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SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, stillbirth, and maternal COVID-19 vaccination: clinical-pathologic correlations. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:261-269. [PMID: 36243041 PMCID: PMC9554221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Stillbirth is a recognized complication of COVID-19 in pregnant women that has recently been demonstrated to be caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection of the placenta. Multiple global studies have found that the placental pathology present in cases of stillbirth consists of a combination of concurrent destructive findings that include increased fibrin deposition that typically reaches the level of massive perivillous fibrin deposition, chronic histiocytic intervillositis, and trophoblast necrosis. These 3 pathologic lesions, collectively termed SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, can cause severe and diffuse placental parenchymal destruction that can affect >75% of the placenta, effectively rendering it incapable of performing its function of oxygenating the fetus and leading to stillbirth and neonatal death via malperfusion and placental insufficiency. Placental infection and destruction can occur in the absence of demonstrable fetal infection. Development of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis is a complex process that may have both an infectious and immunologic basis. An important observation is that in all reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis causing stillbirth and neonatal death, the mothers were unvaccinated. SARS-CoV-2 placentitis is likely the result of an episode of SARS-CoV-2 viremia at some time during the pregnancy. This article discusses clinical and pathologic aspects of the relationship between maternal COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, and perinatal death.
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Tanaka SE, Sakuraba Y, Kitaya K, Ishikawa T. Differential Vaginal Microbiota Profiling in Lactic-Acid-Producing Bacteria between Infertile Women with and without Chronic Endometritis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12040878. [PMID: 35453926 PMCID: PMC9030043 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12040878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Chronic endometritis (CE) is an infectious and inflammatory disorder associated with infertility of unknown etiology, repeated implantation failure, and recurrent pregnancy loss. In the current clinical practice, intrauterine interventions such as endometrial biopsy/histopathologic examinations and/or hysteroscopy are required for the diagnosis of CE. In this study, we analyzed the microbiota in vaginal secretions (VS) as a potential prediction tool for CE in infertile women. Methods: Using next-generation sequencing analysis, we compared the VS and endometrial fluid (EF) microbiota in infertile women with (n = 20) or without CE (n = 103). Results: The detection rate of Streptococcus and Enterococcus as well as the bacterial abundance of Atopobium and Bifidobacterium in the VS microbiota was significantly lower in the CE group than in the non-CE group. Meanwhile, the detection rate and bacterial abundance of Lactobacillus in the EF and VS microbiota were at similar levels between the two groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that VS microbiota in infertile women with CE is characterized by the reduction in Bifidobacterium and lactic-acid-producing bacteria other than Lactobacillus. Our results hold promise for the prediction of CE, not by somewhat interventional intrauterine procedures, but by less invasive VS sampling. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000029449 (registration date 6 October 2017).
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Affiliation(s)
- Suguru E. Tanaka
- Varinos Inc., DiverCity Tokyo Office Tower, 12F, 1-1-20 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan;
| | - Yoshiyuki Sakuraba
- Varinos Inc., DiverCity Tokyo Office Tower, 12F, 1-1-20 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan;
- Correspondence:
| | - Kotaro Kitaya
- Reproduction Clinic Osaka, Grand Front Osaka Tower-A 15F, 4-20 Oofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0011, Japan; (K.K.); (T.I.)
| | - Tomomoto Ishikawa
- Reproduction Clinic Osaka, Grand Front Osaka Tower-A 15F, 4-20 Oofuka-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0011, Japan; (K.K.); (T.I.)
