body, and its excess in both women and animals contributes to changes in the synthesis and release of adipokines, which in turn translates into dramatic changes during pregnancy, including those taking place in the organ that is crucial for the proper progress of pregnancy, i.e. the placenta. In this chapter, we are summarizing the current knowledge about levels of adipokines and their role in the placenta, taking into account the physiological and pathological conditions of pregnancy, e.g. gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, or intrauterine growth restriction in humans, domestic animals, and rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Dawid
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pich
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Mlyczyńska
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Natalia Respekta-Długosz
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Dominka Wachowska
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland; Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Greggio
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Oliwia Szkraba
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Patrycja Kurowska
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Rak
- Laboratory of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland.
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Ozmen A, Nwabuobi C, Tang Z, Guo X, Larsen K, Guller S, Blas J, Moore M, Kayisli UA, Lockwood CJ, Guzeloglu-Kayisli O. Leptin-Mediated Induction of IL-6 Expression in Hofbauer Cells Contributes to Preeclampsia Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:135. [PMID: 38203306 PMCID: PMC10778808 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Leptin plays a crucial role in regulating energy homoeostasis, neuroendocrine function, metabolism, and immune and inflammatory responses. The adipose tissue is a main source of leptin, but during pregnancy, leptin is also secreted primarily by the placenta. Circulating leptin levels peak during the second trimester of human pregnancy and fall after labor. Several studies indicated a strong association between elevated placental leptin levels and preeclampsia (PE) pathogenesis and elevated serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in PE patients. Therefore, we hypothesized that a local increase in placental leptin production induces IL-6 production in Hofbauer cells (HBCs) to contribute to PE-associated inflammation. We first investigated HBCs-specific IL-6 and leptin receptor (LEPR) expression and compared their immunoreactivity in PE vs. gestational age-matched control placentas. Subsequently, we examined the in vitro regulation of IL-6 as well as the phosphorylation levels of intracellular signaling proteins STAT3, STAT5, NF-κB, and ERK1/2 by increasing recombinant human leptin concentrations (10 to 1000 ng/mL) in primary cultured HBCs. Lastly, HBC cultures were incubated with leptin ± specific inhibitors of STAT3 or STAT5, or p65 NF-κB or ERK1/2 MAPK signaling cascades to determine relevant cascade(s) involved in leptin-mediated IL-6 regulation. Immunohistochemistry revealed ~three- and ~five-fold increases in IL-6 and LEPR expression, respectively, in HBCs from PE placentas. In vitro analysis indicated that leptin treatment in HBCs stimulate IL-6 in a concentration-dependent manner both at the transcriptional and secretory levels (p < 0.05). Moreover, leptin-treated HBC cultures displayed significantly increased phosphorylation levels of STAT5, p65 NF-κB, and ERK1/2 MAPK and pre-incubation of HBCs with a specific ERK1/2 MAPK inhibitor blocked leptin-induced IL-6 expression. Our in situ results show that HBCs contribute to the pathogenesis of PE by elevating IL-6 expression, and in vitro results indicate that induction of IL-6 expression in HBCs is primarily leptin-mediated. While HBCs display an anti-inflammatory phenotype in normal placentas, elevated levels of leptin may transform HBCs into a pro-inflammatory phenotype by activating ERK1/2 MAPK to augment IL-6 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asli Ozmen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Chinedu Nwabuobi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Zhonghua Tang
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; (Z.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Xiaofang Guo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Kellie Larsen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Seth Guller
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; (Z.T.); (S.G.)
| | - Jacqueline Blas
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Monica Moore
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Umit A. Kayisli
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Charles J. Lockwood
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
| | - Ozlem Guzeloglu-Kayisli
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.O.); (C.N.); (X.G.); (K.L.); (J.B.); (M.M.); (U.A.K.); (C.J.L.)
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Alves-Silva T, Húngaro TG, Freitas-Lima LC, de Melo Arthur G, Arruda AC, Santos RB, Oyama LM, Mori MA, Bader M, Araujo RC. Kinin B1 receptor controls maternal adiponectin levels and influences offspring weight gain. iScience 2023; 26:108409. [PMID: 38058311 PMCID: PMC10696114 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Given the importance of the kinin B1 receptor in insulin and leptin hormonal regulation, which in turn is crucial in maternal adaptations to ensure nutrient supply to the fetus, we investigated the role of this receptor in maternal metabolism and fetoplacental development. Wild-type and kinin B1 receptor-deficient (B1KO) female mice were mated with male mice of the opposite genotype. Consequently, the entire litter was heterozygous for kinin B1 receptor, ensuring that there would be no influence of offspring genotype on the maternal phenotype. Maternal kinin B1 receptor blockade reduces adiponectin secretion by adipose tissue ex vivo, consistent with lower adiponectin levels in pregnant B1KO mice. Furthermore, fasting insulinemia also increased, which was associated with placental insulin resistance, reduced placental glycogen accumulation, and heavier offspring. Therefore, we propose the combination of chronic hyperinsulinemia and reduced adiponectin secretion in B1KO female mice create a maternal obesogenic environment that results in heavier pups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaís Alves-Silva
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Molecular Biology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Campus Berlin-Buch, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Talita G.R. Húngaro
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Nephrology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Leandro C. Freitas-Lima
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Molecular Biology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Gabriel de Melo Arthur
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Molecular Biology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Adriano C. Arruda
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Nephrology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Raisa B. Santos
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Nephrology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Lila M. Oyama
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Endocrine Physiology, Physiology Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04023-901, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A.S. Mori
- Laboratory of Aging Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Michael Bader
- Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Campus Berlin-Buch, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ronaldo C. Araujo
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Molecular Biology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
- Laboratory of Genetics and Exercise Metabolism, Nephrology Program, Biophysics Department, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
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5
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Page L, Younge N, Freemark M. Hormonal Determinants of Growth and Weight Gain in the Human Fetus and Preterm Infant. Nutrients 2023; 15:4041. [PMID: 37764824 PMCID: PMC10537367 DOI: 10.3390/nu15184041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The factors controlling linear growth and weight gain in the human fetus and newborn infant are poorly understood. We review here the changes in linear growth, weight gain, lean body mass, and fat mass during mid- and late gestation and the early postnatal period in the context of changes in the secretion and action of maternal, placental, fetal, and neonatal hormones, growth factors, and adipocytokines. We assess the effects of hormonal determinants on placental nutrient delivery and the impact of preterm delivery on hormone expression and postnatal growth and metabolic function. We then discuss the effects of various maternal disorders and nutritional and pharmacologic interventions on fetal and perinatal hormone and growth factor production, growth, and fat deposition and consider important unresolved questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Page
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Noelle Younge
- Neonatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Michael Freemark
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
- The Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Diniz MS, Grilo LF, Tocantins C, Falcão-Pires I, Pereira SP. Made in the Womb: Maternal Programming of Offspring Cardiovascular Function by an Obesogenic Womb. Metabolites 2023; 13:845. [PMID: 37512552 PMCID: PMC10386510 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13070845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity incidence has been increasing at an alarming rate, especially in women of reproductive age. It is estimated that 50% of pregnancies occur in overweight or obese women. It has been described that maternal obesity (MO) predisposes the offspring to an increased risk of developing many chronic diseases in an early stage of life, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the main cause of death worldwide among men and women, and it is manifested in a sex-divergent way. Maternal nutrition and MO during gestation could prompt CVD development in the offspring through adaptations of the offspring's cardiovascular system in the womb, including cardiac epigenetic and persistent metabolic programming of signaling pathways and modulation of mitochondrial metabolic function. Currently, despite diet supplementation, effective therapeutical solutions to prevent the deleterious cardiac offspring function programming by an obesogenic womb are lacking. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which an obesogenic intrauterine environment could program the offspring's cardiovascular metabolism in a sex-divergent way, with a special focus on cardiac mitochondrial function, and debate possible strategies to implement during MO pregnancy that could ameliorate, revert, or even prevent deleterious effects of MO on the offspring's cardiovascular system. The impact of maternal physical exercise during an obesogenic pregnancy, nutritional interventions, and supplementation on offspring's cardiac metabolism are discussed, highlighting changes that may be favorable to MO offspring's cardiovascular health, which might result in the attenuation or even prevention of the development of CVD in MO offspring. The objectives of this manuscript are to comprehensively examine the various aspects of MO during pregnancy and explore the underlying mechanisms that contribute to an increased CVD risk in the offspring. We review the current literature on MO and its impact on the offspring's cardiometabolic health. Furthermore, we discuss the potential long-term consequences for the offspring. Understanding the multifaceted effects of MO on the offspring's health is crucial for healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers to develop effective strategies for prevention and intervention to improve care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S Diniz
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís F Grilo
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carolina Tocantins
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Falcão-Pires
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana P Pereira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LaMetEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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Guadix P, Corrales I, Vilariño-García T, Rodríguez-Chacón C, Sánchez-Jiménez F, Jiménez-Cortegana C, Dueñas JL, Sánchez-Margalet V, Pérez-Pérez A. Expression of nutrient transporters in placentas affected by gestational diabetes: role of leptin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1172831. [PMID: 37497352 PMCID: PMC10366688 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1172831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most frequent pathophysiological state of pregnancy, which in many cases produces fetuses with macrosomia, requiring increased nutrient transport in the placenta. Recent studies by our group have demonstrated that leptin is a key hormone in placental physiology, and its expression is increased in placentas affected by GDM. However, the effect of leptin on placental nutrient transport, such as transport of glucose, amino acids, and lipids, is not fully understood. Thus, we aimed to review literature on the leptin effect involved in placental nutrient transport as well as activated leptin signaling pathways involved in the expression of placental transporters, which may contribute to an increase in placental nutrient transport in human pregnancies complicated by GDM. Leptin appears to be a relevant key hormone that regulates placental transport, and this regulation is altered in pathophysiological conditions such as gestational diabetes. Adaptations in the placental capacity to transport glucose, amino acids, and lipids may underlie both under- or overgrowth of the fetus when maternal nutrient and hormone levels are altered due to changes in maternal nutrition or metabolic disease. Implementing new strategies to modulate placental transport may improve maternal health and prove effective in normalizing fetal growth in cases of intrauterine growth restriction and fetal overgrowth. However, further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Guadix
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Isabel Corrales
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Teresa Vilariño-García
- Clinical Biochemistry Service, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Carmen Rodríguez-Chacón
- Clinical Biochemistry Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Flora Sánchez-Jiménez
- Clinical Biochemistry Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Carlos Jiménez-Cortegana
- Clinical Biochemistry Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - José L. Dueñas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Víctor Sánchez-Margalet
- Clinical Biochemistry Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Pérez
- Clinical Biochemistry Service, Virgen Macarena University Hospital and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
