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Guan R, Cai R, Guo B, Wang Y, Zhao C. A Data-Driven Computational Framework for Assessing the Risk of Placental Exposure to Environmental Chemicals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:7770-7781. [PMID: 38665120 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
A computational framework based on placental gene networks was proposed in this work to improve the accuracy of the placental exposure risk assessment of environmental compounds. The framework quantitatively characterizes the ability of compounds to cross the placental barrier by systematically considering the interaction and pathway-level information on multiple placental transporters. As a result, probability scores were generated for 307 compounds crossing the placental barrier based on this framework. These scores were then used to categorize the compounds into different levels of transplacental transport range, creating a gradient partition. These probability scores not only facilitated a more intuitive understanding of a compound's ability to cross the placental barrier but also provided valuable information for predicting potential placental disruptors. Compounds with probability scores greater than 90% were considered to have significant transplacental transport potential, whereas those with probability scores less than 80% were classified as unlikely to cross the placental barrier. Furthermore, external validation set results showed that the probability score could accurately predict the compounds known to cross the placental barrier. In conclusion, the computational framework proposed in this study enhances the intuitive understanding of the ability of compounds to cross the placental barrier and opens up new avenues for assessing the placental exposure risk of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruining Guan
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Ruitong Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Binbin Guo
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Chunyan Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
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Flowers AE, Gonzalez TL, Wang Y, Santiskulvong C, Clark EL, Novoa A, Jefferies CA, Lawrenson K, Chan JL, Joshi NV, Zhu Y, Tseng HR, Wang ET, Ishimori M, Karumanchi SA, Williams J, Pisarska MD. High-throughput mRNA sequencing of human placenta shows sex differences across gestation. Placenta 2024; 150:8-21. [PMID: 38537412 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal sex affects fetal and maternal health outcomes in pregnancy, but this connection remains poorly understood. As the placenta is the route of fetomaternal communication and derives from the fetal genome, placental gene expression sex differences may explain these outcomes. OBJECTIVES We utilized next generation sequencing to study the normal human placenta in both sexes in first and third trimester to generate a normative transcriptome based on sex and gestation. STUDY DESIGN We analyzed 124 first trimester (T1, 59 female and 65 male) and 43 third trimester (T3, 18 female and 25 male) samples for sex differences within each trimester and sex-specific gestational differences. RESULTS Placenta shows more significant sexual dimorphism in T1, with 94 T1 and 26 T3 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The sex chromosomes contributed 60.6% of DEGs in T1 and 80.8% of DEGs in T3, excluding X/Y pseudoautosomal regions. There were 6 DEGs from the pseudoautosomal regions, only significant in T1 and all upregulated in males. The distribution of DEGs on the X chromosome suggests genes on Xp (the short arm) may be particularly important in placental sex differences. Dosage compensation analysis of X/Y homolog genes shows expression is primarily contributed by the X chromosome. In sex-specific analyses of first versus third trimester, there were 2815 DEGs common to both sexes upregulated in T1, and 3263 common DEGs upregulated in T3. There were 7 female-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T1, 15 female-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T3, 10 male-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T1, and 20 male-exclusive DEGs upregulated in T3. DISCUSSION This is the largest cohort of placentas across gestation from healthy pregnancies defining the normative sex dimorphic gene expression and sex common, sex specific and sex exclusive gene expression across gestation. The first trimester has the most sexually dimorphic transcripts, and the majority were upregulated in females compared to males in both trimesters. The short arm of the X chromosome and the pseudoautosomal region is particularly critical in defining sex differences in the first trimester placenta. As pregnancy is a dynamic state, sex specific DEGs across gestation may contribute to sex dimorphic changes in overall outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Flowers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Tania L Gonzalez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Yizhou Wang
- Computational Biomedicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Chintda Santiskulvong
- CS Cancer Applied Genomics Shared Resource, CS Cancer, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Ekaterina L Clark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Allynson Novoa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Caroline A Jefferies
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Kate Lawrenson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jessica L Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Nikhil V Joshi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Yazhen Zhu
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA; California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Hsian-Rong Tseng
- California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Erica T Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Mariko Ishimori
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - S Ananth Karumanchi
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - John Williams
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Margareta D Pisarska
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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Owen DM, Kwon M, Huang X, Nagari A, Nandu T, Kraus WL. Genome-wide identification of transcriptional enhancers during human placental development and association with function, differentiation, and disease†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:965-981. [PMID: 37694817 PMCID: PMC10724456 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad119] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a dynamic organ that must perform a remarkable variety of functions during its relatively short existence in order to support a developing fetus. These functions include nutrient delivery, gas exchange, waste removal, hormone production, and immune barrier protection. Proper placenta development and function are critical for healthy pregnancy outcomes, but the underlying genomic regulatory events that control this process remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that mapping sites of transcriptional enhancer activity and associated changes in gene expression across gestation in human placenta tissue would identify genomic loci and predicted transcription factor activity related to critical placenta functions. We used a suite of genomic assays [i.e., RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), Precision run-on-sequencing (PRO-seq), and Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq)] and computational pipelines to identify a set of >20 000 enhancers that are active at various time points in gestation. Changes in the activity of these enhancers correlate with changes in gene expression. In addition, some of these enhancers encode risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. We further show that integrating enhancer activity, transcription factor motif analysis, and transcription factor expression can identify distinct sets of transcription factors predicted to be more active either in early pregnancy or at term. Knockdown of selected identified transcription factors in a trophoblast stem cell culture model altered the expression of key placental marker genes. These observations provide a framework for future mechanistic studies of individual enhancer-transcription factor-target gene interactions and have the potential to inform genetic risk prediction for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Owen
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Minjung Kwon
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xuan Huang
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Anusha Nagari
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tulip Nandu
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - W Lee Kraus
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Chen Z, Peeters RP, Flach W, de Rooij LJ, Yildiz S, Teumer A, Nauck M, Sterenborg RBTM, Rutten JHW, Medici M, Edward Visser W, Meima ME. Novel (sulfated) thyroid hormone transporters in the solute carrier 22 family. Eur Thyroid J 2023; 12:e230023. [PMID: 37074673 PMCID: PMC10305468 DOI: 10.1530/etj-23-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Thyroid hormone (TH) transport represents a critical first step in governing intracellular TH regulation. It is still unknown whether the full repertoire of TH transporters has been identified. Members of the solute carrier (SLC) 22 family have substrates in common with the known TH transporters of the organic anion-transporting peptide family. Therefore, we screened the SLC22 family for TH transporters. Methods Uptake of 1 nM of iodothyronines or sulfated iodothyronines in COS1 cells expressing SLC22 proteins was performed. Results We first tested 25 mouse (m) SLC22 proteins for TH uptake and found that the majority of the organic anion transporter (OAT) clade were capable of 3,3',5-triiodothyronine and/or thyroxine (T4) transport. Based on phylogenetic tree analysis of the mouse and human (h) SLC22 family, we selected eight hSLC22s that grouped with the newly identified mouse TH transporters. Of these, four tested positive for uptake of one or more substrates, particularly hSLC22A11 showed robust (3-fold over control) uptake of T4. Uptake of sulfated iodothyronines was strongly (up to 17-fold) induced by some SLC22s, most notably SLC22A8, hSLC22A9, mSLC22A27 and mSLC22A29. Finally, the zebrafish orthologues of SLC22A6/8 drOatx and drSlc22a6l also transported almost all (sulfated) iodothyronines tested. The OAT inhibitors lesinurad and probenecid inhibited most SLC22 proteins. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that members of the OAT clade of the SLC22 family constitute a novel, evolutionary conserved group of transporters for (sulfated) iodothyronines. Future studies should reveal the relevance of these transporters in TH homeostasis and physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongli Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robin P Peeters
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wesley Flach
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Linda J de Rooij
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sena Yildiz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Teumer
- Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Matthias Nauck
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rosalie B T M Sterenborg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Joost H W Rutten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Medici
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W Edward Visser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel E Meima
- Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Centre for Thyroid Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Li Q, Lesseur C, Srirangam P, Kaur K, Hermetz K, Caudle WM, Fiedler N, Panuwet P, Prapamontol T, Naksen W, Suttiwan P, Baumert BO, Hao K, Barr DB, Marsit CJ, Chen J. Associations between prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure and placental gene networks. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 224:115490. [PMID: 36828252 PMCID: PMC10054353 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115490] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides during pregnancy has been linked to deficiencies of neurobehavioral development in childhood; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this association remain elusive. The placenta plays a crucial role in protecting the fetus from environmental insults and safeguarding proper fetal development including neurodevelopment. The aim of our study is to evaluate changes in the placental transcriptome associated with prenatal OP exposure. METHODS Pregnant farm workers from two agricultural districts in northern Thailand were recruited for the Study of Asian Women and Offspring's Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE) from 2017 to 2019. For 254 participants, we measured maternal urinary concentrations of six nonspecific dialkyl phosphates (DAP) metabolites in early, middle, and late pregnancy. In parallel, we profiled the term placental transcriptome from the same participants using RNA-Sequencing and performed Weighted Gene co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Generalized linear regression modeling was used to examine associations of urinary OP metabolites and placental co-expression module eigenvalues. RESULTS We identified 21 gene co-expression modules in the placenta. From the six DAP metabolites assayed, diethylphosphate (DEP) and diethylthiophosphate (DETP) were detected in more than 70% of the urine samples. Significant associations between DEP at multiple time points and two specific placental gene modules were observed. The 'black' module, enriched in genes involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxia, was negatively associated with DEP in early (p = 0.034), and late pregnancies (p = 0.016). The 'lightgreen' module, enriched in genes involved in myogenesis and EMT, was negatively associated with DEP in late pregnancy (p = 0.010). We observed 2 hub genes (CELSR1 and PYCR1) of the 'black' module to be negatively associated with DEP in early and late pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that prenatal OP exposure may disrupt placental gene networks in a time-dependent manner. Such transcriptomic effects may lead to down-stream changes in placental function that ultimately affect the developing fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Corina Lesseur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pranathi Srirangam
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Barnard College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kirtan Kaur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - W Michael Caudle
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nancy Fiedler
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Parinya Panuwet
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tippawan Prapamontol
- Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Warangkana Naksen
- Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Panrapee Suttiwan
- Psychology Center of Life-span Development and Intergeneration (LIFE Di), Faculty of Psychology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Brittney O Baumert
- Department of Population and Public Health Science, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90032, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dana Boyd Barr
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Thyroid Hormone Transporters in Pregnancy and Fetal Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315113. [PMID: 36499435 PMCID: PMC9737226 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormone is essential for fetal (brain) development. Plasma membrane transporters control the intracellular bioavailability of thyroid hormone. In the past few decades, 15 human thyroid hormone transporters have been identified, and among them, mutations in monocarboxylate transporter (MCT)8 and organic anion transporting peptide (OATP)1C1 are associated with clinical phenotypes. Different animal and human models have been employed to unravel the (patho)-physiological role of thyroid hormone transporters. However, most studies on thyroid hormone transporters focus on postnatal development. This review summarizes the research on the thyroid hormone transporters in pregnancy and fetal development, including their substrate preference, expression and tissue distribution, and physiological and pathophysiological role in thyroid homeostasis and clinical disorders. As the fetus depends on the maternal thyroid hormone supply, especially during the first half of pregnancy, the review also elaborates on thyroid hormone transport across the human placental barrier. Future studies may reveal how the different transporters contribute to thyroid hormone homeostasis in fetal tissues to properly facilitate development. Employing state-of-the-art human models will enable a better understanding of their roles in thyroid hormone homeostasis.