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3
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Bouariu A, Gică N, Ciobanu AM, Scutelnicu AM, Popescu MR, Panaitescu AM. The Potential Benefit of Hydroxychloroquine in Chronic Placental Inflammation of Unknown Etiology Associated with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:168. [PMID: 35052331 PMCID: PMC8775717 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10010168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is the site of connection between maternal and fetal circulation, and the liaison is established early in pregnancy. A large variety of pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, or pregnancy loss have placental expression and can be accompanied in some cases of acute or chronic identifiable placental inflamatory lesions. Chronic placental inflammatory (CPI) lesions include chronic villitis of unknow etiology (CVUE), chronic intervillositis of unknown etiology, CIUE (also described as chronic histiocytic intervillositis, CHI), and chronic deciduits. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been prescribed with good results during pregnancy to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes in maternal autoimmune conditions. Its success has paved the way to its use in CPI as CIUE/CHI; however, to date, there are no prospective, informatively designed, controlled studies on its value in these setting. This review aims to explore the potential role of HCQ in CPI of unknown etiology. Ideally, properly designed, probably multicentric studies should be undertaken to fully understand HCQ's role for prevention of adverse pregnancy outcomes after a chronic placental inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Bouariu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Nicolae Gică
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Marina Ciobanu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Scutelnicu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
| | - Mihaela Roxana Popescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Cardiology, Elias University Hospital Bucharest, 011461 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Maria Panaitescu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Filantropia, Clinical Hospital Bucharest, 011171 Bucharest, Romania; (A.B.); (N.G.); (A.M.C.); (A.M.S.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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Kochhar P, Dwarkanath P, Ravikumar G, Thomas A, Crasta J, Thomas T, Kurpad AV, Mukhopadhyay A. Placental expression of miR-21-5p, miR-210-3p and miR-141-3p: relation to human fetoplacental growth. Eur J Clin Nutr 2021; 76:730-738. [PMID: 34611295 DOI: 10.1038/s41430-021-01017-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes in placental tissue is associated with foetal growth restriction. We aimed to evaluate associations of placental miR-21-5p, miR-141-3p and miR-210-3p expression with maternal, placental and newborn parameters and with placental expression of their potential target genes PTEN, VEGF, FLT and ENG in a set of well-characterized small- (SGA) and appropriate- (AGA) for gestational age full-term singleton pregnancies. SUBJECTS/METHODS Placental samples (n = 80) from 26 SGA and 54 AGA were collected from full-term singleton pregnancies. Placental transcript abundances of miR-21-5p, miR-141-3p and miR-210-3p were assessed after normalization to a reference miRNA, mir-16-5p by real-time quantitative PCR. Placental transcript abundances of PTEN, VEGF, FLT and ENG were assessed after normalizing to a panel of reference genes. RESULTS Placental miR-21-5p transcript abundance was negatively associated with placental weight (n = 80, r = -0.222, P = 0.047) and this association was specific to the AGA births (n = 54, r = -0.292, P = 0.032). Placental transcript abundances of miR-210-3p and miR-141-3p were not associated with placental weight or birth weight in all 80 births. However, placental miR-210-3p transcript abundance was positively associated with birth weight specifically in the SGA births (n = 26, r = 0.449, P = 0.021). Placental transcript abundance of miR-21-5p was negatively associated with PTEN transcript abundance (Spearman's ρ = -0.245, P = 0.028) while that of miR-141-3p was positively associated with FLT (Spearman's ρ = 0.261, P = 0.019) and ENG (Spearman's ρ = 0.259, P = 0.020) transcript abundances in all 80 births. CONCLUSION We conclude that placental miR-21-5p and miR-210-3p may be involved in fetoplacental growth. However, this regulation is unlikely to be mediated through placental expression of PTEN, VEGF, FLT or ENG.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kochhar
- Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, A recognized research centre of University of Mysore, Bangalore, India
| | - P Dwarkanath
- Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, A recognized research centre of University of Mysore, Bangalore, India
| | - G Ravikumar
- Department of Pathology, St John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - A Thomas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - J Crasta
- Department of Pathology, St John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - T Thomas
- Department of Biostatistics, St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bangalore, India
| | - A V Kurpad
- Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, A recognized research centre of University of Mysore, Bangalore, India
| | - A Mukhopadhyay
- Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, A recognized research centre of University of Mysore, Bangalore, India.
