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Jain VG, Monangi N, Zhang G, Muglia LJ. Genetics, epigenetics, and transcriptomics of preterm birth. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 88:e13600. [PMID: 35818963 PMCID: PMC9509423 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth contributes significantly to neonatal mortality and morbidity. Despite its global significance, there has only been limited progress in preventing preterm birth. Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) results from a wide variety of pathological processes. Although many non-genetic risk factors influence the timing of gestation and labor, compelling evidence supports the role of substantial genetic and epigenetic influences and their interactions with the environment contributing to sPTB. To investigate a common and complex disease such as sPTB, various approaches such as genome-wide association studies, whole-exome sequencing, transcriptomics, and integrative approaches combining these with other 'omics studies have been used. However, many of these studies were typically small or focused on a single ethnicity or geographic region with limited data, particularly in populations at high risk for sPTB, or lacked a robust replication. These studies found many genes involved in the inflammation and immunity-related pathways that may affect sPTB. Recent studies also suggest the role of epigenetic modifications of gene expression by the environmental signals as a potential contributor to the risk of sPTB. Future genetic studies of sPTB should continue to consider the contributions of both maternal and fetal genomes as well as their interaction with the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viral G. Jain
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Nagendra Monangi
- Division of Neonatology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ge Zhang
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Louis J. Muglia
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Campbell F, Salam S, Sutton A, Jayasooriya SM, Mitchell C, Amabebe E, Balen J, Gillespie BM, Parris K, Soma-Pillay P, Chauke L, Narice B, Anumba DO. Interventions for the prevention of spontaneous preterm birth: a scoping review of systematic reviews. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e052576. [PMID: 35568487 PMCID: PMC9109033 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052576] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, 11% of babies are born preterm each year. Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of neonatal death and under-five mortality and morbidity, with lifelong sequelae in those who survive. PTB disproportionately impacts low/middle-income countries (LMICs) where the burden is highest. OBJECTIVES This scoping review sought to the evidence for interventions that reduce the risk of PTB, focusing on the evidence from LMICs and describing how context is considered in evidence synthesis. DESIGN We conducted a scoping review, to describe this wide topic area. We searched five electronic databases (2009-2020) and contacted experts to identify relevant systematic reviews of interventions to reduce the risk of PTB. We included published systematic reviews that examined the effectiveness of interventions and their effect on reducing the risk of PTB. Data were extracted and is described narratively. RESULTS 139 published systematic reviews were included in the review. Interventions were categorised as primary or secondary. The interventions where the results showed a greater effect size and consistency across review findings included treatment of syphilis and vaginal candidiasis, vitamin D supplementation and cervical cerclage. Included in the 139 reviews were 1372 unique primary source studies. 28% primary studies were undertaken in LMIC contexts and only 4.5% undertaken in a low-income country (LIC) Only 10.8% of the reviews sought to explore the impact of context on findings, and 19.4% reviews did not report the settings or the primary studies. CONCLUSION This scoping review highlights the lack of research evidence derived from contexts where the burden of PTB globally is greatest. The lack of rigour in addressing contextual applicability within systematic review methods is also highlighted. This presents a risk of inappropriate and unsafe recommendations for practice within these contexts. It also highlights a need for primary research, developing and testing interventions in LIC settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shumona Salam
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | | | - Caroline Mitchell
- Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Emmanuel Amabebe
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Julie Balen
- ScHARR, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Bronwen M Gillespie
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Kerry Parris
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Priya Soma-Pillay
- Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Lawrence Chauke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Brenda Narice
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Dilichukwu O Anumba
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Progesterone: A Unique Hormone with Immunomodulatory Roles in Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031333. [PMID: 35163255 PMCID: PMC8835837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone is well known for its numerous endocrinologic roles in pregnancy but is also endowed with fascinating immunomodulatory capabilities. It can downregulate the induction of inflammatory reactions, the activation of immune cells and the production of cytokines, which are critical mediators of immune responses. These features appear to be critical to the success of pregnancy, given the ability of maternal immune reactivity to interfere with pregnancy and to contribute to several pregnancy complications. This review summarizes the contribution of maternal immune effectors in general, and cytokines in particular, to pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriage, pre-eclampsia and preterm labor; it describes the promise offered by supplementation with progesterone and the oral progestogen dydrogesterone, as well as the progesterone-induced blocking factor in the prevention and/or treatment of these serious complications.
