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Zaugg J, Lopez-Tello J, Musial B, Vaughan OR, Fowden AL, Albrecht C, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Obesogenic diet in pregnancy disrupts placental iron handling and ferroptosis and stress signalling in association with fetal growth alterations. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:151. [PMID: 38526599 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05192-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Obesity and gestational diabetes (GDM) impact fetal growth during pregnancy. Iron is an essential micronutrient needed for energy-intense feto-placental development, but if mis-handled can lead to oxidative stress and ferroptosis (iron-dependent cell death). In a mouse model showing maternal obesity and glucose intolerance, we investigated the association of materno-fetal iron handling and placental ferroptosis, oxidative damage and stress signalling activation with fetal growth. Female mice were fed a standard chow or high fat, high sugar (HFHS) diet during pregnancy and outcomes were measured at day (d)16 or d19 of pregnancy. In HFHS-fed mice, maternal hepcidin was reduced and iron status maintained (tissue iron levels) at both d16 and d19. However, fetal weight, placental iron transfer capacity, iron deposition, TFR1 expression and ERK2-mediated signalling were reduced and oxidative damage-related lipofuscin accumulation in the placenta was increased in HFHS-fed mice. At d19, whilst TFR1 remained decreased, fetal weight was normal and placental weight, iron content and iron transporter genes (Dmt1, Zip14, and Fpn1) were reduced in HFHS-fed mice. Furthermore, there was stress kinase activation (increased phosphorylated p38MAPK, total ERK and JNK) in the placenta from HFHS-fed mice at d19. In summary, a maternal HFHS diet during pregnancy impacts fetal growth trajectory in association with changes in placental iron handling, ferroptosis and stress signalling. Downregulation of placental iron transporters in HFHS mice may protect the fetus from excessive oxidative iron. These findings suggest a role for alterations in placental iron homeostasis in determining perinatal outcomes of pregnancies associated with GDM and/or maternal obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Zaugg
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Barbara Musial
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Owen R Vaughan
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Abigail L Fowden
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
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2
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Lopez-Tello J, Yong HEJ, Sandovici I, Dowsett GKC, Christoforou ER, Salazar-Petres E, Boyland R, Napso T, Yeo GSH, Lam BYH, Constancia M, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Fetal manipulation of maternal metabolism is a critical function of the imprinted Igf2 gene. Cell Metab 2023; 35:1195-1208.e6. [PMID: 37437545 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Maternal-offspring interactions in mammals involve both cooperation and conflict. The fetus has evolved ways to manipulate maternal physiology to enhance placental nutrient transfer, but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. The imprinted Igf2 gene is highly expressed in murine placental endocrine cells. Here, we show that Igf2 deletion in these cells impairs placental endocrine signaling to the mother, without affecting placental morphology. Igf2 controls placental hormone production, including prolactins, and is crucial to establish pregnancy-related insulin resistance and to partition nutrients to the fetus. Consequently, fetuses lacking placental endocrine Igf2 are growth restricted and hypoglycemic. Mechanistically, Igf2 controls protein synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis, actions dependent on the placental endocrine cell type. Igf2 loss also has additional long-lasting effects on offspring metabolism in adulthood. Our study provides compelling evidence for an intrinsic fetal manipulation system operating in placenta that modifies maternal metabolism and fetal resource allocation, with long-term consequences for offspring metabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Hannah E J Yong
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), 30 Medical Drive, Singapore 117609, Singapore
| | - Ionel Sandovici
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0SW, UK; Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Georgina K C Dowsett
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Efthimia R Christoforou
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Esteban Salazar-Petres
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Rebecca Boyland
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital NHS Trust, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Tina Napso
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Giles S H Yeo
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Brian Y H Lam
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Miguel Constancia
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0SW, UK; Medical Research Council (MRC) Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK.
