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Murthi P, Kalionis B. Homeobox genes in the human placenta: Twists and turns on the path to find novel targets. Placenta 2024:S0143-4004(24)00284-4. [PMID: 38908943 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.06.010] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a clinically important human pregnancy disorder that is thought to originate early in pregnancy and while its aetiology is not well understood, the disorder is associated with placental insufficiency. Currently treatment for FGR is limited by increased surveillance using ultrasound monitoring and premature delivery, or corticosteroid medication in the third trimester to prolong pregnancy. There is a pressing need for novel strategies to detect and treat FGR at its early stage. Homeobox genes are well established as master regulators of early embryonic development and increasing evidence suggests they are also important in regulating early placental development. Most important is that specific homeobox genes are abnormally expressed in human FGR. This review focusses on identifying the molecular pathways controlled by homeobox genes in the normal and FGR-affected placenta. This information will begin to address the knowledge gap in the molecular aetiology of FGR and lay the foundation for identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Murthi
- Department of Pharmacology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital and Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Bill Kalionis
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital and Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Alfian I, Chakraborty A, Yong HEJ, Saini S, Lau RWK, Kalionis B, Dimitriadis E, Alfaidy N, Ricardo SD, Samuel CS, Murthi P. The Placental NLRP3 Inflammasome and Its Downstream Targets, Caspase-1 and Interleukin-6, Are Increased in Human Fetal Growth Restriction: Implications for Aberrant Inflammation-Induced Trophoblast Dysfunction. Cells 2022; 11:1413. [PMID: 35563719 PMCID: PMC9102093 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is commonly associated with placental insufficiency and inflammation. Nonetheless, the role played by inflammasomes in the pathogenesis of FGR is poorly understood. We hypothesised that placental inflammasomes are differentially expressed and contribute to the aberrant trophoblast function. Inflammasome gene expression profiles were characterised by real-time PCR on human placental tissues collected from third trimester FGR and gestation-matched control pregnancies (n = 25/group). The functional significance of a candidate inflammasome was then investigated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced models of inflammation in human trophoblast organoids, BeWo cells in vitro, and a murine model of FGR in vivo. Placental mRNA expression of NLRP3, caspases 1, 3, and 8, and interleukin 6 increased (>2-fold), while that of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, decreased (<2-fold) in FGR compared with control pregnancies. LPS treatment increased NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression (>2-fold) in trophoblast organoids and BeWo cell cultures in vitro, and in the spongiotrophoblast and labyrinth in the murine model of FGR. However, the LPS-induced rise in NLRP3 was attenuated by its siRNA-induced down-regulation in BeWo cell cultures, which correlated with reduced activity of the apoptotic markers, caspase-3 and 8, compared to the control siRNA-treated cells. Our findings support the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the inflammation-induced aberrant trophoblast function, which may contribute to FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irvan Alfian
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jl. Salemba Raya 6, Jakarta Pusat 10160, Indonesia
| | - Amlan Chakraborty
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Hannah E. J. Yong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 117609, Singapore;
| | - Sheetal Saini
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Ricky W. K. Lau
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Bill Kalionis
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Gynaecology Research Centre, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Nadia Alfaidy
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1292, Biologie et Biotechnologie pour la Santé, 38043 Grenoble, France;
- Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Biosciences and Biotechnology Institute of Grenoble, 38054 Grenoble, France
- Service Obstétrique & Gynécologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Grenoble Alpes, University Grenoble-Alpes, CEDEX 9, 38043 Grenoble, France
| | - Sharon D. Ricardo
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Chrishan S. Samuel
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
| | - Padma Murthi
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (I.A.); (A.C.); (S.S.); (R.W.K.L.); (S.D.R.)