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Fahrenkopf A, Li G, Wood RI, Wagner CK. Developmental exposure to the synthetic progestin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, disrupts the mesocortical serotonin pathway and alters impulsive decision-making in rats. Dev Neurobiol 2021; 81:763-773. [PMID: 34318625 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The synthetic progestin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC), is administered to women at risk for preterm birth during a critical period of fetal development for mesocortical pathways. Yet, little information is available regarding the potential effects of 17-OHPC on the developing fetal brain. In rat models, the mesocortical serotonin pathway is sensitive to progestins. Progesterone receptor (PR) is expressed in layer 3 pyramidal neurons of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and in serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe. The present study tested the hypothesis that exposure to 17-OHPC during development disrupts serotonergic innervation of the mPFC in adolescence and impairs behavior mediated by this pathway in adulthood. Administration of 17-OHPC from postnatal days 1-14 decreased the density of SERT-ir fibers within superficial and deep layers and decreased the density of synaptophysin-ir boutons in all layers of prelimbic mPFC at postnatal day 28. In addition, rats exposed to 17-OHPC during development were less likely to make impulsive choices in the Delay Discounting task, choosing the larger, delayed reward more often than controls at moderate delay times. Interestingly, 17-OHPC exposed rats were more likely to fail to make any choice (i.e., increased omissions) compared to controls at longer delays, suggesting disruptions in decision-making. These results suggest that further investigation is warranted in the clinical use of 17-OHPC to better inform a risk/benefit analysis of progestin use in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyssa Fahrenkopf
- Psychogenics Inc., Paramus, New Jersey, USA.,Department of Psychology & Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Grace Li
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ruth I Wood
- Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christine K Wagner
- Department of Psychology & Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, Albany, New York, USA
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Wagner CK, Quadros-Mennella P. Progesterone from maternal circulation binds to progestin receptors in fetal brain. Dev Neurobiol 2016; 77:767-774. [PMID: 27739256 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones activate nuclear receptors which, as transcription factors, can regulate critical aspects of neural development. Many regions of the rat forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain express progestin receptors (PR) during perinatal life, suggesting that progesterone may play an important role in the development of the brain. An immunohistochemical approach using two antibodies with differential recognition of ligand-bound PR was used to examine whether fetuses are exposed to maternal progesterone during pregnancy and whether progesterone from maternal circulation can bind to PR within the fetal brain. Findings demonstrate that maternal and fetal serum progesterone levels are positively correlated at the end of gestation, suggesting a common source of progesterone in mothers and fetuses (e.g., the maternal ovary). Additional findings suggest that administration of exogenous progesterone to mothers not only increases fetal serum progesterone levels within 2 h, but appears to increase ligand-bound PR in fetal brain. These findings suggest that progesterone of maternal origin may play a previously overlooked role in neural development. In addition, there are implications for the ongoing prophylactic use of synthetic progestins in pregnant women for the prevention of premature birth. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 767-774, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine K Wagner
- Department of Psychology & Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, Albany, New York, 12222
| | - Princy Quadros-Mennella
- Neuroscience Program & Department of Science, Bay Path University, Longmeadow, Massachusetts, 01106
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Abstract
Preterm birth is the single leading cause of mortality for neonates and children less than 5 years of age. Compared to other childhood diseases, such as infections, less progress in prevention of prematurity has been made. In large part, the continued high burden of prematurity results from the limited understanding of the mechanisms controlling normal birth timing in humans, and how individual genetic variation and environmental exposures disrupt these mechanisms to cause preterm birth. In this review, we summarize the outcomes and limitations from studies in model organisms for birth timing in humans, the evidence that genetic factors contribute to birth timing and risk for preterm birth, and recent genetic and genomic studies in women and infants that implicate specific genes and pathways. We conclude with discussing areas of potential high impact in understanding human parturition and preterm birth in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagendra K Monangi
- Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229; Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Heather M Brockway
- Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Melissa House
- Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Ge Zhang
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Louis J Muglia
- Division of Neonatology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009, Cincinnati, OH 45229; Center for Prevention of Preterm Birth, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
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Abstract
Steroid hormones have been in use for more than a half a century as contraceptive agents, and only now are researchers elucidating the biochemical mechanisms of action and non-target effects. Progesterone and synthetic progestins, critical for women's health in the US and internationally, appear to have important effects on immune functioning and other diverse systems. Apart from the contraceptive world is a separate field that is devoted to understanding progesterone in other contexts. Based on research following a development timeline parallel to hormonal contraception, progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate are now administered to prevent preterm birth in high-risk pregnant women. Preterm birth researchers are similarly working to determine the precise biochemical actions and immunological effects of progesterone. Progesterone research in both areas could benefit from increased collaboration and bringing these two bodies of literature together. Progesterone, through actions on various hormone receptors, has lifelong importance in different organ systems and researchers have much to learn about this molecule from the combination of existing literatures, and from future studies that build on this combined knowledge base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Micks