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Crump LS, Kines KT, Richer JK, Lyons TR. Breast cancers co-opt normal mechanisms of tolerance to promote immune evasion and metastasis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C1475-C1495. [PMID: 36189970 PMCID: PMC9662806 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00189.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Normal developmental processes, such as those seen during embryonic development and postpartum mammary gland involution, can be reactivated by cancer cells to promote immune suppression, tumor growth, and metastatic spread. In mammalian embryos, paternal-derived antigens are at risk of being recognized as foreign by the maternal immune system. Suppression of the maternal immune response toward the fetus, which is mediated in part by the trophoblast, is critical to ensure embryonic survival and development. The postpartum mammary microenvironment also exhibits immunosuppressive mechanisms accompanying the massive cell death and tissue remodeling that occurs during mammary gland involution. These normal immunosuppressive mechanisms are paralleled during malignant transformation, where tumors can develop neoantigens that may be recognized as foreign by the immune system. To circumvent this, tumors can dedifferentiate and co-opt immune-suppressive mechanisms normally utilized during fetal tolerance and postpartum mammary involution. In this review, we discuss those similarities and how they can inform our understanding of cancer progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey S Crump
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Kelsey T Kines
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Young Women's Breast Cancer Translational Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jennifer K Richer
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Traci R Lyons
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Young Women's Breast Cancer Translational Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado
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Marable CA, Roell K, Kuban K, O’Shea TM, Fry RC. Placental transcriptional signatures associated with cerebral white matter damage in the neonate. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1017953. [PMID: 36389237 PMCID: PMC9650394 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1017953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebral white matter is the most common anatomic location of neonatal brain injury in preterm newborns. Factors that predispose preterm newborns to white matter damage are understudied. In relation to studies of the placenta-brain-axis, dysregulated placental gene expression may play a role in preterm brain damage given its implication in programming early life origins of disease, including neurological disorders. There is a critical need to investigate the relationships between the placental transcriptome and white matter damage in the neonate. In a cohort of extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs), we aimed to investigate the relationship between the placental transcriptome and white matter damage as assessed by neonatal cranial ultrasound studies (echolucency and/or ventriculomegaly). We hypothesized that genes involved in inflammatory processes would be more highly expressed in placentas of ELGANs who developed ultrasound-defined indicators of white matter damage. Relative to either form of white matter damage, 659 placental genes displayed altered transcriptional profiles. Of these white matter damage-associated genes, largely distinct patterns of gene expression were observed in the study (n = 415/659 genes). Specifically, 381 genes were unique to echolucency and 34 genes were unique to ventriculomegaly. Pathways involved in hormone disruption and metabolism were identified among the unique echolucency or ventriculomegaly genes. Interestingly, a common set of 244 genes or 37% of all genes was similarly dysregulated in the placenta relative to both echolucency and ventriculomegaly. For this common set of white matter damage-related genes, pathways involved in inflammation, immune response and apoptosis, were enriched. Among the white matter damage-associated genes are genes known to be involved in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and endocrine system disorders. These data highlight differential mRNA expression patterning in the placenta and provide insight into potential etiologic factors that may predispose preterm newborns to white matter damage. Future studies will build upon this work to include functional measures of neurodevelopment as well as measures of brain volume later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Amelia Marable
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Kyle Roell
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gilling School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Karl Kuban
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - T. Michael O’Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rebecca C. Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gilling School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Östling H, Lodefalk M, Backman H, Kruse R. Global microRNA and protein expression in human term placenta. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:952827. [PMID: 36330066 PMCID: PMC9622934 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.952827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Description of the global expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins in healthy human term placentas may increase our knowledge of molecular biological pathways that are important for normal fetal growth and development in term pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore the global expression of miRNAs and proteins, and to point out functions of importance in healthy term placentas. Materials and methods Placental samples (n = 19) were identified in a local biobank. All samples were from uncomplicated term pregnancies with vaginal births and healthy, normal weight newborns. Next-generation sequencing and nano-scale liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometry were used to analyse miRNA and protein expression, respectively. Results A total of 895 mature miRNAs and 6,523 proteins were detected in the placentas, of which 123 miRNAs and 346 proteins were highly abundant. The miRNAs were in high degree mapped to chromosomes 19, 14, and X. Analysis of the highly abundant miRNAs and proteins showed several significantly predicted functions in common, including immune and inflammatory response, lipid metabolism and development of the nervous system. Discussion The predicted function inflammatory response may reflect normal vaginal delivery, while lipid metabolism and neurodevelopment may be important processes for the term fetus. The data presented in this study, with complete miRNA and protein findings, will enhance the knowledge base for future research in the field of placental function and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Östling
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Hanna Östling,
| | - Maria Lodefalk
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Helena Backman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Robert Kruse
- iRiSC - Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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10
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Dynamic genome-wide gene expression and immune cell composition in the developing human placenta. J Reprod Immunol 2022; 151:103624. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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11
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Diniz WJ, Reynolds LP, Ward AK, Borowicz PP, Sedivec KK, McCarthy KL, Kassetas CJ, Baumgaertner F, Kirsch JD, Dorsam ST, Neville TL, Forcherio JC, Scott RR, Caton JS, Dahlen CR. Untangling the placentome gene network of beef heifers in early gestation. Genomics 2022; 114:110274. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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12
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Paquette AG, MacDonald J, Lapehn S, Bammler T, Kruger L, Day DB, Price ND, Loftus C, Kannan K, Marsit C, Mason WA, Bush NR, LeWinn KZ, Enquobahrie DA, Prasad B, Karr CJ, Sathyanarayana S. A Comprehensive Assessment of Associations between Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and the Placental Transcriptomic Landscape. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2021; 129:97003. [PMID: 34478338 PMCID: PMC8415559 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phthalates are commonly used endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are ubiquitous in the general population. Prenatal phthalate exposure may alter placental physiology and fetal development, leading to adverse perinatal and childhood health outcomes. OBJECTIVE We examined associations between prenatal phthalate exposure in the second and third trimesters and the placental transcriptome at birth, including genes and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), to gain insight into potential mechanisms of action during fetal development. METHODS The ECHO PATHWAYs consortium quantified 21 urinary phthalate metabolites from 760 women enrolled in the CANDLE study (Shelby County, TN) using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Placental transcriptomic data were obtained using paired-end RNA sequencing. Linear models were fitted to estimate separate associations between maternal urinary phthalate metabolite concentration during the second and third trimester and placental gene expression at birth, adjusted for confounding variables. Genes were considered differentially expressed at a Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) p<0.05. Associations between phthalate metabolites and biological pathways were identified using self-contained gene set testing and considered significantly altered with an FDR-adjusted p<0.2. RESULTS We observed significant associations between second-trimester phthalate metabolites mono (carboxyisooctyl) phthalate (MCIOP), mono-2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl phthalate, and mono-2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl phthalate and 18 genes in total, including four lncRNAs. Specifically, placental expression of NEAT1 was associated with multiple phthalate metabolites. Third-trimester MCIOP and mono-isobutyl phthalate concentrations were significantly associated with placental expression of 18 genes and two genes, respectively. Expression of genes within 27 biological pathways was associated with mono-methyl phthalate, MCIOP, and monoethyl phthalate concentrations. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, this is the first genome-wide assessment of the relationship between the placental transcriptome at birth and prenatal phthalate exposure in a large and diverse birth cohort. We identified numerous genes and lncRNAs associated with prenatal phthalate exposure. These associations mirror findings from other epidemiological and in vitro analyses and may provide insight into biological pathways affected in utero by phthalate exposure. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8973.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison G. Paquette
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Samantha Lapehn
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Theo Bammler
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laken Kruger
- Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA
| | - Drew B. Day
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nathan D. Price
- Institute For Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Onegevity Health, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - W. Alex Mason
- University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Nicole R. Bush
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco California, USA
| | - Kaja Z. LeWinn
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco California, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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13
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Overexpression of ERAP2N in Human Trophoblast Cells Promotes Cell Death. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168585. [PMID: 34445292 PMCID: PMC8395336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The genes involved in implantation and placentation are tightly regulated to ensure a healthy pregnancy. The endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) gene is associated with preeclampsia (PE). Our studies have determined that an isoform of ERAP2-arginine (N), expressed in trophoblast cells (TC), significantly activates immune cells, and ERAP2N-expressing TCs are preferentially killed by both cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and Natural Killer cells (NKCs). To understand the cause of this phenomenon, we surveyed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ERAP2N expressing and non-expressing TCs. Our RNAseq data revealed 581 total DEGs between the two groups. 289 genes were up-regulated, and 292 genes were down-regulated. Interestingly, most of the down-regulated genes of significance were pro-survival genes that play a crucial role in cell survival (LDHA, EGLN1, HLA-C, ITGB5, WNT7A, FN1). However, the down-regulation of these genes in ERAP2N-expressing TCs translates into a propensity for cell death. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that 64 DEGs were significantly enriched in nine pathways, including “Protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum” and “Antigen processing and presentation”, suggesting that the genes may be associated with peptide processes involved in immune recognition during the reproductive cycle.
