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Alippe Y, Wang L, Coskun R, Muraro SP, Zhao FR, Elam-Noll M, White JM, Vota DM, Hauk VC, Gordon JI, Handley SA, Diamond MS. Fetal MAVS and type I IFN signaling pathways control ZIKV infection in the placenta and maternal decidua. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20240694. [PMID: 39042188 PMCID: PMC11270594 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20240694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The contribution of placental immune responses to congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) syndrome remains poorly understood. Here, we leveraged a mouse model of ZIKV infection to identify mechanisms of innate immune restriction exclusively in the fetal compartment of the placenta. ZIKV principally infected mononuclear trophoblasts in the junctional zone, which was limited by mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and type I interferon (IFN) signaling mechanisms. Single nuclear RNA sequencing revealed MAVS-dependent expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in spongiotrophoblasts but not in other placental cells that use alternate pathways to induce ISGs. ZIKV infection of Ifnar1-/- or Mavs-/- placentas was associated with greater infection of the adjacent immunocompetent decidua, and heterozygous Mavs+/- or Ifnar1+/- dams carrying immunodeficient fetuses sustained greater maternal viremia and tissue infection than dams carrying wild-type fetuses. Thus, MAVS-IFN signaling in the fetus restricts ZIKV infection in junctional zone trophoblasts, which modulates dissemination and outcome for both the fetus and the pregnant mother.
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MESH Headings
- Female
- Animals
- Pregnancy
- Interferon Type I/metabolism
- Interferon Type I/immunology
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics
- Placenta/immunology
- Placenta/virology
- Placenta/metabolism
- Zika Virus Infection/immunology
- Zika Virus Infection/virology
- Zika Virus/immunology
- Zika Virus/physiology
- Mice
- Decidua/immunology
- Decidua/virology
- Decidua/metabolism
- Fetus/immunology
- Fetus/virology
- Trophoblasts/immunology
- Trophoblasts/virology
- Trophoblasts/metabolism
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Immunity, Innate
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/immunology
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology
- Disease Models, Animal
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Alippe
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Leran Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Center for Genome Sciences, Lab and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Reyan Coskun
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stéfanie P Muraro
- Campinas State University, Laboratory of Emerging Viruses , Campinas, Brazil
| | - Fang R Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michelle Elam-Noll
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - J Michael White
- Center for Gut Microbiome and Nutrition Research, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daiana M Vota
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa C Hauk
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jeffrey I Gordon
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Center for Genome Sciences, Lab and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Gut Microbiome and Nutrition Research, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Scott A Handley
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Center for Genome Sciences, Lab and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Center for Genome Sciences, Lab and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky the Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
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2
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Mihalić A, Železnjak J, Lisnić B, Jonjić S, Juranić Lisnić V, Brizić I. Immune surveillance of cytomegalovirus in tissues. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:959-981. [PMID: 39134803 PMCID: PMC11364667 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01186-2] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a representative member of the Betaherpesvirinae subfamily of herpesviruses, is common in the human population, but immunocompetent individuals are generally asymptomatic when infected with this virus. However, in immunocompromised individuals and immunologically immature fetuses and newborns, CMV can cause a wide range of often long-lasting morbidities and even death. CMV is not only widespread throughout the population but it is also widespread in its hosts, infecting and establishing latency in nearly all tissues and organs. Thus, understanding the pathogenesis of and immune responses to this virus is a prerequisite for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Multiple arms of the immune system are engaged to contain the infection, and general concepts of immune control of CMV are now reasonably well understood. Nonetheless, in recent years, tissue-specific immune responses have emerged as an essential factor for resolving CMV infection. As tissues differ in biology and function, so do immune responses to CMV and pathological processes during infection. This review discusses state-of-the-art knowledge of the immune response to CMV infection in tissues, with particular emphasis on several well-studied and most commonly affected organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Mihalić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Jelena Železnjak
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Berislav Lisnić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Stipan Jonjić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Vanda Juranić Lisnić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Ilija Brizić
- Center for Proteomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
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3
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Hawkins A, Pantazi P, Yang L, Coyne CB, Bokun V, Lemme-Dumit JM, Pasetti MF, Barnett S, Culley FJ, Holder B. Long-term culture and passaging of term trophoblast for the investigation of syncytiotrophoblast function. Placenta 2024:S0143-4004(24)00632-5. [PMID: 39261115 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in the use of trophoblast stem cells and organoid models have markedly enhanced our understanding of placental development and function. These models offer significant improvements over previous systems due to their extended viability in culture and capacity to replicate various trophoblast functions, such as extravillous trophoblast invasion, syncytialisation and 3D architecture. Initially, the generation of trophoblast organoids was confined to first trimester placental tissue; however, it was recently reported that term placentae can also serve as a source of trophoblast stem cells. Here, we report that both 2D proliferative cytotrophoblasts and 3D trophoblast organoids can be effectively derived from cryopreserved term cytotrophoblasts isolated by the 'Kliman' method of sequential trypsin digestion and Percoll density gradient centrifugation, when cultured in specialised medium. This was confirmed by the expression of characteristic trophoblast markers including cytokeratin-7, E-cadherin, and human chorionic gonadotropin beta (β-hCG). The proliferative cytotrophoblasts were induced to differentiate to syncytiotrophoblasts, marked by elevated β-hCG expression, reduced Ki67-positive nuclei, and a fused syncytial phenotype. The protocol described here enables the application of organoid models and in vitro functional studies to stored cytotrophoblast samples for the study of placental function from unique patient cohorts. Moreover, the utilization of term placental sources may alleviate ethical concerns with using cells from pregnancy terminations, thus expanding access for a broader research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Hawkins
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Paschalia Pantazi
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Liheng Yang
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Carolyn B Coyne
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Vladimir Bokun
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Jose M Lemme-Dumit
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marcela F Pasetti
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sara Barnett
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Fiona J Culley
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Beth Holder
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Imperial College London, UK.
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4
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Lintao RCV, Richardson LS, Kammala AK, Chapa J, Yunque-Yap DA, Khanipov K, Golovko G, Dalmacio LMM, Menon R. PGRMC2 and HLA-G regulate immune homeostasis in a microphysiological model of human maternal-fetal membrane interface. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1041. [PMID: 39179795 PMCID: PMC11344061 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06740-2] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Chorion trophoblasts (CTCs) and immune cell-enriched decidua (DECs) comprise the maternal-fetal membrane interface called the chorio-decidual interface (CDi) which constantly gets exposed to maternal stressors without leading to labor activation. This study explored how CTCs act as a barrier at CDi. The roles of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2) in mediating immune homeostasis were also investigated. The CDi was recreated in a two-chamber microfluidic device (CDi-on-chip) with an outer chamber of primary DECs and immune cell line-derived innate immune cells and an inner chamber of wild-type or PGRMC2 or HLA-G knockout immortalized CTCs. To mimic maternal insults, DECs were treated with lipopolysaccharide, poly(I:C), or oxidative stress inducer cigarette smoke extract. Expression levels of inflammation and immunity genes via targeted RNA sequencing, production of soluble mediators, and immune cell migration into CTCs were determined. In CDi-on-chip, decidua and immune cells became inflammatory in response to insults while CTCs were refractory, highlighting their barrier function. HLA-G and PGRMC2 are found to be vital to immune homeostasis at the CDi, with PGRMC2 serving as an upstream regulator of inflammation, HLA-G expression, and mesenchymal-epithelial transition, and HLA-G serving as a frontline immunomodulatory molecule, thus preventing fetal membrane compromise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C V Lintao
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
- Institute of Reproductive Health, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Lauren S Richardson
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jenieve Chapa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Dianne Aster Yunque-Yap
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Microbiome and Bioinformatics Analysis Core, The Institute for Translational Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA
- KBR, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Microbiome and Bioinformatics Analysis Core, The Institute for Translational Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - George Golovko
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Microbiome and Bioinformatics Analysis Core, The Institute for Translational Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Leslie Michelle M Dalmacio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA.