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Washington, Box 356460, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, USADepartment of ResearchAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 409 12th Street SW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Greta B Raglan
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Washington, Box 356460, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, USADepartment of ResearchAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 409 12th Street SW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jay Schulkin
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Washington, Box 356460, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, USADepartment of ResearchAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 409 12th Street SW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Washington, Box 356460, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, Washington, USADepartment of ResearchAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 409 12th Street SW, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Willing J, Wagner CK. Progesterone Receptor Expression in the Developing Mesocortical Dopamine Pathway: Importance for Complex Cognitive Behavior in Adulthood. Neuroendocrinology 2015; 103:207-22. [PMID: 26065828 PMCID: PMC4675705 DOI: 10.1159/000434725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous psychiatric and behavioral disorders such as autism, attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia may involve disruptions in the development of the mesocortical dopamine pathway, consisting of dopaminergic projections from the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Nuclear steroid hormone receptors are powerful transcription factors and can profoundly and permanently alter fundamental processes of neural development. Nuclear progesterone receptor (PR) is transiently expressed in both the VTA and the PFC of rodents during perinatal life, suggesting that PR may regulate the normal development of this important behavioral circuit. METHODS AND RESULTS Here, we demonstrate that virtually all PR-immunoreactive (PR-ir) cells in the VTA also express tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (TH-ir). In addition, retrograde tract tracing reveals that many PR-ir cells in the VTA project to the mPFC. Administration of a PR antagonist to rats during the neonatal period decreased TH-ir fiber density in the prelimbic mPFC of juveniles (postnatal day 25) and decreased levels of TH-ir in the VTA of adults. Neonatal treatment with a PR antagonist impaired adult performance on a passive inhibitory avoidance task and an attentional set-shifting task, measures of behavioral inhibition/impulsivity and cognitive flexibility, respectively. TH-ir levels in the VTA were reduced and cognitive flexibility was impaired in PR knockout mice as well. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide novel insights into a potential role for PR in the developmental etiology of behavioral disorders that involve impairments in complex cognitive behaviors and have implications for the use of synthetic progestins in humans during critical neurodevelopmental periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jari Willing
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience Research University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY
- Department of Psychology: Behavioral Neuroscience Division University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Champaign, IL
| | - Christine K Wagner
- Department of Psychology and Center for Neuroscience Research University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY
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Papp E, Mohammadi H, Loutfy MR, Yudin MH, Murphy KE, Walmsley SL, Shah R, MacGillivray J, Silverman M, Serghides L. HIV protease inhibitor use during pregnancy is associated with decreased progesterone levels, suggesting a potential mechanism contributing to fetal growth restriction. J Infect Dis 2015; 211:10-8. [PMID: 25030058 PMCID: PMC4264589 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiu393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protease inhibitor (PI)-based combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is administered during pregnancy to prevent perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. However, PI use has been associated with adverse birth outcomes, including preterm delivery and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births. The mechanisms underlying these outcomes are unknown. We hypothesized that PIs contribute to these adverse events by altering progesterone levels. METHODS PI effects on trophoblast progesterone production were assessed in vitro. A mouse pregnancy model was used to assess the impact of PI-based cART on pregnancy outcomes and progesterone levels in vivo. Progesterone levels were assessed in plasma specimens from 27 HIV-infected and 17 HIV-uninfected pregnant women. RESULTS PIs (ritonavir, lopinavir, and atazanavir) but not nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors reduced trophoblast progesterone production in vitro. In pregnant mice, PI-based cART but not dual-NRTI therapy was associated with significantly lower progesterone levels that directly correlated with fetal weight. Progesterone supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in fetal weight. We observed lower progesterone levels and smaller infants in HIV-infected women receiving PI-based cART, compared with the control group. In HIV-infected women, progesterone levels correlated significantly with birth weight percentile. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that PI use in pregnancy may lead to lower progesterone levels that could contribute to adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Papp
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network
| | | | - Mona R. Loutfy
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital
- University of Toronto
| | | | | | - Sharon L. Walmsley
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network
- University of Toronto
| | | | | | - Michael Silverman
- University of Toronto
- Lakeridge Health, Rouge Valley Hospital, Ajax, Canada
| | - Lena Serghides
- Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital
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Romero R, Stanczyk FZ. Progesterone is not the same as 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate: implications for obstetrical practice. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013; 208:421-6. [PMID: 23643669 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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