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14
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Jaremek A, Jeyarajah MJ, Jaju Bhattad G, Renaud SJ. Omics Approaches to Study Formation and Function of Human Placental Syncytiotrophoblast. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:674162. [PMID: 34211975 PMCID: PMC8240757 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.674162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper development of the placenta is vital for pregnancy success. The placenta regulates exchange of nutrients and gases between maternal and fetal blood and produces hormones essential to maintain pregnancy. The placental cell lineage primarily responsible for performing these functions is a multinucleated entity called syncytiotrophoblast. Syncytiotrophoblast is continuously replenished throughout pregnancy by fusion of underlying progenitor cells called cytotrophoblasts. Dysregulated syncytiotrophoblast formation disrupts the integrity of the placental exchange surface, which can be detrimental to maternal and fetal health. Moreover, various factors produced by syncytiotrophoblast enter into maternal circulation, where they profoundly impact maternal physiology and are promising diagnostic indicators of pregnancy health. Despite the multifunctional importance of syncytiotrophoblast for pregnancy success, there is still much to learn about how its formation is regulated in normal and diseased states. ‘Omics’ approaches are gaining traction in many fields to provide a more holistic perspective of cell, tissue, and organ function. Herein, we review human syncytiotrophoblast development and current model systems used for its study, discuss how ‘omics’ strategies have been used to provide multidimensional insights into its formation and function, and highlight limitations of current platforms as well as consider future avenues for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Jaremek
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mariyan J Jeyarajah
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gargi Jaju Bhattad
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Renaud
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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15
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Yong HEJ, Chan SY. Current approaches and developments in transcript profiling of the human placenta. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 26:799-840. [PMID: 33043357 PMCID: PMC7600289 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is the active interface between mother and foetus, bearing the molecular marks of rapid development and exposures in utero. The placenta is routinely discarded at delivery, providing a valuable resource to explore maternal-offspring health and disease in pregnancy. Genome-wide profiling of the human placental transcriptome provides an unbiased approach to study normal maternal–placental–foetal physiology and pathologies. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE To date, many studies have examined the human placental transcriptome, but often within a narrow focus. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of human placental transcriptome studies, encompassing those from the cellular to tissue levels and contextualize current findings from a broader perspective. We have consolidated studies into overarching themes, summarized key research findings and addressed important considerations in study design, as a means to promote wider data sharing and support larger meta-analysis of already available data and greater collaboration between researchers in order to fully capitalize on the potential of transcript profiling in future studies. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed database, National Center for Biotechnology Information and European Bioinformatics Institute dataset repositories were searched, to identify all relevant human studies using ‘placenta’, ‘decidua’, ‘trophoblast’, ‘transcriptome’, ‘microarray’ and ‘RNA sequencing’ as search terms until May 2019. Additional studies were found from bibliographies of identified studies. OUTCOMES The 179 identified studies were classifiable into four broad themes: healthy placental development, pregnancy complications, exposures during pregnancy and in vitro placental cultures. The median sample size was 13 (interquartile range 8–29). Transcriptome studies prior to 2015 were predominantly performed using microarrays, while RNA sequencing became the preferred choice in more recent studies. Development of fluidics technology, combined with RNA sequencing, has enabled transcript profiles to be generated of single cells throughout pregnancy, in contrast to previous studies relying on isolated cells. There are several key study aspects, such as sample selection criteria, sample processing and data analysis methods that may represent pitfalls and limitations, which need to be carefully considered as they influence interpretation of findings and conclusions. Furthermore, several areas of growing importance, such as maternal mental health and maternal obesity are understudied and the profiling of placentas from these conditions should be prioritized. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Integrative analysis of placental transcriptomics with other ‘omics’ (methylome, proteome and metabolome) and linkage with future outcomes from longitudinal studies is crucial in enhancing knowledge of healthy placental development and function, and in enabling the underlying causal mechanisms of pregnancy complications to be identified. Such understanding could help in predicting risk of future adversity and in designing interventions that can improve the health outcomes of both mothers and their offspring. Wider collaboration and sharing of placental transcriptome data, overcoming the challenges in obtaining sufficient numbers of quality samples with well-defined clinical characteristics, and dedication of resources to understudied areas of pregnancy will undoubtedly help drive the field forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E J Yong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shiao-Yng Chan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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16
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Eaves L, Phookphan P, Rager J, Bangma J, Santos HP, Smeester L, O'Shea TM, Fry R. A role for microRNAs in the epigenetic control of sexually dimorphic gene expression in the human placenta. Epigenomics 2020; 12:1543-1558. [PMID: 32901510 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The contribution of miRNAs as epigenetic regulators of sexually dimorphic gene expression in the placenta is unknown. Materials & methods: 382 placentas from the extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGAN) cohort were evaluated for expression levels of 37,268 mRNAs and 2,102 miRNAs using genome-wide RNA-sequencing. Differential expression analysis was used to identify differences in the expression based on the sex of the fetus. Results: Sexually dimorphic expression was observed for 128 mRNAs and 59 miRNAs. A set of 25 miRNA master regulators was identified that likely contribute to the sexual dimorphic mRNA expression. Conclusion: These data highlight sex-dependent miRNA and mRNA patterning in the placenta and provide insight into a potential mechanism for observed sex differences in outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Eaves
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Preeyaphan Phookphan
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
| | - Julia Rager
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jacqueline Bangma
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Hudson P Santos
- Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lisa Smeester
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Thomas Michael O'Shea
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Rebecca Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Institute for Environmental Health Solutions, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Curriculum in Toxicology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Hirata AHDL, Rocha LADJ, da Silva VA, de Almeida RJ, Bacigalupo LDS, Varela P, Martins L, Pesquero JB, Dellê H, Camacho CP. Circulating RNA Transcriptome of Pregnant Women with TSH Just Above the Trimester-Specific Reference and its Correlation with the Hypertensive Phenotype. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6439. [PMID: 32296081 PMCID: PMC7160149 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63040-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
During gestation, a woman’s body undergoes physiological changes that alter thyroid function. Pregnant women with hypothyroidism may exhibit gestational complications, including hypertension and preeclampsia. We investigated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in circulating RNAs from pregnant women with TSH levels just above the normal range to determine the impact of a mild elevation of TSH in pregnancy. We selected three women with healthy thyroid pregnancy (HTP), three pregnant women with gestational hypothyroidism (GHT), and three nonpregnant women (NPG) to construct transcriptome libraries. We also compared our results with data from the GEO dataset and DisGeNET. We identified 1500 DEG in GHT and 1656 DEG in HTP. From GEO dataset, we recognized 453 DEGs in trimester-specific plasma RNA, 1263 DEGs in placental tissues from healthy women, 1031 DEGs from preeclamptic uteroplacental tissues and 1657 DEGs from placental tissues from severely preeclamptic women. In this scenario, 12.26% and 12.86% genes were shared between these datasets in GHT and HTP, respectively. We stablished 62 genes in GHT DEGs related to hypertensive phenotype hallmarks. In conclusion, even in women with a mild TSH increment, we were able to detect some DEGs that could be associated with a hypertensive phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa Harumy de Lima Hirata
- Molecular Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (Uninove), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz Antônio de Jesus Rocha
- Molecular Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (Uninove), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Valdelena Alessandra da Silva
- Molecular Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (Uninove), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Robson José de Almeida
- Molecular Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (Uninove), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lucas Dos Santos Bacigalupo
- Molecular Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (Uninove), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Conjunto Hospitalar do Mandaqui, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Varela
- Center for Research and Molecular Diagnostic of Genetic Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Martins
- Center for Research and Molecular Diagnostic of Genetic Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João Bosco Pesquero
- Center for Research and Molecular Diagnostic of Genetic Diseases, Department of Biophysics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Humberto Dellê
- Molecular Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (Uninove), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Cleber Pinto Camacho
- Molecular Innovation and Biotechnology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho (Uninove), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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Fedorka CE, Loux SL, Scoggin KE, Adams AA, Troedsson MHT, Ball BA. Alterations in T cell-related transcripts at the feto-maternal interface throughout equine gestation. Placenta 2019; 89:78-87. [PMID: 31730925 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The tolerance of pregnancy by the maternal immune system is balanced between recognition and protection. In the human this is controlled by balancing helper T cell populations (Th1, Th2) in addition to immune suppression from the regulatory arm (Tregs), but this has not been evaluated in the horse. METHODS RNA sequencing was performed on chorioallantois and endometrium of mares at 120, 180, 300 and 330 days of gestation (n = 4/stage), as well as 45-day chorioallantois (n = 4) and diestrus endometrium (n = 3). Transcripts were selected for relativity to Th1, Th2, or Treg-associated. qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm the results of select differentially expressed genes. RESULTS In the endometrium, Th1 transcripts were highest in the diestrus mare and decreased as gestational length progressed. In contrast, Th2 transcripts were upregulated in comparison to the diestrus mare and highest in mid gestation. Treg transcripts were found increased in comparison to the diestrus mare, but decreased prepartum. In the chorioallantois no Th1 transcripts changed. The majority of Th2 transcripts increased from 45 to 300 days gestation, and then decreased prepartum. Treg-related transcripts trended down in the chorioallantois from 45 days to 120 days gestation, followed by an upregulation to 300 days and a secondary decline prepartum. DISCUSSION The mare experiences a complex and evolving immune profile within the tissues of the feto-maternal interface. This consists of a balance between the Th1 and Th2 response, and a dynamic Treg response that is hypothesized to regulate overall events within the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Fedorka
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - S L Loux
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - K E Scoggin
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - A A Adams
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - M H T Troedsson
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - B A Ball
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
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Pereyra S, Sosa C, Bertoni B, Sapiro R. Transcriptomic analysis of fetal membranes reveals pathways involved in preterm birth. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:53. [PMID: 30935390 PMCID: PMC6444860 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-019-0498-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preterm birth (PTB), defined as infant delivery before 37 weeks of completed gestation, results from the interaction of both genetic and environmental components and constitutes a complex multifactorial syndrome. Transcriptome analysis of PTB has proven challenging because of the multiple causes of PTB and the numerous maternal and fetal gestational tissues that must interact to facilitate parturition. The transcriptome of the chorioamnion membranes at the site of rupture in PTB and term fetuses may reflect the molecular pathways of preterm labor. Methods In this work, chorioamnion membranes from severe preterm and term fetuses were analyzed using RNA sequencing. Functional annotations and pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes were performed with the GAGE and GOSeq packages. A subset of differentially expressed genes in PTB was validated in a larger cohort using qRT-PCR and by comparing our results with genes and pathways previously reported in the literature. Results A total of 270 genes were differentially expressed (DE): 252 were upregulated and 18 were down-regulated in severe preterm births relative to term births. Inflammatory and immunological pathways were upregulated in PTB. Both types of pathways were previously suggested to lead to PTB. Pathways that were not previously reported in PTB, such as the hemopoietic pathway, appeared upregulated in preterm membranes. A group of 18 downregulated genes discriminated between term and severe preterm cases. These genes potentially characterize a severe preterm transcriptome pattern and therefore are candidate genes for understanding the syndrome. Some of the downregulated genes are involved in the nervous system, morphogenesis (WNT1, DLX5, PAPPA2) and ion channel complexes (KCNJ16, KCNB1), making them good candidates as biomarkers of PTB. Conclusions The identification of this DE gene pattern will help with the development of a multi-gene disease classifier. These markers were generated in an admixed South American population in which PTB has a high incidence. Since the genetic background may differentially impact different populations, it is necessary to include populations such as those from South America and Africa, which are usually excluded from high-throughput approaches. These classifiers should be compared to those in other populations to obtain a global landscape of PTB. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12920-019-0498-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Pereyra
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Av. General Flores 2125, C.P, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Claudio Sosa
- Clínica Ginecotologica "C", Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Bvar. General Artigas 1590, C:P.11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Bernardo Bertoni
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Av. General Flores 2125, C.P, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rossana Sapiro
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Av. General Flores 2125, C.P, 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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20
