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Yue T, Guo Y, Qi X, Zheng W, Zhang H, Wang B, Liu K, Zhou B, Zeng X, Ouzhuluobu, He Y, Su B. Sex-biased regulatory changes in the placenta of native highlanders contribute to adaptive fetal development. eLife 2024; 12:RP89004. [PMID: 38869160 PMCID: PMC11175615 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89004] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Compared with lowlander migrants, native Tibetans have a higher reproductive success at high altitude though the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we compared the transcriptome and histology of full-term placentas between native Tibetans and Han migrants. We found that the placental trophoblast shows the largest expression divergence between Tibetans and Han, and Tibetans show decreased immune response and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Remarkably, we detected a sex-biased expression divergence, where the male-infant placentas show a greater between-population difference than the female-infant placentas. The umbilical cord plays a key role in the sex-biased expression divergence, which is associated with the higher birth weight of the male newborns of Tibetans. We also identified adaptive histological changes in the male-infant placentas of Tibetans, including larger umbilical artery wall and umbilical artery intima and media, and fewer syncytial knots. These findings provide valuable insights into the sex-biased adaptation of human populations, with significant implications for medical and genetic studies of human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yongbo Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xuebin Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Fukang Obstetrics, Gynecology and Children Branch Hospital, Tibetan Fukang HospitalKunmingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingChina
| | - Wangshan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and TechnologyKunmingChina
| | - Bin Wang
- Fukang Obstetrics, Gynecology and Children Branch Hospital, Tibetan Fukang HospitalKunmingChina
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Xuerui Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ouzhuluobu
- Fukang Obstetrics, Gynecology and Children Branch Hospital, Tibetan Fukang HospitalKunmingChina
| | - Yaoxi He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Bing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
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Meng XL, Yuan PB, Wang XJ, Hang J, Shi XM, Zhao YY, Wei Y. The Proteome Landscape of Human Placentas for Monochorionic Twins with Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:1246-1259. [PMID: 37121272 PMCID: PMC11082409 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In perinatal medicine, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is one of the greatest challenges. The etiology of IUGR is multifactorial, but most cases are thought to arise from placental insufficiency. However, identifying the placental cause of IUGR can be difficult due to numerous confounding factors. Selective IUGR (sIUGR) would be a good model to investigate how impaired placentation affects fetal development, as the growth discordance between monochorionic twins cannot be explained by confounding genetic or maternal factors. Herein, we constructed and analyzed the placental proteomic profiles of IUGR twins and normal cotwins. Specifically, we identified a total of 5481 proteins, of which 233 were differentially expressed (57 up-regulated and 176 down-regulated) in IUGR twins. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) are mainly associated with cardiovascular system development and function, organismal survival, and organismal development. Notably, 34 DEPs are significantly enriched in angiogenesis, and diminished placental angiogenesis in IUGR twins has been further elaborately confirmed. Moreover, we found decreased expression of metadherin (MTDH) in the placentas of IUGR twins and demonstrated that MTDH contributes to placental angiogenesis and fetal growth in vitro. Collectively, our findings reveal the comprehensive proteomic signatures of placentas for sIUGR twins, and the DEPs identified may provide in-depth insights into the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and subsequent impaired fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Lu Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Peng-Bo Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xue-Ju Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jing Hang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproduction, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yang-Yu Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yuan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
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Szydełko-Gorzkowicz M, Poniedziałek-Czajkowska E, Mierzyński R, Sotowski M, Leszczyńska-Gorzelak B. The Role of Kisspeptin in the Pathogenesis of Pregnancy Complications: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126611. [PMID: 35743054 PMCID: PMC9223875 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Kisspeptins are the family of neuropeptide products of the KISS-1 gene that exert the biological action by binding with the G-protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), also known as the KISS-1 receptor. The kisspeptin level dramatically increases during pregnancy, and the placenta is supposed to be its primary source. The role of kisspeptin has already been widely studied in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, fertility, puberty disorders, and insulin resistance-related conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preeclampsia (PE), preterm birth, fetal growth restriction (FGR), or spontaneous abortion affected 2 to 20% of pregnancies worldwide. Their occurrence is associated with numerous short and long-term consequences for mothers and newborns; hence, novel, non-invasive predictors of their development are intensively investigated. The study aims to present a comprehensive review emphasizing the role of kisspeptin in the most common pregnancy-related disorders and neonatal outcomes. The decreased level of kisspeptin is observed in women with GDM, FGR, and a high risk of spontaneous abortion. Nevertheless, there are still many inconsistencies in kisspeptin concentration in pregnancies with preterm birth or PE. Further research is needed to determine the usefulness of kisspeptin as an early marker of gestational and neonatal complications.
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Deyssenroth MA, Peng S, Hao K, Marsit CJ, Chen J. Placental Gene Transcript Proportions are Altered in the Presence of In Utero Arsenic and Cadmium Exposures, Genetic Variants, and Birth Weight Differences. Front Genet 2022; 13:865449. [PMID: 35646058 PMCID: PMC9136297 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.865449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In utero arsenic and cadmium exposures are linked with reduced birth weight as well as alterations in placental molecular features. However, studies thus far have focused on summarizing transcriptional activity at the gene level and do not capture transcript specification, an important resource during fetal development to enable adaptive responses to the rapidly changing in utero physiological conditions. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the placental transcriptome to evaluate the role of differential transcript usage (DTU) as a potential marker of in utero arsenic and cadmium exposure and fetal growth restriction. Methods: Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing was performed in placenta samples from the Rhode Island Child Health Study (RICHS, n = 199). Arsenic and cadmium levels were measured in maternal toenails using ICP-MS. Differential transcript usage (DTU) contrasting small (SGA) and appropriate (AGA) for gestational age infants as well as above vs. below median exposure to arsenic and cadmium were assessed using the DRIMSeq R package. Genetic variants that influence transcript usage were determined using the sQTLseeker R package. Results: We identified 82 genes demonstrating DTU in association with SGA status at an FDR <0.05. Among these, one gene, ORMDL1, also demonstrated DTU in association with arsenic exposure, and fifteen genes (CSNK1E, GBA, LAMTOR4, MORF4L1, PIGO, PSG1, PSG3, PTMA, RBMS1, SLC38A2, SMAD4, SPCS2, TUBA1B, UBE2A, YIPF5) demonstrated DTU in association with cadmium exposure. In addition to cadmium exposure and SGA status, proportions of the LAMTOR4 transcript ENST00000474141.5 also differed by genetic variants (rs10231604, rs12878, and rs3736591), suggesting a pathway by which an in utero exposure and genetic variants converge to impact fetal growth through perturbations of placental processes. Discussion: We report the first genome-wide characterization of placental transcript usage and associations with intrauterine metal exposure and fetal growth restriction. These results highlight the utility of interrogating the transcriptome at finer-scale transcript-level resolution to identify novel placental biomarkers of exposure-induced outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A. Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Shouneng Peng
- Institute of Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Trophectoderm Transcriptome Analysis in LIN28 Knockdown Ovine Conceptuses Suggests Diverse Roles of the LIN28-let-7 Axis in Placental and Fetal Development. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071234. [PMID: 35406798 PMCID: PMC8997724 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper conceptus elongation in ruminants is critical for the successful placentation and establishment of pregnancy. We have previously shown that the trophectoderm-specific knockdown of LIN28A/B in day 9 ovine blastocysts resulted in increased let-7 miRNAs and reduced conceptus elongation at day 16 of gestation. In this current study, by transcriptome analysis of LIN28A knockdown (AKD) or LIN28B knockdown (BKD) trophectoderm (TE), we explored the downstream target genes of the LIN28-let-7 axis and their roles in the placental and fetal development. We identified 449 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in AKD TE and 1214 DEGs in BKD TE compared to non-targeting control (NTC). Our analysis further revealed that 210 downregulated genes in AKD TE and 562 downregulated genes in BKD TE were the potential targets of let-7 miRNAs. Moreover, 16 downregulated genes in AKD TE and 57 downregulated and 7 upregulated genes in BKD TE were transcription factors. The DEGs in AKD and BKD TE showed enrichment in the biological processes and pathways critical for placental development and function, and fetal development and growth. The results of this study suggest the potential roles of the LIN28-let-7 axis in placental and fetal development beyond its involvement in trophoblast proliferation and conceptus elongation.
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Dynamic genome-wide gene expression and immune cell composition in the developing human placenta. J Reprod Immunol 2022; 151:103624. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Novel insights into the SLC7A11-mediated ferroptosis signaling pathways in preeclampsia patients: identifying pannexin 1 and toll-like receptor 4 as innovative prospective diagnostic biomarkers. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:1115-1124. [PMID: 35325354 PMCID: PMC9107567 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02443-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ferroptosis is associated with oxidative stress (OS) and is caused by iron-dependent lipid-peroxidative damage, but its role in PE is unclear. The aim of this study is to determine whether pannexin 1 (Panx1) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) are key regulators of ferroptosis in PE. METHODS The study included 65 patients with PE and 25 healthy pregnant women. In normal and PE placental tissues, OS and ferroptosis markers, including Fe2+, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (Gpx4) activity, were estimated. Panx1 and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) mRNA expression levels were relatively quantified in placental tissues using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), while serum Panx1, serum TLR4, and placental activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS In placental tissues, Panx1 and TLR4 expression levels were significantly increased in patients with PE compared to controls and were positively correlated with pro-ferroptosis mediators such as placental Fe2+ and MDA levels and negatively correlated with anti-ferroptosis regulators such as placental GSH level, HO-1, and Gpx4 activity. Additionally, Panx1 and TLR4 had a positive correlation with ATF3 and a negative correlation with SLC7A11. Serum Panx1 and TLR4 levels were positively correlated with their placental tissue expression and showed good diagnostic capabilities for ferroptosis in PE. CONCLUSION Therefore, Panx1 and TLR4 are suggested to induce ferroptosis in PE via SLC7A11-mediated signaling pathways, offering a novel perspective on PE pathogenesis and novel diagnostic tools for PE.