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5
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Motomura K, Morita H, Yamamoto H, Wada S, Sago H, Takahashi H, Saito H, Matsumoto K. Isolation of pure primary term human cytotrophoblasts and their differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast-like cells as an ex vivo model of the human placenta. Placenta 2024:S0143-4004(24)00603-9. [PMID: 39089887 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.07.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
The placenta plays a fundamental role in fetal growth and maintenance of pregnancy. Its cellular components include a large multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) and its progenitor, cytotrophoblasts (CTBs), both of which perform vital functions in the human placenta. Primary cytotrophoblasts isolated from term human placentas that spontaneously fuse and differentiate into syncytiotrophoblast-like cells in vitro have been utilized to investigate the functions of the syncytiotrophoblast and placenta with multiple modifications. Although recent advances have enabled the use of trophoblast stem cell-derived organoids as a model for villous trophoblasts, primary CTBs offer several advantages, including spontaneous differentiation, easy access to materials (from term-delivered human placentas), and simple methodology. Here, we present a precise step-by-step process for isolating pure CTBs from term human placenta based on previously reported placenta digestion, density centrifugation, and CTB purification using anti-HLA-A, B, C antibody. Subsequently, we provide a method to improve CTB viability and differentiation into STB-like cells using epidermal growth factor (EGF) and a ROCK inhibitor (Y-27632) that ensures long-term and stable cultures without altering their proliferation. Because these cells can grow on standard tissue culture plates, this model can be easily utilized for various placental investigations, including innate immune responses, drug resistance, and STB metabolism. Employing this approach considerably enhances our understanding of placental functions, which are key to maternal and offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichiro Motomura
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hideaki Morita
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Allergy Center, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Yamamoto
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Seiji Wada
- Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sago
- Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Center for Medical Genetics, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hironori Takahashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Saito
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsumoto
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
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6
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Morey R, Soncin F, Kallol S, Sah N, Manalo Z, Bui T, Slamecka J, Cheung VC, Pizzo D, Requena DF, Chang CW, Farah O, Kittle R, Meads M, Horii M, Fisch K, Parast MM. Single-cell transcriptomics reveal differences between chorionic and basal plate cytotrophoblasts and trophoblast stem cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.12.603155. [PMID: 39071344 PMCID: PMC11275976 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.12.603155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Cytotrophoblast (CTB) of the early gestation human placenta are bipotent progenitor epithelial cells, which can differentiate into invasive extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast (STB). Trophoblast stem cells (TSC), derived from early first trimester placentae, have also been shown to be bipotential. In this study, we set out to probe the transcriptional diversity of first trimester CTB and compare TSC to various subgroups of CTB. We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on six normal placentae, four from early (6-8 weeks) and two from late (12-14 weeks) first trimester, of which two of the early first trimester cases were separated into basal (maternal) and chorionic (fetal) fractions prior to sequencing. We also sequenced three TSC lines, derived from 6-8 week placentae, to evaluate similarities and differences between primary CTB and TSC. CTB clusters displayed notable distinctions based on gestational age, with early first trimester placentae showing enrichment for specific CTB subtypes, further influenced by origin from the basal or chorionic plate. Differential expression analysis of CTB from basal versus chorionic plate highlighted pathways associated with proliferation, unfolded protein response, and oxidative phosphorylation. We identified trophoblast states representing initial progenitor CTB, precursor STB, precursor and mature EVT, and multiple CTB subtypes. CTB progenitors were enriched in early first trimester placentae, with basal plate cells biased toward EVT, and chorionic plate cells toward STB, precursors. Clustering and trajectory inference analysis indicated that TSC were most like EVT precursor cells, with only a small percentage of TSC on the pre-STB differentiation trajectory. This was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis of 6 different TSC lines, which showed uniform expression of proximal column markers ITGA2 and ITGA5. Additionally, we found that ITGA5+ CTB could be plated in 2D, forming only EVT upon spontaneous differentiation, but failed to form self-renewing organoids; conversely, ITGA5-CTB could not be plated in 2D, but readily formed organoids. Our findings suggest that distinct CTB states exist in different regions of the placenta as early as six weeks gestation and that current TSC lines most closely resemble ITGA5+ CTB, biased toward the EVT lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Francesca Soncin
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Sampada Kallol
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Nirvay Sah
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Zoe Manalo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Tony Bui
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Jaroslav Slamecka
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Virginia Chu Cheung
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Don Pizzo
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Daniela F Requena
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ching-Wen Chang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Omar Farah
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Ryan Kittle
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Morgan Meads
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Mariko Horii
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kathleen Fisch
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Mana M Parast
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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7
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Costa B, Gouveia MJ, Vale N. Safety and Efficacy of Antiviral Drugs and Vaccines in Pregnant Women: Insights from Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Integration of Viral Infection Dynamics. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:782. [PMID: 39066420 PMCID: PMC11281481 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12070782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Addressing the complexities of managing viral infections during pregnancy is essential for informed medical decision-making. This comprehensive review delves into the management of key viral infections impacting pregnant women, namely Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus/Hepatitis C Virus (HBV/HCV), Influenza, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). We evaluate the safety and efficacy profiles of antiviral treatments for each infection, while also exploring innovative avenues such as gene vaccines and their potential in mitigating viral threats during pregnancy. Additionally, the review examines strategies to overcome challenges, encompassing prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine research, regulatory considerations, and safety protocols. Utilizing advanced methodologies, including PBPK modeling, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and causal inference, we can amplify our comprehension and decision-making capabilities in this intricate domain. This narrative review aims to shed light on diverse approaches and ongoing advancements, this review aims to foster progress in antiviral therapy for pregnant women, improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Costa
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Centre for Parasite Biology and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Maria João Gouveia
- Centre for Parasite Biology and Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 4000-055 Porto, Portugal;
- Center for the Study in Animal Science (CECA/ICETA), University of Porto, 4051-401 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- PerMed Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Health Information and Decision (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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8
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Keenen MM, Yang L, Liang H, Farmer VJ, Singh R, Gladfelter AS, Coyne CB. Comparative analysis of the syncytiotrophoblast in placenta tissue and trophoblast organoids using snRNA sequencing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601571. [PMID: 39005304 PMCID: PMC11244908 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The outer surface of chorionic villi in the human placenta consists of a single multinucleated cell called the syncytiotrophoblast (STB). The unique cellular ultrastructure of the STB presents challenges in deciphering its gene expression signature at the single-cell level, as the STB contains billions of nuclei in a single cell. There are many gaps in understanding the molecular mechanisms and developmental trajectories involved in STB formation and differentiation. To identify the underlying control of the STB, we performed comparative single nucleus (SN) and single cell (SC) RNA sequencing on placental tissue and tissue-derived trophoblast organoids (TOs). We found that SN was essential to capture the STB population from both tissue and TOs. Differential gene expression and pseudotime analysis of TO-derived STB identified three distinct nuclear subtypes reminiscent of those recently identified in vivo . These included a juvenile nuclear population that exhibited both CTB and STB marker expression, a population enriched in genes involved in oxygen sensing, and a fully differentiated subtype. Notably, suspension culture conditions of TOs that restore the native orientation of the STB (STB out ) showed elevated expression of canonical STB markers and pregnancy hormones, along with a greater proportion of the terminally differentiated mature STB subtype, compared to those cultivated with an inverted STB polarity (STB in ). Gene regulatory analysis identified novel markers of STB differentiation conserved in tissue and TOs, including the chromatin remodeler RYBP, that exhibited STB-specific RNA and protein expression. Finally, we compared STB gene expression signatures amongst first trimester tissue, full-term tissue, and TOs, identifying many commonalities but also notable variability across each sample type. This indicates that STB gene expression is responsive to its environmental context. Our findings emphasize the utility of TOs to accurately model STB differentiation and the distinct nuclear subtypes observed in vivo , offering a versatile platform for unraveling the molecular mechanisms governing STB functions in placental biology and disease.