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Rempel LA, Krautkramer MM, Parrish JJ, Miles JR. Impact of seasonality, storage of semen, and sperm head-shape on whole tissue methylation and expression of methylation responsive candidate genes in swine placenta and fetal livers from summer and winter breedings. Mol Reprod Dev 2019; 86:465-475. [PMID: 30767330 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics includes the study of external factors that can influence the expression of genes by altering the accessibility of DNA through methylation. To investigate the epigenetic influence of season, sperm head shape, and semen storage on placental and fetal tissues, pregnancies were generated in the summer or winter using boar semen from either least or most sperm head shape change, collected during cool or warm seasons, and stored as cooled-extended or cryopreserved. The lowest (p < 0.05) ratios of 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine activity (5mC:5hmC) in fetal liver were from summer breedings and in placental tissues from winter breedings. The relative expression of placental CDH1 tended ( p < 0.10) to be greater in placenta generated from cryopreserved semen or semen collected during cool periods. The relative expression of placental GNAS was affected ( p < 0.05) by the interaction of breeding and semen collection seasons. Cryopreserved semen increased ( p < 0.05) the placental relative expression of GNAS. Placental MEST and RHOBTB3 tended ( p < 0.10) to have a greater relative expression from pregnancies generated using semen collected during cool periods used during winter breedings. Within fetal liver, the relative expression of GNAS and HGF was greater ( p < 0.05) from winter breedings. Interaction of winter breedings and least sperm head shape change tended ( p < 0.10) to have the greatest fetal liver expression of CDH1. Seasonality of semen collection, breeding, and the effect on sperm head shape change had an influence on the expression of genes with known differentially methylated regions or response to methylation activity from embryonic and extraembryonic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea A Rempel
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska
| | | | - John J Parrish
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jeremy R Miles
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska
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21
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Nogues P, Dos Santos E, Jammes H, Berveiller P, Arnould L, Vialard F, Dieudonné MN. Maternal obesity influences expression and DNA methylation of the adiponectin and leptin systems in human third-trimester placenta. Clin Epigenetics 2019; 11:20. [PMID: 30732639 PMCID: PMC6367801 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-019-0612-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well established that obesity is associated with dysregulation of the ratio between the two major adipokines leptin and adiponectin. Furthermore, it was recently reported that maternal obesity has a significant impact on placental development. Leptin and adiponectin are present at the fetal-maternal interface and are involved in the development of a functional placenta. However, less is known about leptin and adiponectin's involvement in the placental alterations described in obese women. Hence, the objective of the present study was to characterize the placental expression and DNA methylation of these two adipokine systems (ligands and receptors) in obese women. RESULTS Biopsies were collected from the fetal and maternal sides of third-trimester placenta in obese and non-obese (control) women. In both groups, leptin levels were higher on the fetal side than the maternal side, suggesting that this cytokine has a pivotal role in fetal growth. Secondly, maternal obesity (in the absence of gestational diabetes) was associated with (i) elevated DNA methylation of the leptin promoter on fetal side only, (ii) hypomethylation of the adiponectin promoter on the maternal side only, (iii) significantly low levels of leptin receptor protein (albeit in the absence of differences in mRNA levels and promoter DNA methylation), (iv) significantly low levels of adiponectin receptor 1 mRNA expression on the maternal side only, and (v) elevated DNA methylation of the adiponectin receptor 2 promoter on the maternal side only. CONCLUSION Our present results showed that maternal obesity is associated with the downregulation of both leptin/adiponectin systems in term placenta, and thus a loss of the beneficial effects of these two adipokines on placental development. Maternal obesity was also associated with epigenetic changes in leptin and adiponectin systems; this highlighted the molecular mechanisms involved in the placenta's adaptation to a harmful maternal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perrine Nogues
- GIG-EA 7404, Université de Versailles-St Quentin, Université Paris-Saclay, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, 2 avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, F-78180, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Esther Dos Santos
- GIG-EA 7404, Université de Versailles-St Quentin, Université Paris-Saclay, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, 2 avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, F-78180, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.,Service de Biologie Médicale, Centre Hospitalier de Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Poissy, France
| | - Hélène Jammes
- UMR BDR, INRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - Paul Berveiller
- GIG-EA 7404, Université de Versailles-St Quentin, Université Paris-Saclay, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, 2 avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, F-78180, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.,Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Centre Hospitalier de Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Poissy, France
| | - Lucie Arnould
- GIG-EA 7404, Université de Versailles-St Quentin, Université Paris-Saclay, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, 2 avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, F-78180, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - François Vialard
- GIG-EA 7404, Université de Versailles-St Quentin, Université Paris-Saclay, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, 2 avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, F-78180, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.,Département de Biologie de la Reproduction, Cytogénétique, Centre Hospitalier de Poissy-Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Poissy, France
| | - Marie-Noëlle Dieudonné
- GIG-EA 7404, Université de Versailles-St Quentin, Université Paris-Saclay, Unité de Formation et de Recherche des Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, 2 avenue de la Source de la Bièvre, F-78180, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.
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22
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Li J, Tong C, Xu P, Wang L, Han TL, Wen L, Luo X, Tan B, Zhu F, Gui S, Gao R, Qi H, Baker PN. QSOX1 regulates trophoblastic apoptosis in preeclampsia through hydrogen peroxide production. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2018; 32:3708-3715. [PMID: 29712536 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1471459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE), by inducing trophoblast cell death and consequent placental dysfunction. Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1) is upregulated in many types of cancer cells; it promotes disulfide bond formation as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. The aims of present study are to investigate the expression pattern of QSOX1 in placentae of pregnancies complicated by PE and the role of QSOX1 in the regulation of trophoblastic function, thus providing in-depth understanding of the putative involvement of QSOX1 in the development of PE. Methods: Human term placenta from normal pregnancies and from pregnancies complicated by PE was collected to measure QSOX1 expression and H2O2 levels. Down-regulation of QSOX1 in HTR-8/SVneo cells was achieved by siRNA interference. An in vitro cellular PE model was generated by hypoxic incubation. Protein expression levels were assessed by Western blotting, and H2O2 levels were determined in the cell culture medium as well as in the cell lysate. Trophoblast apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL staining. Results: QSOX1 was overexpressed in the PE placenta. Inhibition of QSOX1 expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells attenuated cell apoptosis and intracellular H2O2 levels. Hypoxia-induced QSOX1 expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells and led to apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells, and knock-down of QSOX1 rescued hypoxia-induced trophoblast apoptosis. Conclusions: Hypoxia-induced upregulation of QSOX1 and a consequent elevation in intracellular H2O2 increased apoptosis in placentae of pregnancies complicated by PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Li
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,c State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Chao Tong
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,c State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Ping Xu
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,c State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Lianlian Wang
- d Department of Reproduction Health and Infertility , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Ting-Li Han
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,e Liggins Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Li Wen
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Xiaofang Luo
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Bin Tan
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Fangyu Zhu
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Shunping Gui
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Rufei Gao
- b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,f Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health and Management , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Hongbo Qi
- a Department of Obstetrics , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,c State Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine of Chongqing Municipality , the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China
| | - Philip N Baker
- b International Collaborative Joint Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of Ministry of Education of China , Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing , China.,e Liggins Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand.,g College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology , University of Leicester , Leicester , United Kingdom
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23
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Vora NL, Hui L. Next-generation sequencing and prenatal 'omics: advanced diagnostics and new insights into human development. Genet Med 2018; 20:791-799. [PMID: 30032162 PMCID: PMC6123255 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0087-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal genetics has evolved over the last decade to include application of new 'omics technologies to improve perinatal care. The clinical utility of these technologies when applied to direct fetal specimens from amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling is being explored. In this review, we provide an overview of use of prenatal exome sequencing and role in evaluation of the structurally abnormal fetus, potential applications of genome sequencing, and finally, use of transcriptomics to assess placental and fetal well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeta L Vora
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Lisa Hui
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Perinatal Medicine, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Public Health Genetics Group, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Northern Hospital, Epping, Victoria, Australia
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24
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Lipka A, Paukszto L, Majewska M, Jastrzebski JP, Myszczynski K, Panasiewicz G, Szafranska B. Identification of differentially expressed placental transcripts during multiple gestations in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.). Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:2073-2084. [PMID: 28193317 DOI: 10.1071/rd16186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Eurasian beaver is one of the largest rodents that, despite its high impact on the environment, is a non-model species that lacks a reference genome. Characterising genes critical for pregnancy outcome can serve as a basis for identifying mechanisms underlying effective reproduction, which is required for the success of endangered species conservation programs. In the present study, high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to analyse global changes in the Castor fiber subplacenta transcriptome during multiple pregnancy. De novo reconstruction of the C. fiber subplacenta transcriptome was used to identify genes that were differentially expressed in placentas (n=5) from two females (in advanced twin and triple pregnancy). Analyses of the expression values revealed 124 contigs with significantly different expression; of these, 55 genes were identified using MegaBLAST. Within this group of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 18 were upregulated and 37 were downregulated in twins. Most DEGs were associated with the following gene ontology terms: cellular process, single organism process, response to stimulus, metabolic process and biological regulation. Some genes were also assigned to the developmental process, the reproductive process or reproduction. Among this group, four genes (namely keratin 19 (Krt19) and wingless-type MMTV integration site family - member 2 (Wnt2), which were downregulated in twins, and Nik-related kinase (Nrk) and gap junction protein β2 (Gjb2), which were upregulated in twins) were assigned to placental development and nine (Krt19, Wnt2 and integrin α7 (Itga7), downregulated in twins, and Nrk, gap junction protein β6 (Gjb6), GATA binding protein 6 (Gata6), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and haemoglobin subunit α1 (HbA1), upregulated in twins) were assigned to embryo development. The results of the present study indicate that the number of fetuses affects the expression profile in the C. fiber subplacental transcriptome. Enhancement of transcriptomic resources for C. fiber will improve understanding of the pathways relevant to proper placental development and successful reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lipka
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - L Paukszto
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - M Majewska
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska Str 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - J P Jastrzebski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - K Myszczynski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - G Panasiewicz
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
| | - B Szafranska
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego Str 1A, 10-719 Olsztyn-Kortowo, Poland
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25
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Differences in the bovine milk whey proteome between early pregnancy and the estrous cycle. Theriogenology 2018; 114:301-307. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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26
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Majewska M, Lipka A, Paukszto L, Jastrzebski JP, Gowkielewicz M, Jozwik M, Majewski MK. Preliminary RNA-Seq Analysis of Long Non-Coding RNAs Expressed in Human Term Placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071894. [PMID: 29954144 PMCID: PMC6073670 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of particular structures and proper functioning of the placenta are under the influence of sophisticated pathways, controlled by the expression of substantial genes that are additionally regulated by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). To date, the expression profile of lncRNA in human term placenta has not been fully established. This study was conducted to characterize the lncRNA expression profile in human term placenta and to verify whether there are differences in the transcriptomic profile between the sex of the fetus and pregnancy multiplicity. RNA-Seq data were used to profile, quantify, and classify lncRNAs in human term placenta. The applied methodology enabled detection of the expression of 4463 isoforms from 2899 annotated lncRNA loci, plus 990 putative lncRNA transcripts from 607 intergenic regions. Those placentally expressed lncRNAs displayed features such as shorter transcript length, longer exon length, fewer exons, and lower expression levels compared to messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Among all placental transcripts, 175,268 were classified as mRNAs and 15,819 as lncRNAs, and 56,727 variants were discovered within unannotated regions. Five differentially expressed lncRNAs (HAND2-AS1, XIST, RP1-97J1.2, AC010084.1, TTTY15) were identified by a sex-bias comparison. Splicing events were detected within 37 genes and 4 lncRNA loci. Functional analysis of cis-related potential targets for lncRNAs identified 2021 enriched genes. It is presumed that the obtained data will expand the current knowledge of lncRNAs in placenta and human non-coding catalogs, making them more contemporary and specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Majewska
- Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Lipka
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-045 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Lukasz Paukszto
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Jan Pawel Jastrzebski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Marek Gowkielewicz
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-045 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Marcin Jozwik
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-045 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Mariusz Krzysztof Majewski
- Department of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland.