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Xiao C, Wang Y, Fan Y. Bioinformatics Analysis Identifies Potential Related Genes in the Pathogenesis of Intrauterine Fetal Growth Retardation. Evol Bioinform Online 2022; 18:11769343221112780. [PMID: 35923419 PMCID: PMC9340335 DOI: 10.1177/11769343221112780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) affects approximately 10% to 15% of
all pregnancies worldwide. IUGR is not only associated with stillbirth and
newborn death, but also the delay of cognition in childhood and the
promotion of metabolic and vascular disorders in adulthood. Figuring out the
mechanism of IUGR is rather meaningful and valuable. Methods: Datasets related to IUGR were searched in the Gene Expression Omnibus
website. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for normalization.
Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out using the ggpot2 tool.
DEGs were used to conduct Gene Ontology (GO) terms, Kyoto Encyclopedia of
Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment analyses, and protein-protein
interaction (PPI) analysis. IUGR related genes were searched in the OMIM
website to look for the intersection with the DEGs. The DEGs were analyzed
for tissue-specific expression by the online resource BioGPS. The results
were displayed through volcano map, Venn map, box plot, heat map, and GSEA
enrichment plots drawn by R language packages. Results: Eleven DEGs were screened out of 2 datasets. One hundred ninety-five genes
related to IUGR in OMIM were retrieved. EGR2 was the only intersection gene
that was found in both groups. Genes associated with placental tissue
expression include COL17A1, HSD11B1, and LGALS14. Molecular functions of the
DEGs are related to the oxidoreductase activity. The following 4 signaling
pathways, reactome signaling by interleukins, reactome collagen degradation,
Naba secreted factors, and PID NFAT tfpathway, were enriched by GSEA. Two
critical modules comprising 5 up-regulated genes (LEP, PRL, TAC3, MMP14, and
ADAMTS4) and 4 down-regulated genes (TIMP4, FOS, CCK, and KISS1) were
identified by PPI analysis. Finally, we identified 6 genes (PRL, LGALS14,
EGR2, TAC3, LEP, and KISS1) that are potentially relevant to the
pathophysiology of IUGR. Conclusion: The candidate down-regulated genes LGALS14 and KISS1, as well as the
up-regulated genes PRL, EGR2, TAC3, and LEP, were found to be closely
related to IUGR by bioinformatics analysis. These hub genes are related to
hypoxia and oxidoreductase activities in placental development. We provide
useful and novel information to explore the potential mechanism of IUGR and
make efforts to the prevention of IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zigong First People’s Hospital, Sichuan, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zigong First People’s Hospital, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuchao Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Cancer Center, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Circulating Nucleic Acids in Maternal Plasma and Serum in Pregnancy Complications: Are They Really Useful in Clinical Practice? A Systematic Review. Mol Diagn Ther 2021; 24:409-431. [PMID: 32367458 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-020-00468-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A systematic review was carried out to summarize the available evidence to assess whether circulating nucleic acids in maternal plasma and serum (CNAPS) have the potential to serve as extra and independent markers for the prediction and/or progression monitoring of the most common and severe complications of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, morbidly adherent placenta, gestational diabetes, antiphospholipid syndrome, threatened abortion, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and hyperemesis gravidarum. METHOD A comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases was conducted to identify relevant studies that included amounts of CNAPS in the abovementioned pregnancy complications. RESULTS Eighty-three studies met the eligibility criteria. The vast majority of studies were conducted on the quantity of total circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA) and cell free fetal DNA (cffDNA), and some were conducted on messenger RNA (mRNA) species. A few studies have instead evaluated the cell free DNA fetal fraction (cfDNAff), but only in a limited number of pregnancy complications. Despite the growing interest and the abundance of the papers available, little information is available for other new CNAPS, including microRNA (miRNA), long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and circular RNA. CONCLUSION Due to the heterogeneity of the populations enrolled, the scarcity of the studies that adjusted the CNAPS values for possible confounding factors, and the difficulty in interpreting the published data, no conclusion regarding the statistical robustness and clinical relevance of the data can be made at present. If assayed at the third trimester, the CNAPS have, however, shown better performance, and could be used in populations already at risk of developing complications as suggested by the presence of other clinical features. Other CNAPS, including miRNA, are under investigation, especially for the screening of gestational diabetes mellitus, but no data about their clinical utility are available. Circulating DNA (cfDNA, cffDNA, and cfDNAff) and mRNA have not been properly evaluated yet, especially in patients asymptomatic early in pregnancy but who developed complications later, perhaps because of the high cost of these techniques and the availability of other predictors of pregnancy complications (biochemical, biophysical, and ultrasound markers). Therefore, from the analysis of the data, the positive predictive value is not available. As regards the new CNAPS, including miRNA, there are still no sufficient data to understand if they can be promising markers for pregnancy complications monitoring and screening, since CNAPS are statistically weak and expensive. It is reasonable to currently conclude that the use of the CNAPS in clinical practice is not recommended.
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Li W, Chung CYL, Wang CC, Chan TF, Leung MBW, Chan OK, Wu L, Appiah K, Chaemsaithong P, Cheng YKY, Poon LCY, Leung TY. Monochorionic twins with selective fetal growth restriction: insight from placental whole-transcriptome analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 223:749.e1-749.e16. [PMID: 32437666 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The underlying pathomechanism in placenta-related selective fetal growth restriction in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy is not known. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate any differences in placental transcriptomic profile between the selectively growth-restricted twins and the normally grown cotwins in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective study of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated by selective fetal growth restriction. Placental biopsy specimens were obtained from the subjects in the delivery suite. The placental transcriptome of the selectively growth-restricted twin was compared with that of the normally grown cotwin. This study was divided into 2 stages: (1) gene discovery phase in which placental tissues from 5 monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies complicated by selective fetal growth restriction plus 2 control twin pregnancies underwent transcriptome profiling, and transcriptome profiling was carried out using whole-genome RNA sequencing; and (2) validation phase in which placental tissues from 13 monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies with selective fetal growth restriction underwent RNA and protein validation. RNA and protein expression levels of candidate genes were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS A total of 1429 transcripts were differentially expressed in the placentae of selectively growth-restricted twin pairs, where 610 were up-regulated and 819 were down-regulated. Endoplasmic reticulum lectin and mannose 6-phosphate receptor were consistently differentially up-regulated in all placentae of selectively growth-restricted twins. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry staining were used to validate the results (P<.05). CONCLUSION The expression of endoplasmic reticulum lectin and mannose 6-phosphate receptor, which are important for angiogenesis and fetal growth, was significantly increased in the placentae of selectively growth-restricted twin of a monochorionic twin pair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Claire Yik Lok Chung
- School of Life Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; Hong Kong Bioinformatics Centre, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; Department of Reproduction and Development, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; School of Biomedical Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Ting Fung Chan
- School of Life Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Maran Bo Wah Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Oi Ka Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong; Hong Kong Bioinformatics Centre, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Ling Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Kubi Appiah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Piya Chaemsaithong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Yvonne Kwun Yue Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Liona Chiu Yee Poon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Tak Yeung Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
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Hannan NJ, Stock O, Spencer R, Whitehead C, David AL, Groom K, Petersen S, Henry A, Said JM, Seeho S, Kane SC, Gordon L, Beard S, Chindera K, Karegodar S, Hiscock R, Pritchard N, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Walker SP, Tong S. Circulating mRNAs are differentially expressed in pregnancies with severe placental insufficiency and at high risk of stillbirth. BMC Med 2020; 18:145. [PMID: 32438913 PMCID: PMC7243334 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01605-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetuses affected by placental insufficiency do not receive adequate nutrients and oxygenation, become growth restricted and acidemic, and can demise. Preterm fetal growth restriction is a severe form of placental insufficiency with a high risk of stillbirth. We set out to identify maternal circulating mRNA transcripts that are differentially expressed in preterm pregnancies complicated by very severe placental insufficiency, in utero fetal acidemia, and are at very high risk of stillbirth. METHODS We performed a cohort study across six hospitals in Australia and New Zealand, prospectively collecting blood from 128 pregnancies complicated by preterm fetal growth restriction (delivery < 34 weeks' gestation) and 42 controls. RNA-sequencing was done on all samples to discover circulating mRNAs associated with preterm fetal growth restriction and fetal acidemia in utero. We used RT-PCR to validate the associations between five lead candidate biomarkers of placental insufficiency in an independent cohort from Europe (46 with preterm fetal growth restriction) and in a third cohort of pregnancies ending in stillbirth. RESULTS In the Australia and New Zealand cohort, we identified five mRNAs that were highly differentially expressed among pregnancies with preterm fetal growth restriction: NR4A2, EMP1, PGM5, SKIL, and UGT2B1. Combining three yielded an area under the receiver operative curve (AUC) of 0.95. Circulating NR4A2 and RCBTB2 in the maternal blood were dysregulated in the presence of fetal acidemia in utero. We validated the association between preterm fetal growth restriction and circulating EMP1, NR4A2, and PGM5 mRNA in a cohort from Europe. Combining EMP1 and PGM5 identified fetal growth restriction with an AUC of 0.92. Several of these genes were differentially expressed in the presence of ultrasound parameters that reflect placental insufficiency. Circulating NR4A2, EMP1, and RCBTB2 mRNA were differentially regulated in another cohort destined for stillbirth, compared to ongoing pregnancies. EMP1 mRNA appeared to have the most consistent association with placental insufficiency in all cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Measuring circulating mRNA offers potential as a test to identify pregnancies with severe placental insufficiency and at very high risk of stillbirth. Circulating mRNA EMP1 may be promising as a biomarker of severe placental insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Hannan
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Owen Stock
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Rebecca Spencer
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Clare Whitehead
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,The University of Sydney Northern Clinical School, Women and Babies Research, St Leonards, New South Wales, 2065, Australia
| | - Anna L David
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Katie Groom
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Scott Petersen
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Amanda Henry
- Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Mater Mothers' Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
| | - Joanne M Said
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sean Seeho
- Maternal Fetal Medicine, Joan Kirner Women's & Children's Sunshine Hospital, St Albans, Victoria, 3021, Australia
| | - Stefan C Kane
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,The University of Sydney Northern Clinical School, Women and Babies Research, St Leonards, New South Wales, 2065, Australia
| | - Lavinia Gordon
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Kantaraja Chindera
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Smita Karegodar
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Richard Hiscock
- Department of anesthesia, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
| | - Natasha Pritchard
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Susan P Walker
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Level 4, Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia. .,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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12
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Tug E, Yirmibes Karaoguz M, Nas T. Expression of the syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 genes in the trophoblastic tissue of the early pregnancy losses with normal and abnormal karyotypes. Gene 2020; 741:144533. [PMID: 32145327 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144533] [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: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 which are endogenous retroviral genes products play a great role in syncytialization during trophoblast differentiation in normal placental tissues. In aneuploidic placentas due to the low level of pregnancy-induced hormones an alteration was occurred in the syncytialization process, while in the presence of cytogenetically abnormal karyotype the effect of syncytin gene expression levels on syncytialization process and in occured to spontaneous abortions is not clear. To reveal this, we investigated in syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 genes expression levels of chromosomally abnormal and normal trophophoblastic tissues and we also discussed the effect of the syncytin gene expression levels to the occurense of the spontaneous abortion. MATERIAL AND METHODS To each one of the trophoblastic cells; cultivation, harvesting, banding, and analysis were performed and the chromosomes were classified according to the presence of abnormality and normal XY constitution. To exclude the maternal decidual cell contamination, female karyotyped abortion materials were omitted in control group. The patient group consisted of thirty six placental tissues including trisomy 16 (n = 10), triploidy (n = 9), monosomy X (n = 9), trisomy 21 (n = 5) and trisomy 7 (n = 3). The control group was consisting twenty placental tissues with XY karyotypes. The some part of the dissected frozen trophoblastic cells were used for RNA isolation and were proceeded to the determination of the expression levels of syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 genes by single-step Real Time PCR. The cDNAs were obtained by probes used in the same PCR stages. The sequence analysis of the syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 genes were performed, and read by the usage of the FinchTV 1.4.0 program. RESULTS Between the expression levels of syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 genes were statistically difference in the patients and controls. There was a difference (p < 0.0001) between trisomy 7 and other patient groups and controls, regarding to the expression of syncytin-1 gene. Numerous mutations in the syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 genes (on the expression sites) were detected, and the mutation rate was higher in the syncytin-1 gene compared to the syncytin-2 gene in the patient and in the control groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION The results of the study indicate that the expression of the syncytin-2 genes could be altered in the presence of chromosomally abnormal trophoblastic tissues, and these could lead to the loss of pregnancy due to the insufficient syncytialization. In sum, the current research has value for the further studies covering the mechanisms of trophoblast cell fusion, and syncytiotrophoblast regeneration, and thus the pathophysiology of human placental development in the presence of genomic anomaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Tug
- Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics, Ankara, Turkey.