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Wu Z, Hu G, Zhang Y, Ao Z. IGF2 May Enhance Placental Fatty Acid Metabolism by Regulating Expression of Fatty Acid Carriers in the Growth of Fetus and Placenta during Late Pregnancy in Pigs. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040872. [PMID: 37107630 PMCID: PMC10137774 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatty acids (FAs) are essential substances for the growth and development of the fetus and placenta. The growing fetus and placenta must obtain adequate FAs received from the maternal circulation and facilitated by various placental FA carriers, including FA transport proteins (FATPs), FA translocase (FAT/CD36), and cytoplasmic FA binding proteins (FABPs). Placental nutrition transport was regulated by imprinted genes H19 and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2). Nevertheless, the relationship between the expression patterns of H19/IGF2 and placental fatty acid metabolism throughout pig pregnancy remains poorly studied and unclear. We investigated the placental fatty acid profile, expression patterns of FA carriers, and H19/IGF2 in the placentae on Days 40 (D40), 65 (D65), and 95 (D95) of pregnancy. The results showed that the width of the placental folds and the number of trophoblast cells of D65 placentae were significantly increased than those of D40 placentae. Several important long-chain FAs (LCFAs), including oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidonatic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosatetraenoic acid, in the pig placenta showed dramatically increased levels throughout pregnancy. The pig placenta possessed higher expression levels of CD36, FATP4, and FABP5 compared with other FA carriers, and their expression levels had significantly upregulated 2.8-, 5.6-, and 12.0-fold from D40 to D95, respectively. The transcription level of IGF2 was dramatically upregulated and there were corresponding lower DNA methylation levels in the IGF2 DMR2 in D95 placentae relative to D65 placentae. Moreover, in vitro experimentation revealed that the overexpression of IGF2 resulted in a significant increase in fatty acid uptake and expression levels of CD36, FATP4, and FABP5 in PTr2 cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that CD36, FATP4, and FABP5 may be important regulators that enhance the transport of LCFAs in the pig placenta and that IGF2 may be involved in FA metabolism by affecting the FA carriers expression to support the growth of the fetus and placenta during late pregnancy in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Guangling Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zheng Ao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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Salazar-Petres E, Pereira-Carvalho D, Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Maternal and Intrauterine Influences on Feto-Placental Growth Are Accompanied by Sexually Dimorphic Changes in Placental Mitochondrial Respiration, and Metabolic Signalling Pathways. Cells 2023; 12:797. [PMID: 36899933 PMCID: PMC10000946 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse maternal environments such as small size, malnutrition, and metabolic conditions are known to influence fetal growth outcomes. Similarly, fetal growth and metabolic alterations may alter the intrauterine environment and affect all fetuses in multiple gestation/litter-bearing species. The placenta is the site of convergence between signals derived from the mother and the developing fetus/es. Its functions are fuelled by energy generated by mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The aim of this study was to delineate the role of an altered maternal and/or fetal/intrauterine environment in feto-placental growth and placental mitochondrial energetic capacity. To address this, in mice, we used disruptions of the gene encoding phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) p110α, a growth and metabolic regulator to perturb the maternal and/or fetal/intrauterine environment and study the impact on wildtype conceptuses. We found that feto-placental growth was modified by a perturbed maternal and intrauterine environment, and effects were most evident for wildtype males compared to females. However, placental mitochondrial complex I+II OXPHOS and total electron transport system (ETS) capacity were similarly reduced for both fetal sexes, yet reserve capacity was additionally decreased in males in response to the maternal and intrauterine perturbations. These were also sex-dependent differences in the placental abundance of mitochondrial-related proteins (e.g., citrate synthase and ETS complexes), and activity of growth/metabolic signalling pathways (AKT and MAPK) with maternal and intrauterine alterations. Our findings thus identify that the mother and the intrauterine environment provided by littermates modulate feto-placental growth, placental bioenergetics, and metabolic signalling in a manner dependent on fetal sex. This may have relevance for understanding the pathways leading to reduced fetal growth, particularly in the context of suboptimal maternal environments and multiple gestation/litter-bearing species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Salazar-Petres