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27
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Liu X, Yang Y, Jiang P, Li X, Ge Y, Cao Y, Zhao Z, Fang X, Yu X. Effect of QSOX1 on cattle carcass traits as well as apoptosis and triglyceride production in bovine fetal fibroblasts and mammary epithelial cells. J Vet Med Sci 2018; 80:1329-1336. [PMID: 29848850 PMCID: PMC6115246 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.17-0705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
QSOX1 (quiescin-sulfhydryl oxidase 1) is involved in various processes, including
apoptosis and the development of breast diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of
QSOX1 on the meat quality of Simmental cattle by analyzing the
correlation between QSOX1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), I2 204
C>T and I2 378 C>T, and certain meat quality traits. The effects of
QSOX1 on triglyceride synthesis and cell apoptosis were further
validated by gene silencing or overexpression in bovine fetal fibroblasts and mammary
epithelial cells. The results showed that I2 204 C>T and I2 378 C>T had significant
correlations with loin thickness, hind hoof weight, fat coverage, liver weight, heart
weight, marbling and back fat thickness (P<0.05).
QSOX1 overexpression also increased triglyceride production and
suppressed apoptosis. In summary, QSOX1 is an important factor for meat
quality, lipid metabolism, and cell apoptosis, indicating that QSOX1
could be used as a biomarker to assist in breeding cattle with superior meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochuan Liu
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Xi An Road 5333, Changchun, Jilin 130062, P.R. China
| | - Yuwei Yang
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Xi An Road 5333, Changchun, Jilin 130062, P.R. China
| | - Ping Jiang
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Xi An Road 5333, Changchun, Jilin 130062, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohui Li
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Xi An Road 5333, Changchun, Jilin 130062, P.R. China
| | - Yanliang Ge
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Xi An Road 5333, Changchun, Jilin 130062, P.R. China
| | - Yang Cao
- Branch of Animal Husbandry, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130033, P.R. China
| | - Zhihui Zhao
- Agricultural College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, P.R. China
| | - Xibi Fang
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Xi An Road 5333, Changchun, Jilin 130062, P.R. China
| | - Xianzhong Yu
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Xi An Road 5333, Changchun, Jilin 130062, P.R. China.,Department of Biological Sciences, 132 Long Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, U.S.A
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28
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Haapalainen AM, Karjalainen MK, Daddali R, Ohlmeier S, Anttonen J, Määttä TA, Salminen A, Mahlman M, Bergmann U, Mäkikallio K, Ojaniemi M, Hallman M, Rämet M. Expression of CPPED1 in human trophoblasts is associated with timing of term birth. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:968-981. [PMID: 29193784 PMCID: PMC5783879 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding of timing of human parturition is incomplete. Therefore, we carried out proteomic analyses of full-term placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies to identify protein signatures associated with the onset of spontaneous delivery. We found quantitative associations of 10 proteins with spontaneous term birth, evident either in the basal or in the chorionic plates or in both. Additional 18 proteins were associated according to the location within placenta indicating local variations in protein amounts. Calcineurin-like phosphoesterase domain-containing 1 (CPPED1), a phosphatase previously suggested dephosphorylating AKT1/PKB, was one of the identified proteins. qRT-PCR revealed the mRNA level of CPPED1 was higher in elective caesarean deliveries than in spontaneous births, while immunohistochemistry showed CPPED1 in cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts. Noteworthy, phosphorylation status of AKT1 did not differ between placentas from elective caesarean and spontaneous deliveries. Additionally, analyses of samples from infants indicated that single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs11643593 and rs8048866 of CPPED1 were associated with duration of term pregnancy. Finally, post-transcriptional silencing of CPPED1 in cultured HTR8/SVneo cells by siRNAs affected gene expression in pathways associated with inflammation and blood vessel development. We postulate that functions regulated by CPPED1 in trophoblasts at choriodecidual interphase have a role in the induction of term labour, but it may be independent of AKT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti M. Haapalainen
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Minna K. Karjalainen
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Ravindra Daddali
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Steffen Ohlmeier
- Proteomics Core FacilityBiocenter OuluFaculty of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Julia Anttonen
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Tomi A. Määttä
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Annamari Salminen
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Mari Mahlman
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Ulrich Bergmann
- Proteomics Core FacilityBiocenter OuluFaculty of Biochemistry and Molecular MedicineUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Kaarin Mäkikallio
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyTurku University Hospital and University of TurkuTurkuFinland
| | - Marja Ojaniemi
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Mikko Hallman
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
| | - Mika Rämet
- PEDEGO Research Unit and Medical Research Center OuluUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Department of Children and AdolescentsOulu University HospitalOuluFinland
- BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Medical and Life SciencesUniversity of TampereTampereFinland
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29
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Gonzalez TL, Sun T, Koeppel AF, Lee B, Wang ET, Farber CR, Rich SS, Sundheimer LW, Buttle RA, Chen YDI, Rotter JI, Turner SD, Williams J, Goodarzi MO, Pisarska MD. Sex differences in the late first trimester human placenta transcriptome. Biol Sex Differ 2018; 9:4. [PMID: 29335024 PMCID: PMC5769539 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-018-0165-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Development of the placenta during the late first trimester is critical to ensure normal growth and development of the fetus. Developmental differences in this window such as sex-specific variation are implicated in later placental disease states, yet gene expression at this time is poorly understood. Methods RNA-sequencing was performed to characterize the transcriptome of 39 first trimester human placentas using chorionic villi following genetic testing (17 females, 22 males). Gene enrichment analysis was performed to find enriched canonical pathways and gene ontologies in the first trimester. DESeq2 was used to find sexually dimorphic gene expression. Patient demographics were analyzed for sex differences in fetal weight at time of chorionic villus sampling and birth. Results RNA-sequencing analyses detected 14,250 expressed genes, with chromosome 19 contributing the greatest proportion (973/2852, 34.1% of chromosome 19 genes) and Y chromosome contributing the least (16/568, 2.8%). Several placenta-enriched genes as well as histone-coding genes were identified to be unique to the first trimester and common to both sexes. Further, we identified 58 genes with significantly different expression between males and females: 25 X-linked, 15 Y-linked, and 18 autosomal genes. Genes that escape X inactivation were highly represented (59.1%) among X-linked genes upregulated in females. Many genes differentially expressed by sex consisted of X/Y gene pairs, suggesting that dosage compensation plays a role in sex differences. These X/Y pairs had roles in parallel, ancient canonical pathways important for eukaryotic cell growth and survival: chromatin modification, transcription, splicing, and translation. Conclusions This study is the first characterization of the late first trimester placenta transcriptome, highlighting similarities and differences among the sexes in ongoing human pregnancies resulting in live births. Sexual dimorphism may contribute to pregnancy outcomes, including fetal growth and birth weight, which was seen in our cohort, with males significantly heavier than females at birth. This transcriptome provides a basis for development of early diagnostic tests of placental function that can indicate overall pregnancy heath, fetal-maternal health, and long-term adult health. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13293-018-0165-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania L Gonzalez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tianyanxin Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexander F Koeppel
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Bora Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Erica T Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Charles R Farber
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Stephen S Rich
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Lauren W Sundheimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rae A Buttle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Stephen D Turner
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John Williams
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark O Goodarzi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Margareta D Pisarska
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. .,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Lee JY, Yun HJ, Kim CY, Cho YW, Lee Y, Kim MH. Prenatal exposure to dexamethasone in the mouse induces sex-specific differences in placental gene expression. Dev Growth Differ 2017; 59:515-525. [DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yeon Lee
- Department of Anatomy; Embryology Laboratory; Brain Korea 21 PLUS project for Medical Science; Yonsei University College of Medicine; 03722 Seoul Korea
| | - Hyo Jung Yun
- Department of Anatomy; Embryology Laboratory; Brain Korea 21 PLUS project for Medical Science; Yonsei University College of Medicine; 03722 Seoul Korea
| | - Clara Yuri Kim
- Department of Anatomy; Embryology Laboratory; Brain Korea 21 PLUS project for Medical Science; Yonsei University College of Medicine; 03722 Seoul Korea
| | - Yong Woo Cho
- Department of Anatomy; Embryology Laboratory; Brain Korea 21 PLUS project for Medical Science; Yonsei University College of Medicine; 03722 Seoul Korea
| | - Yongmin Lee
- Department of Anatomy; Embryology Laboratory; Brain Korea 21 PLUS project for Medical Science; Yonsei University College of Medicine; 03722 Seoul Korea
| | - Myoung Hee Kim
- Department of Anatomy; Embryology Laboratory; Brain Korea 21 PLUS project for Medical Science; Yonsei University College of Medicine; 03722 Seoul Korea
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Deyssenroth MA, Peng S, Hao K, Lambertini L, Marsit CJ, Chen J. Whole-transcriptome analysis delineates the human placenta gene network and its associations with fetal growth. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:520. [PMID: 28693416 PMCID: PMC5502484 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3878-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is the principal organ regulating intrauterine growth and development, performing critical functions on behalf of the developing fetus. The delineation of functional networks and pathways driving placental processes has the potential to provide key insight into intrauterine perturbations that result in adverse birth as well as later life health outcomes. RESULTS We generated the transcriptome-wide profile of 200 term human placenta using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform and characterized the functional placental gene network using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). We identified 17 placental coexpression network modules that were dominated by functional processes including growth, organ development, gas exchange and immune response. Five network modules, enriched for processes including cellular respiration, amino acid transport, hormone signaling, histone modifications and gene expression, were associated with birth weight; hub genes of all five modules (CREB3, DDX3X, DNAJC14, GRHL1 and C21orf91) were significantly associated with fetal growth restriction, and one hub gene (CREB3) was additionally associated with fetal overgrowth. CONCLUSIONS In this largest RNA-Seq based transcriptome-wide profiling study of human term placenta conducted to date, we delineated a placental gene network with functional relevance to fetal growth using a network-based approach with superior scale reduction capacity. Our study findings not only implicate potential molecular mechanisms underlying fetal growth but also provide a reference placenta gene network to inform future studies investigating placental dysfunction as a route to future disease endpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya A. Deyssenroth