| | | | - Tuncay Nas
- Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ankara, Turkey
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13
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Abstract
Preeclampsia is a medical condition affecting 5-10% of pregnancies. It has serious effects on the health of the pregnant mother and developing fetus. While possible causes of preeclampsia are speculated, there is no consensus on its etiology. The advancement of big data and high-throughput technologies enables to study preeclampsia at the new and systematic level. In this review, we first highlight the recent progress made in the field of preeclampsia research using various omics technology platforms, including epigenetics, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Next, we integrate the results in individual omic level studies, and show that despite the lack of coherent biomarkers in all omics studies, inhibin is a potential preeclamptic biomarker supported by GWAS, transcriptomics and DNA methylation evidence. Using network analysis on the biomarkers of all the literature reviewed here, we identify four striking sub-networks with clear biological functions supported by previous molecular-biology and clinical observations. In summary, omics integration approach offers the promise to understand molecular mechanisms in preeclampsia.
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14
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O’Callaghan JL, Clifton VL, Prentis P, Ewing A, Miller YD, Pelzer ES. Modulation of Placental Gene Expression in Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11010080. [PMID: 31936801 PMCID: PMC7017208 DOI: 10.3390/genes11010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants are fetuses that have not reached their genetically programmed growth potential. Low birth weight predisposes these infants to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodevelopmental conditions in later life. However, our understanding of how this pathology occurs is currently incomplete. Previous research has focused on understanding the transcriptome, epigenome and bacterial signatures separately. However, we hypothesise that interactions between moderators of gene expression are critical to understanding fetal growth restriction. Through a review of the current literature, we identify that there is evidence of modulated expression/methylation of the placental genome and the presence of bacterial DNA in the placental tissue of SGA infants. We also identify that despite limited evidence of the interactions between the above results, there are promising suggestions of a relationship between bacterial signatures and placental function. This review aims to summarise the current literature concerning fetal growth from multiple avenues and propose a novel relationship between the placental transcriptome, methylome and bacterial signature that, if characterised, may be able to improve our current understanding of the placental response to stress and the aetiology of growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. O’Callaghan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4001, Queensland, Australia;
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Queensland, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Vicki L. Clifton
- Mater Medical Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia; (V.L.C.); (A.E.)
| | - Peter Prentis
- School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4001, Queensland, Australia;
| | - Adam Ewing
- Mater Medical Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia; (V.L.C.); (A.E.)
| | - Yvette D. Miller
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Queensland, Australia;
| | - Elise S. Pelzer
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4001, Queensland, Australia;
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Queensland, Australia
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15
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Chabrun F, Huetz N, Dieu X, Rousseau G, Bouzillé G, Chao de la Barca JM, Procaccio V, Lenaers G, Blanchet O, Legendre G, Mirebeau-Prunier D, Cuggia M, Guardiola P, Reynier P, Gascoin G. Data-Mining Approach on Transcriptomics and Methylomics Placental Analysis Highlights Genes in Fetal Growth Restriction. Front Genet 2020; 10:1292. [PMID: 31998361 PMCID: PMC6962302 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) affects 8% of newborns and increases morbidity and mortality for the offspring even during later stages of life. Single omics studies have evidenced epigenetic, genetic, and metabolic alterations in IUGR, but pathogenic mechanisms as a whole are not being fully understood. An in-depth strategy combining methylomics and transcriptomics analyses was performed on 36 placenta samples in a case-control study. Data-mining algorithms were used to combine the analysis of more than 1,200 genes found to be significantly expressed and/or methylated. We used an automated text-mining approach, using the bulk textual gene annotations of the discriminant genes. Machine learning models were then used to explore the phenotypic subgroups (premature birth, birth weight, and head circumference) associated with IUGR. Gene annotation clustering highlighted the alteration of cell signaling and proliferation, cytoskeleton and cellular structures, oxidative stress, protein turnover, muscle development, energy, and lipid metabolism with insulin resistance. Machine learning models showed a high capacity for predicting the sub-phenotypes associated with IUGR, allowing a better description of the IUGR pathophysiology as well as key genes involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floris Chabrun
- Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Noémie Huetz
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France.,Réanimation et Médecine Néonatales, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France
| | - Xavier Dieu
- Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Guillaume Rousseau
- Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Guillaume Bouzillé
- Laboratoire du Traitement de l'Image et du Signal, INSERM, UMR 1099, Université Rennes 1, Rennes, France.,Département d'Information médicale et dossiers médicaux, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Rennes, France
| | - Juan Manuel Chao de la Barca
- Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Vincent Procaccio
- Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Guy Lenaers
- Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Odile Blanchet
- Centre de Ressources Biologiques, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France
| | - Guillaume Legendre
- Département de Gynécologie Obstétrique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France
| | - Delphine Mirebeau-Prunier
- Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Marc Cuggia
- Laboratoire du Traitement de l'Image et du Signal, INSERM, UMR 1099, Université Rennes 1, Rennes, France.,Département d'Information médicale et dossiers médicaux, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Rennes, France
| | - Philippe Guardiola
- Service de Génomique Onco-Hématologique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France
| | - Pascal Reynier
- Département de Biochimie et Génétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.,Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Geraldine Gascoin
- Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) MITOVASC, Équipe Mitolab, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) 6015, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U1083, Université d'Angers, Angers, France.,Réanimation et Médecine Néonatales, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France
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16
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Mateus J, Newman RB, Zhang C, Pugh SJ, Grewal J, Kim S, Grobman WA, Owen J, Sciscione AC, Wapner RJ, Skupski D, Chien E, Wing DA, Ranzini AC, Nageotte MP, Gerlanc N, Albert PS, Grantz KL. Fetal growth patterns in pregnancy-associated hypertensive disorders: NICHD Fetal Growth Studies. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2019; 221:635.e1-635.e16. [PMID: 31226296 PMCID: PMC6888945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal growth patterns in pregnancy-associated hypertensive disorders is poorly understood because prospective longitudinal data are lacking. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to compare longitudinal fetal growth trajectories between normotensive women and those with pregnancy-associated hypertensive disorders. STUDY DESIGN This is a study based on data from a prospective longitudinal cohort study of fetal growth performed at 12 US sites (2009-2013). Project gestational age was confirmed by ultrasound between 8 weeks 0 days and 13 weels 6 days, and up to 6 ultrasounds were performed across gestation. Hypertensive disorders were diagnosed based on 2002 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines and grouped hierarchically as severe preeclampsia (including eclampsia or HELLP [hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count] syndrome), mild preeclampsia, severe gestational hypertension, mild gestational hypertension, or unspecified hypertension. Women without any hypertensive disorder constituted the normotensive group. Growth curves for estimated fetal weight and individual biometric parameters including biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur and humerus length were calculated for each group using linear mixed models with cubic splines. Global and weekly pairwise comparisons were performed between women with a hypertensive disorder compared with normotensive women to analyze differences while adjusting for confounding variables. Delivery gestational age and birthweights were compared among groups. RESULTS Of 2462 women analyzed, 2296 (93.3%) were normotensive, 63 (2.6%) had mild gestational hypertension, 54 (2.2%) mild preeclampsia, 32 (1.3%) severe preeclampsia, and 17 (0.7%) unspecified hypertension. Compared with normotensive women, those with severe preeclampsia had estimated fetal weights that were reduced between 22 and 38 weeks (all weekly pairwise values of P < .008). Women with severe preeclampsia compared with those without hypertension also had significantly smaller fetal abdominal circumference between 23-31 and 33-37 weeks' gestation (weekly pairwise values of P < .04). Scattered weekly growth differences were noted on other biometric parameters between these 2 groups. The consistent differences in estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference were not observed between women with other hypertensive disorders and those who were normotensive. Women with severe preeclampsia delivered significantly earlier (mean gestational age 35.9 ± 3.2 weeks) than the other groups (global P < .0001). Birthweights in the severe preeclampsia group were also significantly lower (mean -949.5 g [95% confidence interval, -1117.7 to -781.2 g]; P < .0001) than in the normotensive group. CONCLUSION Among women with pregnancy-associated hypertensive disorders, only those destined to develop severe preeclampsia demonstrated a significant and consistent difference in fetal growth (ie, smaller estimated fetal weight and abdominal circumference) when compared with normotensive women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Mateus
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
| | - Roger B Newman
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Cuilin Zhang
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sarah J Pugh
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jagteshwar Grewal
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sungduk Kim
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | | | - John Owen
- Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Anthony C Sciscione
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Christiana Hospital, Newark, DE
| | | | - Daniel Skupski
- New York Presbyterian Queens, Flushing; Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Edward Chien
- Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Deborah A Wing
- University of California, Irvine, and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children's Hospital Irvine, CA
| | - Angela C Ranzini
- Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ; MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | | | - Nicole Gerlanc
- Prospective Group, Inc, contractor for the Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Paul S Albert
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Katherine L Grantz
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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17
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Tong S, Joy Kaitu'u-Lino T, Walker SP, MacDonald TM. Blood-based biomarkers in the maternal circulation associated with fetal growth restriction. Prenat Diagn 2019; 39:947-957. [PMID: 31299098 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with threefold to fourfold increased risk of stillbirth. Identifying FGR, through its commonly used surrogate-the small-for-gestational-age (SGA, estimated fetal weight and/or abdominal circumference <10th centile) fetus-and instituting fetal surveillance and timely delivery decrease stillbirth risk. Methods available to clinicians for antenatal identification of SGA fetuses have surprisingly poor sensitivity. About 80% of cases remain undetected. Measuring the symphysis-fundal height detects only 20% of SGA fetuses, and even universal third trimester ultrasound detects, at best, 57% of those born SGA. There is an urgent need to find better ways to identify this at-risk cohort. This review summarises efforts to identify molecular biomarkers (proteins, metabolites, or ribonucleic acids) that could be used to better predict FGR. Most studies examining potential biomarkers to date have utilised case-control study designs without proceeding to validation in independent cohorts. To develop a robust test for FGR, large prospective studies are required with a priori validation plans and cohorts. Given that current clinical care detects 20% of SGA fetuses, even a screening test with ≥60% sensitivity at 90% specificity could be clinically useful, if developed. This may be an achievable aspiration. If discovered, such a test may decrease stillbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Tong