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Yong HEJ, Chan SY. Current approaches and developments in transcript profiling of the human placenta. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 26:799-840. [PMID: 33043357 PMCID: PMC7600289 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is the active interface between mother and foetus, bearing the molecular marks of rapid development and exposures in utero. The placenta is routinely discarded at delivery, providing a valuable resource to explore maternal-offspring health and disease in pregnancy. Genome-wide profiling of the human placental transcriptome provides an unbiased approach to study normal maternal–placental–foetal physiology and pathologies. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE To date, many studies have examined the human placental transcriptome, but often within a narrow focus. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of human placental transcriptome studies, encompassing those from the cellular to tissue levels and contextualize current findings from a broader perspective. We have consolidated studies into overarching themes, summarized key research findings and addressed important considerations in study design, as a means to promote wider data sharing and support larger meta-analysis of already available data and greater collaboration between researchers in order to fully capitalize on the potential of transcript profiling in future studies. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database, National Center for Biotechnology Information and European Bioinformatics Institute dataset repositories were searched, to identify all relevant human studies using ‘placenta’, ‘decidua’, ‘trophoblast’, ‘transcriptome’, ‘microarray’ and ‘RNA sequencing’ as search terms until May 2019. Additional studies were found from bibliographies of identified studies. OUTCOMES The 179 identified studies were classifiable into four broad themes: healthy placental development, pregnancy complications, exposures during pregnancy and in vitro placental cultures. The median sample size was 13 (interquartile range 8–29). Transcriptome studies prior to 2015 were predominantly performed using microarrays, while RNA sequencing became the preferred choice in more recent studies. Development of fluidics technology, combined with RNA sequencing, has enabled transcript profiles to be generated of single cells throughout pregnancy, in contrast to previous studies relying on isolated cells. There are several key study aspects, such as sample selection criteria, sample processing and data analysis methods that may represent pitfalls and limitations, which need to be carefully considered as they influence interpretation of findings and conclusions. Furthermore, several areas of growing importance, such as maternal mental health and maternal obesity are understudied and the profiling of placentas from these conditions should be prioritized. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Integrative analysis of placental transcriptomics with other ‘omics’ (methylome, proteome and metabolome) and linkage with future outcomes from longitudinal studies is crucial in enhancing knowledge of healthy placental development and function, and in enabling the underlying causal mechanisms of pregnancy complications to be identified. Such understanding could help in predicting risk of future adversity and in designing interventions that can improve the health outcomes of both mothers and their offspring. Wider collaboration and sharing of placental transcriptome data, overcoming the challenges in obtaining sufficient numbers of quality samples with well-defined clinical characteristics, and dedication of resources to understudied areas of pregnancy will undoubtedly help drive the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E J Yong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shiao-Yng Chan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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6
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Amabebe E, Anumba DO. The transmembrane G protein-coupled CXCR3 receptor-ligand system and maternal foetal allograft rejection. Placenta 2020; 104:81-88. [PMID: 33296735 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Chronic placental inflammatory lesions lead to poor obstetric outcomes. These lesions often proceed undetected until examination of placental tissues after delivery and are mediated by CXCR3, a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor, and its chemokine ligands - CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11. CXCR3-chemokine ligand interaction disrupts feto-maternal immune tolerance and activate obnoxious immunological responses similar to transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease. The resultant chronic inflammatory responses manifest in different parts of the placenta characterised by the presence of incompatible immunocompetent cells from the feto-maternal unit i.e. maternal CD8+ T cells in the chorionic membrane or plate (chronic chorioamnionitis); foetal Hofbauer cells and maternal CD8+ T cells in the chorionic villous tree (villitis of unknown aetiology); maternal CD8+ T and plasma cells in the basal plate (chronic deciduitis); and maternal CD8+ T cells, histiocytes and T regulatory cells in the intervillous space (chronic intervillositis). This review critically examines how the CXCR3-chemokine ligand interaction disrupts feto-maternal immune tolerance, initiates a series of chronic placental inflammatory lesions, and consequently activates the pathways to intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, preterm prelabour rupture of membranes, preterm labour and birth. The possibility of interrupting these signalling pathways through the use of CXCR3 chemokine inhibitors to prevent adverse reproductive sequelae as well as the potential clinical utility of CXCR3 chemokines as non-invasive predictive clinical biomarkers are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Amabebe
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Dilly O Anumba
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, UK.
