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Santhakumar S, Edison ES. Molecular insights into placental iron transfer mechanisms and maternofetal regulation. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:63-77. [PMID: 37069381 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07032-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adequate iron transportation from the mother across the placenta is crucial for fetal growth and establishing sufficient iron stores in neonates at birth. The past decade has marked significant discoveries in iron metabolism with the identification of new players and mechanisms. Immunohistochemical studies rendered valuable data on the localization of substantial iron transporters on placental syncytiotrophoblasts. However, the function and regulation of maternal-placentofetal iron transporters and iron handling is still elusive and requires more attention. METHODS A thorough literature review was conducted to gather information about placental iron transfer, the role of regulators and maintenance of iron homeostasis. RESULTS The role of classical and new players in maternal-fetal iron transport and the regulation in the placenta has been addressed in this review. Animal and human studies have been discussed. The role of placental iron regulation in thalassemia and hemochromatosis pregnancies has been reviewed. CONCLUSIONS The current advances that highlight the mechanisms of placental iron regulation and transport in response to maternal and fetal signals have been presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreenithi Santhakumar
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632 004, India
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Eunice S Edison
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632 004, India.
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Liu R, Zhang X, Nie L, Sun S, Liu J, Chen H. Heme oxygenase 1 in erythropoiesis: an important regulator beyond catalyzing heme catabolism. Ann Hematol 2023; 102:1323-1332. [PMID: 37046065 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05193-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), encoded by the HMOX-1 gene, is the main heme oxygenase that catalyzes the degradation of heme into iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin. HMOX-1 gene expression is stimulated by oxidative stress and regulated at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. After translation, subcellular location and protein stability of HO-1 are also altered by different extracellular and intracellular stimuli. HO-1 plays a key role in regulating iron homeostasis and cell protection and has become a new target for disease treatment. Erythropoiesis is a tightly controlled, iron-dependent process that begins with hematopoietic stem cells and maturates to red blood cells. HO-1 is expressed in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, hematopoietic niche cells, erythroblasts, and especially erythroblastic island and phagocytic macrophages. HO-1 functions importantly in the entire erythroid development process by influencing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation, erythroid lineage engagement, terminal erythroid differentiation, and even senescent RBC erythrophagocytosis. HO-1 is also related to stress erythropoiesis and certain red blood cell diseases. Elucidation of HO-1 regulation and function in erythropoiesis will be of great significance for the treatment of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences; Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410078, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuzhi Zhang
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences; Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410078, People's Republic of China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Nie
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuming Sun
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences; Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410078, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences; Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410078, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiyong Chen
- Molecular Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences; Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410078, People's Republic of China.
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Principe P, Mukosera GT, Gray-Hutto N, Tugung A, Gheorghe CP, Blood AB. Nitric Oxide Affects Heme Oxygenase-1, Hepcidin, and Transferrin Receptor Expression in the Placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065887. [PMID: 36982960 PMCID: PMC10056931 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a gasotransmitter that avidly binds both free and heme-bound iron, forming relatively stable iron nitrosyl compounds (FeNOs). We have previously demonstrated that FeNOs are present in the human placenta and are elevated in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. The ability of NO to sequester iron raises the possibility of the NO-mediated disruption of iron homeostasis in the placenta. In this work, we tested whether exposure of placental syncytiotrophoblasts or villous tissue explants to sub-cytotoxic concentrations of NO would elicit the formation of FeNOs. Furthermore, we measured changes in the mRNA and protein expression levels of key iron regulatory genes in response to NO exposure. Ozone-based chemiluminescence was used to measure concentrations of NO and its metabolites. Our results showed a significant increase in FeNO levels in placental cells and explants treated with NO (p < 0.0001). The mRNA and protein levels of HO-1 were significantly increased in both cultured syncytiotrophoblasts and villous tissue explants (p < 0.01), and the mRNA levels of hepcidin and transferrin receptor were significantly increased in culture syncytiotrophoblasts and villous tissue explants, respectively, (p < 0.01), while no changes were seen in the expression levels of divalent metal transporter-1 or ferroportin. These results suggest a potential role for NO in iron homeostasis in the human placenta and could be relevant for disorders of pregnancy such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Principe