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Menon R, Richardson L, Kammala AK. New approach methods on the bench side to accelerate clinical trials during pregnancy. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2024; 20:555-560. [PMID: 38739076 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2024.2353944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pregnant women are therapeutic orphans as they are excluded from clinical drug development and therapeutic trials. We identify limitations in conducting clinical trials and propose two 'New Approach Methods'(NAMs) to overcome them. AREAS COVERED NAMs have proven invaluable tools in basic and clinical research to understand human health and disease better, elucidate mechanisms, and study the efficacy and toxicity of therapeutics that have not been possible through animal-based methodologies. The lack of humanized experimental models of FMi and drugs that can safely and effectively cross FMi to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy has hindered progress in the field of reproductive pharmacology. This report discusses two technological advancements in perinatal research and medicine to accelerate clinical trials during pregnancy. (1) We have developed a humanized microphysiologic system, an Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) platform, to study FMi and their utility in pharmacological studies, and (2) use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as drug delivery vehicles that are immunologically inert and can cross the fetomaternal barriers. EXPERT OPINION We provide an overview of NAMs that can accelerate preclinical trials and develop drugs to cross the feto-maternal barriers to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Lauren Richardson
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
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da Silva RJ, Cabo LF, George JL, Cahoon LA, Yang L, Coyne CB, Boyle JP. The trophoblast surface becomes refractory to adhesion by congenitally transmitted Toxoplasma gondii and Listeria monocytogenes during cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast development. mSphere 2024; 9:e0074823. [PMID: 38771057 PMCID: PMC11332349 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00748-23] [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: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a critical barrier against viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic pathogens. For most teratogenic pathogens, the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance are still being unraveled. Given the importance of understanding these mechanisms and challenges in replicating trophoblast-pathogen interactions using in vitro models, we tested an existing stem-cell-derived model of trophoblast development for its relevance to infection with Toxoplasma gondii. We grew human trophoblast stem cells (TSCT) under conditions leading to either syncytiotrophoblast (TSSYN) or cytotrophoblast (TSCYT) and infected them with T. gondii. We evaluated T. gondii proliferation and invasion, cell ultrastructure, as well as for transcriptome changes after infection. TSSYNs cells showed similar ultrastructure compared to primary cells and villous explants when analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a resistance to T. gondii adhesion could be visualized on the SEM level. Furthermore, TSSYNs were highly refractory to parasite adhesion and replication, while TSCYTs were not. RNA-seq data on mock-treated and infected cells identified differences between cell types as well as how they responded to T. gondii infection. We also evaluated if TSSC-derived SYNs and CYTs had distinct resistance profiles to another vertically transmitted facultative intracellular pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. We demonstrate that TSSYNs are highly resistant to L. monocytogenes, while TSCYTs are not. Like T. gondii, TSSYN resistance to L. monocytogenes was at the level of bacterial adhesion. Altogether, our data indicate that stem-cell-derived trophoblasts recapitulate resistance profiles of primary cells to T. gondii and highlight the critical importance of the placental surface in cell-autonomous resistance to teratogens.IMPORTANCECongenital toxoplasmosis can cause a devastating consequence to the fetus. To reach the fetus's tissues, Toxoplasma gondii must cross the placenta barrier. However, how this parasite crosses the placenta and the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance to this parasite are still unknown. In this study, we aimed to characterize a new cellular model of human trophoblast stem cells to determine their resistance, susceptibility, and response to T. gondii. Syncytiotrophoblast derived from trophoblast stem cells recapitulate the resistance profile similarly to placenta cells. We also showed that these cells are highly resistant to Listeria monocytogenes, at the level of bacterial adhesion. Our results suggest that resisting pathogen adhesion/attachment may be a generalized mechanism of syncytiotrophoblast resistance, and trophoblast stem cells represent a promising model to investigate cell-intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to pathogen adhesion and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaela J. da Silva
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leah F. Cabo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jada L. George
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laty A. Cahoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Liheng Yang
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Carolyn B. Coyne
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jon P. Boyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dietrich School of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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11
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Abady MM, Jeong JS, Kwon HJ, Assiri AM, Cho J, Saadeldin IM. The reprotoxic adverse side effects of neurogenic and neuroprotective drugs: current use of human organoid modeling as a potential alternative to preclinical models. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1412188. [PMID: 38948466 PMCID: PMC11211546 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1412188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The management of neurological disorders heavily relies on neurotherapeutic drugs, but notable concerns exist regarding their possible negative effects on reproductive health. Traditional preclinical models often fail to accurately predict reprotoxicity, highlighting the need for more physiologically relevant systems. Organoid models represent a promising approach for concurrently studying neurotoxicity and reprotoxicity, providing insights into the complex interplay between neurotherapeutic drugs and reproductive systems. Herein, we have examined the molecular mechanisms underlying neurotherapeutic drug-induced reprotoxicity and discussed experimental findings from case studies. Additionally, we explore the utility of organoid models in elucidating the reproductive complications of neurodrug exposure. Have discussed the principles of organoid models, highlighting their ability to recapitulate neurodevelopmental processes and simulate drug-induced toxicity in a controlled environment. Challenges and future perspectives in the field have been addressed with a focus on advancing organoid technologies to improve reprotoxicity assessment and enhance drug safety screening. This review underscores the importance of organoid models in unraveling the complex relationship between neurotherapeutic drugs and reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam M. Abady
- Organic Metrology Group, Division of Chemical and Material Metrology, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ji-Seon Jeong
- Organic Metrology Group, Division of Chemical and Material Metrology, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Jeong Kwon
- Organic Metrology Group, Division of Chemical and Material Metrology, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Abdullah M. Assiri
- Deperament of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jongki Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Islam M. Saadeldin
- Deperament of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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12
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Slaby EM, Hansen N, Sharma R, Pirrotte P, Weaver JD. Engineered 3D Hydrogel Matrices to Modulate Trophoblast Stem Cell-Derived Placental Organoid Phenotype. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.13.594007. [PMID: 38798435 PMCID: PMC11118344 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.13.594007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Placental organoid models are a promising platform to study human placental development and function. Organoid systems typically use naturally derived hydrogel extracellular matrices (ECM), resulting in batch-to-batch variability that limits experimental reproducibility. As an alternative, synthetic ECM-mimicking hydrogel matrices offer greater consistency and control over environmental cues. Here, we generated trophoblast stem cell-derived placental organoids using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels with tunable degradability and placenta-derived ECM cues to evaluate trophoblast differentiation relative to Matrigel and two-dimensional (2D) culture controls. Our data demonstrate that PEG hydrogels support trophoblast viability and metabolic function comparable to gold standard Matrigel. Additionally, phenotypic characterization via proteomic analysis revealed that PEG and Matrigel matrices drive syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast-dominant placental organoid phenotypes, respectively. Further, three-dimensional (3D) environments promoted greater integrin expression and ECM production than 2D culture. This study demonstrates that engineered 3D culture environments can be used to reliably generate placental organoids and guide trophoblast differentiation.