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7
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Parris KM, Amabebe E, Cohen MC, Anumba DO. Placental microbial-metabolite profiles and inflammatory mechanisms associated with preterm birth. J Clin Pathol 2020; 74:10-18. [PMID: 32796048 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2020-206536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
There is growing emphasis on the potential significance of the placental microbiome and microbiome-metabolite interactions in immune responses and subsequent pregnancy outcome, especially in relation to preterm birth (PTB). This review discusses in detail the pathomechanisms of placental inflammatory responses and the resultant maternal-fetal allograft rejection in both microbial-induced and sterile conditions. It also highlights some potential placental-associated predictive markers of PTB for future investigation. The existence of a placental microbiome remains debatable. Therefore, an overview of our current understanding of the state and role of the placental microbiome (if it exists) and metabolome in human pregnancy is also provided. We critical evaluate the evidence for a placental microbiome, discuss its functional capacity through the elaborated metabolic products and also describe the consequent and more established fetomaternal inflammatory responses that stimulate the pathway to preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm labour and spontaneous PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry M Parris
- Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Marta C Cohen
- Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Histopathology, Sheffield Childrens Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Dilly O Anumba
- Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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8
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Robineau-Charette P, Grynspan D, Benton SJ, Gaudet J, Cox BJ, Vanderhyden BC, Bainbridge SA. Fibrinogen-Like Protein 2-Associated Transcriptional and Histopathological Features of Immunological Preeclampsia. Hypertension 2020; 76:910-921. [PMID: 32713274 PMCID: PMC7418930 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.14807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, with variable presentation in both maternal and fetal factors, such that no treatment or marker is currently universal to all cases. Here, we demonstrate that the prothrombinase and immunomodulatory secreted factor FGL-2 (fibrinogen-like protein 2) is differentially expressed across previously characterized gene expression clusters containing clinically relevant disease subtypes. FGL2 is low in a cluster consistent with the traditional paradigm of the pathology of preeclampsia (canonical preeclampsia) and high in a cluster exhibiting evidence of immune activation (immunological preeclampsia). We show that it is part of an immunoregulatory gene module integral to the transcriptional profile and placental pathology specific to immunological preeclampsia. We determine that FGL2 associates positively with chronic inflammation lesions of the placenta while associating negatively with maternal vascular malperfusion lesions. The transcriptional profiles of maternal vascular malperfusion lesions show downregulation of FGL2 and upregulation of previously investigated preeclampsia biomarkers, such as FLT1 (Fms Related Receptor Tyrosine Kinase 1) and ENG (endoglin). Conversely, the profiles of chronic inflammation lesions show an interesting downregulation of these genes, but an upregulation of FGL2 and of FGL2-correlated immunoregulatory genes, suggesting it is upregulated downstream of major inflammatory mediators such as TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α and IFN (interferon)-γ, hallmarks of the immunological preeclampsia subtype. This work, overall, demonstrates that FGL-2 expression levels in the term placenta reflect the unique pathophysiology that leads to immunological preeclampsia, leading to its potential as a subtype-specific biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Robineau-Charette
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (P.R.-C., S.J.B, B.C.V., S.A.B.), University of Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada (P.R.-C., B.C.V.)
| | - David Grynspan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (D.G.), University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Samantha J Benton
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (P.R.-C., S.J.B, B.C.V., S.A.B.), University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jeremiah Gaudet
- Faculty of Medicine and Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences (J.G., S.A.B.), University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Brian J Cox
- Department of Physiology (B.J.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (B.J.C.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Barbara C Vanderhyden
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (P.R.-C., S.J.B, B.C.V., S.A.B.), University of Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Cancer Therapeutics Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada (P.R.-C., B.C.V.)