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
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Rs868058 in the Homeobox Gene HLX Contributes to Early-Onset Fetal Growth Restriction. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030447. [PMID: 35336820 PMCID: PMC8945724 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition that characterizes fetuses as too small for their gestational age, with an estimated fetal weight (EFW) below the 10th percentile and abnormal Doppler parameters and/or with EFW below the 3rd percentile. We designed our study to demonstrate the contribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from DLX3 (rs11656951, rs2278163, and rs10459948), HLX (rs2184658, and 868058), ANGPT2 (−35 G > C), and ITGAV (rs3911238, and rs3768777) genes in maternal blood in FGR. A cohort of 380 women with singleton pregnancies consisted of 190 pregnancies with FGR and 190 healthy full-term controls. A comparison of the pregnancies with an early-onset FGR and healthy subjects showed that the AT heterozygotes in HLX rs868058 were significantly associated with an approximately two-fold increase in disease risk (p ≤ 0.050). The AT heterozygotes in rs868058 were significantly more frequent in the cases with early-onset FGR than in late-onset FGR in the overdominant model (OR 2.08 95% CI 1.11−3.89, p = 0.022), and after being adjusted by anemia, in the codominant model (OR 2.45 95% CI 1.23−4.90, p = 0.034). In conclusion, the heterozygous AT genotype in HLX rs868058 can be considered a significant risk factor for the development of early-onset FGR, regardless of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women.
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Wang H, Luo C, Wu X, Zhang J, Xu Z, Liu Y, Li B, Li J, Xie J. Circular RNA hsa_circ_0081343 promotes trophoblast cell migration and invasion and inhibits trophoblast apoptosis by regulating miR-210-5p/DLX3 axis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:123. [PMID: 34365964 PMCID: PMC8351162 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00795-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various circular RNAs (circRNAs) are dysregulated in the placenta of fetal growth restriction (FGR) fetuses, but their roles and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the role of hsa_circ_0081343 in regulating the migration, invasion, and apoptosis of human extravillous trophoblast HTR-8 cells. METHODS CircRNA and miRNA levels were examined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Overexpression plasmid constructs and siRNAs were used to overexpress and knockdown hsa_circ_0081343, respectively. Transwell assays and flow cytometry analyses were performed to evaluate the effects of hsa_circ_0081343 or miR-210-5p on migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Protein levels were analyzed by western blotting. Dual luciferase activity and anti-AGO2 RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were performed to identify the relationship between miR-210-5p and hsa_circ_0081343. RESULTS Hsa_circ_0081343 expression was significantly downregulated in 37 FGR placental tissues compared to healthy placental control tissues. Hsa_circ_0081343 overexpression may inhibit apoptosis by downregulating the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and caspase 9 and alleviating the migration and invasion of HTR-8 cells by inducing the expression of MMP2 and MMP9. The dual luciferase activity and anti-AGO2 RIP assay results showed that hsa_circ_0081343 binds to miR-210-5p. miR-210-5p overexpression eliminated the effect of hsa_circ_0081343 overexpression in HTR-8 cells. Finally, DLX3 was identified as a direct target of miR-210-5p. CONCLUSIONS hsa_circ_0081343 expression levels are significantly downregulated in FGR placental tissues. Hsa_circ_0081343 regulates the migration, invasion, and apoptosis of HTR-8 cells via the hsa-miR-210-5p/DLX3 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Caiqun Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoxia Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianming Zhang
- Institute of Maternal and Child Medicine, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiyong Xu
- Medical genetic center, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Medical genetic center, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Bohong Li
- Medical genetic center, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jiansheng Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China.
- Medical genetic center, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China.