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Cerveny L, Karbanova S, Karahoda R, Horackova H, Jiraskova L, Ali MNH, Staud F. Assessment of the role of nucleoside transporters, P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein, and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 in the placental transport of entecavir using in vitro, ex vivo, and in situ methods. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 463:116427. [PMID: 36801311 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The nucleoside analog entecavir (ETV) is a first-line pharmacotherapy for chronic hepatitis B in adult and pediatric patients. However, due to insufficient data on placental transfer and its effects on pregnancy, ETV administration is not recommended for women after conception. To expand knowledge of safety, we focused on evaluating the contribution of nucleoside transporters (NBMPR sensitive ENTs and Na+ dependent CNTs) and efflux transporters, P-glycoprotein (ABCB1), breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2), and multidrug resistance-associated transporter 2 (ABCC2), to the placental kinetics of ETV. We observed that NBMPR and nucleosides (adenosine and/or uridine) inhibited [3H]ETV uptake into BeWo cells, microvillous membrane vesicles, and fresh villous fragments prepared from the human term placenta, while Na+ depletion had no effect. Using a dual perfusion study in an open-circuit setup, we showed that maternal-to-fetal and fetal-to-maternal clearances of [3H]ETV in the rat term placenta were decreased by NBMPR and uridine. Net efflux ratios calculated for bidirectional transport studies performed in MDCKII cells expressing human ABCB1, ABCG2, or ABCC2 were close to the value of one. Consistently, no significant decrease in fetal perfusate was observed in the closed-circuit setup of dual perfusion studies, suggesting that active efflux does not significantly reduce maternal-to-fetal transport. In conclusion, ENTs (most likely ENT1), but not CNTs, ABCB1, ABCG2, and ABCC2, contribute significantly to the placental kinetics of ETV. Future studies should investigate the placental/fetal toxicity of ETV, the impact of drug-drug interactions on ENT1, and interindividual variability in ENT1 expression on the placental uptake and fetal exposure to ETV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Cerveny
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
| | - Sara Karbanova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Rona Karahoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Horackova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Jiraskova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Mohammed Naji Husaen Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Sharma Y, Galvão AM. Maternal obesity and ovarian failure: is leptin the culprit? Anim Reprod 2023; 19:e20230007. [PMID: 36855701 PMCID: PMC9968511 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
At the time of its discovery and characterization in 1994, leptin was mostly considered a metabolic hormone able to regulate body weight and energy homeostasis. However, in recent years, a great deal of literature has revealed leptin's pleiotropic nature, through its involvement in numerous physiological contexts including the regulation of the female reproductive tract and ovarian function. Obesity has been largely associated with infertility, and leptin signalling is known to be dysregulated in the ovaries of obese females. Hence, the disruption of ovarian leptin signalling was shown to contribute to the pathophysiology of ovarian failure in obese females, affecting transcriptional programmes in the gamete and somatic cells. This review attempts to uncover the underlying mechanisms contributing to female infertility associated with obesity, as well as to shed light on the role of leptin in the metabolic dysregulation within the follicle, the effects on the oocyte epigenome, and the potential long-term consequence to embryo programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashaswi Sharma
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of PAS, Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - António Miguel Galvão
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of PAS, Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Olsztyn, Poland,Babraham Institute, Epigenetics Programme, Cambridge, United Kingdom UK,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom UK,Corresponding author: ;
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10
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Cechinel LR, Batabyal RA, Freishtat RJ, Zohn IE. Parental obesity-induced changes in developmental programming. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:918080. [PMID: 36274855 PMCID: PMC9585252 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.918080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies support the link between parental obesity and the predisposition to develop adult-onset metabolic syndromes that include obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes in the offspring. As the prevalence of obesity increases in persons of childbearing age, so does metabolic syndrome in their descendants. Understanding how parental obesity alters metabolic programs in the progeny, predisposing them to adult-onset metabolic syndrome, is key to breaking this cycle. This review explores the basis for altered metabolism of offspring exposed to overnutrition by focusing on critical developmental processes influenced by parental obesity. We draw from human and animal model studies, highlighting the adaptations in metabolism that occur during normal pregnancy that become maladaptive with obesity. We describe essential phases of development impacted by parental obesity that contribute to long-term alterations in metabolism in the offspring. These encompass gamete formation, placentation, adipogenesis, pancreas development, and development of brain appetite control circuits. Parental obesity alters the developmental programming of these organs in part by inducing epigenetic changes with long-term consequences on metabolism. While exposure to parental obesity during any of these phases is sufficient to alter long-term metabolism, offspring often experience multiple exposures throughout their development. These insults accumulate to increase further the susceptibility of the offspring to the obesogenic environments of modern society.
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11
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Denizli M, Capitano ML, Kua KL. Maternal obesity and the impact of associated early-life inflammation on long-term health of offspring. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:940937. [PMID: 36189369 PMCID: PMC9523142 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.940937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity is increasingly common in the United States, with ~25% of women of reproductive age being overweight or obese. Metaflammation, a chronic low grade inflammatory state caused by altered metabolism, is often present in pregnancies complicated by obesity. As a result, the fetuses of mothers who are obese are exposed to an in-utero environment that has altered nutrients and cytokines. Notably, both human and preclinical studies have shown that children born to mothers with obesity have higher risks of developing chronic illnesses affecting various organ systems. In this review, the authors sought to present the role of cytokines and inflammation during healthy pregnancy and determine how maternal obesity changes the inflammatory landscape of the mother, leading to fetal reprogramming. Next, the negative long-term impact on offspring’s health in numerous disease contexts, including offspring’s risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders (autism, attention deficit and hyperactive disorder), metabolic diseases (obesity, type 2 diabetes), atopy, and malignancies will be discussed along with the potential of altered immune/inflammatory status in offspring as a contributor of these diseases. Finally, the authors will list critical knowledge gaps in the field of developmental programming of health and diseases in the context of offspring of mothers with obesity, particularly the understudied role of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Denizli
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis IN, United States
| | - Maegan L. Capitano
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis IN, United States
| | - Kok Lim Kua
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Kok Lim Kua,
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12
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Lapolla A, Traldi P. Proteomic Approaches in the Study of Placenta of Pregnancy Complicated by Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092272. [PMID: 36140373 PMCID: PMC9496584 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a glucose intolerance developing or first recognized during pregnancy, leads to a series of short- and long-term maternal and fetal complications, somehow related to placenta structural and functional changes. The focus and the objective of the present review are to discuss the results which can be obtained by different mass spectrometric approaches in the study of placenta protein profile. Thus, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) has been applied on placenta omogenates before and after one-dimensional electrophoretic separation, followed by tryptic digestion. MALDI imaging was used for direct investigation on the placenta tissue (both maternal and fetal sides). The results showed that some differences among the absolute abundances of some proteins are present for placenta samples from GDM patients. The majority of investigations were carried out by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) followed by LC-MS/MS or, directly by the label-free LC-MSE approach. It should be emphasized that all these techniques were showed differences in the protein expression between the placenta samples from healthy or GDM subjects. 2DE was also employed to separate and compare placental protein levels from GDM and the control groups: differentially expressed proteins between the two groups were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and were further confirmed by Western blotting. The physiopathological significance of the obtained results are reported and discussed in this narrative review. The experimental data obtained until now show that the newest, mass spectrometric approaches can be considered a valid tool to investigate the possible changes of placenta in the presence of GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annunziata Lapolla
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Pietro Traldi
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica, Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
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13
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Scott H, Martinelli LM, Grynspan D, Bloise E, Connor KL. Preterm Birth Associates With Increased Placental Expression of MDR Transporters Irrespective of Prepregnancy BMI. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:1140-1158. [PMID: 34748636 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Preterm birth (PTB) and suboptimal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) operate through inflammatory pathways to impair fetoplacental development. Placental efflux transporters mediate fetal protection and nutrition; however, few studies consider the effect of both PTB and BMI on fetal protection. We hypothesized that PTB would alter the expression of placental multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters and selected proinflammatory cytokines, and that maternal underweight and obesity would further impair placental phenotype. OBJECTIVE To determine whether placental MDR transporters P-glycoprotein (P-gp, encoded by ABCB1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2), and proinflammatory cytokine levels are altered by PTB and maternal BMI. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the effect of PTB (with/without chorioamnionitis), or the effect of maternal prepregnancy BMI on placental MDR transporter and interleukin (IL)-6 and -8 expression in 60 preterm and 36 term pregnancies. RESULTS ABCB1 expression was increased in preterm compared to term placentae (P = .04). P-gp (P = .008) and BCRP (P = .01) immunolabeling was increased among all preterm compared to term placentae, with P-gp expression further increased in preterm pregnancies with chorioamnionitis (PTC, P = .007). Placental IL-6 mRNA expression was decreased in PTC compared to term placentae (P = .0005) and PTC associated with the greatest proportion of anti-inflammatory medications administered during pregnancy. Maternal BMI group did not influence placental outcomes. CONCLUSION PTB and infection, but not prepregnancy BMI, alter placental expression of MDR transporters and IL-6. This may have implications for fetal exposure to xenobiotics that may be present in the maternal circulation in pregnancies complicated by PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey Scott
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Lilian M Martinelli
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - David Grynspan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Enrrico Bloise
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Kristin L Connor
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
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14
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Rees A, Richards O, Chambers M, Jenkins BJ, Cronin JG, Thornton CA. Immunometabolic adaptation and immune plasticity in pregnancy and the bi-directional effects of obesity. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 208:132-146. [PMID: 35348641 PMCID: PMC9188350 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mandatory maternal metabolic and immunological changes are essential to pregnancy success. Parallel changes in metabolism and immune function make immunometabolism an attractive mechanism to enable dynamic immune adaptation during pregnancy. Immunometabolism is a burgeoning field with the underlying principle being that cellular metabolism underpins immune cell function. With whole body changes to the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein and lipids well recognised to occur in pregnancy and our growing understanding of immunometabolism as a determinant of immunoinflammatory effector responses, it would seem reasonable to expect immune plasticity during pregnancy to be linked to changes in the availability and handling of multiple nutrient energy sources by immune cells. While studies of immunometabolism in pregnancy are only just beginning, the recognised bi-directional interaction between metabolism and immune function in the metabolic disorder obesity might provide some of the earliest insights into the role of immunometabolism in immune plasticity in pregnancy. Characterised by chronic low-grade inflammation including in pregnant women, obesity is associated with numerous adverse outcomes during pregnancy and beyond for both mother and child. Concurrent changes in metabolism and immunoinflammation are consistently described but any causative link is not well established. Here we provide an overview of the metabolic and immunological changes that occur in pregnancy and how these might contribute to healthy versus adverse pregnancy outcomes with special consideration of possible interactions with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Rees
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Oliver Richards
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Megan Chambers
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Benjamin J Jenkins
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - James G Cronin
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Catherine A Thornton
- Corresponding author: Cathy Thornton, ILS1, Swansea University Medical School, Singleton Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales SA2 8PP, UK.