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13
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Hoo R, Ruiz-Morales ER, Kelava I, Rawat M, Mazzeo CI, Tuck E, Sancho-Serra C, Chelaghma S, Predeus AV, Murray S, Fernandez-Antoran D, Waller RF, Álvarez-Errico D, Lee MCS, Vento-Tormo R. Acute response to pathogens in the early human placenta at single-cell resolution. Cell Syst 2024; 15:425-444.e9. [PMID: 38703772 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The placenta is a selective maternal-fetal barrier that provides nourishment and protection from infections. However, certain pathogens can attach to and even cross the placenta, causing pregnancy complications with potential lifelong impacts on the child's health. Here, we profiled at the single-cell level the placental responses to three pathogens associated with intrauterine complications-Plasmodium falciparum, Listeria monocytogenes, and Toxoplasma gondii. We found that upon exposure to the pathogens, all placental lineages trigger inflammatory responses that may compromise placental function. Additionally, we characterized the responses of fetal macrophages known as Hofbauer cells (HBCs) to each pathogen and propose that they are the probable niche for T. gondii. Finally, we revealed how P. falciparum adapts to the placental microenvironment by modulating protein export into the host erythrocyte and nutrient uptake pathways. Altogether, we have defined the cellular networks and signaling pathways mediating acute placental inflammatory responses that could contribute to pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Hoo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Iva Kelava
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mukul Rawat
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | | | | | - Sara Chelaghma
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - David Fernandez-Antoran
- Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ross F Waller
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marcus C S Lee
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Wellcome Centre for Anti-Infectives Research, Division of Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
| | - Roser Vento-Tormo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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14
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Vidal MS, Radnaa E, Vora N, Khanipov K, Antich C, Ferrer M, Urrabaz-Garza R, Jacob JE, Menon R. Establishment and comparison of human term placenta-derived trophoblast cells†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:950-970. [PMID: 38330185 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae026] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on the biology of fetal-maternal barriers has been limited by access to physiologically relevant cells, including trophoblast cells. In this study, we describe the development of a human term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line (hPTCCTB) derived from the basal plate. Human-term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line cells are comparable to their primary cells of origin in terms of morphology, marker expression, and functional responses. We demonstrate that these can transform into syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblasts. We also compared the hPTCCTB cells to immortalized chorionic trophoblasts (hFM-CTC), trophoblasts of the chorionic plate, and BeWo cells, choriocarcinoma cell lines of conventional use. Human-term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line and hFM-CTCs displayed more similarity to each other than to BeWos, but these differ in syncytialization ability. Overall, this study (1) demonstrates that the immortalized hPTCCTB generated are cells of higher physiological relevance and (2) provides a look into the distinction between the spatially distinct placental and fetal barrier trophoblasts cells, hPTCCTB and hFM-CTC, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel S Vidal
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Natasha Vora
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Cristina Antich
- 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marc Ferrer
- 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jeena E Jacob
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
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15
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Karakis V, Britt JW, Jabeen M, Miguel AS, Rao BM. Derivation of human trophoblast stem cells from placentas at birth. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.592064. [PMID: 38746283 PMCID: PMC11092656 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.592064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) have emerged as a powerful tool for modeling the placental cytotrophoblast (CTB) in vitro. hTSCs were originally derived from CTBs of the first trimester placenta or blastocyst-stage embryos in trophoblast stem cell medium (TSCM) that contains epidermal growth factor (EGF), the glycogen synthase kinase-beta (GSK3β) inhibitor CHIR99021, the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) inhibitors A83-01 and SB431542, valproic acid (VPA), and the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632. Here we show that hTSCs can be derived from CTBs isolated from the term placenta, using TSCM supplemented with a low concentration of mitochondrial pyruvate uptake inhibitor UK5099 and lipid-rich albumin (TUA medium). Notably, hTSCs could not be derived from term CTBs using TSCM alone, or in the absence of either UK5099 or lipid-rich albumin. Strikingly, hTSCs cultured in TUA medium for a few passages could be transitioned into TSCM and cultured thereafter in TSCM. hTSCs from term CTBs cultured in TUA medium as well as those transitioned into and cultured in TSCM thereafter could be differentiated to the extravillous trophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast lineages and exhibited high transcriptome similarity with hTSCs derived from first trimester CTBs. We anticipate that these results will enable facile derivation of hTSCs from normal and pathological placentas at birth with diverse genetic backgrounds and facilitate in vitro mechanistic studies in trophoblast biology.