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha Joy Kaitu'u-Lino
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan Philippa Walker
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Teresa Mary MacDonald
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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18
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The potential role of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 in angiogenesis and development of preeclampsia. Hypertens Res 2019; 42:970-980. [DOI: 10.1038/s41440-019-0224-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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19
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The untapped potential of placenta-enriched molecules for diagnostic and therapeutic development. Placenta 2019; 84:28-31. [PMID: 30745114 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy complications such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia are diseases with limited biomarkers for prediction, and a complete lack of therapeutic options. We define placenta-enriched molecules as those that are highly expressed in the placenta relative to all other human tissues. Many exist including mRNAs, miRNAs and proteins. It is now well established that placenta-enriched mRNAs are found within the maternal circulation and are cleared rapidly after birth. Similarly, distinct clusters of miRNAs that are placenta-enriched have been identified and are measurable within the circulation. However, perhaps the most established potential diagnostics thus far are circulating placental proteins such as placental growth factor (PlGF), pregnancy associated pregnancy protein-A (PAPP-A) and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1). There has also been much interest in targeting placenta-enriched molecules as a means to treat diseases of pregnancy. We have shown promising results in targeting placenta-enriched epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to treat ectopic pregnancy. Others have focused on using placenta-enriched molecules as a means of homing therapeutic-filled nanoparticles to the placenta, or to directly target sFlt-1 to improve disease outcomes. Importantly, many placenta-enriched molecules remain largely unstudied. We propose that a better understanding of their biology, and potential contribution to the pathogenesis of diseases, may yield more predictive diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
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20
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Whigham CA, MacDonald TM, Walker SP, Pritchard N, Hannan NJ, Cannon P, Nguyen TV, Hastie R, Tong S, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ. Circulating GATA2 mRNA is decreased among women destined to develop preeclampsia and may be of endothelial origin. Sci Rep 2019; 9:235. [PMID: 30659233 PMCID: PMC6338784 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36645-0] [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: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication associated with elevated placental secretion of anti-angiogenic factors, maternal endothelial dysfunction and organ injury. GATA2 is a transcription factor expressed in the endothelium which regulates vascular homeostasis by controlling transcription of genes and microRNAs, including endothelial miR126. We assessed GATA2 and miR126 in preeclampsia. Whole blood circulating GATA2 mRNA and miR126 expression were significantly decreased in women with established early-onset preeclampsia compared to gestation-matched controls (p = 0.002, p < 0.0001, respectively). Using case-control groups selected from a large prospective cohort, whole blood circulating GATA2 mRNA at both 28 and 36 weeks' gestation was significantly reduced prior to the clinical diagnosis of preeclampsia (p = 0.012, p = 0.015 respectively). There were no differences in GATA2 mRNA or protein expression in preeclamptic placentas compared to controls, suggesting the placenta is an unlikely source. Inducing endothelial dysfunction in vitro by administering either tumour necrosis factor-α or placenta-conditioned media to endothelial cells, significantly reduced GATA2 mRNA expression (p < 0.0001), suggesting the reduced levels of circulating GATA2 mRNA may be of endothelial origin. Circulating GATA2 mRNA is decreased in women with established preeclampsia and decreased up to 12 weeks preceding onset of disease. Circulating mRNAs of endothelial origin may be a novel source of biomarker discovery for preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole-Anne Whigham
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia. .,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Teresa M MacDonald
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan P Walker
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natasha Pritchard
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ping Cannon
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tuong Vi Nguyen
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Roxanne Hastie
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Translational Obstetrics Group, The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, 163 Studley Road, Heidelberg, 3084, Victoria, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
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EGFL7 gene expression is regulated by hypoxia in trophoblast and altered in the plasma of patients with early preeclampsia. Pregnancy Hypertens 2018; 14:115-120. [PMID: 30527097 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia is a severe complication of pregnancy, and likely arises from abnormal placental development in early pregnancy. Persistent placental hypoxia is thought to trigger the release of anti-angiogenic factors into the maternal circulation leading to widespread endothelial dysfunction. Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) is a secreted angiogenic factor that may play a key role in the disrupted angiogenesis seen in response to placental hypoxia that characterizes preeclampsia. METHODS Primary trophoblasts were isolated and cultured in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Under hypoxia HIF1α was silenced and EGFL7 mRNA expression was assessed. EGFL7 mRNA expression was measured in placentas obtained from women with early (<34 weeks) and late onset preeclampsia; and in peripheral whole blood maternal samples from women with preeclampsia and gestation matched controls. EGFL7 plasma levels were assessed in plasma from women with preeclampsia, compared to gestation-matched controls. RESULTS EGFL7 expression was significantly upregulated in primary human trophoblasts cultured in hypoxia (>2-fold, p < 0.0001), however this was not regulated via a HIF1α dependent manner. EGFL7 mRNA expression was not altered in placenta from women with early or late onset preeclampsia. Circulating EGFL7 protein levels were not different in women with severe preeclampsia. In contrast, EGFL7 mRNA expression was increased in maternal blood in women with early onset preeclampsia (∼1.6-fold, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION EGFL7 mRNA expression is increased with hypoxia in human trophoblast and is increased in the maternal circulation in women with preeclampsia. Further studies aimed at understanding the role and regulation of EGLF7 in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia are required.
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Napso T, Yong HEJ, Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. The Role of Placental Hormones in Mediating Maternal Adaptations to Support Pregnancy and Lactation. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1091. [PMID: 30174608 PMCID: PMC6108594 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, the mother must adapt her body systems to support nutrient and oxygen supply for growth of the baby in utero and during the subsequent lactation. These include changes in the cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune and metabolic systems of the mother. Failure to appropriately adjust maternal physiology to the pregnant state may result in pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes and abnormal birth weight, which can further lead to a range of medically significant complications for the mother and baby. The placenta, which forms the functional interface separating the maternal and fetal circulations, is important for mediating adaptations in maternal physiology. It secretes a plethora of hormones into the maternal circulation which modulate her physiology and transfers the oxygen and nutrients available to the fetus for growth. Among these placental hormones, the prolactin-growth hormone family, steroids and neuropeptides play critical roles in driving maternal physiological adaptations during pregnancy. This review examines the changes that occur in maternal physiology in response to pregnancy and the significance of placental hormone production in mediating such changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Napso
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah E J Yong
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Christians JK, Lennie KI, Huicochea Munoz MF, Binning N. PAPP-A2 deficiency does not exacerbate the phenotype of a mouse model of intrauterine growth restriction. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2018; 16:58. [PMID: 29895300 PMCID: PMC5996520 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-018-0376-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 (PAPP-A2) is consistently upregulated in the placentae of pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The causes and significance of this upregulation remain unknown, but it has been hypothesized that it is a compensatory response to improve placental growth and development. We predicted that, if the upregulation of PAPP-A2 in pregnancy complications reflects a compensatory response, then deletion of Pappa2 in mice would exacerbate the effects of a gene deletion previously reported to impair placental development: deficiency of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9). METHODS We crossed mice carrying deletions in Pappa2 and Mmp9 to produce pregnancies deficient in one, both, or neither of these genes. We measured pregnancy rates, number of conceptuses, fetal and placental growth, and the histological structure of the placenta. RESULTS We found no evidence of reduced fertility, increased pregnancy loss, or increased fetal demise in Mmp9 -/- females. In pregnancies segregating for Mmp9, Mmp9 -/- fetuses were lighter than their siblings with a functional Mmp9 allele. However, deletion of Pappa2 did not exacerbate or reveal any effects of Mmp9 deficiency. We observed some effects of Pappa2 deletion on placental structure that were independent of Mmp9 deficiency, but no effects on fetal growth. At G16, male fetuses were heavier than female fetuses and had heavier placentae with larger junctional zones and smaller labyrinths. CONCLUSIONS Effects of Mmp9 deficiency were not exacerbated by the deletion of Pappa2. Our results do not provide evidence that upregulation of placental PAPP-A2 represents a mechanism to compensate for impaired fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian K. Christians
- 0000 0004 1936 7494grid.61971.38Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Kendra I. Lennie
- 0000 0004 1936 7494grid.61971.38Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Maria F. Huicochea Munoz
- 0000 0004 1936 7494grid.61971.38Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Nimrat Binning
- 0000 0004 1936 7494grid.61971.38Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
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Burton GJ, Jauniaux E. Pathophysiology of placental-derived fetal growth restriction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018; 218:S745-S761. [PMID: 29422210 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2017.11.577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 529] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Placental-related fetal growth restriction arises primarily due to deficient remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries supplying the placenta during early pregnancy. The resultant malperfusion induces cell stress within the placental tissues, leading to selective suppression of protein synthesis and reduced cell proliferation. These effects are compounded in more severe cases by increased infarction and fibrin deposition. Consequently, there is a reduction in villous volume and surface area for maternal-fetal exchange. Extensive dysregulation of imprinted and nonimprinted gene expression occurs, affecting placental transport, endocrine, metabolic, and immune functions. Secondary changes involving dedifferentiation of smooth muscle cells surrounding the fetal arteries within placental stem villi correlate with absent or reversed end-diastolic umbilical artery blood flow, and with a reduction in birthweight. Many of the morphological changes, principally the intraplacental vascular lesions, can be imaged using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging scanning, enabling their development and progression to be followed in vivo. The changes are more severe in cases of growth restriction associated with preeclampsia compared to those with growth restriction alone, consistent with the greater degree of maternal vasculopathy reported in the former and more extensive macroscopic placental damage including infarcts, extensive fibrin deposition and microscopic villous developmental defects, atherosis of the spiral arteries, and noninfectious villitis. The higher level of stress may activate proinflammatory and apoptotic pathways within the syncytiotrophoblast, releasing factors that cause the maternal endothelial cell activation that distinguishes between the 2 conditions. Congenital anomalies of the umbilical cord and placental shape are the only placental-related conditions that are not associated with maldevelopment of the uteroplacental circulation, and their impact on fetal growth is limited.