| | - Shannon A Bainbridge
- From the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (P.R.-C., S.J.B, B.C.V., S.A.B.), University of Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine and Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences (J.G., S.A.B.), University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
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9
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Konwar C, Price EM, Wang LQ, Wilson SL, Terry J, Robinson WP. DNA methylation profiling of acute chorioamnionitis-associated placentas and fetal membranes: insights into epigenetic variation in spontaneous preterm births. Epigenetics Chromatin 2018; 11:63. [PMID: 30373633 PMCID: PMC6205793 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-018-0234-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Placental inflammation, often presenting as acute chorioamnionitis (aCA), is commonly associated with preterm birth. Preterm birth can have both immediate and long-term adverse effects on the health of the baby. Developing biomarkers of inflammation in the placenta can help to understand its effects and potentially lead to new approaches for rapid prenatal diagnosis of aCA. We aimed to characterize epigenetic variation associated with aCA in placenta (chorionic villi) and fetal membranes (chorion and amnion) to better understand how aCA may impact processes that lead to preterm birth. This study lays the groundwork for development of novel biomarkers for aCA. METHODS Samples from 44 preterm placentas (chorionic villi) as well as matched chorion and amnion for 16 of these cases were collected for this study. These samples were profiled using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation850 BeadChip to measure DNA methylation (DNAm) at 866,895 CpGs across the genome. An additional 78 placental samples were utilized to independently validate the array findings by pyrosequencing. RESULTS Using a false discovery rate of < 0.15 and average group difference in DNAm of > 0.05, 66 differentially methylated (DM) CpG sites were identified between aCA cases and non-aCA cases in chorionic villi. For the majority of these 66 DM CpGs, the DNAm profile of the aCA cases as compared to the non-aCA cases trended in the direction of the blood cell DNAm. Interestingly, neutrophil-specific DNAm signatures, but not those associated with other immune cell types, were capable of separating aCA cases from the non-aCA cases. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that aCA-associated placentas showed altered DNAm signatures that were not observed in the absence of aCA. This DNAm profile is consistent with the activation of the innate immune response in the placenta and/or reflect increase in neutrophils as a response to inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaini Konwar
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - E. Magda Price
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Li Qing Wang
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Samantha L. Wilson
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Jefferson Terry
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
- Department of Pathology, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
| | - Wendy P. Robinson
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, 950 W 28th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1 Canada
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10
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Kitaya K, Takeuchi T, Mizuta S, Matsubayashi H, Ishikawa T. Endometritis: new time, new concepts. Fertil Steril 2018; 110:344-350. [PMID: 29960704 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Endometritis is subdivided into two categories. Acute endometritis is symptomatic and characterized by microabscess formation and neutrophil invasion in the endometrial superficial epithelium, gland lumina, and uterine cavity. Chronic endometritis is rather silent and recognized as unusual plasmacyte infiltration in the endometrial stromal areas. Over the last decade, studies have disclosed the potential association between poor reproductive outcomes and endometritis, particularly chronic endometritis. The aim of this review is to address the current literature surrounding chronic endometritis and highlight recent advances in the research of this long-neglected gynecologic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Kitaya
- Reproduction Clinic Osaka, Osaka, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Cell Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
| | | | - Shimpei Mizuta
- Reproduction Clinic Osaka, Osaka, Japan; Reproduction Clinic Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Tomomoto Ishikawa
- Reproduction Clinic Osaka, Osaka, Japan; Reproduction Clinic Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Ozen M, Novak C, Burd I. Placenta immune infiltrates and perinatal outcomes. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 79:e12850. [PMID: 29577494 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12850] [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: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a state of immunotolerance and loss of this immunotolerance may lead to fetal rejection, pregnancy complications, and neonatal complications. Immunobiology of pregnancy is complex and involves unique immune cell populations specific to pregnancy, changes in mucosal immune cells and peripheral immune system, and reciprocal adaptations between the mother and the fetus. The mechanisms required for sustaining a healthy feto-placental barrier and a healthy pregnancy such as activation of regulatory immune responses with a predominance of regulatory T cells lead to immune evasion and propagation of cancer. It is intriguing to note that the immune pathways which are effective in limiting or eliminating cancer form the very basis for loss of feto-maternal tolerance. In this article, we aim to compare and contrast immunobiology of healthy and pathological pregnancies mirroring with cancer immunobiology with a focus on immune checkpoint receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maide Ozen
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Novak
- Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Irina Burd