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16
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Rollman TB, Berkebile ZW, Okae H, Bardwell VJ, Gearhart MD, Bierle CJ. Human trophoblast stem cells restrict human cytomegalovirus replication. J Virol 2024; 98:e0193523. [PMID: 38451085 PMCID: PMC11019952 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01935-23] [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: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Placental infection plays a central role in the pathogenesis of congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections and is a cause of fetal growth restriction and pregnancy loss. HCMV can replicate in some trophoblast cell types, but it remains unclear how the virus evades antiviral immunity in the placenta and how infection compromises placental development and function. Human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) can be differentiated into extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), and organoids, and this study assessed the utility of TSCs as a model of HCMV infection in the first-trimester placenta. HCMV was found to non-productively infect TSCs, EVTs, and STBs. Immunofluorescence assays and flow cytometry experiments further revealed that infected TSCs frequently only express immediate early viral gene products. Similarly, RNA sequencing found that viral gene expression in TSCs does not follow the kinetic patterns observed during lytic infection in fibroblasts. Canonical antiviral responses were largely not observed in HCMV-infected TSCs and TSC-derived trophoblasts. Rather, infection dysregulated factors involved in cell identity, differentiation, and Wingless/Integrated signaling. Thus, while HCMV does not replicate in TSCs, infection may perturb trophoblast differentiation in ways that could interfere with placental function. IMPORTANCE Placental infection plays a central role in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pathogenesis during pregnancy, but the species specificity of HCMV and the limited availability and lifespan of primary trophoblasts have been persistent barriers to understanding how infection impacts this vital organ. Human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) represent a new approach to modeling viral infection early in placental development. This study reveals that TSCs, like other stem cell types, restrict HCMV replication. However, infection perturbs the expression of genes involved in differentiation and cell fate determination, pointing to a mechanism by which HCMV could cause placental injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler B. Rollman
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Zachary W. Berkebile
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Vivian J. Bardwell
- Developmental Biology Center, Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development and the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Micah D. Gearhart
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Craig J. Bierle
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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17
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Li Q, Turco MY, Moffett A. Trophoblast organoid systems to study human placentation. Dev Cell 2024; 59:693-694. [PMID: 38531305 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Human trophoblast organoids provide a valuable in vitro system to investigate human placental development and function. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Shannon et al. benchmark two organoid models against primary trophoblast at single-cell resolution, identifying their strengths and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | | | - Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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18
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Zambuto SG, Scott AK, Oyen ML. Beyond 2D: Novel biomaterial approaches for modeling the placenta. Placenta 2024:S0143-4004(24)00073-0. [PMID: 38514278 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
This review considers fully three-dimensional biomaterial environments of varying complexity as these pertain to research on the placenta. The developments in placental cell sources are first considered, along with the corresponding maternal cells with which the trophoblast interact. We consider biomaterial sources, including hybrid and composite biomaterials. Properties and characterization of biomaterials are discussed in the context of material design for specific placental applications. The development of increasingly complicated three-dimensional structures includes examples of advanced fabrication methods such as microfluidic device fabrication and 3D bioprinting, as utilized in a placenta context. The review finishes with a discussion of the potential for in vitro, three-dimensional placenta research to address health disparities and sexual dimorphism, especially in light of the exciting recent changes in the regulatory environment for in vitro devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G Zambuto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Adrienne K Scott
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michelle L Oyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Women's Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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19
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Yang L, Liang P, Yang H, Coyne CB. Trophoblast organoids with physiological polarity model placental structure and function. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261528. [PMID: 37676312 PMCID: PMC10499031 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human trophoblast organoids (TOs) are a three-dimensional ex vivo culture model that can be used to study various aspects of placental development, physiology and pathology. However, standard culturing of TOs does not recapitulate the cellular orientation of chorionic villi in vivo given that the multi-nucleated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) develops largely within the inner facing surfaces of these organoids (STBin). Here, we developed a method to culture TOs under conditions that recapitulate the cellular orientation of chorionic villi in vivo. We show that culturing STBin TOs in suspension with gentle agitation leads to the development of TOs containing the STB on the outer surface (STBout). Using membrane capacitance measurements, we determined that the outermost surface of STBout organoids contain large syncytia comprising >50 nuclei, whereas STBin organoids contain small syncytia (<10 nuclei) and mononuclear cells. The growth of TOs under conditions that mimic the cellular orientation of chorionic villi in vivo thus allows for the study of a variety of aspects of placental biology under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liheng Yang
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Pengfei Liang
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Huanghe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Carolyn B. Coyne
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Alfi O, Cohen M, Bar-On S, Hashimshony T, Levitt L, Raz Y, Blecher Y, Chaudhry MZ, Cicin-Sain L, Ben-El R, Oiknine-Djian E, Lahav T, Vorontsov O, Cohen A, Zakay-Rones Z, Daniel L, Berger M, Mandel-Gutfreund Y, Panet A, Wolf DG. Decidual-tissue-resident memory T cells protect against nonprimary human cytomegalovirus infection at the maternal-fetal interface. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113698. [PMID: 38265934 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common intrauterine infection, leading to infant neurodevelopmental disabilities. An improved knowledge of correlates of protection against cCMV is needed to guide prevention strategies. Here, we employ an ex vivo model of human CMV (HCMV) infection in decidual tissues of women with and without preconception immunity against CMV, recapitulating nonprimary vs. primary infection at the authentic maternofetal transmission site. We show that decidual tissues of women with preconception immunity against CMV exhibit intrinsic resistance to HCMV, mounting a rapid activation of tissue-resident memory CD8+ and CD4+ T cells upon HCMV reinfection. We further reveal the role of HCMV-specific decidual-tissue-resident CD8+ T cells in local protection against nonprimary HCMV infection. The findings could inform the development of a vaccine against cCMV and provide insights for further studies of the integrity of immune defense against HCMV and other pathogens at the human maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Alfi
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mevaseret Cohen
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shikma Bar-On
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamar Hashimshony
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lorinne Levitt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yael Raz
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yair Blecher
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - M Zeeshan Chaudhry
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Luka Cicin-Sain
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany; Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (a joint venture of HZI and MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Rina Ben-El
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Esther Oiknine-Djian
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tamar Lahav
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Olesya Vorontsov
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adiel Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Zichria Zakay-Rones
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Leonor Daniel
- Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Berger
- Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Amos Panet
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dana G Wolf
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Hu C, Deng J, Liu M, Ni T, Chen ZJ, Yan J, Li Y. Endometrial BMP2 Deficiency Impairs ITGB3-Mediated Trophoblast Invasion in Women With Repeated Implantation Failure. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae002. [PMID: 38195194 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae002] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated implantation failure (RIF) leads to a waste of high-quality embryos and remains a challenge in assisted reproductive technology. During early human placentation, the invasion of trophoblast cells into the decidua is an essential step for the establishment of maternal-fetal interactions and subsequent successful pregnancy. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) has been reported to regulate endometrial receptivity and promote trophoblast invasion. However, whether there is dysregulation of endometrial BMP2 expression in patients with RIF remains unknown. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of BMP2 on human trophoblast invasion and early placentation remain to be further elucidated. METHODS Midluteal phase endometrial samples were biopsied from patients with RIF and from routine control in vitro fertilization followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting analyses. Human trophoblast organoids, primary human trophoblast cells, and an immortalized trophoblast cell line (HTR8/SVneo) were used as study models. RESULTS We found that BMP2 was aberrantly low in midluteal phase endometrial tissues from patients with RIF. Recombinant human BMP2 treatment upregulated integrin β3 (ITGB3) in a SMAD2/3-SMAD4 signaling-dependent manner in both HTR8/SVneo cells and primary trophoblast cells. siRNA-mediated integrin β3 downregulation reduced both basal and BMP2-upregulated trophoblast invasion and vascular mimicry in HTR8/SVneo cells. Importantly, shRNA-mediated ITGB3 knockdown significantly decreased the formation ability of human trophoblast organoids. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate endometrial BMP2 deficiency in patients with RIF. ITGB3 mediates both basal and BMP2-promoted human trophoblast invasion and is essential for early placentation. These findings broaden our knowledge regarding the regulation of early placentation and provide candidate diagnostic and therapeutic targets for RIF clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Hu
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Jianye Deng
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Tianxiang Ni
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2021RU001), Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Junhao Yan
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Yan Li
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
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Rollman TB, Berkebile ZW, Okae H, Bardwell VJ, Gearhart MD, Bierle CJ. Human Trophoblast Stem Cells Restrict Human Cytomegalovirus Replication. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.13.571456. [PMID: 38168202 PMCID: PMC10760179 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.13.571456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Placental infection plays a central role in the pathogenesis of congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections and is a cause of fetal growth restriction and pregnancy loss. HCMV can replicate in some trophoblast cell types, but it remains unclear how the virus evades antiviral immunity in the placenta and how infection compromises placental development and function. Human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) can be differentiated into extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs), and organoids, and this study assessed the utility of TSCs as a model of HCMV infection in the first trimester placenta. HCMV was found to non-productively infect TSCs, EVTs, and STBs. Immunofluorescence assays and flow cytometry experiments further revealed that infected TSCs frequently only express immediate early viral gene products. Similarly, RNA-sequencing found that viral gene expression in TSCs does not follow the kinetic patterns observed during lytic infection in fibroblasts. Canonical antiviral responses were largely not observed in HCMV-infected TSCs and TSC-derived trophoblasts. Rather, infection dysregulated factors involved in cell identity, differentiation, and WNT signaling. Thus, while HCMV does not replicate in TSCs, infection may perturb trophoblast differentiation in ways that could interfere with placental function. Importance Placental infection plays a central role in HCMV pathogenesis during pregnancy, but the species-specificity of HCMV and the limited availability and lifespan of primary trophoblasts have been persistent barriers to understanding how infection impacts this vital organ. Human TSCs represent a new approach to modeling viral infection early in placental development. This study reveals that TSCs, like other stem cell types, restrict HCMV replication. However, infection perturbs the expression of genes involved in differentiation and cell fate determination, pointing to a mechanism by which HCMV could cause placental injury.