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15
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Drews B, Milojevic V, Robles M, Wimel L, Dubois C, Vegas AR, Giller K, Chavatte-Palmer P, Daniel H, Giesbertz P, Bruckmaier R, Ulbrich SE. Moderate differences in plasma leptin in mares have no effect on either the amino acid or the fatty acid composition of the uterine fluid. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 109:103827. [PMID: 34843890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Female mammalian reproductive functions are closely linked to body condition and metabolic status. Energy homeostasis is regulated by endocrine hormones such as insulin, IGF-I, leptin and adiponectin via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. These metabolic hormones and their receptors are also expressed in reproductive tissues and the embryo. We investigated the relationship between circulating leptin and the fatty acid (FA) and amino acid (AA) composition of the equine uterine fluid (UF) and peripheral blood plasma (BP) by using a mass spectrometry-based approach. UF and BP were collected from ten broodmares on days 6 and 7 post ovulation, respectively. The mares were retrospectively assigned to two groups according to their BP leptin concentrations (high leptin (> 1.6 ng/ml) versus low leptin (<0.8 ng/ml)). Specific AA and FA compositions for BP and UF were found with different levels of respective metabolite abundances. The main FAs in BP were stearic, palmitic and linoleic acid. In UF, the three most abundant FAs were eicosapentaenoic, arachidonic and stearic acid. The AA profile of BP was dominated by glycine, glutamine, serine and alanine, which were likewise among the highly abundant AAs in UF. In UF, glutamic acid had by far the highest concentration. Therefore, BP leptin concentration within a physiological range do not seem to affect the specific FA nor the AA composition of the UF. The composition of the UF may therefore be mediated by local rather than by peripheral metabolic hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Drews
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Vladimir Milojevic
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Morgane Robles
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France; Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - L Wimel
- IFCE, Station expérimentale de la Valade, 19370 Chamberet, France.
| | - C Dubois
- IFCE, Station expérimentale de la Valade, 19370 Chamberet, France.
| | - A Rudolf Vegas
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K Giller
- ETH Zurich, Animal Nutrition, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - P Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - H Daniel
- Nutritional Physiology, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany
| | - P Giesbertz
- Nutritional Physiology, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany.
| | - Rupert Bruckmaier
- Veterinary Physiology, Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, Vetsuisse Faculty Bern, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - S E Ulbrich
- ETH Zurich, Animal Physiology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
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16
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Toschi P, Baratta M. Ruminant Placental Adaptation in Early Maternal Undernutrition: An Overview. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:755034. [PMID: 34746288 PMCID: PMC8565373 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.755034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Correct placental development during early gestation is considered the main determinant of fetal growth in late pregnancy. A reduction in maternal nourishment occurring across the early developmental window has been linked to a wide range of pregnancy disorders affecting placental transport capacity and consequently the fetal nutrient supply line, with long-term implications for offspring health and productivity. In livestock, ruminant species specifically experience maternal undernutrition in extensive systems due to seasonal changes in food availability, with significant economic losses for the farmer in some situations. In this review, we aim to discuss the effects of reduced maternal nutrition during early pregnancy on placental development with a specific focus on ruminant placenta physiology. Different types of placental adaptation strategies were examined, also considering the potential effects on the epigenetic landscape, which is known to undergo extensive reprogramming during early mammalian development. We also discussed the involvement of autophagy as a cellular degradation mechanism that may play a key role in the placental response to nutrient deficiency mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin, named the mTOR intracellular pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Toschi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Mario Baratta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Viale delle Scienze, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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17
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Does Altered Cellular Metabolism Underpin the Normal Changes to the Maternal Immune System during Pregnancy? IMMUNOMETABOLISM 2021; 3:e210031. [PMID: 34729242 PMCID: PMC7611926 DOI: 10.20900/immunometab20210031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy is characterised by metabolic changes that occur to support the growth and development of the fetus over the course of gestation. These metabolic changes can be classified into two distinct phases: an initial anabolic phase to prepare an adequate store of substrates and energy which are then broken down and used during a catabolic phase to meet the energetic demands of the mother, placenta and fetus. Dynamic readjustment of immune homeostasis is also a feature of pregnancy and is likely linked to the changes in energy substrate utilisation at this time. As cellular metabolism is increasingly recognised as a key determinant of immune cell phenotype and function, we consider how changes in maternal metabolism might contribute to T cell plasticity during pregnancy.
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18
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Song L, Yan J, Wang N, Wei X, Luo X, Meng K, Sun B. Prenatal exercise reverses high-fat-diet-induced placental alterations and alters male fetal hypothalamus during late gestation in rats†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:705-716. [PMID: 31742332 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal high-fat (HF) diet negatively affects maternal metabolism and placental function. This study aimed to determine whether gestational exercise prevents the effect of HF diet on placental amino acid transporter expression and nutrient-sensing signaling and the fetal response. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were either fed with a CHOW (13.5% fat) or HF (60% fat) diet during gestation and further divided into two subgroups: voluntary exercised and sedentary. Placentae were collected on gestational day (GD) 14 and GD20, and male placentae were used in this study. We found that gestational exercise ameliorated the detrimental effects of HF diet on dams' adiposity, plasma leptin, and insulin concentrations. Maternal exercise did not influence fetoplacental growth but affected male fetal hypothalamic Leprb, Stat3, Insr, Agrp, and Pomc expressions on GD20. Maternal HF diet decreased placental labyrinth thickness and increased system A amino acid transporter SNAT2 expression, while these changes were normalized by exercise. The activation of placental mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1/4E-BP1 and LepRb/STAT3 signaling might contribute to the increased placental SNAT2 expression in HF-fed dams, which were reversed by exercise on GD20. These data highlight that gestational exercise reverses HF-diet-induced placental alterations during late gestation without influencing fetal growth. However, maternal exercise altered fetal hypothalamic gene expression, which may affect long-term offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Song
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jianqun Yan
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaojing Wei
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kai Meng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
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19
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Fowden AL, Camm EJ, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Effects of Maternal Obesity On Placental Phenotype. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2021; 19:113-131. [PMID: 32400334 DOI: 10.2174/1570161118666200513115316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of obesity is rising rapidly worldwide with the consequence that more women are entering pregnancy overweight or obese. This leads to an increased incidence of clinical complications during pregnancy and of poor obstetric outcomes. The offspring of obese pregnancies are often macrosomic at birth although there is also a subset of the progeny that are growth-restricted at term. Maternal obesity during pregnancy is also associated with cardiovascular, metabolic and endocrine dysfunction in the offspring later in life. As the interface between the mother and fetus, the placenta has a central role in programming intrauterine development and is known to adapt its phenotype in response to environmental conditions such as maternal undernutrition and hypoxia. However, less is known about placental function in the abnormal metabolic and endocrine environment associated with maternal obesity during pregnancy. This review discusses the placental consequences of maternal obesity induced either naturally or experimentally by increasing maternal nutritional intake and/or changing the dietary composition. It takes a comparative, multi-species approach and focusses on placental size, morphology, nutrient transport, metabolism and endocrine function during the later stages of obese pregnancy. It also examines the interventions that have been made during pregnancy in an attempt to alleviate the more adverse impacts of maternal obesity on placental phenotype. The review highlights the potential role of adaptations in placental phenotype as a contributory factor to the pregnancy complications and changes in fetal growth and development that are associated with maternal obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Fowden
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - E J Camm
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - A N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
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20
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Murthi P, Rajaraman G. Inflammasomes in the Pathophysiology of Maternal Obesity: Potential Therapeutic Targets to Reduce Long-Term Adverse Health Outcomes in the Mother and Offspring. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2021; 19:165-175. [PMID: 32493196 DOI: 10.2174/1570161118666200603131536] [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: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, the prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically worldwide, with an increase in occurrence among women in their reproductive age. Obesity during pregnancy is associated with significantly increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In addition to the short-term adverse health outcomes, both mother and the child are prone to develop cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological disorders. Although associations between obesity during pregnancy and adverse maternalfetal health outcomes are clear, the complex molecular mechanisms underlying maternal obesity remain largely unknown. This review describes multimeric self-assembling protein complexes, namely inflammasomes, as potential molecular targets in the pathophysiology of maternal obesity. Inflammasomes are implicated in both normal physiological and in pathophysiological processes that occur in response to an inflammatory milieu throughout gestation. This review highlights the current knowledge of inflammasome expression and its activity in pregnancies affected by maternal obesity. Key discussions in defining pharmacological inhibition of upstream as well as downstream targets of the inflammasome signaling cascade; and the inflammasome platform, as a potential therapeutic strategy in attenuating the pathophysiology underpinning inflammatory component in maternal obesity are presented herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Murthi
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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21