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Shouneng Peng
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Luca Lambertini
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Carmen J. Marsit
- Department of Environmental Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- Department of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
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Hernández-Díaz N, Torres R, Ramírez-Pinilla MP. Proteomic Profile of Mabuya sp. (Squamata: Scincidae) Ovary and Placenta During Gestation. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2017; 328:371-389. [PMID: 28397398 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Reptiles are one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates, providing an integrated system for comparative studies on metabolic, animal physiology, and developmental biology. However, the molecular data available are limited and only recently have started to call attention in the "omics" sciences. Mabuya sp. is a viviparous placentrotrophic skink with particular reproductive features, including microlecithal eggs, early luteolysis, prolonged gestation, and development of a highly specialized placenta. This placenta is responsible for respiratory exchange and the transference of all nutrients necessary for embryonic development. Our aim was to identify differentially expressed proteins in the ovary and placenta of Mabuya sp. during early, mid, and late gestation; their possible metabolic pathways; and biological processes. We carried out a comparative proteomic analysis during gestation in both tissues by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization. Differential protein expression in both tissues (Student's t-test P < 0.05) was related to several processes such as cell structure, cell movement, and energy. Proteins found in ovary are mainly associated with follicular development and its regulation. In the placenta, particularly during mid and late gestation, protein expression is involved in nutrient metabolism, transport, protein synthesis, and embryonic development. This work provides new insights about the proteins expressed and their physiological mechanisms in Mabuya sp. placenta and ovary during gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaly Hernández-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva de Vertebrados, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia.,Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología, GIBIM, Escuela de Química, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
| | - Rodrigo Torres
- Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología, GIBIM, Escuela de Química, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia.,Laboratorio de Biotecnología-CEO, Instituto Colombiano del Petróleo, ECOPETROL, Piedecuesta, Santander, Colombia
| | - Martha Patricia Ramírez-Pinilla
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva de Vertebrados, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
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Sebire NJ. Implications of placental pathology for disease mechanisms; methods, issues and future approaches. Placenta 2017; 52:122-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Exercise rescues obese mothers' insulin sensitivity, placental hypoxia and male offspring insulin sensitivity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44650. [PMID: 28291256 PMCID: PMC5349590 DOI: 10.1038/srep44650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity during pregnancy continues to increase at alarming rates. This is concerning as in addition to immediate impacts on maternal wellbeing, obesity during pregnancy has detrimental effects on the long-term health of the offspring through non-genetic mechanisms. A major knowledge gap limiting our capacity to develop intervention strategies is the lack of understanding of the factors in the obese mother that mediate these epigenetic effects on the offspring. We used a mouse model of maternal-diet induced obesity to define predictive correlations between maternal factors and offspring insulin resistance. Maternal hyperinsulinemia (independent of maternal body weight and composition) strongly associated with offspring insulin resistance. To test causality, we implemented an exercise intervention that improved maternal insulin sensitivity without changing maternal body weight or composition. This maternal intervention prevented excess placental lipid deposition and hypoxia (independent of sex) and insulin resistance in male offspring. We conclude that hyperinsulinemia is a key programming factor and therefore an important interventional target during obese pregnancy, and propose moderate exercise as a promising strategy to improve metabolic outcome in both the obese mother and her offspring.
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Vorgia E, Zaragkoulias A, Peraki I, Mavrothalassitis G. Suppression of Fgf2 by ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) is required for chorionic trophoblast differentiation. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:286-295. [PMID: 28244611 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) is a ubiquitous transcriptional repressor regulated by Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. Homozygous deletion of Erf in mice blocks chorionic trophoblast differentiation, resulting in the failure of chorioallantoic fusion and subsequent embryo death. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is important for proper trophoblast stem cell (TSC) differentiation and development of the hemochorial placenta. Lack of Fgf2 promotes TSC differentiation, while FGF4 or FGF2 is required for murine TSC maintenance. Here, we show that low in vivo Fgf2 mRNA abundance occurs in patches of placental chorion cells and ex vivo in TSCs. This expression is repressed via direct interaction of ERF with the Fgf2 transcription unit is increased in the absence of ERF, and is decreased in the presence of an ERF mutant resistant to ERK phosphorylation. Thus, FGF2 inhibition by ERF appears to be necessary for proper chorionic TSC differentiation, and may account for the block of chorionic trophoblast differentiation in Erf-knockout animals. The differentiation of ERF-overexpressing TSC lines also suggests that ERF may have an FGF2-independent effect during the commitment towards syncytiotrophoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Vorgia
- Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,IMBB, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Ioanna Peraki
- Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,IMBB, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - George Mavrothalassitis
- Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.,IMBB, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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Altmäe S, Segura MT, Esteban FJ, Bartel S, Brandi P, Irmler M, Beckers J, Demmelmair H, López-Sabater C, Koletzko B, Krauss-Etschmann S, Campoy C. Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Obesity Is Associated with Altered Placental Transcriptome. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169223. [PMID: 28125591 PMCID: PMC5268451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal obesity has a major impact on pregnancy outcomes. There is growing evidence that maternal obesity has a negative influence on placental development and function, thereby adversely influencing offspring programming and health outcomes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are poorly understood. We analysed ten term placenta’s whole transcriptomes in obese (n = 5) and normal weight women (n = 5), using the Affymetrix microarray platform. Analyses of expression data were carried out using non-parametric methods. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis showed a clear distinction in placental transcriptome between obese and normal weight women. We identified 72 differentially regulated genes, with most being down-regulated in obesity (n = 61). Functional analyses of the targets using DAVID and IPA confirm the dysregulation of previously identified processes and pathways in the placenta from obese women, including inflammation and immune responses, lipid metabolism, cancer pathways, and angiogenesis. In addition, we detected new molecular aspects of obesity-derived effects on the placenta, involving the glucocorticoid receptor signalling pathway and dysregulation of several genes including CCL2, FSTL3, IGFBP1, MMP12, PRG2, PRL, QSOX1, SERPINE2 and TAC3. Our global gene expression profiling approach demonstrates that maternal obesity creates a unique in utero environment that impairs the placental transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Altmäe
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Research EURISTIKOS and Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- * E-mail: (SA); (CC)
| | - Maria Teresa Segura
- Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Research EURISTIKOS and Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Sabine Bartel
- Division of Experimental Asthma Research, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Pilar Brandi
- Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Research EURISTIKOS and Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Neuherberg, Germany
- Technische Universität München, Chair of Experimental Genetics, Freising, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Hans Demmelmair
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Dr. Hauner Children’s Hospital, University of Munich Medical Centre, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen López-Sabater
- Department of Nutrition and Bromatology, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Berthold Koletzko
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Dr. Hauner Children’s Hospital, University of Munich Medical Centre, Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
- Division of Experimental Asthma Research, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
- Institute for Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universitaet zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University Hospital and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Großhadern, Germany
| | - Cristina Campoy
- Centre of Excellence for Paediatric Research EURISTIKOS and Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Biohealth Institute of Granada, Granada, Spain
- * E-mail: (SA); (CC)
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Buckberry S, Bianco-Miotto T, Bent SJ, Clifton V, Shoubridge C, Shankar K, Roberts CT. Placental transcriptome co-expression analysis reveals conserved regulatory programs across gestation. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:10. [PMID: 28049421 PMCID: PMC5209944 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3384-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian development in utero is absolutely dependent on proper placental development, which is ultimately regulated by the placental genome. The regulation of the placental genome can be directly studied by exploring the underlying organisation of the placental transcriptome through a systematic analysis of gene-wise co-expression relationships. RESULTS In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of human placental co-expression using RNA sequencing and intergrated multiple transcriptome datasets spanning human gestation. We identified modules of co-expressed genes that are preserved across human gestation, and also identifed modules conserved in the mouse indicating conserved molecular networks involved in placental development and gene expression patterns more specific to late gestation. Analysis of co-expressed gene flanking sequences indicated that conserved co-expression modules in the placenta are regulated by a core set of transcription factors, including ZNF423 and EBF1. Additionally, we identified a gene co-expression module enriched for genes implicated in the pregnancy pathology preeclampsia. By using an independnet transcriptome dataset, we show that these co-expressed genes are differentially expressed in preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS This study represents a comprehensive characterisation of placental co-expression and provides insight into potential transcriptional regulators that govern conserved molecular programs fundamental to placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Buckberry
- The Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Adelaide, 5005, Australia.,University of Western Australia, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, 6009, Australia.,University of Western Australia, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, Perth, 6009, Australia
| | - Tina Bianco-Miotto
- The Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Adelaide, 5005, Australia.,The University of Adelaide, School of agriculture, food and wine, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Stephen J Bent
- The Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Vicki Clifton
- The Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Cheryl Shoubridge
- The Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Adelaide, 5005, Australia
| | - Kartik Shankar
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, The Department of Pediatrics, Little Rock, 72202, USA
| | - Claire T Roberts
- The Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Adelaide, 5005, Australia.