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23
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Pei X, Zhu J, Wang Y, Zhang F, He Y, Li Y, Si Y. Placental galectins: a subfamily of galectins lose the ability to bind β-galactosides with new structural features†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:799-811. [PMID: 37672213 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad114] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectins are a phylogenetically conserved family of soluble β-galactoside binding proteins. There are 16 different of galectins, each with a specific function determined by its distinct distribution and spatial structure. Galectin-13, galectin-14, and galectin-16 are distinct from other galectin members in that they are primarily found in placental tissue. These galectins, also referred to as placental galectins, play critical roles in regulating pregnancy-associated processes, such as placenta formation and maternal immune tolerance to the embedded embryo. The unique structural characteristics and the inability to bind lactose of placental galectins have recently received significant attention. This review primarily examines the novel structural features of placental galectins, which distinguish them from the classic galectins. Furthermore, it explores the correlation between these structural features and the loss of β-galactoside binding ability. In addition, the newly discovered functions of placental galectins in recent years are also summarized in our review. A detailed understanding of the roles of placental galectins may contribute to the discovery of new mechanisms causing numerous pregnancy diseases and enable the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the treatment of these diseases, ultimately benefiting the health of mothers and offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Pei
- Jilin Province Key Laboratory on Chemistry and Biology of Natural Drugs in Changbai Mountain, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
- Xuzhou Tongshan Maocun High School, Xuzhou 221135, China
| | - Jiahui Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, China
| | - Fali Zhang
- Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, China
| | - Yufeng He
- Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, China
| | - Yuchun Li
- Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Xuzhou 221009, China
| | - Yunlong Si
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease Bioinformation, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
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Mysorekar I, Michita R, Tran L, Bark S, Kumar D, Toner S, Jose J, Narayanan A. Zika Virus NS1 Drives Tunneling Nanotube Formation for Mitochondrial Transfer, Enhanced Survival, Interferon Evasion, and Stealth Transmission in Trophoblasts. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3674059. [PMID: 38106210 PMCID: PMC10723532 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3674059/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection continues to pose a significant public health concern due to limited available preventive measures and treatments. ZIKV is unique among flaviviruses in its vertical transmission capacity (i.e., transmission from mother to fetus) yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that both African and Asian lineages of ZIKV induce tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in placental trophoblasts and multiple other mammalian cell types. Amongst investigated flaviviruses, only ZIKV strains trigger TNTs. We show that ZIKV-induced TNTs facilitate transfer of viral particles, proteins, and RNA to neighboring uninfected cells. ZIKV TNT formation is driven exclusively via its non-structural protein 1 (NS1); specifically, the N-terminal region (50 aa) of membrane-bound NS1 is necessary and sufficient for triggering TNT formation in host cells. Using affinity purification-mass spectrometry of cells infected with wild-type NS1 or non-TNT forming NS1 (pNS1ΔTNT) proteins, we found mitochondrial proteins are dominant NS1-interacting partners, consistent with the elevated mitochondrial mass we observed in infected trophoblasts. We demonstrate that mitochondria are siphoned via TNTs from healthy to ZIKV-infected cells, both homotypically and heterotypically, and inhibition of mitochondrial respiration reduced viral replication in trophoblast cells. Finally, ZIKV strains lacking TNT capabilities due to mutant NS1 elicited a robust antiviral IFN-λ 1/2/3 response, indicating ZIKV's TNT-mediated trafficking also allows ZIKV cell-cell transmission that is camouflaged from host defenses. Together, our findings identify a new stealth mechanism that ZIKV employs for intercellular spread among placental trophoblasts, evasion of antiviral interferon response, and the hijacking of mitochondria to augment its propagation and survival. Discerning the mechanisms of ZIKV intercellular strategies offers a basis for novel therapeutic developments targeting these interactions to limit its dissemination.
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Menon R, Muglia LJ, Levin LH. Review on new approach methods to gain insight into the feto-maternal interface physiology. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1304002. [PMID: 38098843 PMCID: PMC10720461 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1304002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-human animals represent a large and important feature in the history of biomedical research. The validity of their use, in terms of reproducible outcomes and translational confidence to the human situation, as well as ethical concerns surrounding that use, have been and remain controversial topics. Over the last 10 years, the communities developing microphysiological systems (MPS) have produced new approach method (NAMs) such as organoids and organs-on-a-chip. These alternative methodologies have shown indications of greater reliability and translatability than animal use in some areas, represent more humane substitutions for animals in these settings, and - with continued scientific effort - may change the conduct of basic research, clinical studies, safety testing, and drug development. Here, we present an introduction to these more human-relevant methodologies and suggest how a suite of pregnancy associated feto-maternal interface system-oriented NAMs may be integrated as reliable partial-/full animal replacements for investigators, significantly aid animal-/environmental welfare, and improve healthcare outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Louis J. Muglia
- The Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Liu X, Wang G, Huang H, Lv X, Si Y, Bai L, Wang G, Li Q, Yang W. Exploring maternal-fetal interface with in vitro placental and trophoblastic models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1279227. [PMID: 38033854 PMCID: PMC10682727 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1279227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta, being a temporary organ, plays a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of nutrients and gases between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. Any abnormalities in the development of this vital organ not only lead to various pregnancy-related disorders that can result in fetal injury or death, but also have long-term effects on maternal health. In vitro models have been employed to study the physiological features and molecular regulatory mechanisms of placental development, aiming to gain a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of pregnancy-related diseases. Among these models, trophoblast stem cell culture and organoids show great promise. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current mature trophoblast stem cell models and emerging organoid models, while also discussing other models in a systematic manner. We believe that this knowledge will be valuable in guiding further exploration of the complex maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlu Liu
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Haiqin Huang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Lv
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yanru Si
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Lixia Bai
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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da Silva RJ, Cabo LF, George JL, Cahoon LA, Yang L, Coyne CB, Boyle JP. Human trophoblast stem cells can be used to model placental susceptibility to Toxoplasma gondii and highlight the critical importance of the trophoblast cell surface in pathogen resistance. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.10.566663. [PMID: 37986837 PMCID: PMC10659356 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.10.566663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a critical barrier against viral, bacterial, and eukaryotic pathogens. For most teratogenic pathogens, the precise molecular mechanisms of placental resistance are still being unraveled. Given the importance to understand these mechanisms and challenges in replicating trophoblast- pathogen interactions using in vitro models, we tested an existing stem-cell derived model of trophoblast development for its relevance to infection with Toxoplasma gondii . We grew human trophoblast stem cells (TS CT ) under conditions leading to either syncytiotrophoblast (TS SYN ) or cytotrophoblast (TS CYT ) and infected them with T. gondii . We evaluated T. gondii proliferation and invasion, cell ultrastructure, as well as for transcriptome changes after infection. TS SYNs cells showed similar ultrastructure compared to primary cells and villous explants when analyzed by TEM and SEM, a resistance to T. gondii adhesion could be visualized on the SEM level. Furthermore, TS SYNs were highly refractory to parasite adhesion and replication, while TS CYT were not. RNA-seq data on mock-treated and infected cells identified differences between cell types as well as how they responded to T. gondii infection. We also evaluated if TS SC -derived SYNs and CYTs had distinct resistance profiles to another vertically transmitted facultative intracellular pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes . We demonstrate that TS SYNs are highly resistant to L. monocytogenes , while TS CYTs are not. Like T. gondii , TS SYN resistance to L. monocytogenes was at the level of bacterial adhesion. Altogether, our data indicate that stem-cell derived trophoblasts recapitulate resistance profiles of primary cells to T. gondii and highlight the critical importance of the placental surface in cell-autonomous resistance to teratogens.
