Long non-coding RNAs: a summary of their roles in placenta development and pathology†

Long non-coding RNAs are cellular transcripts that have ˃200 nucleotides in length and do not code for proteins. Due to their low expression levels, long non-coding RNAs were previously considered as mere transcriptional noise. However, current evidence indicates that they regulate a myriad of biological processes such as cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. Hence, their expression patterns are crucial indicators of the physiological or pathological states of cells, tissues, and organs. The utilization of long non-coding RNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the clinical management of several diseases have been suggested. Gradually, long non-coding RNAs are gaining a substantial attention in the field of feto-maternal medicine. After embryo implantation, the interactions between the trophoblast cells from the embryo and the uterus of the mother facilitate placenta development and pregnancy progression. These processes are tightly regulated, and their impairments result in pregnancy pathologies such as miscarriage and preeclampsia. Accumulating evidence implicates long non-coding RNAs in these processes. Herein, we have summarized the roles of several long non-coding RNAs in human placenta development, have proposed some mechanisms by which they participate in physiological and pathological placentation, have revealed some knowledge deficits, and have recommended ideal experimental approaches that will facilitate the clarification of the mechanistic actions of each long non-coding RNA at the feto-maternal interface during healthy and pathological pregnancies.

Bisphenol S moderately decreases the expression of syncytiotrophoblast marker genes and induces apoptosis in human trophoblast lineages

Bisphenol S (BPS) is currently used in the manufacturing of several household equipment such as water pipes and food containers. Hence, its entrance into the human body is almost inevitable. The presence of BPS in body fluids has been reported. However, its potential toxicity, especially on human placenta development and pregnancy progression, has not been explored. In this study, we assessed the impacts of BPS on the self-renewal and differentiation potentials of placental stem cells, also known as trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), by exposing them to three different BPS concentrations during their self-renewal and differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast (ST), extravillous trophoblast (EVT), and trophoblast organoids. Interestingly, BPS treatment did not affect the stemness, cell cycle and proliferation of the TSCs but it induced apoptosis in each trophoblast lineage. BPS altered the expression of several fusion-related genes. However, this alteration did not translate into significant morphological defects in the STs and organoids. Moreover, BPS did not impair the differentiation of TSCs into EVTs. These findings suggest that the presence of BPS at the feto-maternal interface may exaggerate trophoblast apoptosis and moderately inhibit the trophoblast fusion pathway to affect placenta development and pregnancy. Our study offers valuable insights into the potential toxicity of BPS on human placenta development, emphasizing the need for epidemiological assessment of the relationship between maternal serum levels of BPS and pregnancy complications.

Mechanistic actions of long non-coding RNA MALAT1 within the ovary and at the feto-maternal interface

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are being unveiled as crucial regulators of several biological processes and pathways. Among the lncRNAs is metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), which is also known as nuclear enriched abundant transcript 2 (NEAT2). MALAT1 is highly conserved in mammals, and controls cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and apoptosis in both physiological and pathological conditions. Roles of MALAT1 in the female reproductive system are gradually getting explored. Within the ovarian micro-environment, the physiological expression of MALAT1 potentially modulates folliculogenesis while its upregulation promotes the metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancers. Interestingly, women with polycystic ovary syndrome have been shown to exhibit aberrant ovarian expression of MALAT1 and this is believed to contribute to the development of the disease. At the feto-maternal interface, MALAT1 potentially promotes trophoblast development. While its placental downregulation is linked to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, its placental upregulation is associated with placenta increta and placenta percreta. Hence, abnormal expression of MALAT1 is a candidate molecular biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of these obstetric and gynecologic anomalies. To enhance a quick uncovering and detailed characterization of the mechanistic actions of MALAT1 in the female reproductive system, we have highlighted some knowledge deficits and have recommended ideal experimental models to be employed in prospective investigations.

Long noncoding RNA H19 in ovarian biology and placenta development

As the first long noncoding RNA to be discovered, H19 has gained substantial attention as a key regulator of several biological processes and its roles in female reproductive biology are gradually getting revealed. Herein, we have summarized the current evidence regarding H19 expression pattern and involvement in the developmental and pathological processes associated with the ovary and the placenta. The findings indicate that within the ovaries, H19 is expressed in the antral and cystic atretic follicles as well as in the corpora lutea but absent in the primordial, primary, and secondary follicles. Its normal expression promotes the maturation of antral follicles and prevents their premature selection for the ovulatory journey while its aberrant induction promotes polycystic ovary syndrome development and ovarian cancer metastasis. In the placenta, H19 is highly expressed in the cytotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts but weakly expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast layer and potentially controls trophoblast cell fate decisions during placenta development. Abnormal expression of H19 is observed in the placental villi of pregnancies affected by pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Therefore, dysregulated H19 is a candidate biomarker and therapeutic target for the mitigation of ovarian and placenta-associated diseases.