Maternal nerve growth factor levels during pregnancy in women with preeclampsia: A longitudinal study

Non-Invasive Assessment of Neurogenesis Dysfunction in Fetuses with Early-Onset Growth Restriction Using Fetal Neuronal Exosomes Isolating from Maternal Blood: A Pilot Study

The vector of modern obstetrics is aimed at finding ways to predict various placenta-associated complications, including those associated with neuronal dysfunction on in fetal growth restriction (FGR). The technology of fetal neuronal exosome (FNE) isolation from the maternal bloodstream opens up unique opportunities for detecting early signs of fetal brain damage. Using this method, FNEs were isolated from the blood of pregnant women with and without early-onset FGR, and the expression of a number of proteins in their composition was assessed (Western blotting). Significant changes in the level of proteins involved in neurogenesis (pro-BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), pro-NGF (nerve growth factor), TAG1/Contactin2) and presynaptic transmission (Synapsin 1, Synaptophysin) were revealed. The preliminary data on the expression of FNE proteins that perform post-translational modifications-sumoylation (SUMO 1, UBC9) and neddylation (NEDD8, UBC12)-were obtained. A relationship was established between altered protein expression and neonatal outcomes in newborns with growth restriction. Our study opens up new possibilities for non-invasive prenatal monitoring of fetal neurodevelopment disorders and possibilities of their correction in placenta-associated diseases.

Olink proteomics analysis uncovers inflammatory proteins in patients with different states of bipolar disorder

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective study.

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate the relationship between different states of bipolar disorder (BD) and plasma inflammatory proteins, which may be used as their biomarkers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We totally collected admission plasma from 16 healthy subjects and 32 BD patients, including 16 patients with BD manic episodes (BD-M) and 16 patients with BD depressive episodes (BD-D). Ten samples in each group were analyzed by proximity extension assays of 92 inflammation-related proteins, and all samples were verified by ELISA. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to identify the diagnostic ability and cut-off values of potential biomarkers.

RESULTS

Our findings showed that BD patients had significantly higher levels of IL6, MCP-1, TGF-α, IL8, and IL10-RB in comparison with healthy subjects, and their cut-off values were 0.531 pg/ml, 0.531 pg/ml, 0.469 pg/ml, 0.406 pg/ml, and 0.406 pg/ml, respectively. The levels of IL6, MCP-1, TGF-α, and IL8 in BD-M patients were significantly greater than in healthy individuals, and their cut-off values were 0.813 pg/ml, 0.688 pg/ml, 0.438 pg/ml, and 0.625 pg/ml, respectively. Moreover, we found cut-off values of 0.500 pg/mL and 0.688 ng/mL for TGF-α and β-NGF, respectively, even though the levels in the BD-D group were much higher than in the control group. Furthermore, BD-M patients had significantly higher levels of IL6, FGF-19, IFN-γ, and IL-17C in comparison with BD-D patients. Likewise, 0.687 pg/ml, 0.500 pg/ml, 0.438 pg/ml, and 0.375 pg/ml were their cut-off values, respectively. Our findings also showed that the combination of these proteins had the highest diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that plasma inflammatory proteins were related to BD and its subtypes, which may be utilized as potential biomarkers of different stages of BD. Furthermore, we also found their cut-off values and their combinations to have the highest diagnostic accuracy, providing clinicians with a new method to rapidly differentiate BD and its subtypes and manage early targeted interventions.

Analysis of β-nerve growth factor and its precursor during human pregnancy by immunoaffinity-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

β-Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin that plays a critical role in fetal development during gestation. ProNGF is the precursor form of NGF with a distinct biological profile. In order to investigate the role of NGF and proNGF in pregnant human females, a sensitive and selective immunoaffinity liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay was developed and qualified to simultaneously measure the levels of total NGF (tNGF; sum of mature and proNGF) and proNGF using full and relative quantification strategies, respectively. The assay was used to determine serum tNGF and proNGF levels in the three gestational trimesters of pregnancy and in non-pregnant female controls. Mean tNGF ± SD were 44.6 ± 12.3, 42.6 ± 9.3, 65.4 ± 17.6 and 77.0 ± 17.8 pg/mL for non-pregnant, first, second, and third trimesters, respectively, demonstrating no significant increase in circulating tNGF between the control and the first trimester, and a moderate yet significant 1.7-fold increase through gestation. proNGF levels during the first trimester were unchanged compared to control. In contrast to tNGF, however, proNGF levels during gestation remained stable without significant changes. The development of this sensitive, novel immunoaffinity duplexed assay for both tNGF and proNGF is expected to enable further elucidation of the roles these neurotrophins play in human pregnancy as well as other models.

