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Sferruzzi‐Perri AN, Lopez‐Tello J, Salazar‐Petres E. Placental adaptations supporting fetal growth during normal and adverse gestational environments. Exp Physiol 2023; 108:371-397. [PMID: 36484327 PMCID: PMC10103877 DOI: 10.1113/ep090442] [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: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the topic of this review? How the placenta, which transports nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, may alter its support of fetal growth developmentally and with adverse gestational conditions. What advances does it highlight? Placental formation and function alter with the needs of the fetus for substrates for growth during normal gestation and when there is enhanced competition for substrates in species with multiple gestations or adverse gestational environments, and this is mediated by imprinted genes, signalling pathways, mitochondria and fetal sexomes. ABSTRACT The placenta is vital for mammalian development and a key determinant of life-long health. It is the interface between the mother and fetus and is responsible for transporting the nutrients and oxygen a fetus needs to develop and grow. Alterations in placental formation and function, therefore, have consequences for fetal growth and birthweight, which in turn determine perinatal survival and risk of non-communicable diseases for the offspring in later postnatal life. However, the placenta is not a static organ. As this review summarizes, research from multiple species has demonstrated that placental formation and function alter developmentally to the needs of the fetus for substrates for growth during normal gestation, as well as when there is greater competition for substrates in polytocous species and monotocous species with multiple gestations. The placenta also adapts in response to the gestational environment, integrating information about the ability of the mother to provide nutrients and oxygen with the needs of the fetus in that prevailing environment. In particular, placental structure (e.g. vascularity, surface area, blood flow, diffusion distance) and transport capacity (e.g. nutrient transporter levels and activity) respond to suboptimal gestational environments, namely malnutrition, obesity, hypoxia and maternal ageing. Mechanisms mediating developmentally and environmentally induced homeostatic responses of the placenta that help support normal fetal growth include imprinted genes, signalling pathways, subcellular constituents and fetal sexomes. Identification of these placental strategies may inform the development of therapies for complicated human pregnancies and advance understanding of the pathways underlying poor fetal outcomes and their consequences for health and disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Nancy Sferruzzi‐Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jorge Lopez‐Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Esteban Salazar‐Petres
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Facultad de CienciasDepartamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Santo TomásValdiviaChile
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Arias A, Schander JA, Bariani MV, Correa F, Domínguez Rubio AP, Cella M, Cymeryng CB, Wolfson ML, Franchi AM, Aisemberg J. Dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction modulates expression of placental vascular growth factors and fetal and placental growth. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:gaab006. [PMID: 33528567 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) is a central topic of interest in medicine since GCs are essential for the maturation of fetal organs and intrauterine growth. Synthetic glucocorticoids, which are used in obstetric practice, exert beneficial effects on the fetus, but have also been reported to lead to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). In this study, a model of growth restriction in mice was established through maternal administration of dexamethasone during late gestation. We hypothesised that GC overexposure may adversely affect placental angiogenesis and fetal and placental growth. Female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to control or dexamethasone treatment, either left to give birth or euthanised on days 15, 16, 17 and 18 of gestation followed by collection of maternal and fetal tissue. The IUGR rate increased to 100% in the dexamethasone group (8 mg/kg body weight on gestational days 14 and 15) and pups had clinical features of symmetrical IUGR at birth. Dexamethasone administration significantly decreased maternal body weight gain and serum corticosterone levels. Moreover, prenatal dexamethasone treatment not only induced fetal growth retardation but also decreased placental weight. In IUGR placentas, VEGFA protein levels and mRNA expression of VEGF receptors were reduced and NOS activity was lower. Maternal dexamethasone administration also reduced placental expression of the GC receptor, αGR. We demonstrated that maternal dexamethasone administration causes fetal and placental growth restriction. Furthermore, we propose that the growth retardation induced by prenatal GC overexposure may be caused, at least partially, by an altered placental angiogenic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Arias
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - J A Schander