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Wu DM, Ma LP, Song GL, Long Y, Liu HX, Liu Y, Ping J. Steroidogenic factor-1 hypermethylation in maternal rat blood could serve as a biomarker for intrauterine growth retardation. Oncotarget 2017; 8:96139-96153. [PMID: 29221193 PMCID: PMC5707087 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is a common obstetric complication lacking an optimal method for prenatal screening. DNA methylation profile in maternal blood holds significant promise for prenatal screening. Here, we aimed to screen out potential IUGR biomarkers in maternal blood from the perspective of DNA methylation. The IUGR rat model was established by prenatal maternal undernutrition. High-throughput bisulfite sequencing of genomic DNA methylation followed by functional clustering analysis for differentially methylated region (DMR)-associated genes demonstrated that genes regulating transcription had the most significantly changed DNA methylation status in maternal blood with IUGR. Genes about apoptosis and placental development were also changed. Besides increased placental apoptosis, IUGR rats demonstrated the same hypermethylated CpG sites of steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1, a DMR-associated transcription factor about placenta) promoter in maternal blood and placentae. Further, ff1b, the SF-1 ortholog, was knocked out in zebrafish by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The knock-out zebrafish demonstrated developmental inhibition and increased IUGR rates, which confirmed the role of SF-1 in IUGR development. Finally, hypermethylated SF-1 was observed in human maternal blood of IUGR. This study firstly presented distinct DNA methylation profile in maternal blood of IUGR and showed hypermethylated SF-1 could be a potential IUGR biomarker in maternal rat blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Mei Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Liang-Peng Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.,Department of Pharmacy, Wuhan First Hospital, Wuhan 430022, Hubei, China
| | - Gui-Li Song
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Conservation of Aquatic Organism, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yong Long
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Conservation of Aquatic Organism, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Han-Xiao Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jie Ping
- Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
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Intrauterine growth retardation-associated syncytin b hypermethylation in maternal rat blood revealed by DNA methylation array analysis. Pediatr Res 2017; 82:704-711. [PMID: 28604758 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2017.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundEmerging evidence suggests that DNA methylation in maternal blood is a promising target for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) screening, a common developmental toxicity. Here, we aimed to screen out IUGR-related DNA methylation status in maternal blood via high-throughput profiling.MethodsPregnant Wistar rats were subcutaneously administered nicotine (1 mg/kg) twice per day from gestational day (GD) 11 to GD20 to establish the IUGR model. MeDIP array assays and the following GO analysis were used to evaluate DNA methylation status in maternal blood. One placental development-associated gene was selected for further confirmation.ResultsGenes regulating the development of multiple organs and major body systems had changed DNA methylation frequencies in the maternal blood of IUGR rats. Placental development, which can affect the development of multiple fetal organs and induce IUGR, is a hypermethylated cluster consisting of four significantly changed genes, including syncytin b (Synb), Lrrc15, Met, and Tex19.1. With the most significant change, Synb hypermethylation in maternal blood was confirmed by bisulfite-sequencing PCR (BSP). Moreover, decreased Synb expression and histological changes were observed in IUGR placentae.ConclusionThe IUGR-associated DNA methylation profile in maternal blood, such as placenta-related Synb hypermethylation, provides evidence for further studies on possible IUGR biomarkers.
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Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Brownfoot FC, Hastie R, Chand A, Cannon P, Deo M, Tuohey L, Whitehead C, Hannan NJ, Tong S. Activating Transcription Factor 3 Is Reduced in Preeclamptic Placentas and Negatively Regulates sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1), Soluble Endoglin, and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Placenta. Hypertension 2017; 70:1014-1024. [PMID: 28947613 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.117.09548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a major pregnancy complication associated with poor placental perfusion and placental hypoxia. Systemic and placental inflammation and elevated placental secretion of the antiangiogenic factors sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1) and sEng (soluble endoglin) are hallmarks of preeclampsia, causing endothelial dysfunction and multiorgan injury. A molecule that links placental hypoxia, inflammation, and antiangiogenic factor release has not been described. ATF3 (activating transcription factor 3) is highly expressed in placenta. We assessed whether placental ATF3 is dysregulated in preterm preeclampsia, is altered by hypoxia, and regulates proinflammatory cytokine and antiangiogenic factor production. ATF3 mRNA and protein expression was significantly reduced in preterm preeclamptic placentas compared with gestation-matched controls. Hypoxia reduced ATF3 expression in primary cytotrophoblast and placental explants. Silencing ATF3 in primary cytotrophoblast increased proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6 [interleukin 6], TNF-α [tumor necrosis factor α]) and NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) expression. In silico analysis identified an ATF3-binding site in the promoter of Flt-1 (the transcript from which sFlt-1 is produced). Silencing ATF3 increased sFlt-1 and sEng secretion from primary cytotrophoblast possibly by increasing Rab11a and Arf1, cargo proteins that facilitate exosomal release of sFlt-1. ATF3 knockout mice did not have a preeclampsia phenotype, suggesting that these pathways may be specific to humans (preeclampsia is a uniquely human condition). To conclude, we have shown that ATF3 is decreased in preeclamptic placentas and that this decrease is likely to occur after prolonged hypoxia. We show that ATF3 is a regulator of placental proinflammatory cytokines and antiangiogenic factors sFlt-1 and sEng. Therefore, reduced ATF3 may be centrally involved in the pathology of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.).
| | - Fiona C Brownfoot
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
| | - Roxanne Hastie
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
| | - Ashwini Chand
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
| | - Ping Cannon
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
| | - Minh Deo
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
| | - Laura Tuohey
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
| | - Clare Whitehead
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
| | - Stephen Tong
- From the Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia (T.J.K.-L., F.C.B., R.H., P.C., M.D., L.T., C.W., N.J.H., S.T.); and Cancer & Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia (A.C.)
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Maass PG, Glažar P, Memczak S, Dittmar G, Hollfinger I, Schreyer L, Sauer AV, Toka O, Aiuti A, Luft FC, Rajewsky N. A map of human circular RNAs in clinically relevant tissues. J Mol Med (Berl) 2017; 95:1179-1189. [PMID: 28842720 PMCID: PMC5660143 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-017-1582-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Abstract Cellular circular RNAs (circRNAs) are generated by head-to-tail splicing and are present in all multicellular organisms studied so far. Recently, circRNAs have emerged as a large class of RNA which can function as post-transcriptional regulators. It has also been shown that many circRNAs are tissue- and stage-specifically expressed. Moreover, the unusual stability and expression specificity make circRNAs important candidates for clinical biomarker research. Here, we present a circRNA expression resource of 20 human tissues highly relevant to disease-related research: vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs), artery endothelial cells (HUAECs), atrium, vena cava, neutrophils, platelets, cerebral cortex, placenta, and samples from mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. In eight different samples from a single donor, we found highly tissue-specific circRNA expression. Circular-to-linear RNA ratios revealed that many circRNAs were expressed higher than their linear host transcripts. Among the 71 validated circRNAs, we noticed potential biomarkers. In adenosine deaminase-deficient, severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) patients and in Wiskott-Aldrich-Syndrome (WAS) patients’ samples, we found evidence for differential circRNA expression of genes that are involved in the molecular pathogenesis of both phenotypes. Our findings underscore the need to assess circRNAs in mechanisms of human disease. Key messages circRNA resource catalog of 20 clinically relevant tissues. circRNA expression is highly tissue-specific. circRNA transcripts are often more abundant than their linear host RNAs. circRNAs can be differentially expressed in disease-associated genes.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00109-017-1582-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp G Maass
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a joint cooperation between the Charité Medical Faculty and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany. .,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany. .,Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, 7 Divinity Ave, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - Petar Glažar
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Memczak
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a joint cooperation between the Charité Medical Faculty and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany.,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gunnar Dittmar
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Irene Hollfinger
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a joint cooperation between the Charité Medical Faculty and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany.,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luisa Schreyer
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aisha V Sauer
- Scientific Institute HS Raffaele, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Okan Toka
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Loschge Strasse 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.,The German Registry for Congenital Heart Defects, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Aiuti
- Scientific Institute HS Raffaele, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), 20132, Milan, Italy.,Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Friedrich C Luft
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a joint cooperation between the Charité Medical Faculty and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany.,Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA
| | - Nikolaus Rajewsky
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany.