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Lo HF, Tsai CY, Chen CP, Wang LJ, Lee YS, Chen CY, Liang CT, Cheong ML, Chen H. Association of dysfunctional synapse defective 1 (SYDE1) with restricted fetal growth - SYDE1 regulates placental cell migration and invasion. J Pathol 2016; 241:324-336. [PMID: 27917469 DOI: 10.1002/path.4835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor glial cells missing 1 (GCM1) regulates trophoblast differentiation and function during placentation. Decreased GCM1 expression is associated with pre-eclampsia, suggesting that abnormal expression of GCM1 target genes may contribute to the pathogenesis of pregnancy complications. Here we identified a novel GCM1 target gene, synapse defective 1 (SYDE1), which encodes a RhoGAP that is highly expressed in human placenta, and demonstrated that SYDE1 promotes cytoskeletal remodelling and cell migration and invasion. Importantly, genetic ablation of murine Syde1 results in small fetuses and placentas with aberrant phenotypes in the placental-yolk sac barrier, maternal-trophoblast interface, and placental vascularization. Microarray analysis revealed altered expression of renin-1, angiotensin I converting enzyme 2, angiotensin II type 1a receptor, and membrane metalloendopeptidase of the renin-angiotensin system in Syde1-knockout placenta, which may compensate for the vascular defects to maintain normal blood pressure. As pregnancy proceeds, growth restriction of the Syde1-/- fetuses and placentas continues, with elevated expression of the Syde1 homologue Syde2 in placenta. Syde2 may compensate for the loss of Syde1 function because SYDE2, but not the GAP-dead SYDE2 mutant, reverses migration and invasion activities of SYDE1-knockdown JAR trophoblast cells. Clinically, we further detected decreased SYDE1 expression in preterm and term IUGR placentas compared with gestational age-matched controls. Our study suggests a novel mechanism for GCM1 and SYDE1 in regulation of trophoblast cell migration and invasion during placental development and that decreased SYDE1 expression is associated with IUGR. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Fan Lo
- Graduate Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yen Tsai
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Chie-Pein Chen
- Division of High Risk Pregnancy, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Jie Wang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Shien Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, Ming Chuan University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Chen
- Division of High Risk Pregnancy, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan
| | | | - Mei-Leng Cheong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Hungwen Chen
- Graduate Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.,Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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Biró O, Nagy B, Rigó J. Identifying miRNA regulatory mechanisms in preeclampsia by systems biology approaches. Hypertens Pregnancy 2016; 36:90-99. [PMID: 27835046 DOI: 10.1080/10641955.2016.1239736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia (PE) is the major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, affecting 3-8% of all pregnancies around the globe. miRNAs are small, noncoding RNA molecules, which negatively regulate gene expression. Abnormally expressed miRNAs contribute to pregnancy complications such as PE. The aim of our study was to find possible regulatory mechanisms by system biology approaches, which are connected to the pathogenesis of PE. METHODS We integrated publicly available miRNA and gene expression profiles and created a network from the significant miRNA-mRNA pairs with the help of MAGIA and Cytoscape softwares. Two subnetworks were expanded by adding protein-protein interactions. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified for the evaluation of their regulatory effect. We analyzed the miRNAs and their targets using different bioinformatics tools and through literature research. RESULTS Altogether, 52,603 miRNA-mRNA interactions were generated by the MAGIA web tool. The top 250 interactions were visualized and pairs with q < 0.0001 were analyzed, which included 85 nodes and 80 edges signalizing the connections between 52 regulated genes and 33 miRNAs. A total of 11 of the regulated genes are PE related and 9 of them were targeted by multiple miRNAs. A total of 8 miRNAs were associated with PE before, and 13 miRNAs regulated more than 1 mRNA. Hsa-mir-210 was the highest degree node in the network and its role in PE is well established. CONCLUSIONS We identified several miRNA-mRNA regulatory mechanisms which may contribute to the pathogenesis of PE. Further investigations are needed to validate these miRNA-mRNA interactions and to enlighten the possibilities of developing potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orsolya Biró
- a First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Semmelweis University, Budapest , Hungary
| | - Bálint Nagy
- b Department of Human Genetics , University of Debrecen , Debrecen , Hungary
| | - János Rigó
- a First Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , Semmelweis University, Budapest , Hungary
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Measuring circulating placental RNAs to non-invasively assess the placental transcriptome and to predict pregnancy complications. Prenat Diagn 2016; 36:997-1008. [DOI: 10.1002/pd.4934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Lopes KDP, Campos-Laborie FJ, Vialle RA, Ortega JM, De Las Rivas J. Evolutionary hallmarks of the human proteome: chasing the age and coregulation of protein-coding genes. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:725. [PMID: 27801289 PMCID: PMC5088522 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3062-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The development of large-scale technologies for quantitative transcriptomics has enabled comprehensive analysis of the gene expression profiles in complete genomes. RNA-Seq allows the measurement of gene expression levels in a manner far more precise and global than previous methods. Studies using this technology are altering our view about the extent and complexity of the eukaryotic transcriptomes. In this respect, multiple efforts have been done to determine and analyse the gene expression patterns of human cell types in different conditions, either in normal or pathological states. However, until recently, little has been reported about the evolutionary marks present in human protein-coding genes, particularly from the combined perspective of gene expression and protein evolution. Results We present a combined analysis of human protein-coding gene expression profiling and time-scale ancestry mapping, that places the genes in taxonomy clades and reveals eight evolutionary major steps (“hallmarks”), that include clusters of functionally coherent proteins. The human expressed genes are analysed using a RNA-Seq dataset of 116 samples from 32 tissues. The evolutionary analysis of the human proteins is performed combining the information from: (i) a database of orthologous proteins (OMA), (ii) the taxonomy mapping of genes to lineage clades (from NCBI Taxonomy) and (iii) the evolution time-scale mapping provided by TimeTree (Timescale of Life). The human protein-coding genes are also placed in a relational context based in the construction of a robust gene coexpression network, that reveals tighter links between age-related protein-coding genes and finds functionally coherent gene modules. Conclusions Understanding the relational landscape of the human protein-coding genes is essential for interpreting the functional elements and modules of our active genome. Moreover, decoding the evolutionary history of the human genes can provide very valuable information to reveal or uncover their origin and function. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3062-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia de Paiva Lopes
- Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Group, Cancer Research Center (CiC-IBMCC, CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Salamanca, Spain.,Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Francisco José Campos-Laborie
- Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Group, Cancer Research Center (CiC-IBMCC, CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ricardo Assunção Vialle
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - José Miguel Ortega
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brasil
| | - Javier De Las Rivas
- Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics Group, Cancer Research Center (CiC-IBMCC, CSIC/USAL/IBSAL), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Salamanca, Spain.
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Rouault C, Clément K, Guesnon M, Henegar C, Charles MA, Heude B, Evain-Brion D, Degrelle SA, Fournier T. Transcriptomic signatures of villous cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast in term human placenta. Placenta 2016; 44:83-90. [PMID: 27452442 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the placenta ensures multiple functions, which are directly involved in the initiation, fetal growth and outcome of gestation. The placental tissue involved in maternal-fetal exchanges and in synthesis of pregnancy hormones is the mononucleated villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) which aggregates and fuses to form and renew the syncytiotrophoblast (ST). Knowledge of the gene expression pattern specific to this endocrine and exchanges tissue of human placenta is of major importance to understand functions of this heterogeneous and complex tissue. Therefore, we undertook a global analysis of the gene expression profiles of primary cultured-VCT (n = 6) and in vitro-differentiated-ST (n = 5) in comparison with whole term placental tissue from which mononucleated VCT were isolated. A total of 880 differentially expressed genes (DEG) were observed between VCT/ST compared to whole placenta, and a total of 37 and 137 genes were significantly up and down-regulated, respectively, in VCT compared to ST. The 37 VCT-genes were involved in cellular processes (assembly, organization, and maintenance), whereas the 137 ST-genes were associated with lipid metabolism and cell morphology. In silico, all networks were linked to 3 transcriptional regulators (PPARγ, RARα and NR2F1) which are known to be essential for trophoblast differentiation. A subset of six DEG was validated by RT-qPCR and four by immunohistochemistry. To conclude, recognition of these pathways is fundamental to increase our understanding of the molecular basis of human trophoblast differentiation. The present study provides for the first time a gene expression signature of the VCT and ST compared to their originated term human placental tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Rouault
- INSERM, UMR-S 872, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe 7 Nutriomique, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, Paris, F-75006, France; Fondation PremUp, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Karine Clément
- INSERM, UMR-S 872, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe 7 Nutriomique, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, Paris, F-75006, France; Fondation PremUp, Paris, F-75006, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Pitié Salpétrière Hospital, Nutrition and Endocrinology Department, Paris, F-75013, France
| | - Mickael Guesnon
- INSERM, UMR-S1139, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Corneliu Henegar
- INSERM, UMR-S 872, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe 7 Nutriomique, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Marie-Aline Charles
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France; INSERM, UMR1153 Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Center, Early ORigin of the Child's Health and Development Team (ORCHAD), Paris, F-75014, France
| | - Barbara Heude
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France; INSERM, UMR1153 Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Center, Early ORigin of the Child's Health and Development Team (ORCHAD), Paris, F-75014, France
| | - Danièle Evain-Brion
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, F-75006, France; INSERM, UMR-S1139, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Séverine A Degrelle
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, F-75006, France; INSERM, UMR-S1139, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France
| | - Thierry Fournier
- Fondation PremUp, Paris, F-75006, France; INSERM, UMR-S1139, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, F-75006, France; Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, F-75006, France.
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Stumpo DJ, Trempus CS, Tucker CJ, Huang W, Li L, Kluckman K, Bortner DM, Blackshear PJ. Deficiency of the placenta- and yolk sac-specific tristetraprolin family member ZFP36L3 identifies likely mRNA targets and an unexpected link to placental iron metabolism. Development 2016; 143:1424-33. [PMID: 26952984 DOI: 10.1242/dev.130369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The ZFP36L3 protein is a rodent-specific, placenta- and yolk sac-specific member of the tristetraprolin (TTP) family of CCCH tandem zinc finger proteins. These proteins bind to AU-rich elements in target mRNAs, and promote their deadenylation and decay. We addressed the hypotheses that the absence of ZFP36L3 would result in the accumulation of target transcripts in placenta and/or yolk sac, and that some of these would be important for female reproductive physiology and overall fecundity. Mice deficient in ZFP36L3 exhibited decreased neonatal survival rates, but no apparent morphological changes in the placenta or surviving offspring. We found Zfp36l3 to be paternally imprinted, with profound parent-of-origin effects on gene expression. The protein was highly expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast cells of the labyrinth layer of the placenta, and the epithelial cells of the yolk sac. RNA-Seq of placental mRNA from Zfp36l3 knockout (KO) mice revealed many significantly upregulated transcripts, whereas there were few changes in KO yolk sacs. Many of the upregulated placental transcripts exhibited decreased decay rates in differentiated trophoblast stem cells derived from KO blastocysts. Several dozen transcripts were deemed high probability targets of ZFP36L3; these include proteins known to be involved in trophoblast and placenta physiology. Type 1 transferrin receptor mRNA was unexpectedly decreased in KO placentas, despite an increase in its stability in KO stem cells. This receptor is crucial for placental iron uptake, and its decrease was accompanied by decreased iron stores in the KO fetus, suggesting that this intrauterine deficiency might have deleterious consequences in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Stumpo
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Carol S Trempus
- Laboratory of Clinical Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Charles J Tucker
- Confocal Microscopy Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Weichun Huang
- Biostatistics Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Leping Li
- Biostatistics Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | | | | | - Perry J Blackshear
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Cox B, Leavey K, Nosi U, Wong F, Kingdom J. Placental transcriptome in development and pathology: expression, function, and methods of analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 213:S138-51. [PMID: 26428493 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.07.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is the essential organ of mammalian pregnancy and errors in its development and function are associated with a wide range of human pathologies of pregnancy. Genome sequencing has led to methods for investigation of the transcriptome (all expressed RNA species) using microarrays and next-generation sequencing, and implementation of these techniques has identified many novel species of RNA including: micro-RNA, long noncoding RNA, and circular RNA. These species can physically interact with both each other and regulatory proteins to modify gene expression and messenger RNA to protein translation. Transcriptome analysis is actively used to investigate placental development and dysfunction in pathologies ranging from preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction to preterm labor. Genome-wide gene expression analysis is also being applied to identify prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers of these disorders. In this comprehensive review we summarize transcriptome biology, methods of isolation and analysis, application to placental development and pathology, and use in diagnostic analysis in maternal blood. Key information for analysis methods is organized into quick reference tables where current analysis techniques and tools are cited and compared. We have created this review as a practical guide and starting reference for those interested in beginning an investigation into the transcriptome of the placenta.