New Insights Into the Role of β-NGF/TrKA System in the Endometrium of Alpacas During Early Pregnancy

One striking reproductive feature in South American camelids is that more than 90% of gestations are established in the left uterine horn (LUH). This phenomenon could be related to a differential vascular irrigation of the LUH. An increase of vascularization in llama endometrium was observed after systemic administration of Beta Nerve Growth Factor (β-NGF), a neurotrophin present in the uterus and placenta of various mammals that is involved in pregnancy development. We hypothesized that the β-NGF signaling pathway is related to embryo implantation in the LUH in camelids. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial expression of β-NGF and its high-affinity receptor, TrKA, between LUH and right uterine horn (RUH) of non-pregnant (NP) and early pregnant alpacas (15 and 30 days of gestation, 15 and 30P, respectively). In addition, β-NGF, TrKA, and Vascular Endothelium Growth Factor A (VEGFA) temporal gene expression patterns and counting of blood vessels were evaluated among groups. The β-NGF and TrKA were localized in the luminal, glandular, and vascular epithelium of the alpaca uterus and in the embryonic membranes of the 30-days-old conceptus. β-NGF and TrKA immunosignal were stronger in 15P females than that of NP and 30P. In addition, TrKA signal was higher in the LUH luminal epithelium of NP and 15P alpacas than that of NP-RUH and 15P-RUH. β-NGF mRNA relative abundance was higher in the 30P-RUH than that of NP-RUH; whereas TrKA mRNA abundance only differed between 15P-RUH and NP-LUH. VEGFA mRNA relative abundance was higher in NP females compared to the LUH of 15P and 30P alpacas, and lower to their right counterparts. The number of vessels per field was higher in 15P than that of 30P. A positive correlation was observed between the number of vessels per field and β-NGF immunosignal in 15P-LUH. In contrast, the area occupied by vessels was higher in 30P alpacas than of NP and 15P females. The changes of β-NGF/TrKA expression pattern in the peri-implantation endometria between LUH and RUH and their localization in the extraembryonic membranes support the implication of the neurotrophin during implantation and pregnancy development in South American Camelids.

Nerve growth factor is closely related to glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in the second trimester: a case-control study in Chinese

Objective

Inflammation-related factors have been shown to play a significant role throughout pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationships between selected inflammatory cytokines and gestational diabetes (GDM) in Chinese pregnant women.

Design and methods

This was a 1:1 matched case–control study that included 200 pairs of subjects in the second trimester and 130 pairs of subjects in the third trimester. Serum levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), leptin, Interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The associations of these inflammatory factors with metabolic parameters were analysed.

Results

In the second trimester, GDM patients had higher NGF levels and lower IL-8 levels than did normal controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.015, respectively). However, in the third trimester, only lower leptin levels were observed in the GDM group (P = 0.031). Additionally, in the second trimester, NGF levels were not only positively associated with fasting, 1-h and 2-h glucose levels and the area under curve of glucose, but also positively related to insulin sensitivity and secretion, as suggested by fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment index of β-cell secretion (HOMA-β) (all P < 0.05). Moreover, IL-6 and leptin levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR and HOMA-β, and TNF-α levels were positively related to HOMA-IR (all P < 0.05). Except for the relationships between NGF and HOMA-β and TNF-α and HOMA-IR, the other correlations still existed even after adjusting for confounding factors (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In addition to the positive associations of IL-6 and leptin with insulin resistance and secretion, NGF was higher in the GDM patients and strongly linked to glucose metabolism, insulin resistance and pancreatic β cell function in Chinese pregnant women in the second trimester.