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Daniela Pereira-Carvalho
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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5
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Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Characterization of placental endocrine function and fetal brain development in a mouse model of small for gestational age. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1116770. [PMID: 36843585 PMCID: PMC9950515 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1116770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Conditions such as small for gestational age (SGA), which is defined as birthweight less than 10th percentile for gestational age can predispose to neurodevelopmental abnormalities compared to babies with normal birthweight. Fetal growth and birthweight depend on placental function, as this organ transports substrates to the developing fetus and it acts as a source of endocrine factors, including steroids and prolactins that are required for fetal development and pregnancy maintenance. To advance our knowledge on the aetiology of fetal growth disorders, the vast majority of the research has been focused on studying the transport function of the placenta, leaving practically unexplored the contribution of placental hormones in the regulation of fetal growth. Here, using mice and natural variability in fetal growth within the litter, we compared fetuses that fell on or below the 10th percentile (classified as SGA) with those that had adequate weight for their gestational age (AGA). In particular, we compared placental endocrine metabolism and hormone production, as well as fetal brain weight and expression of developmental, growth and metabolic genes between SGA and AGA fetuses. We found that compared to AGA fetuses, SGA fetuses had lower placental efficiency and reduced capacity for placental production of hormones (e.g. steroidogenic gene Cyp17a1, prolactin Prl3a1, and pregnancy-specific glycoproteins Psg21). Brain weight was reduced in SGA fetuses, although this was proportional to the reduction in overall fetal size. The expression of glucose transporter 3 (Slc2a3) was reduced despite the abundance of AKT, FOXO and ERK proteins were similar. Developmental (Sv2b and Gabrg1) and microglia genes (Ier3), as well as the pregnancy-specific glycoprotein receptor (Cd9) were lower in the brain of SGA versus AGA fetuses. In this mouse model of SGA, our results therefore demonstrate that placental endocrine dysfunction is associated with changes in fetal growth and fetal brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research – Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research – Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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6
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Possible transfer of lncRNA H19-derived miRNA miR-675-3p to adjacent H19-non-expressing trophoblast cells in near-term mouse placenta. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 159:363-375. [PMID: 36484822 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02169-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
LncRNA H19 serves as a regulatory RNA in mouse placental development. However, there is little information available on the in situ expression of H19 in the late-gestation mouse placenta. In this study, we performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) analyses of lncRNA H19 and its exon 1-derived miRNA miR-675-3p to identify cell types expressing these non-coding RNAs in the mouse placenta during mid-to-late gestation. By qPCR analysis, we confirmed that H19 was highly expressed during mid-to-late gestation (E10.5-E18.5) and that H19-derived miRNA miR-675-3p was remarkably upregulated in the E18.5 placenta. ISH analysis revealed trophoblast cell type-specific expression of lncRNA H19 and miR-675-3p during later stages of gestation. In the junctional zone and decidua of late-gestation placenta, H19 was expressed in trophoblast giant cells and glycogen trophoblast cells; however, H19 was absent in spongiotrophoblast cells. In the labyrinth and chorionic plate, H19 was present in sinusoidal mononuclear trophoblast giant cells, fetal vascular endothelial cells, and basal chorionic trophoblast cells, but not in syncytiotrophoblasts. As expected, these lncRNA H19-expressing cells exhibited miR-675-3p in the E18.5 placenta. Intriguingly, miR-675-3p was also present in H19-negative spongiotrophoblast cells and syncytiotrophoblasts, implying the possible transfer of miR-675-3p from H19-exprssing cells to adjacent H19-non-expressing trophoblast cells. These findings suggest that the mouse placenta expresses lncRNA H19 in a trophoblast cell type-specific fashion during later stages of gestation.