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Bhattacharjee J, Mohammad S, Adamo KB. Does exercise during pregnancy impact organs or structures of the maternal-fetal interface? Tissue Cell 2021; 72:101543. [PMID: 33940567 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Exercise during pregnancy has been shown to be associated with improved health outcomes both during and after pregnancy for mother and fetus across the lifespan. Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour during pregnancy have been recommended by many researchers and clinicians-alike. It is thought that the placenta plays a central role in mediating any positive or negative pregnancy outcomes. The positive outcomes obtained through prenatal exercise are postulated to result from exercise-induced regulation of maternal physiology and placental development. Considerable research has been performed to understand the placenta's role in pregnancy-related diseases, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus. However, little research has examined the potential for healthy lifestyle and behavioural changes to improve placental growth, development, and function. While the placenta represents the critical maternal-fetal interface responsible for all gas, nutrient, and waste exchange between the mother and fetus, the impact of exercise during pregnancy on placental biology and function is not well known. This review will focus on prenatal exercise and its promising influence on the structures of the maternal-fetal interface, with particular emphasis on the placenta. Potential molecular mechanistic hypotheses are presented to aid future investigations of prenatal exercise and placental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayonta Bhattacharjee
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Shuhiba Mohammad
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Kristi B Adamo
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
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22
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Stremming J, Heard S, White A, Chang EI, Shaw SC, Wesolowski SR, Jonker SS, Rozance PJ, Brown LD. IGF-1 infusion to fetal sheep increases organ growth but not by stimulating nutrient transfer to the fetus. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2021; 320:E527-E538. [PMID: 33427051 PMCID: PMC7988781 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00453.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an important fetal growth factor. However, the role of fetal IGF-1 in increasing placental blood flow, nutrient transfer, and nutrient availability to support fetal growth and protein accretion is not well understood. Catheterized fetuses from late gestation pregnant sheep received an intravenous infusion of LR3 IGF-1 (LR3 IGF-1; n = 8) or saline (SAL; n = 8) for 1 wk. Sheep then underwent a metabolic study to measure uterine and umbilical blood flow, nutrient uptake rates, and fetal protein kinetic rates. By the end of the infusion, fetal weights were not statistically different between groups (SAL: 3.260 ± 0.211 kg, LR3 IGF-1: 3.682 ± 0.183; P = 0.15). Fetal heart, adrenal gland, and spleen weights were higher (P < 0.05), and insulin was lower in LR3 IGF-1 (P < 0.05). Uterine and umbilical blood flow and umbilical uptake rates of glucose, lactate, and oxygen were similar between groups. Umbilical amino acid uptake rates were lower in LR3 IGF-1 (P < 0.05) as were fetal concentrations of multiple amino acids. Fetal protein kinetic rates were similar. LR3 IGF-1 skeletal muscle had higher myoblast proliferation (P < 0.05). In summary, LR3 IGF-1 infusion for 1 wk into late gestation fetal sheep increased the weight of some fetal organs. However, because umbilical amino acid uptake rates and fetal plasma amino acid concentrations were lower in the LR3 IGF-1 group, we speculate that animals treated with LR3 IGF-1 can efficiently utilize available nutrients to support organ-specific growth in the fetus rather than by stimulating placental blood flow or nutrient transfer to the fetus.NEW & NOTEWORTHY After a 1-wk infusion of LR3 IGF-1, late gestation fetal sheep had lower umbilical uptake rates of amino acids, lower fetal arterial amino acid and insulin concentrations, and lower fetal oxygen content; however, LR-3 IGF-1-treated fetuses were still able to effectively utilize the available nutrients and oxygen to support organ growth and myoblast proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Stremming
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Sara Heard
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Alicia White
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Eileen I Chang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Steven C Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Stephanie R Wesolowski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Sonnet S Jonker
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Center for Developmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Paul J Rozance
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Laura D Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Parisi F, Milazzo R, Savasi VM, Cetin I. Maternal Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation and Intrauterine Programming of Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041732. [PMID: 33572203 PMCID: PMC7914818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity during pregnancy have been associated with increased birth weight, childhood obesity, and noncommunicable diseases in the offspring, leading to a vicious transgenerational perpetuating of metabolic derangements. Key components in intrauterine developmental programming still remain to be identified. Obesity involves chronic low-grade systemic inflammation that, in addition to physiological adaptations to pregnancy, may potentially expand to the placental interface and lead to intrauterine derangements with a threshold effect. Animal models, where maternal inflammation is mimicked by single injections with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resembling the obesity-induced immune profile, showed increased adiposity and impaired metabolic homeostasis in the offspring, similar to the phenotype observed after exposure to maternal obesity. Cytokine levels might be specifically important for the metabolic imprinting, as cytokines are transferable from maternal to fetal circulation and have the capability to modulate placental nutrient transfer. Maternal inflammation may induce metabolic reprogramming at several levels, starting from the periconceptional period with effects on the oocyte going through early stages of embryonic and placental development. Given the potential to reduce inflammation through inexpensive, widely available therapies, examinations of the impact of chronic inflammation on reproductive and pregnancy outcomes, as well as preventive interventions, are now needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Parisi
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, ‘V. Buzzi’ Children Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20141 Milan, Italy; (R.M.); (I.C.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Roberta Milazzo
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, ‘V. Buzzi’ Children Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20141 Milan, Italy; (R.M.); (I.C.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy;
| | - Valeria M. Savasi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy;
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, ‘L. Sacco’ Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Cetin
- Department of Woman, Mother and Neonate, ‘V. Buzzi’ Children Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, 20141 Milan, Italy; (R.M.); (I.C.)
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, “Luigi Sacco”, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy;
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Cui D, Yang W, Shao P, Li J, Wang P, Leng J, Wang S, Liu E, Chan JC, Yu Z, Hu G, Yang X. Interactions between Prepregnancy Overweight and Passive Smoking for Macrosomia and Large for Gestational Age in Chinese Pregnant Women. Obes Facts 2021; 14:520-530. [PMID: 34419951 PMCID: PMC8546448 DOI: 10.1159/000517846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous analysis showed that passive smoking and overweight were associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a synergistic manner, while GDM increased the risk of macrosomia/large for gestational age (LGA). This study aimed to examine any interactive effects between passive smoking and overweight/obesity on risk of macrosomia/LGA. METHODS From 2010 to 2012, 22,302 pregnant women registered for pregnancy at a primary hospital in Tianjin, China. Data were collected longitudinally; that is, from their first antenatal care visit, at the glucose challenge test (GCT) time (24-28 weeks of gestation) and at delivery. Passive smoking was self-reported. Macrosomia was defined as birth weight ≥4,000 g. Binary logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additive interaction was used to test the synergistic effect. RESULTS Passive smokers accounted for 57.4% of women (n = 8,230). Using nonpassive smoking and prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) <24.0 kg/m2 as the reference, the adjusted ORs of overweight alone and passive smoking alone for macrosomia were 2.39 (95% CI: 2.11-2.71) and 1.17 (95% CI: 1.04-1.32). Copresence of passive smoking and prepregnancy BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2 increased the OR to 2.70 (95% CI: 2.28-3.20), with a significant additive interaction. After further adjustment for GDM or GCT, the OR of copresence of both risk factors was slightly attenuated to 2.52 (2.13-3.00) and 2.51 (2.11-2.98), with significant additive interaction. However, the additive interaction between prepregnancy overweight/obesity and passive smoking for LGA was nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS Prepregnancy overweight/obesity was associated with an increased risk of macrosomia in Chinese women synergistically with passive smoking during pregnancy, and most of the association was not modified by hyperglycemia during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingyu Cui
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ping Shao
- Project Office, Tianjin Women and Children's Health Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Center for International Collaborative Research on Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Project Office, Tianjin Women and Children's Health Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Junhong Leng
- Department of Child Health, Tianjin Women and Children's Health Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Project Office, Tianjin Women and Children's Health Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Enqing Liu
- Department of Child Health, Tianjin Women and Children's Health Center, Tianjin, China
| | - Juliana C.N. Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity and The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Prince of Wales Hospital-International Diabetes Federation Centre of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhijie Yu
- Population Cancer Research Program, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Gang Hu
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Xilin Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Center for International Collaborative Research on Environment, Nutrition and Public Health, Tianjin, China
- *Xilin Yang,
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25
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Fetal Growth Trajectories and Their Association with Maternal, Cord Blood, and 5-year Child Adipokines. J Nutr Metab 2020; 2020:4861523. [PMID: 33029393 PMCID: PMC7530496 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4861523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The growth of the fetus is a complex process influenced by multiple factors. Studies have highlighted the important role of biochemical growth markers such as leptin and adiponectin on fetal growth. Objective To compare fetal growth trajectories with biochemical growth markers from maternal blood samples at 28 weeks' gestation, cord blood samples at birth, and in child blood samples at 5 years of age from mother-infant pairs who were part of the longitudinal ROLO study. Methods 781 mother-infant pairs from the ROLO and ROLO Kids study were included. Ultrasound measurements and birth weight were used to develop fetal growth trajectory groups for estimated abdominal circumference and estimated weight. Blood serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, insulin, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 from maternal, cord, and 5-year child samples were recorded. ANOVA and chi-square tests were applied to test the associations between fetal growth trajectory membership and maternal and child biochemical growth indicators. The influence of child sex was also investigated. Results Male sex was associated with a faster weight trajectory compared to females (p=0.001). At 28 weeks' gestation, maternal leptin levels were significantly higher in mothers with a fetus on a slower estimated abdominal circumference trajectory compared to fast (25616 [IQR: 11656.0 to 35341.0] vs. 14753.8 [IQR: 8565.4 to 24308.1], p < 0.001) and maternal adiponectin levels were lower in fetuses on a slower estimated abdominal circumference trajectory compared to a fast trajectory (22.4 [IQR: 13.6 to 35.9] vs. 27.6 [IQR: 17.6 to 46.3], p=0.027). No associations were noted with inflammatory markers. No associations were identified between fetal growth trajectories and growth markers at 5 years of age. Conclusions This study shows that male sex is associated with an accelerated estimated weight trajectory. Furthermore, high leptin and low adiponectin in maternal serum in late gestation are associated with a slower fetal growth trajectory. No associations were identified with blood growth markers after pregnancy.