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Whittington CM, Griffith OW, Qi W, Thompson MB, Wilson AB. Seahorse Brood Pouch Transcriptome Reveals Common Genes Associated with Vertebrate Pregnancy. Mol Biol Evol 2015; 32:3114-31. [PMID: 26330546 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msv177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Viviparity (live birth) has evolved more than 150 times in vertebrates, and represents an excellent model system for studying the evolution of complex traits. There are at least 23 independent origins of viviparity in fishes, with syngnathid fishes (seahorses and pipefish) unique in exhibiting male pregnancy. Male seahorses and pipefish have evolved specialized brooding pouches that provide protection, gas exchange, osmoregulation, and limited nutrient provisioning to developing embryos. Pouch structures differ widely across the Syngnathidae, offering an ideal opportunity to study the evolution of reproductive complexity. However, the physiological and genetic changes facilitating male pregnancy are largely unknown. We used transcriptome profiling to examine pouch gene expression at successive gestational stages in a syngnathid with the most complex brood pouch morphology, the seahorse Hippocampus abdominalis. Using a unique time-calibrated RNA-seq data set including brood pouch at key stages of embryonic development, we identified transcriptional changes associated with brood pouch remodeling, nutrient and waste transport, gas exchange, osmoregulation, and immunological protection of developing embryos at conception, development and parturition. Key seahorse transcripts share homology with genes of reproductive function in pregnant mammals, reptiles, and other live-bearing fish, suggesting a common toolkit of genes regulating pregnancy in divergent evolutionary lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla M Whittington
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Oliver W Griffith
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Weihong Qi
- Functional Genomics Centre, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael B Thompson
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anthony B Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia Department of Biology, Brooklyn College The Graduate Center, City University of New York
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Extensive shift in placental transcriptome profile in preeclampsia and placental origin of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13336. [PMID: 26268791 PMCID: PMC4542630 DOI: 10.1038/srep13336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One in five pregnant women suffer from gestational complications, prevalently driven by placental malfunction. Using RNASeq, we analyzed differential placental gene expression in cases of normal gestation, late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE), gestational diabetes (GD) and pregnancies ending with the birth of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) or large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns (n = 8/group). In all groups, the highest expression was detected for small noncoding RNAs and genes specifically implicated in placental function and hormonal regulation. The transcriptome of LO-PE placentas was clearly distinct, showing statistically significant (after FDR) expressional disturbances for hundreds of genes. Taqman RT-qPCR validation of 45 genes in an extended sample (n = 24/group) provided concordant results. A limited number of transcription factors including LRF, SP1 and AP2 were identified as possible drivers of these changes. Notable differences were detected in differential expression signatures of LO-PE subtypes defined by the presence or absence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). LO-PE with IUGR showed higher correlation with SGA and LO-PE without IUGR with LGA placentas. Whereas changes in placental transcriptome in SGA, LGA and GD cases were less prominent, the overall profiles of expressional disturbances overlapped among pregnancy complications providing support to shared placental responses. The dataset represent a rich catalogue for potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Eidem HR, Ackerman WE, McGary KL, Abbot P, Rokas A. Gestational tissue transcriptomics in term and preterm human pregnancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med Genomics 2015; 8:27. [PMID: 26044726 PMCID: PMC4456776 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-015-0099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth (PTB), or birth before 37 weeks of gestation, is the leading cause of newborn death worldwide. PTB is a critical area of scientific study not only due to its worldwide toll on human lives and economies, but also due to our limited understanding of its pathogenesis and, therefore, its prevention. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes the landscape of PTB transcriptomics research to further our understanding of the genes and pathways involved in PTB subtypes. METHODS We evaluated published genome-wide pregnancy studies across gestational tissues and pathologies, including those that focus on PTB, by performing a targeted PubMed MeSH search and systematically reviewing all relevant studies. RESULTS Our search yielded 2,361 studies on gestational tissues including placenta, decidua, myometrium, maternal blood, cervix, fetal membranes (chorion and amnion), umbilical cord, fetal blood, and basal plate. Selecting only those original research studies that measured transcription on a genome-wide scale and reported lists of expressed genetic elements identified 93 gene expression, 21 microRNA, and 20 methylation studies. Although 30 % of all PTB cases are due to medical indications, 76 % of the preterm studies focused on them. In contrast, only 18 % of the preterm studies focused on spontaneous onset of labor, which is responsible for 45 % of all PTB cases. Furthermore, only 23 of the 10,993 unique genetic elements reported to be transcriptionally active were recovered 10 or more times in these 134 studies. Meta-analysis of the 93 gene expression studies across 9 distinct gestational tissues and 29 clinical phenotypes showed limited overlap of genes identified as differentially expressed across studies. CONCLUSIONS Overall, profiles of differentially expressed genes were highly heterogeneous both between as well as within clinical subtypes and tissues as well as between studies of the same clinical subtype and tissue. These results suggest that large gaps still exist in the transcriptomic study of specific clinical subtypes as well in the generation of the transcriptional profile of well-studied clinical subtypes; understanding the complex landscape of prematurity will require large-scale, systematic genome-wide analyses of human gestational tissues on both understudied and well-studied subtypes alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley R Eidem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B #35-1634, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
| | - William E Ackerman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Kriston L McGary
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B #35-1634, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
| | - Patrick Abbot
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B #35-1634, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
| | - Antonis Rokas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B #35-1634, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA.
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Mirkovic J, Elias K, Drapkin R, Barletta JA, Quade B, Hirsch MS. GATA3 expression in gestational trophoblastic tissues and tumours. Histopathology 2015; 67:636-44. [DOI: 10.1111/his.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Mirkovic
- Department of Pathology; Women's and Perinatal Pathology Division; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston MA USA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
| | - Kevin Elias
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston MA USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Department of Medical Oncology; Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Boston MA USA
| | - Justine A Barletta
- Department of Pathology; Women's and Perinatal Pathology Division; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston MA USA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
| | - Bradley Quade
- Department of Pathology; Women's and Perinatal Pathology Division; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston MA USA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
| | - Michelle S Hirsch
- Department of Pathology; Women's and Perinatal Pathology Division; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston MA USA
- Harvard Medical School; Boston MA USA
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Mayhew T. Morphomics: An integral part of systems biology of the human placenta. Placenta 2015; 36:329-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Revised: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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GATA-3 expression in trophoblastic tissues: an immunohistochemical study of 445 cases, including diagnostic utility. Am J Surg Pathol 2015; 39:101-8. [PMID: 25188865 DOI: 10.1097/pas.0000000000000315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Immunohistochemical expression of GATA-3 is seen predominantly in non-neoplastic bladder and breast epithelium and their respective carcinomas; however, data on expression in normal and lesional trophoblastic tissues are limited. Immunohistochemical staining for GATA-3 was assessed in a range of normal/lesional trophoblastic tissues and tumors in the differential diagnosis (n=445), including nonmolar products of conceptions/second and third trimester placentas/ectopic pregnancies, hydatidiform moles, placental site nodules, normal/exaggerated implantation sites, choriocarcinomas, epithelioid trophoblastic tumors, placental site trophoblastic tumors, atypical smooth muscle tumors (including leiomyosarcoma), and cervical and pulmonary squamous cell carcinomas. The extent of expression (0 to 4+) and intensity (weak to strong) were recorded. All cases with developing trophoblast/non-neoplastic trophoblastic proliferation and 81% of trophoblastic neoplasms were positive. Of all non-neoplastic trophoblast cell types, expression was observed in cytotrophoblast in 89% of cases, syncytiotrophoblast in 50%, intermediate trophoblast in 100%, and villous trophoblastic columns in 100%. Increasing gestational age was associated with a decrease in extent/intensity of expression in non-neoplastic cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, whereas intermediate trophoblast maintained diffuse and strong expression from early to late gestation (P<0.0001). Eighty-nine percent of normal/exaggerated implantation sites showed 3+ or 4+ expression, whereas staining in 55% of placental site nodules was 1+ or 2+. Staining for GATA-3 was present in 78% of choriocarcinomas, 95% of epithelioid trophoblastic tumors, and 71% of placental site trophoblastic tumors. Although the number of choriocarcinomas and placental site trophoblastic tumors that showed a spectrum of expression ranging from negative to diffuse was relatively evenly distributed, 81% of epithelioid trophoblastic tumors had 3+ or 4+ staining. None of the atypical smooth muscle tumors and 3% of squamous cell carcinomas were positive, all of which exhibited weak staining. We conclude that GATA-3 is frequently expressed in normal and lesional trophoblastic tissues. It is also differentially expressed in intermediate trophoblast and cytotrophoblast/syncytiotrophoblast, which varies according to time during pregnancy. This study expands the spectrum of neoplasms known to express GATA-3. Thus, recognition of expression in trophoblastic tumors is important, because it can present a diagnostic pitfall in the assessment of suspected metastatic bladder or breast carcinomas involving the gynecologic tract. In the evaluation of diagnostically problematic tumors for which trophoblastic neoplasms are in the differential diagnosis, such as leiomyosarcoma and squamous cell carcinoma, GATA-3 can be included as part of an immunohistochemical panel particularly when other trophoblastic markers are either not available or yield ambiguous results.
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