- Lawrence D. Longo Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - George T Mukosera
- Lawrence D. Longo Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Nikia Gray-Hutto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11370 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Ashra Tugung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11370 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Ciprian P Gheorghe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11370 Anderson Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Arlin B Blood
- Lawrence D. Longo Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, 11175 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
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Iron Metabolism and Ferroptosis in Physiological and Pathological Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169395. [PMID: 36012659 PMCID: PMC9409111 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron is a vital element in nearly every living organism. During pregnancy, optimal iron concentration is essential for both maternal health and fetal development. As the barrier between the mother and fetus, placenta plays a pivotal role in mediating and regulating iron transport. Imbalances in iron metabolism correlate with severe adverse pregnancy outcomes. Like most other nutrients, iron exhibits a U-shaped risk curve. Apart from iron deficiency, iron overload is also dangerous since labile iron can generate reactive oxygen species, which leads to oxidative stress and activates ferroptosis. In this review, we summarized the molecular mechanism and regulation signals of placental iron trafficking under physiological conditions. In addition, we revealed the role of iron metabolism and ferroptosis in the view of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus, which may bring new insight to the pathogenesis and treatment of pregnancy-related diseases.
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Role of Heme Oxygenase in Gastrointestinal Epithelial Cells. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11071323. [PMID: 35883814 PMCID: PMC9311893 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract is a unique organ containing both vascular and luminal routes lined by epithelial cells forming the mucosa, which play an important role in the entry of nutrients and act as a selective barrier, excluding potentially harmful agents. Mucosal surfaces establish a selective barrier between hostile external environments and the internal milieu. Heme is a major nutritional source of iron and is a pro-oxidant that causes oxidative stress. Heme oxygenases (HOs) catalyze the rate-limiting step in heme degradation, resulting in the formation of iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin, which are subsequently converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. In gastrointestinal pathogenesis, HO-1, an inducible isoform of HO, is markedly induced in epithelial cells and plays an important role in protecting mucosal cells. Recent studies have focused on the biological effects of the products of this enzymatic reaction, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective functions. In this review, the essential roles of HO in the gastrointestinal tract are summarized, focusing on nutrient absorption, protection against cellular stresses, and the maintenance and regulation of tight junction proteins, emphasizing the potential therapeutic implications. The biochemical basis of the potential therapeutic implications of glutamine for HO-1 induction in gastrointestinal injury is also discussed.
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Zaugg J, Solenthaler F, Albrecht C. Materno-fetal iron transfer and the emerging role of ferroptosis pathways. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 202:115141. [PMID: 35700759 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A successful pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby depend to a great extent on the controlled supply of essential nutrients via the placenta. Iron is essential for mitochondrial energy supply and oxygen distribution via the blood. However, its high reactivity requires tightly regulated transport processes. Disturbances of maternal-fetal iron transfer during pregnancy can aggravate or lead to severe pathological consequences for the mother and the fetus with lifelong effects. Furthermore, high intracellular iron levels due to disturbed gestational iron homeostasis have recently been associated with the non-apoptotic cell death pathway called ferroptosis. Therefore, the investigation of transplacental iron transport mechanisms, their physiological regulation and potential risks are of high clinical importance. The present review summarizes the current knowledge on principles and regulatory mechanisms underlying materno-fetal iron transport and gives insight into common pregnancy conditions in which iron homeostasis is disturbed. Moreover, the significance of the newly emerging ferroptosis pathway and its impact on the regulation of placental iron homeostasis, oxidative stress and gestational diseases will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Zaugg
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabia Solenthaler
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland; Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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