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Manokhina I, Del Gobbo GF, Konwar C, Wilson SL, Robinson WP. Review: placental biomarkers for assessing fetal health. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 26:R237-R245. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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MacDonald TM, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Walker SP, Dane KM, Lockie EB, Tong S, Whitehead CL, Hui L. Variable effect of maternal oral glucose load on circulating cell-free placental mRNAs. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2017; 30:501-503. [PMID: 27073013 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1177815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is not known whether fasting affects levels of circulating placenta-specific transcripts. OBJECTIVE To assess whether a glucose load affects circulating placenta-specific transcripts. METHOD RNA was extracted from paired blood samples (fasting and 1-h post 75 g oral glucose) from 22 women. Placenta-specific genes were measured by RT-qPCR. RESULTS There was no change in ADM, CSH1, PAPPA2, PSG1 or TAC3 expression between fasting and post-glucose states. However, HTRA1 decreased after glucose load. CONCLUSION Maternal fasting state does not influence expression of the majority of placenta-specific genes but may need to be accounted for when validating biomarkers of placental disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Mary MacDonald
- a Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia , and
- c Perinatal Department, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha Joy Kaitu'u-Lino
- a Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia , and
| | - Susan Philippa Walker
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia , and
- c Perinatal Department, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
| | - Kirsten Margaret Dane
- c Perinatal Department, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
| | - Elizabeth Beatrice Lockie
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia , and
- c Perinatal Department, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- a Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia , and
| | - Clare Louise Whitehead
- a Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
| | - Lisa Hui
- a Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia , and
- c Perinatal Department, Mercy Hospital for Women , Melbourne , Heidelberg , Australia
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Altmäe S, Segura MT, Esteban FJ, Bartel S, Brandi P, Irmler M, Beckers J, Demmelmair H, López-Sabater C, Koletzko B, Krauss-Etschmann S, Campoy C. Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Is Associated with Altered Placental Transcriptome. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169223. [PMID: 28125591 PMCID: PMC5268451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal obesity has a major impact on pregnancy outcomes. There is growing evidence that maternal obesity has a negative influence on placental development and function, thereby adversely influencing offspring programming and health outcomes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are poorly understood. We analysed ten term placenta’s whole transcriptomes in obese (n = 5) and normal weight women (n = 5), using the Affymetrix microarray platform. Analyses of expression data were carried out using non-parametric methods. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis showed a clear distinction in placental transcriptome between obese and normal weight women. We identified 72 differentially regulated genes, with most being down-regulated in obesity (n = 61). Functional analyses of the targets using DAVID and IPA confirm the dysregulation of previously identified processes and pathways in the placenta from obese women, including inflammation and immune responses, lipid metabolism, cancer pathways, and angiogenesis. In addition, we detected new molecular aspects of obesity-derived effects on the placenta, involving the glucocorticoid receptor signalling pathway and dysregulation of several genes including CCL2, FSTL3, IGFBP1, MMP12, PRG2, PRL, QSOX1, SERPINE2 and TAC3. Our global gene expression profiling approach demonstrates that maternal obesity creates a unique in utero environment that impairs the placental transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Altmäe
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Research EURISTIKOS and Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- * E-mail: (SA); (CC)
| | - Maria Teresa Segura
- Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Research EURISTIKOS and Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Sabine Bartel
- Division of Experimental Asthma Research, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Pilar Brandi
- Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Research EURISTIKOS and Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
- Technische Universität München, Chair of Experimental Genetics, Freising, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Hans Demmelmair
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Dr. Hauner Children’s Hospital, University of Munich Medical Centre, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen López-Sabater
- Department of Nutrition and Bromatology, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Berthold Koletzko
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Dr. Hauner Children’s Hospital, University of Munich Medical Centre, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
- Division of Experimental Asthma Research, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University Hospital and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Großhadern, Germany
| | - Cristina Campoy
- Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Research EURISTIKOS and Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Biohealth Institute of Granada, Granada, Spain
- * E-mail: (SA); (CC)
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Alcántara-Alonso V, Panetta P, de Gortari P, Grammatopoulos DK. Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone As the Homeostatic Rheostat of Feto-Maternal Symbiosis and Developmental Programming In Utero and Neonatal Life. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:161. [PMID: 28744256 PMCID: PMC5504167 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A balanced interaction between the homeostatic mechanisms of mother and the developing organism during pregnancy and in early neonatal life is essential in order to ensure optimal fetal development, ability to respond to various external and internal challenges, protection from adverse programming, and safeguard maternal care availability after parturition. In the majority of pregnancies, this relationship is highly effective resulting in successful outcomes. However, in a number of pathological settings, perturbations of the maternal homeostasis disrupt this symbiosis and initiate adaptive responses with unpredictable outcomes for the fetus or even the neonate. This may lead to development of pathological phenotypes arising from developmental reprogramming involving interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental-driven pathways, sometimes with acute consequences (e.g., growth impairment) and sometimes delayed (e.g., enhanced susceptibility to disease) that last well into adulthood. Most of these adaptive mechanisms are activated and controlled by hormones of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis under the influence of placental steroid and peptide hormones. In particular, the hypothalamic peptide corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays a key role in feto-maternal communication by orchestrating and integrating a series of neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic, and behavioral responses. CRH also regulates neural networks involved in maternal behavior and this determines efficiency of maternal care and neonate interactions. This review will summarize our current understanding of CRH actions during the perinatal period, focusing on the physiological roles for both mother and offspring and also how external challenges can alter CRH actions and potentially impact on fetus/neonate health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viridiana Alcántara-Alonso
- Translational Medicine, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurophysiology, Department of Neurosciences Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pamela Panetta
- Translational Medicine, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia de Gortari
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurophysiology, Department of Neurosciences Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Dimitris K. Grammatopoulos
- Translational Medicine, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Clinical Biochemistry, Coventry and Warwickshire Pathology Service, UHCW NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Dimitris K. Grammatopoulos,
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Measuring circulating placental RNAs to non-invasively assess the placental transcriptome and to predict pregnancy complications. Prenat Diagn 2016; 36:997-1008. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.4934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Steroid sulfatase is increased in the placentas and whole blood of women with early-onset preeclampsia. Placenta 2016; 48:72-79. [PMID: 27871476 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy affecting 5% of pregnancies. Our team identified 137 genes highly expressed in placenta relative to other human tissues. Here, we have explored a role for steroid sulfatase (STS) in preeclampsia by characterising STS expression and the functional effects of STS on primary placental trophoblasts. METHODS Characterisation of STS was performed on preterm preeclamptic and gestation-matched normotensive preterm controls who delivered at <34 weeks gestation. We characterised placental and maternal whole blood STS mRNA and placental protein expression via qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western Blot. To assess whether STS is involved in sFlt1 secretion and syncytialisation, we administered siRNA to silence STS in primary trophoblasts before measuring sFlt1 and hCG secretion and E-Cadherin expression. RESULTS A custom array containing 45 placental specific genes identified 10 genes significantly altered in the placentas of preeclamptic patients relative to normotensive gestation-matched controls. Of these genes, qRT-PCR and western blot on a larger cohort confirmed that the expression of STS was significantly elevated in preeclamptic placentas (n = 44) relative to gestation matched controls (n = 26). Given placental RNA leaks in to the maternal circulation, we also assessed STS mRNA expression in the whole blood of patients with preeclampsia and found it was significantly increased relative to normotensive controls. siRNA knockdown of STS in primary trophoblast resulted in a modest but significant reduction in sFlt1 secretion, but had no affect on hCG secretion or E-Cadherin protein expression. DISCUSSION STS is increased in preeclamptic placentas and maternal whole blood. Our data suggests that STS may affect sFlt1 secretion by regulating sFlt1-i13 transcription, and not via alterations in syncytialisation.
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Hansen YB, Myrhøj V, Jørgensen FS, Oxvig C, Sørensen S. First trimester PAPP-A2, PAPP-A and hCGβ in small-for-gestational-age pregnancies. Clin Chem Lab Med 2016; 54:117-23. [PMID: 26544105 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2015-0230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 (PAPP-A2) is a recently discovered protease that cleaves a subset of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP). The molecular function suggests its involvement in the IGF system that is vital for fetal growth and development. Our objectives were to establish first trimester median curves of PAPP-A2, PAPP-A and hCGβ for singleton normal pregnancies and to investigate whether an altered level of one or more of the biomarkers is associated with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates before and after stratification according to maternal hypertension and/or proteinuria. METHODS This was a case-control study based on 985 pregnant women delivering normal-weighted neonates and 170 pregnant women delivering SGA neonates. PAPP-A2 was measured by ELISA. PAPP-A and hCGβ were measured by an automatic analyzer. Median curves from 8+1 to 14+0 were established and all concentration values were converted to multiples of the median (MoM) values. RESULTS Before stratification the SGA cases had unaffected PAPP-A2 MoM and hCGβ MoM levels but lower PAPP-A MoM compared with normal controls. After stratification the SGA normotensive subgroup had lower PAPP-A2 MoM and PAPP-A MoM levels than the normal normotensive subgroup. Severe preeclamptic women delivering SGA neonates had higher PAPP-A2 MoM compared to the normotensive women delivering SGA neonates. CONCLUSIONS Pregnant women delivering SGA neonates did not have altered levels of PAPP-A2 or hCGβ but had lower PAPP-A level in the first trimester compared with pregnant women delivering normal-weighted neonates. Pregnancies complicated with severe preeclampsia and SGA may be associated with high PAPP-A2 level.