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26
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Placental function in maternal obesity. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:961-984. [PMID: 32313958 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Maternal obesity is associated with pregnancy complications and increases the risk for the infant to develop obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life. However, the mechanisms linking the maternal obesogenic environment to adverse short- and long-term outcomes remain poorly understood. As compared with pregnant women with normal BMI, women entering pregnancy obese have more pronounced insulin resistance, higher circulating plasma insulin, leptin, IGF-1, lipids and possibly proinflammatory cytokines and lower plasma adiponectin. Importantly, the changes in maternal levels of nutrients, growth factors and hormones in maternal obesity modulate placental function. For example, high insulin, leptin, IGF-1 and low adiponectin in obese pregnant women activate mTOR signaling in the placenta, promoting protein synthesis, mitochondrial function and nutrient transport. These changes are believed to increase fetal nutrient supply and contribute to fetal overgrowth and/or adiposity in offspring, which increases the risk to develop disease later in life. However, the majority of obese women give birth to normal weight infants and these pregnancies are also associated with activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, oxidative stress, decreased oxidative phosphorylation and lipid accumulation in the placenta. Recent bioinformatics approaches have expanded our understanding of how maternal obesity affects the placenta; however, the link between changes in placental function and adverse outcomes in obese women giving birth to normal sized infants is unclear. Interventions that specifically target placental function, such as activation of placental adiponectin receptors, may prevent the transmission of metabolic disease from obese women to the next generation.
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Role of adipose tissue in regulating fetal growth in gestational diabetes mellitus. Placenta 2020; 102:39-48. [PMID: 33218577 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a global health issue with significant short and long-term complications for both mother and baby. There is a strong need to identify an effective therapeutic that can prevent the development of GDM. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of GDM and the relationship between the adipose tissue, the placenta and fetal growth is required. The placenta regulates fetal growth by modulating nutrient transfer of glucose, amino acids and fatty acids. Various factors secreted by the adipose tissue, such as adipokines, adipocytokines and more recently identified extracellular vesicles, can influence inflammation and interact with placental nutrient transport. In this review, the role of the placental nutrient transporters and the adipose-derived factors that can influence their function will be discussed. A better understanding of these factors and their relationship may make a potential target for therapeutic interventions to prevent the development of GDM and its consequences.
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28
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Adaptive responses to maternal nutrient restriction alter placental transport in ewes. Placenta 2020; 96:1-9. [PMID: 32421527 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal nutrient partitioning, uteroplacental blood flow, transporter activity, and fetoplacental metabolism mediate nutrient delivery to the fetus. Inadequate availability or delivery of nutrients results in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal nutrient restriction can result in IUGR, but only in an unforeseeable subset of individuals. METHODS To elucidate potential mechanisms regulating fetal nutrient availability, singleton sheep pregnancies were generated by embryo transfer. Pregnant ewes received either a 50% NRC (NR; n = 24) or 100% NRC (n = 7) diet from gestational Day 35 until necropsy on Day 125. Maternal weight did not correlate with fetal weight; therefore, the six heaviest (NR Non-IUGR) and five lightest (NR IUGR) fetuses from nutrient-restricted ewes, and seven 100% NRC fetuses, were compared to investigate differences in nutrient availability. RESULTS Insulin, multiple amino acids, and their metabolites, were reduced in fetal circulation of NR IUGR compared to NR Non-IUGR and 100% NRC pregnancies. In contrast, glucose in fetal fluids was not different between groups. There was a nearly two-fold reduction in placentome volume and fetal/maternal interface length in NR IUGR compared to NR Non-IUGR and 100% NRC pregnancies. Changes in amino acid concentrations were associated with altered expression of cationic (SLC7A2, SLC7A6, and SLC7A7) and large neutral (SLC38A2) amino acid transporters in placentomes. DISCUSSION Results establish a novel approach to study placental adaptation to maternal undernutrition in sheep and support the hypothesis that amino acids and polyamines are critical mediators of placental and fetal growth in sheep.
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Pollock KE, Talton OO, Schulz LC. Morphology and gene expression in mouse placentas lacking leptin receptors. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 528:336-342. [PMID: 32248977 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.03.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In the pregnant mouse, the hormone leptin is primarily produced by adipose tissue and does not significantly cross the placenta into fetal circulation. Nonetheless, leptin treatment during gestation affects offspring phenotypes. Leptin treatment also affects placental trophoblast cells in vitro, by altering proliferation, invasion and nutrient transport. The goal of the present study was to determine whether the absence of placental leptin receptors alters placental development and gene expression. Leprdb-3j+ mice possessing only one functional copy of the leptin receptor were mated to obtain wildtype, Leprdb-3j+ and Leprdb-3j/db-3j conceptuses, which were then transferred to wildtype recipient dams. Placentas were collected at gestational d18.5 to examine placental morphology and gene expression. Placentas lacking functional leptin receptor had reduced weights, but were otherwise morphologically indistinguishable from control placentas. Relative mRNA levels, however, were altered in Leprdb-3j/db-3j placentas, particularly transcripts related to amino acid and lipid metabolism and transport. Consistent with a previous in vitro study, leptin was found to promote expression of stathmin, a positive regulator of trophoblast invasion, and of serotonin receptors, potential mediators of offspring neurological development. Overall placental leptin receptor was found not to play a significant role in morphological development of the placenta, but to regulate placental gene expression, including in metabolic pathways that affect fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Pollock
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | | | - Laura C Schulz
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA.
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30
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Chassen S, Jansson T. Complex, coordinated and highly regulated changes in placental signaling and nutrient transport capacity in IUGR. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165373. [PMID: 30684642 PMCID: PMC6650384 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2018.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The most common cause of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the developed world is placental insufficiency, a concept often used synonymously with reduced utero-placental and umbilical blood flows. However, placental insufficiency and IUGR are associated with complex, coordinated and highly regulated changes in placental signaling and nutrient transport including inhibition of insulin and mTOR signaling and down-regulation of specific amino acid transporters, Na+/K+-ATPase, the Na+/H+-exchanger, folate and lactate transporters. In contrast, placental glucose transport capacity is unaltered and Ca2+-ATPase activity and the expression of proteins involved in placental lipid transport are increased in IUGR. These findings are not entirely consistent with the traditional view that the placenta is dysfunctional in IUGR, but rather suggest that the placenta adapts to reduce fetal growth in response to an inability of the mother to allocate resources to the fetus. This new model has implications for the understanding of the mechanisms underpinning IUGR and for the development of intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Chassen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, USA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, USA.