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Aplin JD, Jones CJP. Cell dynamics in human villous trophoblast. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 27:904-922. [PMID: 34125187 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Villous cytotrophoblast (vCTB) is a precursor cell population that supports the development of syncytiotrophoblast (vSTB), the high surface area barrier epithelium of the placental villus, and the primary interface between maternal and fetal tissue. In light of increasing evidence that the placenta can adapt to changing maternal environments or, under stress, can trigger maternal disease, we consider what properties of these cells empower them to exert a controlling influence on pregnancy progression and outcome. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE How are cytotrophoblast proliferation and differentiation regulated in the human placental villus to allow for the increasing demands of the fetal and environmental challenges and stresses that may arise during pregnancy? SEARCH METHODS PubMed was interrogated using relevant keywords and word roots combining trophoblast, villus/villous, syncytio/syncytium, placenta, stem, transcription factor (and the individual genes), signalling, apoptosis, autophagy (and the respective genes) from 1960 to the present. Since removal of trophoblast from its tissue environment is known to fundamentally change cell growth and differentiation kinetics, research that relied exclusively on cell culture has not been the main focus of this review, though it is mentioned where appropriate. Work on non-human placenta is not systematically covered, though mention is made where relevant hypotheses have emerged. OUTCOMES The synthesis of data from the literature has led to a new hypothesis for vCTB dynamics. We propose that a reversible transition can occur from a reserve population in G0 to a mitotically active state. Cells from the in-cycle population can then differentiate irreversibly to intermediate cells that leave the cycle and turn on genes that confer the capacity to fuse with the overlying vSTB as well as other functions associated with syncytial barrier and transport function. We speculate that alterations in the rate of entry to the cell cycle, or return of cells in the mitotic fraction to G0, can occur in response to environmental challenge. We also review evidence on the life cycle of trophoblast from the time that fusion occurs, and point to gaps in knowledge of how large quantities of fetal DNA arrive in maternal circulation. We critique historical methodology and make a case for research to re-address questions about trophoblast lifecycle and dynamics in normal pregnancy and the common diseases of pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction, where altered trophoblast kinetics have long been postulated. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The hypothesis requires experimental testing, moving research away from currently accepted methodology towards a new standard that includes representative cell and tissue sampling, assessment of cell cycle and differentiation parameters, and robust classification of cell subpopulations in villous trophoblast, with due attention to gestational age, maternal and fetal phenotype, disease and outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Aplin
- Maternal and Fetal Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Carolyn J P Jones
- Maternal and Fetal Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
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Sundrani DP, Karkhanis AR, Joshi SR. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR), fatty acids and microRNAs: Implications in women delivering low birth weight babies. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2021; 67:24-41. [PMID: 33719831 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2020.1858994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Low birth weight (LBW) babies are associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality and are at increased risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in later life. However, the molecular determinants of LBW are not well understood. Placental insufficiency/dysfunction is the most frequent etiology for fetal growth restriction resulting in LBW and placental epigenetic processes are suggested to be important regulators of pregnancy outcome. Early life exposures like altered maternal nutrition may have long-lasting effects on the health of the offspring via epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and microRNA (miRNA) regulation. miRNAs have been recognized as major regulators of gene expression and are known to play an important role in placental development. Angiogenesis in the placenta is known to be regulated by transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) which is activated by ligands such as long-chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). In vitro studies in different cell types indicate that fatty acids can influence epigenetic mechanisms like miRNA regulation. We hypothesize that maternal fatty acid status may influence the miRNA regulation of PPAR genes in the placenta in women delivering LBW babies. This review provides an overview of miRNAs and their regulation of PPAR gene in the placenta of women delivering LBW babies.Abbreviations: AA - Arachidonic Acid; Ago2 - Argonaute2; ALA - Alpha-Linolenic Acid; ANGPTL4 - Angiopoietin-Like Protein 4; C14MC - Chromosome 14 miRNA Cluster; C19MC - Chromosome 19 miRNA Cluster; CLA - Conjugated Linoleic Acid; CSE - Cystathionine γ-Lyase; DHA - Docosahexaenoic Acid; EFA - Essential Fatty Acids; E2F3 - E2F transcription factor 3; EPA - Eicosapentaenoic Acid; FGFR1 - Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1; GDM - Gestational Diabetes Mellitus; hADMSCs - Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells; hBMSCs - Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells; HBV - Hepatitis B Virus; HCC - Hepatocellular Carcinoma; HCPT - Hydroxycamptothecin; HFD - High-Fat Diet; Hmads - Human Multipotent Adipose-Derived Stem; HSCS - Human Hepatic Stellate Cells; IUGR - Intrauterine Growth Restriction; LA - Linoleic Acid; LBW - Low Birth Weight; LCPUFA - Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids; MEK1 - Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; MiRNA - MicroRNA; mTOR - Mammalian Target of Rapamycin; NCDs - NonCommunicable Diseases; OA - Oleic Acid; PASMC - Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell; PLAG1 - Pleiomorphic Adenoma Gene 1; PPAR - Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor; PPARα - PPAR alpha; PPARγ - PPAR gamma; PPARδ - PPAR delta; pre-miRNA - precursor miRNA; RISC - RNA-Induced Silencing Complex; ROS - Reactive Oxygen Species; SAT - Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue; WHO - World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali P Sundrani
- Mother and Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India
| | - Aishwarya R Karkhanis
- Mother and Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India
| | - Sadhana R Joshi
- Mother and Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, India
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Alfaidy N, Brouillet S, Rajaraman G, Kalionis B, Hoffmann P, Barjat T, Benharouga M, Murthi P. The Emerging Role of the Prokineticins and Homeobox Genes in the Vascularization of the Placenta: Physiological and Pathological Aspects. Front Physiol 2020; 11:591850. [PMID: 33281622 PMCID: PMC7689260 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.591850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are key processes of placental development, which occur throughout pregnancy. Placental vasculogenesis occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy culminating in the formation of hemangioblasts from intra-villous stem cells. Placental angiogenesis occurs subsequently, forming new blood vessels from existing ones. Angiogenesis also takes place at the fetomaternal interface, allowing essential spiral arteriole remodeling to establish the fetomaternal circulation. Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in animal models and in humans have been studied in a wide variety of in vitro, physiological and pathological conditions, with a focus on the pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that control these processes. Recent studies revealed roles for new families of proteins, including direct participants such as the prokineticin family, and regulators of these processes such as the homeobox genes. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of actions of these families of proteins. Over the past decade, evidence suggests increased production of placental anti-angiogenic factors, as well as angiogenic factors are associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preeclampsia (PE): the most threatening pathologies of human pregnancy with systemic vascular dysfunction. This review also reports novel clinical strategies targeting members of these family of proteins to treat PE and its consequent effects on the maternal vascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Alfaidy
- Unité 1036, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Grenoble, France.,Department of Biology, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Biosciences and Biotechnology Institute of Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Sophie Brouillet
- INSERM U1203, Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Gayathri Rajaraman
- Faculty of Health and Biomedicine, First Year College, Victoria University, St. Albans, VIC, Australia
| | - Bill Kalionis
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pregnancy Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Pascale Hoffmann
- Unité 1036, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Grenoble, France.,Department of Biology, University of Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France.,Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Biosciences and Biotechnology Institute of Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Tiphaine Barjat
- Unité 1059, Saint-Etienne Hospital, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Saint-Étienne, France
| | - Mohamed Benharouga
- Unité Mixte de Recherche 5249, Laboratoire de Chimie et Biologie des Métaux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Grenoble, France
| | - Padma Murthi
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pregnancy Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, The Ritchie Centre, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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8
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Harris LK, Pantham P, Yong HEJ, Pratt A, Borg AJ, Crocker I, Westwood M, Aplin J, Kalionis B, Murthi P. The role of insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor-mediated homeobox gene expression in human placental apoptosis, and its implications in idiopathic fetal growth restriction. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:572-585. [PMID: 31418778 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is caused by poor placental development and function early in gestation. It is well known that placentas from women with FGR exhibit reduced cell growth, elevated levels of apoptosis and perturbed expression of the growth factors, cytokines and the homeobox gene family of transcription factors. Previous studies have reported that insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF2) interacts with its receptor-2 (IGF2R) to regulate villous trophoblast survival and apoptosis. In this study, we hypothesized that human placental IGF2R-mediated homeobox gene expression is altered in FGR and contributes to abnormal trophoblast function. This study was designed to determine the association between IGF2R, homeobox gene expression and cell survival in pregnancies affected by FGR. Third trimester placentas were collected from FGR-affected pregnancies (n = 29) and gestation matched with control pregnancies (n = 30). Functional analyses were then performed in vitro using term placental explants (n = 4) and BeWo trophoblast cells. mRNA expression was determined by real-time PCR, while protein expression was examined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. siRNA transfection was used to silence IGF2R expression in placental explants and the BeWo cell-line. cDNA arrays were used to screen for downstream targets of IGF2R, specifically homeobox gene transcription factors and apoptosis-related genes. Functional effects of silencing IGF2R were then verified by β-hCG ELISA, caspase activity assays and a real-time electrical cell-impedance assay for differentiation, apoptosis and cell growth potential, respectively. IGF2R expression was significantly decreased in placentas from pregnancies complicated by idiopathic FGR (P < 0.05 versus control). siRNA-mediated IGF2R knockdown in term placental explants and the trophoblast cell line BeWo resulted in altered expression of homeobox gene transcription factors, including increased expression of distal-less homeobox gene 5 (DLX5), and decreased expression of H2.0-Like Homeobox 1 (HLX) (P < 0.05 versus control). Knockdown of IGF2R transcription increased the expression and activity of caspase-6 and caspase-8 in placental explants, decreased BeWo proliferation and increased BeWo differentiation (all P < 0.05 compared to respective controls). This is the first study linking IGF2R placental expression with changes in the expression of homeobox genes that control cellular signalling pathways responsible for increased trophoblast cell apoptosis, which is a characteristic feature of FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda K Harris
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, Manchester, UK.,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Priyadarshini Pantham
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The University of Auckland, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand.,Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Hannah E J Yong
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Pregnancy Research Centre, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita Pratt
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Pregnancy Research Centre, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony J Borg
- Pregnancy Research Centre, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian Crocker
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Melissa Westwood
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - John Aplin
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Bill Kalionis
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Pregnancy Research Centre, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Padma Murthi
- University of Melbourne Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Pregnancy Research Centre, Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Nguyen TPH, Yong HEJ, Chollangi T, Brennecke SP, Fisher SJ, Wallace EM, Ebeling PR, Murthi P. Altered downstream target gene expression of the placental Vitamin D receptor in human idiopathic fetal growth restriction. Cell Cycle 2018; 17:182-190. [PMID: 29161966 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2017.1405193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects up to 5% of pregnancies and is associated with significant perinatal complications. Maternal deficiency of vitamin D, a secosteroid hormone, is common in FGR-affected pregnancies. We recently demonstrated that decreased expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in idiopathic FGR placentae could impair trophoblast growth. As strict regulation of cell-cycle genes in trophoblast cells is critical for optimal feto-placental growth, we hypothesised that pathologically decreased placental VDR contributes to aberrant regulation of cell-cycle genes. The study aims were to (i) identify the downstream cell-cycle regulatory genes of VDR in trophoblast cells, and (ii) determine if expression was changed in cases of FGR. Targeted cell-cycle gene cDNA arrays were used to screen for downstream targets of VDR in VDR siRNA-transfected BeWo and HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast-derived cell lines, and in third trimester placentae from FGR and gestation-matched control pregnancies (n = 25 each). The six candidate genes identified were CDKN2A, CDKN2D, HDAC4, HDAC6, TGFB2 and TGFB3. TGFB3 was prioritised for further validation, as its expression is largely unknown in FGR. Significantly reduced mRNA and protein expression of TGFB3 was verified in FGR placentae and the BeWo and HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cell lines, using real-time PCR and immunoblotting respectively. In summary, decreased placental VDR expression alters the expression of regulatory cell-cycle genes in FGR placentae. Aberrant regulation of cell-cycle genes in the placental trophoblast cells may constitute a mechanistic pathway by which decreased placental VDR reduces feto-placental growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thy P H Nguyen
- a Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre , The Royal Women's Hospital , Parkville , Australia.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Parkville , Australia
| | - Hannah E J Yong
- a Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre , The Royal Women's Hospital , Parkville , Australia.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Parkville , Australia
| | - Tejasvy Chollangi