Role of neurotrophins in pregnancy and offspring brain development

Neurotrophins are a family of functionally and structurally related proteins which play a key role in the survival, development, and function of neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) are the family members of neurotrophins. Neurotrophins play a crucial role in influencing the development of the brain and learning and memory processes. Studies demonstrate that they also play crucial role in influencing reproductive and immune systems. Neurotrophins have been shown to influence various processes in the mother, placenta, and fetus during pregnancy. Development and maturation of feto-placental unit and the fetal growth trajectories are influenced by neurotrophins. In addition to neurotrophins, neuropeptides like neuropeptide Y also play a crucial role during various processes of pregnancy and during fetal brain development. Neurotrophins have also been shown to have a cross talk with various angiogenic factors and influence placental development. Alterations in the levels of neurotrophins and neuropeptides lead to placental pathologies resulting in various pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and preterm births. Studies in animals have reported low levels of maternal micronutrients like folic acid, vitamin B₁₂ and omega-3 fatty acids influence brain neurotrophins resulting in impaired cognitive functioning in the offspring. Maternal nutrition is also known to affect the expression of neuropeptides. It is essential to understand the role of various neurotrophins across various stages of pregnancy and its relationship with neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. This will lead to early prediction of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. The present review describes evidence describing the role of neurotrophins in determining pregnancy outcome and altered neurodevelopment in the offspring. The possible mechanism through which maternal nutrition influences neurotrophins and neuropeptides to regulate offspring brain development and function is also discussed.

Role of neurotrophins in pregnancy, delivery and postpartum

Neurotrophins (NTs) are a family of polypeptides whose functions have been extensively studied in the past two decades. In particular, Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) play a major role in the development, nutrition and growth of the central and peripheral nervous system and in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative, cardiometabolic and (auto)immune diseases. However, NGF and BDNF have subtle functions for follicular development, implantation, and placentation. This short narrative review summarizes the existing evidence, published between 2000 and 2019, about the role of NTs in many different conditions that might affect women during and after pregnancy such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety, smoking and alcohol abuse. Literature suggests that the dysregulation of synthesis and release of NTs may lead to decisive effects on both maternal and fetal health. Some piece of evidences was found about a possible association between NGF/BDNF and breastfeeding. Additional studies on human models are necessary to further characterize the role of NTs in life-changing experiences like labor and delivery.

Nerve Growth Factor Levels in Term Human Infants: Relationship to Prenatal Growth and Early Postnatal Feeding

BACKGROUND

Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a key role in neuroprotection and developmental maturity. We assessed longitudinally the circulating concentrations of NGF in term healthy human newborns and infants as well as their association with prenatal growth and early postnatal feeding patterns.

METHODS

Circulating NGF and anthropometric measures (weight, length, body mass index, and ponderal index) were assessed longitudinally-at birth and at age 4 months-in 86 term infants born appropriate (AGA), small (SGA), or large for gestational age (LGA).

RESULTS

Cord blood NGF levels in SGA newborns were higher than those in AGA newborns (1.41 ± 0.2 pg/mL vs. 0.66 ± 0.1 pg/mL; p = 0.02) and not different from those in LGA neonates (0.79 ± 0.2 pg/mL). At age 4 months, SGA-breastfed infants showed the highest NGF concentrations (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01 vs. AGA and SGA-formula-fed infants, respectively), while LGA infants depicted a marginal increase. NGF levels in cord blood correlated negatively with the ponderal index at birth (r = -0.36; p = 0.0008).

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating NGF is related to both prenatal growth and early postnatal nutrition. The maintenance of increased NGF concentrations in SGA-breastfed infants at age 4 months might be a potential mechanism to counterbalance potential risks for developing cognitive and psychomotor disadvantages.

Clinical characteristics of fetal and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancy with preeclampsia in a retrospective case-control study: A STROBE-compliant article

The aim of our study was to compare the clinical characteristics of fetal and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies between women with preeclampsia (PE) and those with normotension in a Chinese population.There were 143 preeclamptic women and 367 normotensive women with twin pregnancies included in this retrospective case-control study. The baseline characteristics and perinatal outcomes were collected and compared between the groups. Multiple logistic regression and linear regression were used to assess the correlations between PE and the outcomes.Significant increases were observed in the frequencies of preterm delivery (OR = 2.75, P < 0.001), iatrogenic preterm birth (OR = 3.52, P < 0.001), and IUGR (OR = 2.94, P = 0.001) in the PE group, and the PE group had more than a 2-fold risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Preeclamptic twin neonates had lower birth weights (β = -147.34, P = 0.005; β = -169.47, P = 0.001). The comparison on the discordance of intertwin weight was not significantly different.Twin pregnancies with PE are associated with worse perinatal outcomes. The adverse outcomes of preeclamptic twin pregnancies may be associated with lower birth weights rather than the discordance of the intertwin weight, which requires further confirmation. The results may provide helpful references for better clinical assessments, evaluations of prognosis, and a deeper understanding of preeclamptic twin pregnancies.