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31
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Insulin Resistance in Pregnancy: Implications for Mother and Offspring. CONTEMPORARY ENDOCRINOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-25057-7_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Castillo-Castrejon M, Jansson T, Powell TL. No evidence of attenuation of placental insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and amino acid transport in maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2019; 317:E1037-E1049. [PMID: 31573844 PMCID: PMC6962503 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00196.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancies complicated by obesity and/or gestational diabetes (GDM) are associated with peripheral insulin resistance; however, the insulin responsiveness of the placenta in these pregnancy complications remains largely unknown. We tested the hypothesis that primary human trophoblast cells and placental villous explants will be insulin responsive, characterized by amino acid transport, Akt and Erk activity with maternal obesity, and/or GDM. We evaluated term placentas from women with normal body mass index (BMI) (normal; n = 15), obesity (OB; n = 11), normal BMI with GDM (N-GDM; n = 11), and obesity with GDM (OB-GDM; n = 11). In a subgroup, primary human trophoblast cells (PHT) were isolated, and in an independent subgroup placental villous explants were exposed to varying concentrations of insulin. Amino acid transport capacity and insulin signaling activity were determined. Insulin significantly increased amino acid transport activity to a similar degree in PHT cells isolated from normal (+21%), N-GDM (+38%), OB (+37%), and OB-GDM (+35%) pregnancies. Insulin increased Akt and Erk phosphorylation in PHT cells (3-fold) and in villous explants (2-fold) in all groups to a similar degree. In contrast to the peripheral maternal insulin resistance commonly associated with obesity and/or GDM, we found that the placenta is insulin sensitive in these pregnancy complications. We suggest that elevated maternal insulin levels in pregnancies complicated by obesity and/or GDM promote critical placental functions, including amino acid transport. Insulin-stimulated placental nutrient delivery may contribute to the increased risk of fetal overgrowth and adiposity in these pregnancies. Moreover, our findings may inform efforts to optimize insulin regimens for women with GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Castillo-Castrejon
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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33
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Denisova EI, Kozhevnikova VV, Bazhan NM, Makarova EN. Sex-specific effects of leptin administration to pregnant mice on the placentae and the metabolic phenotypes of offspring. FEBS Open Bio 2019; 10:96-106. [PMID: 31703240 PMCID: PMC6943234 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of metabolic diseases in the offspring. However, the factors within the maternal milieu which affect offspring phenotypes and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The adipocyte hormone leptin plays a key role in regulating energy homeostasis and is known to participate in sex‐specific developmental programming. To examine the action of leptin on fetal growth, placental gene expression and postnatal offspring metabolism, we injected C57BL mice with leptin or saline on gestational day 12 and then measured body weights (BWs) of offspring fed on a standard or obesogenic diet, as well as mRNA expression levels of insulin‐like growth factors and glucose and amino acid transporters. Male and female offspring born to leptin‐treated mothers exhibited growth retardation before and a growth surge after weaning. Mature male offspring, but not female offspring, exhibited increased BWs on a standard diet. Leptin administration prevented the development of hyperglycaemia in the obese offspring of both sexes. The placentas of the male and female foetuses differed in size and gene expression, and leptin injection decreased the fetal weights of both sexes, the placental weights of the male foetuses and placental gene expression of the GLUT1 glucose transporter in female foetuses. The data suggest that mid‐pregnancy is an ontogenetic window for the sex‐specific programming effects of leptin, and these effects may be exerted via fetal sex‐specific placental responses to leptin administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena I Denisova
- Laboratory of Physiological Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Valeria V Kozhevnikova
- Laboratory of Physiological Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Nadezhda M Bazhan
- Laboratory of Physiological Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Department of Physiology, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena N Makarova
- Laboratory of Physiological Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Merech F, Soczewski E, Hauk V, Paparini D, Ramhorst R, Vota D, Pérez Leirós C. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide induces glucose and neutral amino acid uptake through mTOR signalling in human cytotrophoblast cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17152. [PMID: 31748639 PMCID: PMC6868285 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53676-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transport of nutrients across the placenta involves trophoblast cell specific transporters modulated through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has embryotrophic effects in mice and regulates human cytotrophoblast cell migration and invasion. Here we explored the effect of VIP on glucose and System A amino acid uptake by human trophoblast-derived cells (Swan 71 and BeWo cell lines). VIP activated D-glucose specific uptake in single cytotrophoblast cells in a concentration-dependent manner through PKA, MAPK, PI3K and mTOR signalling pathways. Glucose uptake was reduced in VIP-knocked down cytotrophoblast cells. Also, VIP stimulated System A amino acid uptake and the expression of GLUT1 glucose transporter and SNAT1 neutral amino acid transporter. VIP increased mTOR expression and mTOR/S6 phosphorylation whereas VIP silencing reduced mTOR mRNA and protein expression. Inhibition of mTOR signalling with rapamycin reduced the expression of endogenous VIP and of VIP-induced S6 phosphorylation. Our findings support a role of VIP in the transport of glucose and neutral amino acids in cytotrophoblast cells through mTOR-regulated pathways and they are instrumental for understanding the physiological regulation of nutrient sensing by endogenous VIP at the maternal-foetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Merech
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Elizabeth Soczewski
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa Hauk
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniel Paparini
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rosanna Ramhorst
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daiana Vota
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Claudia Pérez Leirós
- CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Vaughan OR, Powell TL, Jansson T. Glucocorticoid regulation of amino acid transport in primary human trophoblast cells. J Mol Endocrinol 2019; 63:239-248. [PMID: 31505460 PMCID: PMC6872941 DOI: 10.1530/jme-19-0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Excess maternal glucocorticoids reduce placental amino acid transport and fetal growth, but whether these effects are mediated directly on the syncytiotrophoblast remains unknown. We hypothesised that glucocorticoids inhibit mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and insulin-stimulated System A amino acid transport activity in primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells. Syncytialised PHTs, isolated from term placentas (n = 15), were treated with either cortisol (1 μM) or dexamethasone (1 μM), ± insulin (1 nM) for 24 h. Compared to vehicle, dexamethasone increased mRNA expression, but not protein abundance of the mTOR suppressor, regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 (REDD1). Dexamethasone enhanced insulin receptor abundance, activated mTOR complex 1 and 2 signaling and stimulated System A activity, measured by Na+-dependent 14C-methylaminoisobutyric acid uptake. Cortisol also activated mTORC1 without significantly altering insulin receptor or mTORC2 read-outs or System A activity. Both glucocorticoids downregulated expression of the glucocorticoid receptor and the System A transporter genes SLC38A1, SLC38A2 and SLC38A4, without altering SNAT1 or SNAT4 protein abundance. Neither cortisol nor dexamethasone affected System L amino acid transport. Insulin further enhanced mTOR and System A activity, irrespective of glucocorticoid treatment and despite downregulating its own receptor. Contrary to our hypothesis, glucocorticoids do not inhibit mTOR signaling or cause insulin resistance in cultured PHT cells. We speculate that glucocorticoids stimulate System A activity in PHT cells by activating mTOR signaling, which regulates amino acid transporters post-translationally. We conclude that downregulation of placental nutrient transport in vivo following excess maternal glucocorticoids is not mediated by a direct effect on the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- O R Vaughan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - T L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - T Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Arroyo-Jousse V, Jaramillo A, Castaño-Moreno E, Lépez M, Carrasco-Negüe K, Casanello P. Adipokines underlie the early origins of obesity and associated metabolic comorbidities in the offspring of women with pregestational obesity. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1866:165558. [PMID: 31654701 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Maternal pregestational obesity is a well-known risk factor for offspring obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms by which maternal obesity can induce alterations in fetal and later neonatal metabolism are not fully elucidated due to its complexity and multifactorial causes. Two adipokines, leptin and adiponectin, are involved in fetal and postnatal growth trajectories, and both are altered in women with pregestational obesity. The placenta synthesizes leptin, which goes mainly to the maternal circulation and in lesser amount to the developing fetus. Maternal pregestational obesity and hyperleptinemia are associated with placental dysfunction and changes in nutrient transporters which directly affect fetal growth and development. By the other side, the embryo can produce its own leptin from early in development, which is associated to fetal weight and adiposity. Adiponectin, an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, is downregulated in maternal obesity. High molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin is the most abundant form and with most biological actions. In maternal obesity lower total and HMW adiponectin levels have been described in the mother, paralleled with high levels in the umbilical cord. Several studies have found that cord blood adiponectin levels are related with postnatal growth trajectories, and it has been suggested that low adiponectin levels in women with pregestational obesity enhance placental insulin sensitivity and activation of placental amino acid transport systems, supporting fetal overgrowth. The possible mechanisms by which maternal pregestational obesity, focusing in the actions of leptin and adiponectin, affects the fetal development and postnatal growth trajectories in their offspring are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - M Lépez
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - K Carrasco-Negüe
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - P Casanello
- Department of Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Department of Neonatology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Genetic variation, intrauterine growth, and adverse pregnancy conditions predict leptin gene DNA methylation in blood at birth and 12 months of age. Int J Obes (Lond) 2019; 44:45-56. [PMID: 31636377 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-019-0472-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leptin regulates satiety and energy homoeostasis, and plays a key role in placentation in pregnancy. Previous studies have demonstrated regulation of leptin gene (LEP) expression and/or methylation in placenta and cord blood in association with early life exposures, but most have been small and have not considered the influence of genetic variation. Here, we investigated the relationship between maternal factors in pregnancy, infant anthropometry and LEP genetic variation with LEP promoter methylation at birth and 12 months of age. METHODS LEP methylation was measured in cord (n = 877) and 12-month (n = 734) blood in the Barwon Infant Study, a population-based pre-birth cohort. Infant adiposity at birth and 12-months was measured as triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. Cross-sectional regression tested associations of methylation with pregnancy and anthropometry measures, while longitudinal regression tested if birth anthropometry predicted 12-month LEP methylation levels. RESULTS Male infants had lower LEP methylation in cord blood (-2.07% average methylation, 95% CI (-2.92, -1.22), p < 0.001). Genetic variation strongly influenced DNA methylation at a single CpG site, which was also negatively associated with birth weight (r = -0.10, p = 0.003). Pre-eclampsia was associated with lower cord blood methylation at another CpG site (-6.06%, 95% CI (-10.70, -1.42), p = 0.01). Gestational diabetes was more modestly associated with methylation at two other CpG units. Adiposity at birth was associated with 12-month LEP methylation, modified by rs41457646 genotype. There was no association of LEP methylation with 12-month anthropometric measures. CONCLUSIONS Infant sex, weight, genetic variation, and exposure to pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, are associated with LEP methylation in cord blood. Infant adiposity at birth predicts 12-month blood LEP methylation in a genotype-dependent manner. These findings are consistent with genetics and anthropometry driving altered LEP epigenetic profile and expression in infancy. Further work is required to confirm this and to determine the long-term impact of altered LEP methylation on health.