- a Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre , The Royal Women's Hospital , Parkville , Australia.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Parkville , Australia
| | - Shaun P Brennecke
- a Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre , The Royal Women's Hospital , Parkville , Australia.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Parkville , Australia
| | - Susan J Fisher
- c Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , USA.,d The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , USA.,e Department of Anatomy , University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , USA
| | - Euan M Wallace
- f Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Monash University , Clayton , Australia.,g The Ritchie Centre , The Hudson Institute for Medical Research , Clayton , Australia
| | - Peter R Ebeling
- h Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science , Western Health , St Albans , Australia.,i Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences , Monash University , Clayton , Australia
| | - Padma Murthi
- a Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Pregnancy Research Centre , The Royal Women's Hospital , Parkville , Australia.,b Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , The University of Melbourne , Parkville , Australia.,g The Ritchie Centre , The Hudson Institute for Medical Research , Clayton , Australia.,h Australian Institute of Musculoskeletal Science , Western Health , St Albans , Australia.,i Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences , Monash University , Clayton , Australia
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Increased methylation and decreased expression of homeobox genes TLX1, HOXA10 and DLX5 in human placenta are associated with trophoblast differentiation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4523. [PMID: 28674422 PMCID: PMC5495813 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04776-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Homeobox genes regulate embryonic and placental development, and are widely expressed in the human placenta, but their regulatory control by DNA methylation is unclear. DNA methylation analysis was performed on human placentae from first, second and third trimesters to determine methylation patterns of homeobox gene promoters across gestation. Most homeobox genes were hypo-methylated throughout gestation, suggesting that DNA methylation is not the primary mechanism involved in regulating HOX genes expression in the placenta. Nevertheless, several genes showed variable methylation patterns across gestation, with a general trend towards an increase in methylation over gestation. Three genes (TLX1, HOXA10 and DLX5) showed inverse gains of methylation with decreasing mRNA expression throughout pregnancy, supporting a role for DNA methylation in their regulation. Proteins encoded by these genes were primarily localised to the syncytiotrophoblast layer, and showed decreased expression later in gestation. siRNA mediated downregulation of DLX5, TLX1 and HOXA10 in primary term villous cytotrophoblast resulted in decreased proliferation and increased expression of differentiation markers, including ERVW-1. Our data suggest that loss of DLX5, TLX1 and HOXA10 expression in late gestation is required for proper placental differentiation and function.
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11
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Murthi P, Abumaree M, Kalionis B. Analysis of homeobox gene action may reveal novel angiogenic pathways in normal placental vasculature and in clinical pregnancy disorders associated with abnormal placental angiogenesis. Front Pharmacol 2014; 5:133. [PMID: 24926269 PMCID: PMC4045154 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox genes are essential for both the development of the blood and lymphatic vascular systems, as well as for their maintenance in the adult. Homeobox genes comprise an important family of transcription factors, which are characterized by a well conserved DNA binding motif; the homeodomain. The specificity of the homeodomain allows the transcription factor to bind to the promoter regions of batteries of target genes and thereby regulates their expression. Target genes identified for homeodomain proteins have been shown to control fundamental cell processes such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We and others have reported that homeobox genes are expressed in the placental vasculature, but our knowledge of their downstream target genes is limited. This review highlights the importance of studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which homeobox genes and their downstream targets may regulate important vascular cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, and endothelial tube formation, which are essential for placental vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. A better understanding of the molecular targets of homeobox genes may lead to new therapies for aberrant angiogenesis associated with clinically important pregnancy pathologies, including fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Murthi
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital Parkville, VIC, Australia ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne Parkville, VIC, Australia ; NorthWest Academic Centre, The University of Melbourne St. Albans, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohamed Abumaree
- College of Science and Health Professions, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bill Kalionis
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, Pregnancy Research Centre, The Royal Women's Hospital Parkville, VIC, Australia ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne Parkville, VIC, Australia
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