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Gurgenci T, Kijanka G, Greer R, Huggett G, Good P, Moniruzzaman M, Hardy J. Exploring potential anti-inflammatory effects of medicinal cannabis. Support Care Cancer 2023; 31:629. [PMID: 37837446 PMCID: PMC10576726 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08069-8] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Inflammation is thought to play a key role in malignant disease and may play a significant part in the expression of cancer-related symptoms. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a bioactive compound in cannabis and is reported to have significant anti-inflammatory properties. METHOD Serial C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured in all participants recruited to a randomised controlled trial of CBD versus placebo in patients with symptoms related to advanced cancer. A panel of inflammatory cytokines was measured over time in a subset of these patients. RESULTS There was no difference between the two arms in the trajectory of CRP or cytokine levels from baseline to day 28. CONCLUSION We were unable to demonstrate an anti-inflammatory effect of CBD in cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION ANZCTR 26180001220257, registered 20/07/2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylan Gurgenci
- Department Palliative and Supportive Care, 10th floor, Mater Health Services, Raymond Tce, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gregor Kijanka
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ristan Greer
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Torus Research, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Georgie Huggett
- Department Palliative and Supportive Care, 10th floor, Mater Health Services, Raymond Tce, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
| | - Phillip Good
- Department Palliative and Supportive Care, 10th floor, Mater Health Services, Raymond Tce, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Palliative Care, St Vincent's Private Hospital Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Md Moniruzzaman
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Janet Hardy
- Department Palliative and Supportive Care, 10th floor, Mater Health Services, Raymond Tce, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia.
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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29
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Li X, Li ZH, Wang YX, Liu TH. A comprehensive review of human trophoblast fusion models: recent developments and challenges. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:372. [PMID: 37816723 PMCID: PMC10564767 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01670-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
As an essential component of the maternal-fetal interface, the placental syncytiotrophoblast layer contributes to a successful pregnancy by secreting hormones necessary for pregnancy, transporting nutrients, mediating gas exchange, balancing immune tolerance, and resisting pathogen infection. Notably, the deficiency in mononuclear trophoblast cells fusing into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Despite the availability of many models for the study of trophoblast fusion, there exists a notable disparity from the ideal model, limiting the deeper exploration into the placental development. Here, we reviewed the existing models employed for the investigation of human trophoblast fusion from several aspects, including the development history, latest progress, advantages, disadvantages, scope of application, and challenges. The literature searched covers the monolayer cell lines, primary human trophoblast, placental explants, human trophoblast stem cells, human pluripotent stem cells, three-dimensional cell spheres, organoids, and placenta-on-a-chip from 1938 to 2023. These diverse models have significantly enhanced our comprehension of placental development regulation and the underlying mechanisms of placental-related disorders. Through this review, our objective is to provide readers with a thorough understanding of the existing trophoblast fusion models, making it easier to select most suitable models to address specific experimental requirements or scientific inquiries. Establishment and application of the existing human placental trophoblast fusion models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Li
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, Chongqing, China
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuo-Hang Li
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China
- Medical Laboratory Department, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Yaan, 625099, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China.
| | - Tai-Hang Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, Chongqing, China.
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China.
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Huang L, Tu Z, Wei L, Sun W, Wang Y, Bi S, He F, Du L, Chen J, Kzhyshkowska J, Wang H, Chen D, Zhang S. Generating Functional Multicellular Organoids from Human Placenta Villi. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301565. [PMID: 37438660 PMCID: PMC10502861 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between trophoblasts, stroma cells, and immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface constitutes the functional units of the placenta, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, the investigation of this intricate interplay is restricted due to the absence of efficient experimental models. To address this challenge, a robust, reliable methodology for generating placenta villi organoids (PVOs) from early, late, or diseased pregnancies using air-liquid surface culture is developed. PVOs contain cytotrophoblasts that can self-renew and differentiate directly, along with stromal elements that retain native immune cells. Analysis of scRNA sequencing and WES data reveals that PVOs faithfully recapitulate the cellular components and genetic alterations of the corresponding source tissue. Additionally, PVOs derived from patients with preeclampsia exhibit specific pathological features such as inflammation, antiangiogenic imbalance, and decreased syncytin expression. The PVO-based propagation of primary placenta villi should enable a deeper investigation of placenta development and exploration of the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutics of placenta-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Zhaowei Tu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Liudan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shilei Bi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Jingsi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and ImmunologyMedical Faculty MannheimUniversity of Heidelberg68167MannheimGermany
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health ResearchDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen UniversitySchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamen361005China
| | - Dunjin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong ProvinceGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
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31
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Yang L, Liang P, Yang H, Coyne CB. Trophoblast organoids with physiological polarity model placental structure and function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.12.523752. [PMID: 36711688 PMCID: PMC9882188 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.12.523752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Human trophoblast organoids (TOs) are a three-dimensional ex vivo culture model that can be used to study various aspects of placental development, physiology, and pathology. Previously, we showed that TOs derived from full-term human placental tissue could be used as models of trophoblast innate immune signaling and teratogenic virus infections. Here, we developed a method to culture TOs under conditions that recapitulate the cellular orientation of chorionic villi in vivo , with the multi-nucleated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) localized to the outer surface of organoids and the proliferative cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) located on the inner surface. We show that standard TOs containing the STB layer inside the organoid (STB in ) develop into organoids containing the STB on the outer surface (STB out ) when cultured in suspension with gentle agitation. STB out organoids secrete higher levels of select STB-associated hormones and cytokines, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and interferon (IFN)-λ2. Using membrane capacitance measurements, we also show that the outermost surface of STB out organoids contain large syncytia comprised of >50 nuclei compared to STB in organoids that contain small syncytia (<10 nuclei) and mononuclear cells. The growth of TOs under conditions that mimic the cellular orientation of chorionic villi in vivo thus allows for the study of a variety of aspects of placental biology under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liheng Yang
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Pengfei Liang
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Huanghe Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Carolyn B. Coyne
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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32
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Caldwell A, Coyne CB. Pregnancy-associated morbidity and mortality during pandemics: Looking to the past in order to prepare for the future. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:847-850. [PMID: 37321168 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant women are at high risk of adverse outcomes in the setting of viral-associated outbreaks and pandemics. In this forum, we discuss the impact of past and current pandemics on pregnant women and make recommendations to protect this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson Caldwell
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Carolyn B Coyne
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
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33