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Whitehead CL, McNamara H, Walker SP, Alexiadis M, Fuller PJ, Vickers DK, Hannan NJ, Hastie R, Tuohey L, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Tong S. Identifying late-onset fetal growth restriction by measuring circulating placental RNA in the maternal blood at 28 weeks' gestation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2016; 214:521.e1-521.e8. [PMID: 26880734 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.01.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) is often undetected prior to birth, which puts the fetus at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes including stillbirth. OBJECTIVE Measuring RNA circulating in the maternal blood may provide a noninvasive insight into placental function. We examined whether measuring RNA in the maternal blood at 26-30 weeks' gestation can identify pregnancies at risk of late-onset FGR. We focused on RNA highly expressed in placenta, which we termed "placental-specific genes." STUDY DESIGN This was a case-control study nested within a prospective cohort of 600 women recruited at 26-30 weeks' gestation. The circulating placental transcriptome in maternal blood was compared between women with late-onset FGR (<5th centile at >36+6 weeks) and gestation-matched well-grown controls (20-95th centile) using microarray (n = 12). TaqMan low-density arrays, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and digital PCR were used to validate the microarray findings (FGR n = 40, controls n = 80). RESULTS Forty women developed late-onset FGR (birthweight 2574 ± 338 g, 2nd centile) and were matched to 80 well-grown controls (birthweight 3415 ± 339 g, 53rd centile, P < .05). Operative delivery and neonatal admission were higher in the FGR cohort (45% vs 23%, P < .05). Messenger RNA coding 137 placental-specific genes was detected in the maternal blood and 37 were differentially expressed in late-onset FGR. Seven were significantly dysregulated with PCR validation (P < .05). Activating transcription factor-3 messenger RNA transcripts were the most promising single biomarker at 26-30 weeks: they were increased in fetuses destined to be born FGR at term (2.1-fold vs well grown at term, P < .001) and correlated with the severity of FGR. Combining biomarkers improved prediction of severe late-onset FGR (area under the curve, 0.88; 95% CI 0.80-0.97). A multimarker gene expression score had a sensitivity of 79%, a specificity of 88%, and a positive likelihood ratio of 6.2 for subsequent delivery of a baby <3rd centile at term. CONCLUSION A unique placental transcriptome is detectable in maternal blood at 26-30 weeks' gestation in pregnancies destined to develop late-onset FGR. Circulating placental RNA may therefore be a promising noninvasive test to identify pregnancies at risk of developing FGR at term.
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Andraweera PH, Bobek G, Bowen C, Burton GJ, Correa Frigerio P, Chaparro A, Dickinson H, Duncombe G, Hyett J, Illanes SE, Johnstone E, Kumar S, Morgan TK, Myers J, Orefice R, Roberts CT, Salafia CM, Thornburg KL, Whitehead CL, Bainbridge SA. IFPA meeting 2015 workshop report II: mechanistic role of the placenta in fetal programming; biomarkers of placental function and complications of pregnancy. Placenta 2015; 48 Suppl 1:S7-S11. [PMID: 26733365 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Workshops are an integral component of the annual International Federation of Placenta Association (IFPA) meeting, allowing for networking and focused discussion related to specialized topics on the placenta. At the 2015 IFPA meeting (Brisbane, Australia) twelve themed workshops were held, three of which are summarized in this report. These workshops focused on various aspects of placental function, particularly in cases of placenta-mediated disease. Collectively, these inter-connected workshops highlighted the role of the placenta in fetal programming, the use of various biomarkers to monitor placental function across pregnancy, and the clinical impact of novel diagnostic and surveillance modalities in instances of late onset fetal growth restriction (FGR).
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Affiliation(s)
- P H Andraweera
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - G Bobek
- University of Western Sydney, Australia
| | - C Bowen
- Shimadzu Scientific, Australia
| | - G J Burton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - P Correa Frigerio
- Biology of Reproduction Laboratory, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Chaparro
- Biology of Reproduction Laboratory, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - H Dickinson
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
| | - G Duncombe
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - J Hyett
- Department of High Risk Obstetrics, RPA Women and Babies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - S E Illanes
- Biology of Reproduction Laboratory, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - E Johnstone
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - S Kumar
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - T K Morgan
- Oregon Health Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - J Myers
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - R Orefice
- Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - C T Roberts
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - C M Salafia
- Placental Analytics, LLC, Larchmont, NY, USA; Institute for Basic Research, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | | | - C L Whitehead
- Translational Obstetrics Group, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S A Bainbridge
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
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Kramer AW, Lamale-Smith LM, Winn VD. Differential expression of human placental PAPP-A2 over gestation and in preeclampsia. Placenta 2015; 37:19-25. [PMID: 26748159 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein A2 (PAPP-A2) is a pregnancy related insulin-like growth factor binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) protease, known to be elevated in preeclampsia. As the insulin-like growth factors are important in human implantation and placentation, we sought to determine the expression pattern of PAPP-A2 over human gestation in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies to evaluate its role in placental development and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. METHODS Placental basal plate and chorionic villi samples, maternal and fetal cord blood sera were obtained from preeclamptic and control pregnancies. Formalin-fixed tissue sections from across gestation were stained for cytokeratin-7, HLA-G, and PAPP-A2. PAPP-A2 immunoblot analysis was also performed on protein lysates and sera. RESULTS PAPP-A2 expression is predominately expressed by differentiated trophoblasts and fetal endothelium. Chorionic villi show strong expression in the first trimester, followed by a progressive decrease in the second trimester, which returns in the third trimester. PAPP-A2 expression is not impacted by labor. PAPP-A2 is increased in the basal plate, chorionic villi and maternal sera in preeclampsia compared to controls, but is not detectable in cord blood. DISCUSSION PAPP-A2 is differentially expressed in different trophoblast populations and shows strong down regulation in the mid second trimester in chorionic villous samples. Both maternal sera and placental tissue from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia show increased levels of PAPP-A2. PAPP-A2 levels are not altered by labor. Additionally, PAPP-A2 cannot be detected in cord blood demonstrating that the alterations in maternal and placental PAPP-A2 are not recapitulated in the fetal circulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita W Kramer
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 12631 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Leah M Lamale-Smith
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 12631 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Virginia D Winn
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 12631 E. 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Manokhina I, Wilson SL, Robinson WP. Noninvasive nucleic acid-based approaches to monitor placental health and predict pregnancy-related complications. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 213:S197-206. [PMID: 26428499 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 07/11/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the placenta releases a variety of nucleic acids (including deoxyribonucleic acid, messenger ribonucleic acid, or microribonucleic acids) either as a result of cell turnover or as an active messaging system between the placenta and cells in the maternal body. The profile of released nucleic acids changes with the gestational age and has been associated with maternal and fetal parameters. It also can directly reflect pathological changes in the placenta. Nucleic acids may therefore provide a rich source of novel biomarkers for the prediction of pregnancy complications. However, their utility in the clinical setting depends, first, on overcoming some technical considerations in their quantification, and, second, on developing a better understanding of the factors that influence their function and abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Manokhina
- Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Samantha L Wilson
- Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wendy P Robinson
- Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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40
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Extensive shift in placental transcriptome profile in preeclampsia and placental origin of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13336. [PMID: 26268791 PMCID: PMC4542630 DOI: 10.1038/srep13336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One in five pregnant women suffer from gestational complications, prevalently driven by placental malfunction. Using RNASeq, we analyzed differential placental gene expression in cases of normal gestation, late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE), gestational diabetes (GD) and pregnancies ending with the birth of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) or large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns (n = 8/group). In all groups, the highest expression was detected for small noncoding RNAs and genes specifically implicated in placental function and hormonal regulation. The transcriptome of LO-PE placentas was clearly distinct, showing statistically significant (after FDR) expressional disturbances for hundreds of genes. Taqman RT-qPCR validation of 45 genes in an extended sample (n = 24/group) provided concordant results. A limited number of transcription factors including LRF, SP1 and AP2 were identified as possible drivers of these changes. Notable differences were detected in differential expression signatures of LO-PE subtypes defined by the presence or absence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). LO-PE with IUGR showed higher correlation with SGA and LO-PE without IUGR with LGA placentas. Whereas changes in placental transcriptome in SGA, LGA and GD cases were less prominent, the overall profiles of expressional disturbances overlapped among pregnancy complications providing support to shared placental responses. The dataset represent a rich catalogue for potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Wu ACY, Rifkin SA. Aro: a machine learning approach to identifying single molecules and estimating classification error in fluorescence microscopy images. BMC Bioinformatics 2015; 16:102. [PMID: 25880543 PMCID: PMC4450985 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-015-0534-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent techniques for tagging and visualizing single molecules in fixed or living organisms and cell lines have been revolutionizing our understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of fundamental biological processes. However, fluorescence microscopy images are often noisy, and it can be difficult to distinguish a fluorescently labeled single molecule from background speckle. Results We present a computational pipeline to distinguish the true signal of fluorescently labeled molecules from background fluorescence and noise. We test our technique using the challenging case of wide-field, epifluorescence microscope image stacks from single molecule fluorescence in situ experiments on nematode embryos where there can be substantial out-of-focus light and structured noise. The software recognizes and classifies individual mRNA spots by measuring several features of local intensity maxima and classifying them with a supervised random forest classifier. A key innovation of this software is that, by estimating the probability that each local maximum is a true spot in a statistically principled way, it makes it possible to estimate the error introduced by image classification. This can be used to assess the quality of the data and to estimate a confidence interval for the molecule count estimate, all of which are important for quantitative interpretations of the results of single-molecule experiments. Conclusions The software classifies spots in these images well, with >95% AUROC on realistic artificial data and outperforms other commonly used techniques on challenging real data. Its interval estimates provide a unique measure of the quality of an image and confidence in the classification. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-015-0534-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Chia-Yi Wu
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Scott A Rifkin
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA. .,Section of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, Division of Biology, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Naturil-Alfonso C, Marco-Jiménez F, Jiménez-Trigos E, Saenz-de-Juano MD, Viudes-de-Castro MP, Lavara R, Vicente JS. Role of Embryonic and Maternal Genotype on Prenatal Survival and Foetal Growth in Rabbit. Reprod Domest Anim 2015; 50:312-320. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.12493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Naturil-Alfonso
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción; Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal; Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; Valencia Spain