- Integrated Research Center for Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Kenny LC, Kell DB. Immunological Tolerance, Pregnancy, and Preeclampsia: The Roles of Semen Microbes and the Father. Front Med (Lausanne) 2018; 4:239. [PMID: 29354635 PMCID: PMC5758600 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2017.00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Although it is widely considered, in many cases, to involve two separable stages (poor placentation followed by oxidative stress/inflammation), the precise originating causes of preeclampsia (PE) remain elusive. We have previously brought together some of the considerable evidence that a (dormant) microbial component is commonly a significant part of its etiology. However, apart from recognizing, consistent with this view, that the many inflammatory markers of PE are also increased in infection, we had little to say about immunity, whether innate or adaptive. In addition, we focused on the gut, oral and female urinary tract microbiomes as the main sources of the infection. We here marshall further evidence for an infectious component in PE, focusing on the immunological tolerance characteristic of pregnancy, and the well-established fact that increased exposure to the father's semen assists this immunological tolerance. As well as these benefits, however, semen is not sterile, microbial tolerance mechanisms may exist, and we also review the evidence that semen may be responsible for inoculating the developing conceptus (and maybe the placenta) with microbes, not all of which are benign. It is suggested that when they are not, this may be a significant cause of PE. A variety of epidemiological and other evidence is entirely consistent with this, not least correlations between semen infection, infertility and PE. Our view also leads to a series of other, testable predictions. Overall, we argue for a significant paternal role in the development of PE through microbial infection of the mother via insemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise C. Kenny
- The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas B. Kell
- School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- The Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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Yao R, Park BY, Caughey AB. The effects of maternal obesity on perinatal outcomes among those born small for gestational age*. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2016; 30:1417-1422. [DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1216098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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14
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Lekva T, Lyle R, Roland MCP, Friis C, Bianchi DW, Jaffe IZ, Norwitz ER, Bollerslev J, Henriksen T, Ueland T. Gene expression in term placentas is regulated more by spinal or epidural anesthesia than by late-onset preeclampsia or gestational diabetes mellitus. Sci Rep 2016; 6:29715. [PMID: 27405415 PMCID: PMC4942618 DOI: 10.1038/srep29715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are common complications of pregnancy, but the mechanisms underlying these disorders remain unclear. The aim was to identify the extent of altered gene expression in term placentas from pregnant women with late-onset PE and GDM compared to controls. RNAseq identified few significantly differentially regulated genes in placental biopsies between PE, GDM, or uncomplicated pregnancy (n = 10 each group). Five genes were altered in placentas from PE including 4 non-coding genes and Angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2). No genes were significantly regulated by GDM. In contrast, many genes were significantly regulated by fetal, maternal and delivery-specific variables, particularly spinal and epidural anesthesia. We selected ANGPT2 and Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 14 (CXCL14) to test with qPCR in a larger set of placentas (n = 475) and found no differences between the groups. However, regression analysis revealed a stronger association between placental ANGPT2 and CXCL14 mRNA expression and fetal, maternal and delivery-specific variables than diagnostic group. To conclude, the gene expression in term placentas are highly affected by fetal, maternal and delivery specific variables. Few regulated genes were found in late-onset PE and GDM placentas, which may suggest that these conditions could be more affected by maternal factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tove Lekva
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert Lyle
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Camilla Friis
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Diana W Bianchi
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Iris Z Jaffe
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Errol R Norwitz
- Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Obstetrics &Gynecology, Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jens Bollerslev
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tore Henriksen
- Department of Obstetrics, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thor Ueland
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Kitaya K, Matsubayashi H, Yamaguchi K, Nishiyama R, Takaya Y, Ishikawa T, Yasuo T, Yamada H. Chronic Endometritis: Potential Cause of Infertility and Obstetric and Neonatal Complications. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 75:13-22. [PMID: 26478517 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic endometritis (CE) is a local inflammatory disease characterized by unusual plasmacyte infiltration in the endometrial stromal areas. CE has been neglected in gynecologic practice, as it is a less symptomatic benign disease that requires demanding and time-consuming histopathologic examinations for the definite diagnosis. Recent studies, however, suggest the association of CE with infertility and obstetric and neonatal complications. In this review article, we aimed to update the knowledge on epidemiology, etiology, and pathogenesis of CE as well as discuss its clinical management from diagnosis to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Kitaya
- Reproduction Clinic Osaka, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tadahiro Yasuo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hisao Yamada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Science, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan
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