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M V Bariani
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F Correa
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A P Domínguez Rubio
- Laboratorio Interdisciplinario de Dinámica Celular y Nanoherramientas, Instituto de Química Biológica Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Cella
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - C B Cymeryng
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología Molecular, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M L Wolfson
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A M Franchi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Aisemberg
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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McIntyre KR, Hayward CE, Sibley CP, Greenwood SL, Dilworth MR. Evidence of adaptation of maternofetal transport of glutamine relative to placental size in normal mice, and in those with fetal growth restriction. J Physiol 2019; 597:4975-4990. [PMID: 31400764 PMCID: PMC6790568 DOI: 10.1113/jp278226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Key points Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major risk factor for stillbirth and has significant impact upon lifelong health. A small, poorly functioning placenta, as evidenced by reduced transport of nutrients to the baby, underpins FGR. It remains unclear how a small but normal placenta differs from the small FGR placenta in terms of ability to transfer nutrients to the fetus. Placental transport of glutamine and glutamate, key amino acids for fetal growth, was assessed in normal mice and those with FGR. Glutamine and glutamate transport was greater in the lightest versus heaviest placenta in a litter of normally grown mice. Placentas of mice with FGR had increased transport capacity in mid‐pregnancy, but this adaptation was insufficient in late pregnancy. Placental adaptations, in terms of increased nutrient transport (per gram) to compensate for small size, appear to achieve appropriate fetal growth in normal pregnancy. Failure of this adaptation might contribute to FGR.
Abstract Fetal growth restriction (FGR), a major risk factor for stillbirth, and neonatal and adulthood morbidity, is associated with reduced placental size and decreased placental nutrient transport. In mice, a small, normal placenta increases its nutrient transport, thus compensating for its reduced size and maintaining normal fetal growth. Whether this adaptation occurs for glutamine and glutamate, two key amino acids for placental metabolism and fetal growth, is unknown. Additionally, an assessment of placental transport of glutamine and glutamate between FGR and normal pregnancy is currently lacking. We thus tested the hypothesis that the transport of glutamine and glutamate would be increased (per gram of tissue) in a small normal placenta [C57BL6/J (wild‐type, WT) mice], but that this adaptation fails in the small dysfunctional placenta in FGR [insulin‐like growth factor 2 knockout (P0) mouse model of FGR]. In WT mice, comparing the lightest versus heaviest placenta in a litter, unidirectional maternofetal clearance (Kmf) of 14C‐glutamine and 14C‐glutamate (glutamineKmf and glutamateKmf) was significantly higher at embryonic day (E) 18.5, in line with increased expression of LAT1, a glutamine transporter protein. In P0 mice, glutamineKmf and glutamateKmf were higher (P0 versus wild‐type littermates, WTL) at E15.5. At E18.5, glutamineKmf remained elevated whereas glutamateKmf was similar between groups. In summary, we provide evidence that glutamineKmf and glutamateKmf adapt according to placental size in WT mice. The placenta of the growth‐restricted P0 fetus also elevates transport capacity to compensate for size at E15.5, but this adaptation is insufficient at E18.5; this may contribute to decreased fetal growth. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major risk factor for stillbirth and has significant impact upon lifelong health. A small, poorly functioning placenta, as evidenced by reduced transport of nutrients to the baby, underpins FGR. It remains unclear how a small but normal placenta differs from the small FGR placenta in terms of ability to transfer nutrients to the fetus. Placental transport of glutamine and glutamate, key amino acids for fetal growth, was assessed in normal mice and those with FGR. Glutamine and glutamate transport was greater in the lightest versus heaviest placenta in a litter of normally grown mice. Placentas of mice with FGR had increased transport capacity in mid‐pregnancy, but this adaptation was insufficient in late pregnancy. Placental adaptations, in terms of increased nutrient transport (per gram) to compensate for small size, appear to achieve appropriate fetal growth in normal pregnancy. Failure of this adaptation might contribute to FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty R McIntyre
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.,School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Christina E Hayward
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Colin P Sibley
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Susan L Greenwood
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Mark R Dilworth
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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