| | - F Marco-Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción; Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal; Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; Valencia Spain
| | - E Jiménez-Trigos
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción; Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal; Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; Valencia Spain
| | - MD Saenz-de-Juano
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción; Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal; Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; Valencia Spain
| | - MP Viudes-de-Castro
- Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Animal-Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (CITA-IVIA); Polígono La Esperanza; Segorbe Castellón Spain
| | - R Lavara
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción; Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal; Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; Valencia Spain
| | - JS Vicente
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de la Reproducción; Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal; Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; Valencia Spain
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Racca AC, Ridano ME, Camolotto S, Genti-Raimondi S, Panzetta-Dutari GM. A novel regulator of human villous trophoblast fusion: the Krüppel-like factor 6. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 21:347-58. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Crosley EJ, Dunk CE, Beristain AG, Christians JK. IGFBP-4 and -5 are expressed in first-trimester villi and differentially regulate the migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014; 12:123. [PMID: 25475528 PMCID: PMC4271501 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse gestational outcomes such as preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are associated with placental insufficiency. Normal placental development relies on the insulin-like growth factors -I and -II (IGF-I and -II), in part to stimulate trophoblast proliferation and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) migration. The insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) modulate the bioavailability of IGFs in various ways, including sequestration, potentiation, and/or increase in half-life. The roles of IGFBP-4 and -5 in the placenta are unknown, despite consistent associations between pregnancy complications and the levels of two IGFBP-4 and/or -5 proteases, pregnancy-associated plasma protein -A and -A2 (PAPP-A and PAPP-A2). The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the effects of IGFBP-4 and -5 on IGF-I and IGF-II in a model of EVT migration. A related objective was to determine the timing and location of IGFBP-4 and -5 expression in the placental villi. METHODS We used wound healing assays to examine the effects of IGFBP-4 and -5 on the migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells following 4 hours of serum starvation and 24 hours of treatment. Localization of IGFBP-4, -5 and PAPP-A2 was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of first trimester placental sections. RESULTS 2 nM IGF-I and -II each increased HTR-8/SVneo cell migration with IGF-I increasing migration significantly more than IGF-II. IGFBP-4 and -5 showed different levels of inhibition against IGF-I. 20 nM IGFBP-4 completely blocked the effects of 2 nM IGF-I, while 20 nM IGFBP-5 significantly reduced the effects of 2 nM IGF-I, but not to control levels. Either 20 nM IGFBP-4 or 20 nM IGFBP-5 completely blocked the effects of 2 nM IGF-II. Immunohistochemistry revealed co-localization of IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5 and PAPP-A2 in the syncytiotrophoblast layer of first trimester placental villi as early as 5 weeks of gestational age. CONCLUSIONS IGFBP-4 and -5 show different levels of inhibition on the migration-stimulating effects of IGF-I and IGF-II, suggesting different roles for PAPP-A and PAPP-A2. Moreover, co-localization of the pappalysins and their substrates within placental villi suggests undescribed roles of these molecules in early placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin J Crosley
- Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, V5A 1S6 Burnaby, Canada
| | - Caroline E Dunk
- Research Centre for Women’s and Infants Health, Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Alexander G Beristain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- The Child and Family Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
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Madan I, Than NG, Romero R, Chaemsaithong P, Miranda J, Tarca AL, Bhatti G, Draghici S, Yeo L, Mazor M, Hassan SS, Chaiworapongsa T. The peripheral whole-blood transcriptome of acute pyelonephritis in human pregnancya. J Perinat Med 2014; 42:31-53. [PMID: 24293448 PMCID: PMC5881913 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2013-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Human pregnancy is characterized by activation of the innate immune response and suppression of adaptive immunity. The former is thought to provide protection against infection for the mother, and the latter, tolerance against paternal antigens expressed in fetal cells. Acute pyelonephritis is associated with an increased risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis in pregnant (vs. nonpregnant) women. The objective of this study was to describe the gene expression profile (transcriptome) of maternal whole blood in acute pyelonephritis. METHOD A case-control study was conducted to include pregnant women with acute pyelonephritis (n=15) and women with a normal pregnancy (n=34). Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 arrays (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA) were used for gene expression profiling. A linear model was used to test the association between the presence of pyelonephritis and gene expression levels while controlling for white blood cell count and gestational age. A fold change of 1.5 was considered significant at a false discovery rate of 0.1. A subset of differentially expressed genes (n=56) was tested with real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) (cases, n=19; controls, n=59). Gene ontology and pathway analyses were applied. RESULTS A total of 983 genes were differentially expressed in acute pyelonephritis: 457 were upregulated and 526 were downregulated. Significant enrichment of 300 biological processes and 63 molecular functions was found in pyelonephritis. Significantly impacted pathways in pyelonephritis included (a) cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, (b) T-cell receptor signaling, (c) Jak-STAT signaling, and (d) complement and coagulation cascades. Of 56 genes tested by qRT-PCR, 48 (85.7%) had confirmation of differential expression. CONCLUSION This is the first study of the transcriptomic signature of whole blood in pregnant women with acute pyelonephritis. Acute infection during pregnancy is associated with the increased expression of genes involved in innate immunity and the decreased expression of genes involved in lymphocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichchha Madan
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nandor Gabor Than
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Piya Chaemsaithong
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jezid Miranda
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Adi L. Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Sorin Draghici
- Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Lami Yeo
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Moshe Mazor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, School of Medicine, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Sonia S. Hassan
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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Crosley EJ, Durland U, Seethram K, MacRae S, Gruslin A, Christians JK. First-trimester levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2 (PAPP-A2) in the maternal circulation are elevated in pregnancies that subsequently develop preeclampsia. Reprod Sci 2013; 21:754-60. [PMID: 24336677 DOI: 10.1177/1933719113512532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have consistently found pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2 (PAPP-A2) to be upregulated in preeclamptic placentae at term. We tested whether first-trimester circulating PAPP-A2 levels differed between complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies. We measured maternal PAPP-A2 levels at 10 to 14 weeks of gestational age in 17 pregnancies resulting in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants, 6 which developed preeclampsia (PE), 1 which developed PE and resulted in an SGA infant, and 37 gestational age-matched controls. The concentration of the PAPP-A2 isoform corresponding to the full-length protein was significantly higher in pregnancies that developed PE (35 ng/mL) compared with those that did not (23 ng/mL; P < .044). In contrast, we found no difference in PAPP-A2 levels between pregnancies that did or did not result in an SGA infant. The upregulation of PAPP-A2 that has previously been observed in PE at term appears to begin early in pregnancy, well before the symptoms develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin J Crosley
- 1Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Whitehead C, Teh WT, Walker SP, Leung C, Mendis S, Larmour L, Tong S. Quantifying circulating hypoxia-induced RNA transcripts in maternal blood to determine in utero fetal hypoxic status. BMC Med 2013; 11:256. [PMID: 24314237 PMCID: PMC4029381 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoxia in utero can lead to stillbirth and severe perinatal injury. While current prenatal tests can identify fetuses that are hypoxic, none can determine the severity of hypoxia/acidemia. We hypothesized a hypoxic/acidemic fetus would up-regulate and release hypoxia-induced mRNA from the fetoplacental unit into the maternal circulation, where they can be sampled and quantified. Furthermore, we hypothesized the abundance of hypoxia induced mRNA in the maternal circulation would correlate with severity of fetal hypoxia/acidemia in utero. We therefore examined whether abundance of hypoxia-induced mRNA in the maternal circulation correlates with the degree of fetal hypoxia in utero. METHODS We performed a prospective study of two cohorts: 1) longitudinal study of pregnant women undergoing an induction of labor (labor induces acute fetal hypoxia) and 2) pregnancies complicated by severe preterm growth restriction (chronic fetal hypoxia). For each cohort, we correlated hypoxia induced mRNA in the maternal blood with degree of fetal hypoxia during its final moments in utero, evidenced by umbilical artery pH or lactate levels obtained at birth. Gestational tissues and maternal bloods were sampled and mRNAs quantified by microarray and RT-PCR. RESULTS Hypoxia-induced mRNAs in maternal blood rose across labor, an event that induces acute fetal hypoxia. They exhibited a precipitous increase across the second stage of labor, a particularly hypoxic event. Importantly, a hypoxia gene score (sum of the relative expression of four hypoxia-induced genes) strongly correlated with fetal acidemia at birth. Hypoxia-induced mRNAs were also increased in the blood of women carrying severely growth restricted preterm fetuses, a condition of chronic fetal hypoxia. The hypoxia gene score correlated with the severity of ultrasound Doppler velocimetry abnormalities in fetal vessels. Importantly, the hypoxia gene score (derived from mRNA abundance in maternal blood) was significantly correlated with the degree of fetal acidemia at birth in this growth restriction cohort. CONCLUSIONS Abundance of mRNAs coding hypoxia-induced genes circulating in maternal blood strongly correlates with degree of fetal hypoxia/acidemia. Measuring hypoxia-induced mRNA in maternal blood may form the basis of a novel non-invasive test to clinically determine the degree of fetal hypoxia/acidemia while in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Stephen Tong
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084 VIC, Australia.
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Saben J, Zhong Y, McKelvey S, Dajani NK, Andres A, Badger TM, Gomez-Acevedo H, Shankar K. A comprehensive analysis of the human placenta transcriptome. Placenta 2013; 35:125-31. [PMID: 24333048 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Revised: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
As the conduit for nutrients and growth signals, the placenta is critical to establishing an environment sufficient for fetal growth and development. To better understand the mechanisms regulating placental development and gene expression, we characterized the transcriptome of term placenta from 20 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies using RNA-seq. To identify genes that were highly expressed and unique to the placenta we compared placental RNA-seq data to data from 7 other tissues (adipose, breast, hear, kidney, liver, lung, and smooth muscle) and identified several genes novel to placental biology (QSOX1, DLG5, and SEMA7A). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the RNA-seq results and immunohistochemistry indicated these proteins were highly expressed in the placental syncytium. Additionally, we mined our RNA-seq data to map the relative expression of key developmental gene families (Fox, Sox, Gata, Tead, and Wnt) within the placenta. We identified FOXO4, GATA3, and WNT7A to be amongst the highest expressed members of these families. Overall, these findings provide a new reference for understanding of placental transcriptome and can aid in the identification of novel pathways regulating placenta physiology that may be dysregulated in placental disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Saben
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Y Zhong
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - S McKelvey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - N K Dajani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - A Andres
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - T M Badger
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - H Gomez-Acevedo
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - K Shankar
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
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