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Haider S, Beristain AG. Human organoid systems in modeling reproductive tissue development, function, and disease. Hum Reprod 2023:7147082. [PMID: 37119533 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Research focused on human reproductive biology has primarily relied upon clinical samples affording mainly descriptive studies with limited implementation of functional or mechanistic understanding. More importantly, restricted access to human embryonic material has necessitated the use of animals, primarily rats and mice, and short-term primary cell cultures derived from human patient material. While reproductive developmental processes are generally conserved across mammals, specific features unique to human reproduction have resulted in the development of human-based in vitro systems designed to retain or recapitulate key molecular and cellular processes important in humans. Of note, major advances in 3D epithelial stem cell-based systems modeling human reproductive organ development have been made. These cultures, broadly referred to as organoids, enable research aimed at understanding cellular hierarchies and processes controlling cellular differentiation and function. Moreover, organoids allow the pre-clinical testing of pharmacological substances, both from safety and efficacy standpoints, and hold large potential in driving aspects of personalized medicine that were previously not possible with traditional models. In this mini-review, we focus on summarizing the current state of regenerative organoid culture systems of the female and male reproductive tracts that model organ development, maintenance, and function. Specifically, we will introduce stem cell-based organoid models of the ovary/fallopian tube, endometrium, cervix, prostate gland, and testes. We will also describe organoid systems of the pre-implanting blastocyst and trophoblast, as the blastocyst and its extraembryonic trophectoderm are central to fetal, maternal, and overall pregnancy health. We describe the foundational studies leading to their development and outline the utility as well as specific limitations that are unique and common to many of these in vitro platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Haider
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander G Beristain
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Cable J, Denison MR, Kielian M, Jackson WT, Bartenschlager R, Ahola T, Mukhopadhyay S, Fremont DH, Kuhn RJ, Shannon A, Frazier MN, Yuen KY, Coyne CB, Wolthers KC, Ming GL, Guenther CS, Moshiri J, Best SM, Schoggins JW, Jurado KA, Ebel GD, Schäfer A, Ng LFP, Kikkert M, Sette A, Harris E, Wing PAC, Eggenberger J, Krishnamurthy SR, Mah MG, Meganck RM, Chung D, Maurer-Stroh S, Andino R, Korber B, Perlman S, Shi PY, Bárcena M, Aicher SM, Vu MN, Kenney DJ, Lindenbach BD, Nishida Y, Rénia L, Williams EP. Positive-strand RNA viruses-a Keystone Symposia report. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1521:46-66. [PMID: 36697369 PMCID: PMC10347887 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Positive-strand RNA viruses have been the cause of several recent outbreaks and epidemics, including the Zika virus epidemic in 2015, the SARS outbreak in 2003, and the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. On June 18-22, 2022, researchers focusing on positive-strand RNA viruses met for the Keystone Symposium "Positive-Strand RNA Viruses" to share the latest research in molecular and cell biology, virology, immunology, vaccinology, and antiviral drug development. This report presents concise summaries of the scientific discussions at the symposium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark R Denison
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Margaret Kielian
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - William T Jackson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Center for Pathogen Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Research Division Virus-associated Carcinogenesis, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tero Ahola
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Daved H Fremont
- Department of Pathology & Immunology; Department of Molecular Microbiology; and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Richard J Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Ashleigh Shannon
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, CNRS and Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | - Meredith N Frazier
- Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kwok-Yung Yuen
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Carolyn B Coyne
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Katja C Wolthers
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam and Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, OrganoVIR Labs, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jasmine Moshiri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sonja M Best
- Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, USA
| | - John W Schoggins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kellie Ann Jurado
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gregory D Ebel
- Center for Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Alexandra Schäfer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lisa F P Ng
- ASTAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore City, Singapore
- National Institute of Health Research, Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections; Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Marjolein Kikkert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Eva Harris
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Peter A C Wing
- Nuffield Department of Medicine and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julie Eggenberger
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Siddharth R Krishnamurthy
- Metaorganism Immunity Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology and NIAID Microbiome Program, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marcus G Mah
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Rita M Meganck
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Donghoon Chung
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sebastian Maurer-Stroh
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Raul Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Bette Korber
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Montserrat Bárcena
- Section Electron Microscopy, Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sophie-Marie Aicher
- Institut Pasteurgrid, Université de Paris Cité, Virus Sensing and Signaling Unit, Paris, France
| | - Michelle N Vu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Devin J Kenney
- Department of Microbiology and National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brett D Lindenbach
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yukiko Nishida
- Chugai Pharmaceutical, Co., Tokyo, Japan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- ASTAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Evan P Williams
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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35
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Chenge S, Ngure H, Kanoi BN, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Kobia FM. Infectious and environmental placental insults: from underlying biological pathways to diagnostics and treatments. Pathog Dis 2023; 81:ftad024. [PMID: 37727973 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftad024] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Because the placenta is bathed in maternal blood, it is exposed to infectious agents and chemicals that may be present in the mother's circulation. Such exposures, which do not necessarily equate with transmission to the fetus, may primarily cause placental injury, thereby impairing placental function. Recent research has improved our understanding of the mechanisms by which some infectious agents are transmitted to the fetus, as well as the mechanisms underlying their impact on fetal outcomes. However, less is known about the impact of placental infection on placental structure and function, or the mechanisms underlying infection-driven placental pathogenesis. Moreover, recent studies indicate that noninfectious environmental agents accumulate in the placenta, but their impacts on placental function and fetal outcomes are unknown. Critically, diagnosing placental insults during pregnancy is very difficult and currently, this is possible only through postpartum placental examination. Here, with emphasis on humans, we discuss what is known about the impact of infectious and chemical agents on placental physiology and function, particularly in the absence of maternal-fetal transmission, and highlight knowledge gaps with potential implications for diagnosis and intervention against placental pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Chenge
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Laboratory Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, off Thika road, P. O. Box 62000-00200 Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Harrison Ngure
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
| | - Bernard N Kanoi
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Francis M Kobia
- Directorate of Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
- Centre for Malaria Elimination, Mount Kenya University, General Kago road, P.O. Box 342-01000, Thika, Kenya
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36
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Human Maternal-Fetal Interface Cellular Models to Assess Antiviral Drug Toxicity during Pregnancy. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed3040024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a period of elevated risk for viral disease severity, resulting in serious health consequences for both the mother and the fetus; yet antiviral drugs lack comprehensive safety and efficacy data for use among pregnant women. In fact, pregnant women are systematically excluded from therapeutic clinical trials to prevent potential fetal harm. Current FDA-recommended reproductive toxicity assessments are studied using small animals which often do not accurately predict the human toxicological profiles of drug candidates. Here, we review the potential of human maternal-fetal interface cellular models in reproductive toxicity assessment of antiviral drugs. We specifically focus on the 2- and 3-dimensional maternal placental models of different gestational stages and those of fetal embryogenesis and organ development. Screening of drug candidates in physiologically relevant human maternal-fetal cellular models will be beneficial to prioritize selection of safe antiviral therapeutics for clinical trials in pregnant women.
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