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James-Allan LB, Arbet J, Teal SB, Powell TL, Jansson T. Insulin stimulates GLUT4 trafficking to the syncytiotrophoblast basal plasma membrane in the human placenta. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:4225-4238. [PMID: 31112275 PMCID: PMC6688457 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-02778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Placental transport capacity influences fetal glucose supply. The syncytiotrophoblast is the transporting epithelium in the human placenta, expressing glucose transporters (GLUT) and insulin receptors (IR) in its maternal-facing microvillous (MVM) and fetal-facing basal plasma membrane (BM). OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the expression of the insulin-sensitive GLUT4 glucose transporter and IR in the syncytiotrophoblast plasma membranes across gestation in normal pregnancy and in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity and (2) assess the effect of insulin on GLUT4 plasma membrane trafficking in human placental explants. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS Placental tissue was collected across gestation from women with normal body mass index (BMI) and obese mothers with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and macrosomic infants. MVM and BM were isolated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Protein expression of GLUT4, GLUT1 and IR were determined by western blot. RESULTS GLUT4 was exclusively expressed in the BM and IR was predominantly expressed in the MVM, with increasing expression across gestation. BM GLUT1 expression was increased and BM GLUT4 expression was decreased in obese women delivering macrosomic babies. In placental villous explants incubation with insulin stimulated Akt (S473) phosphorylation (+76%, p=0.0003, n=13) independent of maternal BMI and increased BM GLUT4 protein expression (+77%, p=0.0013, n=7) in placentas from lean but not obese women. CONCLUSION We propose that maternal insulin stimulates placental glucose transport by promoting GLUT4 trafficking to the BM, which may enhance glucose transfer to the fetus in response to postprandial hyperinsulinemia in women with normal BMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura B James-Allan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Laura B. James-Allan, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, Colorado 80045. E-mail:
| | - Jaron Arbet
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Stephanie B Teal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Jayabalan N, Lai A, Ormazabal V, Adam S, Guanzon D, Palma C, Scholz-Romero K, Lim R, Jansson T, McIntyre HD, Lappas M, Salomon C. Adipose Tissue Exosomal Proteomic Profile Reveals a Role on Placenta Glucose Metabolism in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:1735-1752. [PMID: 30517676 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-01599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Molecules produced by adipose tissue (AT) function as an endocrine link between maternal AT and fetal growth by regulating placental function in normal women and women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that AT-derived exosomes (exo-AT) from women with GDM would carry a specific set of proteins that influences glucose metabolism in the placenta. DESIGN Exosomes were isolated from omental AT-conditioned media from normal glucose tolerant (NGT) pregnant women (n = 65) and pregnant women with GDM (n = 82). Sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra mass spectrometry was used to construct a small ion library from AT and exosomal proteins, followed by ingenuity pathway analysis to determine the canonical pathways and biofunctions. The effect of exosomes on human placental cells was determined using a Human Glucose Metabolism RT2 Profiler PCR array. RESULTS The number of exosomes (vesicles/μg of tissue/24 hours) was substantially (1.7-fold) greater in GDM than in NGT, and the number of exosomes correlated positively with the birthweight Z score. Ingenuity pathway analysis of the exosomal proteins revealed differential expression of the proteins targeting the sirtuin signaling pathway, oxidative phosphorylation, and mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway in GDM compared with NGT. GDM exo-AT increased the expression of genes associated with glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in placental cells compared with the effect of NGT exo-AT. CONCLUSIONS Our findings are consistent with the possibility that AT exosomes play an important role in mediating the changes in placental function in GDM and might be responsible for some of the adverse consequences in this pregnancy complication, such as fetal overgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanthini Jayabalan
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Lai
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Valeska Ormazabal
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Stefanie Adam
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Dominic Guanzon
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Carlos Palma
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Katherin Scholz-Romero
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ratana Lim
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Harold David McIntyre
- Mater Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martha Lappas
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlos Salomon
- Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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Abstract
Apelin is an insulin-sensitizing hormone increased in abundance with obesity. Apelin and its receptor, APJ, are expressed in the human placenta, but whether apelin regulates placental function in normal body mass index (BMI) and obese pregnant women remains unknown. We hypothesized that apelin stimulates amino acid transport in cultured primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells and that maternal circulating apelin levels are elevated in obese pregnant women delivering large babies. Treating PHT cells with physiological concentrations of the pyroglutamated form [Pyr1]apelin-13 (0.1-10.0 ng/ml) for 24 h dose-dependently increased System A amino acid transport (P < 0.05) but did not affect System L transport activity. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2), and AMP-activated protein kinase-α (AMPKα) signaling were unaffected by apelin (P > 0.05). Plasma apelin was not different in obese women (BMI 35.8 ± 0.7, n = 21) with large babies compared with normal-BMI women (23.1 ± 0.5, n = 16) delivering normal birth weight infants. Apelin was highly expressed in placental villous tissue (20-fold higher vs. adipose), and APJ was present in syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane, but neither differed in abundance between normal-BMI and obese women. Phosphorylation (Thr172) of placental AMPKα strongly correlated with microvillous membrane APJ expression (P < 0.01, R = 0.63) but negatively correlated with placental apelin abundance (P < 0.01, R = -0.62). Neither placental APJ nor apelin abundance correlated with maternal BMI, plasma insulin, birth weight, or mTOR or ERK1/2 signaling (P > 0.05). Hence, apelin stimulates trophoblast amino acid uptake, establishing a novel mechanism regulating placental function. We found no evidence that apelin constitutes an endocrine link between maternal obesity and fetal overgrowth.
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Affiliation(s)
- O R Vaughan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, Colorado
| | - T L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, Colorado
| | - T Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, Colorado
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Crew RC, Mark PJ, Waddell BJ. Obesity Disrupts Rhythmic Clock Gene Expression in Maternal Adipose Tissue during Rat Pregnancy. J Biol Rhythms 2019; 33:289-301. [PMID: 29761750 DOI: 10.1177/0748730418772499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Obesity during pregnancy causes numerous maternal and fetal health complications, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Adipose tissue dysfunction in obesity has previously been linked to disruption of the intrinsic adipose clock gene network that is crucial for normal metabolic function. This adipose clock also undergoes major change as part of the maternal metabolic adaptation to pregnancy, but whether this is affected by maternal obesity is unknown. Consequently, in this study we tested the hypothesis that obesity disturbs rhythmic gene expression in maternal adipose tissue across pregnancy. A rat model of maternal obesity was established by cafeteria (CAF) feeding, and adipose expression of clock genes and associated nuclear receptors ( Ppars and Pgc1α) was measured across days 15-16 and 21-22 of gestation (term = 23 days). CAF feeding suppressed the mesor and/or amplitude of adipose tissue clock genes (most notably Bmal1, Per2, and Rev-erbα) relative to chow-fed controls (CON) across both days of gestation. On day 15, the CAF diet also induced adipose Pparα, Pparδ, and Pgc1α rhythmicity but repressed that of Pparγ, while expression of Pparα, Pparδ, and Pgc1α was reduced at select time points. CAF mothers were hyperleptinemic at both stages of gestation, and at day 21 this effect was time-of-day dependent. Fetal plasma leptin exhibited clear rhythmicity, albeit with low amplitude, but interestingly these levels were unaffected by CAF feeding. Our data show that maternal obesity disrupts rhythmic expression of clock and metabolic genes in maternal adipose tissue and leads to maternal but not fetal hyperleptinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael C Crew
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter J Mark
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Brendan J Waddell
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Hart B, Morgan E, Alejandro EU. Nutrient sensor signaling pathways and cellular stress in fetal growth restriction. J Mol Endocrinol 2019; 62:R155-R165. [PMID: 30400060 PMCID: PMC6443503 DOI: 10.1530/jme-18-0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction is one of the most common obstetrical complications resulting in significant perinatal morbidity and mortality. The most frequent etiology of human singleton fetal growth restriction is placental insufficiency, which occurs secondary to reduced utero-placental perfusion, abnormal placentation, impaired trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling, resulting in altered nutrient and oxygen transport. Two nutrient-sensing proteins involved in placental development and glucose and amino acid transport are mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT), which are both regulated by availability of oxygen. Impairment in either of these pathways is associated with fetal growth restriction and accompanied by cellular stress in the forms of hypoxia, oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, metabolic dysfunction and nutrient starvation in the placenta. Recent evidence has emerged regarding the potential impact of nutrient sensors on fetal stress response, which occurs in a sexual dysmorphic manner, indicating a potential element of genetic gender susceptibility to fetal growth restriction. In this mini review, we focus on the known role of mTOR and OGT in placental development, nutrient regulation and response to cellular stress in human fetal growth restriction with supporting evidence from rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Hart
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Elizabeth Morgan
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Shang M, Wen Z. Increased placental IGF-1/mTOR activity in macrosomia born to women with gestational diabetes. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2018; 146:211-219. [PMID: 30389621 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Newborns of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are susceptible to be macrosomic, even if the blood glucose levels are in normal ranges. The underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We tested the hypothesis that placental insulin like growth factor(IGF)-I and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is activated and amino acid transporter expression is increased in women with GDM who give birth to macrosomic babies. METHODS 50 Chinese pregnant women with GDM whose blood glucose levels were controlled within normal range were recruited and their placental tissues were collected. 23 women gave birth to macrosomia and 27 women gave birth to babies with normal birth weight. We determined the phosphorylation of key signaling molecules (including Akt, IRS-1, S6K1, 4E-BP-1, and AMPKα) in the placental IGF-I and mTOR signaling pathways. We also measured the protein expression of the amino acid transporter systems A in placenta. RESULTS Birth weights (range 2500-4400 g) were positively correlated to maternal IGF-1 (P < 0.05). The activity of placental IGF-I and mTOR signaling was positively correlated (P < 0.05), whereas AMPKα phosphorylation was inversely (P < 0.05) correlated to birth weight. Protein expression of the system A isoform sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter (SNAT) 1 were positively correlated to birth weight (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Up-regulation of placental amino acid transporters may contribute to more macrosomic babies in women with GDM. Activation of IGF-I and mTOR signaling pathways might involve in this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Shang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, China.
| | - Zhaoyang Wen
- Medical Biology Laboratory of the Experimental Teaching Center, Capital Medical University, China
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Kumagai A, Itakura A, Koya D, Kanasaki K. AMP-Activated Protein (AMPK) in Pathophysiology of Pregnancy Complications. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103076. [PMID: 30304773 PMCID: PMC6212814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the global maternal mortality ratio has been consistently reduced over time, in 2015, there were still 303,000 maternal deaths throughout the world, of which 99% occurred in developing countries. Understanding pathophysiology of pregnancy complications contributes to the proper prenatal care for the reduction of prenatal, perinatal and neonatal mortality and morbidity ratio. In this review, we focus on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a regulator of pregnancy complications. AMPK is a serine/threonine kinase that is conserved within eukaryotes. It regulates the cellular and whole-body energy homeostasis under stress condition. The functions of AMPK are diverse, and the dysregulation of AMPK is known to correlate with many disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory disease, and cancer. During pregnancy, AMPK is necessary for the proper placental differentiation, nutrient transportation, maternal and fetal energy homeostasis, and protection of the fetal membrane. Activators of AMPK such as 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR), resveratrol, and metformin restores pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth preclinically. We also discuss on the relationship between catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that metabolizes catechol, and AMPK during pregnancy. It is known that metformin cannot activate AMPK in COMT deficient mice, and that 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), a metabolite of COMT, recovers the AMPK activity, suggesting that COMT is a regulator of AMPK. These reports suggest the therapeutic use of AMPK activators for various pregnancy complications, however, careful analysis is required for the safe use of AMPK activators since AMPK activation could cause fetal malformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asako Kumagai
- Department of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Atsuo Itakura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Daisuke Koya
- Department of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.