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Chang S, Fulmer D, Hur SK, Thorvaldsen JL, Li L, Lan Y, Rhon-Calderon EA, Leu NA, Chen X, Epstein JA, Bartolomei MS. Dysregulated H19/Igf2 expression disrupts cardiac-placental axis during development of Silver-Russell syndrome-like mouse models. eLife 2022; 11:e78754. [PMID: 36441651 PMCID: PMC9704805 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the imprinted H19/IGF2 locus can lead to Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) in humans. However, the mechanism of how abnormal H19/IGF2 expression contributes to various SRS phenotypes remains unclear, largely due to incomplete understanding of the developmental functions of these two genes. We previously generated a mouse model with humanized H19/IGF2 imprinting control region (hIC1) on the paternal allele that exhibited H19/Igf2 dysregulation together with SRS-like growth restriction and perinatal lethality. Here, we dissect the role of H19 and Igf2 in cardiac and placental development utilizing multiple mouse models with varying levels of H19 and Igf2. We report severe cardiac defects such as ventricular septal defects and thinned myocardium, placental anomalies including thrombosis and vascular malformations, together with growth restriction in mouse embryos that correlated with the extent of H19/Igf2 dysregulation. Transcriptomic analysis using cardiac endothelial cells of these mouse models shows that H19/Igf2 dysregulation disrupts pathways related to extracellular matrix and proliferation of endothelial cells. Our work links the heart and placenta through regulation by H19 and Igf2, demonstrating that accurate dosage of both H19 and Igf2 is critical for normal embryonic development, especially related to the cardiac-placental axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhee Chang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Diana Fulmer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Stella K Hur
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Joanne L Thorvaldsen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Li Li
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Yemin Lan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Eric A Rhon-Calderon
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Nicolae Adrian Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Jonathan A Epstein
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
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Salazar-Petres E, Pereira-Carvalho D, Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Placental structure, function, and mitochondrial phenotype relate to fetal size in each fetal sex in mice†. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:1292-1311. [PMID: 35293971 PMCID: PMC9327737 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth depends on placental function, which requires energy from mitochondria. Here we investigated whether mitochondrial function in the placenta relates to the growth of the lightest and heaviest fetuses of each sex within the litter of mice. Placentas from the lightest and heaviest fetuses were taken to evaluate placenta morphology (stereology), mitochondrial energetics (high-resolution respirometry), mitochondrial regulators, nutrient transporters, hormone handling, and signaling pathways (qPCR and Western blotting). We found that mitochondrial complex I and II oxygen consumption rate was greater for placentas supporting the lightest female fetuses, although placental complex I abundance of the lightest females and complexes III and V of the lightest males were decreased compared to their heaviest counterparts. Expression of mitochondrial biogenesis (Nrf1) and fission (Drp1 and Fis1) genes was lower in the placenta from the lightest females, whilst biogenesis-related gene Tfam was greater in the placenta of the lightest male fetuses. In addition, placental morphology and steroidogenic gene (Cyp17a1 and Cyp11a1) expression were aberrant for the lightest females, but glucose transporter (Slc2a1) expression was lower in only the lightest males versus their heaviest counterparts. Differences in intra-litter placental phenotype were related to changes in the expression of hormone-responsive (androgen receptor) and metabolic signaling (AMPK, AKT, and PPARγ) pathways. Thus, in normal mouse pregnancy, placental structure, function, and mitochondrial phenotype are differentially responsive to the growth of the female and male fetus. This study may inform the design of sex-specific therapies for placental insufficiency and fetal growth abnormalities with life-long benefits for the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban Salazar-Petres
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniela Pereira-Carvalho
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amanda Nancy Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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9
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Sandovici I, Fernandez-Twinn DS, Hufnagel A, Constância M, Ozanne SE. Sex differences in the intergenerational inheritance of metabolic traits. Nat Metab 2022; 4:507-523. [PMID: 35637347 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-022-00570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Strong evidence suggests that early-life exposures to suboptimal environmental factors, including those in utero, influence our long-term metabolic health. This has been termed developmental programming. Mounting evidence suggests that the growth and metabolism of male and female fetuses differ. Therefore, sexual dimorphism in response to pre-conception or early-life exposures could contribute to known sex differences in susceptibility to poor metabolic health in adulthood. However, until recently, many studies, especially those in animal models, focused on a single sex, or, often in the case of studies performed during intrauterine development, did not report the sex of the animal at all. In this review, we (a) summarize the evidence that male and females respond differently to a suboptimal pre-conceptional or in utero environment, (b) explore the potential biological mechanisms that underlie these differences and (c) review the consequences of these differences for long-term metabolic health, including that of subsequent generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ionel Sandovici
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Denise S Fernandez-Twinn
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Antonia Hufnagel
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Miguel Constância
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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