- Division of Anticipatory Molecular Food Science and Technology, Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.
| | - Keizo Kanasaki
- Department of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.
- Division of Anticipatory Molecular Food Science and Technology, Medical Research Institute, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.
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Mahany EB, Han X, Borges BC, da Silveira Cruz-Machado S, Allen SJ, Garcia-Galiano D, Hoenerhoff MJ, Bellefontaine NH, Elias CF. Obesity and High-Fat Diet Induce Distinct Changes in Placental Gene Expression and Pregnancy Outcome. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1718-1733. [PMID: 29438518 PMCID: PMC6456933 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Obese women are at high risk of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, and neonatal death. In the current study, we aimed to determine the effects of obesity on pregnancy outcome and placental gene expression in preclinical mouse models of genetic and nutritional obesity. The leptin receptor (LepR) null-reactivatable (LepRloxTB), LepR-deficient (Leprdb/+), and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were assessed for fertility, pregnancy outcome, placental morphology, and placental transcriptome using standard quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and qPCR arrays. The restoration of fertility of LepRloxTB was performed by stereotaxic delivery of adeno-associated virus-Cre into the hypothalamic ventral premammillary nucleus. Fertile LepRloxTB females were morbidly obese, whereas the wild-type mice-fed HFD showed only a mild increase in body weight. Approximately 80% of the LepRloxTB females had embryo resorptions (∼40% of the embryos). In HFD mice, the number of resorptions was not different from controls fed a regular diet. Placentas of resorbed embryos from obese mice displayed necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate in the labyrinth and changes in the expression of genes associated with angiogenesis and inflammation (e.g., Vegfa, Hif1a, Nfkbia, Tlr3, Tlr4). In contrast, placentas from embryos of females on HFD showed changes in a different set of genes, mostly associated with cellular growth and response to stress (e.g., Plg, Ang, Igf1, Igfbp1, Fgf2, Tgfb2, Serpinf1). Sexual dimorphism in gene expression was only apparent in placentas from obese LepRloxTB mice. Our findings indicate that an obese environment and HFD have distinct effects on pregnancy outcome and the placental transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica B Mahany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Correspondence: Erica B. Mahany, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. E-mail:
| | - Xingfa Han
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Isotope Research Laboratory, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, China
| | - Beatriz C Borges
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sanseray da Silveira Cruz-Machado
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biosciences, Cidade Universitária, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Susan J Allen
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - David Garcia-Galiano
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Mark J Hoenerhoff
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Nicole H Bellefontaine
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Carol F Elias
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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46
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Myatt L, Thornburg KL. Effects of Prenatal Nutrition and the Role of the Placenta in Health and Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1735:19-46. [PMID: 29380305 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7614-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies identified the linkage between exposures to stresses, including the type and plane of nutrition in utero with development of disease in later life. Given the critical roles of the placenta in mediating transport of nutrients between the mother and fetus and regulation of maternal metabolism, recent attention has focused on the role of the placenta in mediating the effect of altered nutritional exposures on the development of disease in later life. In this chapter we describe the mechanisms of nutrient transport in the placenta, the influence of placental metabolism on this, and how placental energetics influence placental function in response to a variety of stressors. Further the recent "recognition" that the placenta itself has a sex which affects its function may begin to help elucidate the mechanisms underlying the well-known dimorphism in development of disease in adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Myatt
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA. .,Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Kent L Thornburg
- Bob and Charlee Moore Institute for Nutrition & Wellness, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.,Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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47
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Lager S, Ramirez VI, Acosta O, Meireles C, Miller E, Gaccioli F, Rosario FJ, Gelfond JAL, Hakala K, Weintraub ST, Krummel DA, Powell TL. Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation in Pregnancy Modulates Placental Cellular Signaling and Nutrient Transport Capacity in Obese Women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017; 102:4557-4567. [PMID: 29053802 PMCID: PMC5718695 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-01384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Maternal obesity in pregnancy has profound impacts on maternal metabolism and promotes placental nutrient transport, which may contribute to fetal overgrowth in these pregnancies. The fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has bioactive properties that may improve outcomes in obese pregnant women by modulating placental function. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of DHA supplementation in obese pregnant women on maternal metabolism and placental function. DESIGN Pregnant women were supplemented with DHA or placebo. Maternal fasting blood was collected at 26 and 36 weeks' gestation, and placentas were collected at term. SETTING Academic health care institution. SUBJECTS Thirty-eight pregnant women with pregravid body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. INTERVENTION DHA (800 mg, algal oil) or placebo (corn/soy oil) daily from 26 weeks to term. MAIN OUTCOMES DHA content of maternal erythrocyte and placental membranes, maternal fasting blood glucose, cytokines, metabolic hormones, and circulating lipids were determined. Insulin, mTOR, and inflammatory signaling were assessed in placental homogenates, and nutrient transport capacity was determined in isolated syncytiotrophoblast plasma membranes. RESULTS DHA supplementation increased erythrocyte (P < 0.0001) and placental membrane DHA levels (P < 0.0001) but did not influence maternal inflammatory status, insulin sensitivity, or lipids. DHA supplementation decreased placental inflammation, amino acid transporter expression, and activity (P < 0.01) and increased placental protein expression of fatty acid transporting protein 4 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Maternal DHA supplementation in pregnancy decreases placental inflammation and differentially modulates placental nutrient transport capacity and may mitigate adverse effects of maternal obesity on placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Lager
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa I Ramirez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Ometeotl Acosta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Christiane Meireles
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Evelyn Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Francesca Gaccioli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Fredrick J Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
| | - Jonathan A L Gelfond
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Kevin Hakala
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | - Susan T Weintraub
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center
| | | | - Theresa L Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
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48
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Gallo L, Barrett H, Dekker Nitert M. Review: Placental transport and metabolism of energy substrates in maternal obesity and diabetes. Placenta 2017; 54:59-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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49
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Song L, Sun B, Boersma GJ, Cordner ZA, Yan J, Moran TH, Tamashiro KLK. Prenatal high-fat diet alters placental morphology, nutrient transporter expression, and mtorc1 signaling in rat. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2017; 25:909-919. [PMID: 28332771 DOI: 10.1002/oby.21821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine how the rat placenta and fetus respond to maternal high-fat (HF) diet during gestation and to identify the possible mechanisms. METHODS Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with standard chow (13.5% fat) or HF (60% fat) diet during gestation. Placentas were collected on gestation day 21. RESULTS HF dams had greater fat mass, higher plasma leptin, lower plasma adiponectin, and impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy. The placental labyrinth thickness was reduced in both male and female fetuses of HF dams. In HF male placentas, glucose transporter 3 gene expression, system A amino acid transporter (SNAT) 2 gene expression, and SNAT2 protein expression were increased through the activation of the mTORC1 4EBP1 branch. In HF female placentas, gene expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and IGF2 receptor was elevated compared to placentas of females fed standard chow. Although male and female placentas responded differently to prenatal HF diet exposure, both male and female fetal weight was not altered by maternal HF diet. CONCLUSIONS Placenta responds and adapts to maternal metabolic changes by altering placental layer thickness, mTORC1 signaling, expression of nutrient transporters, and growth factors in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Song
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bo Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Gretha J Boersma
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zachary A Cordner
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jianqun Yan
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Timothy H Moran
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kellie L K Tamashiro
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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50
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Castillo-Castrejon M, Powell TL. Placental Nutrient Transport in Gestational Diabetic Pregnancies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:306. [PMID: 29163373 PMCID: PMC5682011 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal obesity during pregnancy is rising and is associated with increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), defined as glucose intolerance first diagnosed in pregnancy (1). Fetal growth is determined by the maternal nutrient supply and placental nutrient transfer capacity. GDM-complicated pregnancies are more likely to be complicated by fetal overgrowth or excess adipose deposition in utero. Infants born from GDM mothers have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic disorders later in life. Diverse factors, such as ethnicity, age, fetal sex, clinical treatment for glycemic control, gestational weight gain, and body mass index among others, represent a challenge for studying underlying mechanisms in GDM subjects. Determining the individual roles of glucose intolerance, obesity, and other factors on placental function and fetal growth remains a challenge. This review provides an overview of changes in placental macronutrient transport observed in human pregnancies complicated by GDM. Improved knowledge and understanding of the alterations in placenta function that lead to pathological fetal growth will allow for development of new therapeutic interventions and treatments to improve pregnancy outcomes and lifelong health for the mother and her children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Castillo-Castrejon
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
- *Correspondence: Theresa L. Powell,
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