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Lewis RM. Volume electron microscopy reveals placental ultrastructure in 3D. Placenta 2023; 141:78-83. [PMID: 37487796 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Many structures necessary for placental function can only be visualised at the ultrastructural scale. Recent technological advances have made Volume electron microscopy (volume EM) approaches much more accessible. Volume EM allows the ultrastructure of tissues, cells and organelles to be visualised in 3D. It also allows the 3D spatial relationships between these structures to be determined. This review will highlight the potential for volume EM to advance our understanding of placental ultrastructure. It will focus on the human term placenta highlighting key findings spanning the placental barrier from trans-syncytial nanopores in the syncytiotrophoblast to tunnelling nanotubes in the fetal capillary endothelium. Volume EM is advancing our understanding of placental ultrastructure, but to fully exploit its potential, it will be necessary to use it as part of multimodal and correlative workflows. The complementary strengths of these different approaches can complement volume EM and reveal the biological significance of its novel observations. The use of volume EM also highlighted how ultrastructural features might underpin pregnancy pathologies and demonstrates the need for more research in this underrepresented area.
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Shaha S, Patel K, Riddell M. Cell polarity signaling in the regulation of syncytiotrophoblast homeostasis and inflammatory response. Placenta 2023; 141:26-34. [PMID: 36443107 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of cell polarity and the structure of the apical surface of epithelial cells is a tightly regulated process necessary for tissue homeostasis. The syncytiotrophoblast of the human placenta is an entirely unique epithelial layer. It is a single giant multinucleate syncytial layer that comprises the maternal-facing surface of the human placenta. Like other epithelia, the syncytiotrophoblast is highly polarized with the apical surface dominated by microvillar membrane protrusions. Syncytiotrophoblast dysfunction is a key feature of pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is commonly associated with a heightened maternal immune response and pro-inflammatory environment. Importantly, reports have observed disruption of syncytiotrophoblast apical microvilli in placentas from preeclamptic pregnancies, indicating a loss of apical polarity, but little is known about how the syncytiotrophoblast regulates polarity. Here, we review the evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that regulate apical-basal polarization in epithelial cells, and the emerging evidence that PAR polarity complex components are critical regulators of syncytiotrophoblast homeostasis and apical membrane structure. Pro-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to disrupt the expression of polarity regulating proteins. We also discuss initial data showing that syncytiotrophoblast apical polarity can be disrupted by the addition of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α, revealing that physiologically relevant signals can modulate syncytiotrophoblast polarization. Since disrupted polarity is a feature of preeclampsia, further elucidation of the syncytiotrophoblast-specific polarity signaling network and testing whether the disruption of polarity-factor signaling networks may contribute to the development of preeclampsia is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumaiyah Shaha
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Khushali Patel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Canada
| | - Meghan Riddell
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2S2, Canada.
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Laundon D, Katsamenis OL, Thompson J, Goggin P, Chatelet DS, Chavatte-Palmer P, Gostling NJ, Lewis RM. Correlative multiscale microCT-SBF-SEM imaging of resin-embedded tissue. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 177:241-267. [PMID: 37451769 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2023.01.014] [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] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional biological microscopy presents a trade-off between spatial resolution and field of view. Correlative approaches applying multiple imaging techniques to the same sample can therefore mitigate against these trade-offs. Here, we present a workflow for correlative microscopic X-ray microfocus computed tomography (microCT) and serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) imaging of resin-embedded tissue, using mammalian placental tissue samples as an example. This correlative X-ray and electron microscopy (CXEM) workflow allows users to image the same sample at multiple resolutions, and target the region of interest (ROI) for SBF-SEM based on microCT. We detail the protocols associated with this workflow and demonstrate its application in multiscale imaging of horse placental villi and ROI selection in the labyrinthine zone of a mouse placenta. These examples demonstrate how the protocol may need to be adapted for tissues with different densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis Laundon
- School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Orestis L Katsamenis
- μ-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - James Thompson
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Goggin
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - David S Chatelet
- Biomedical Imaging Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Pascale Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France; Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Neil J Gostling
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, United Kingdom; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Rohan M Lewis
- School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, United Kingdom.
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Lewis RM, Baskaran H, Green J, Tashev S, Palaiologou E, Lofthouse EM, Cleal JK, Page A, Chatelet DS, Goggin P, Sengers BG. 3D visualization of trans-syncytial nanopores provides a pathway for paracellular diffusion across the human placental syncytiotrophoblast. iScience 2022; 25:105453. [DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Al-Kuraishy HM, Al-Gareeb AI, Albezrah NKA, Bahaa HA, El-Bouseary MM, Alexiou A, Al-Ziyadi SH, Batiha GES. Pregnancy and COVID-19: high or low risk of vertical transmission. Clin Exp Med 2022:10.1007/s10238-022-00907-z. [PMID: 36251144 PMCID: PMC9574177 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00907-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Throughout the pandemic, evidence on the effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy has been inadequate due to the limited number of studies published. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to evaluate current literature regarding the effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy and establish pregnancy outcomes and vertical and perinatal transmission during pregnancy. Multiple databases were searched, including Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Control Clinical Trials, using the following keywords: [Pregnancy] AND [COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2 OR nCoV-19] OR [Perinatal transmission, Vertical transmission (VT), Pregnancy complications], [Pregnancy] AND [Hyperinflammation OR Cytokine storm]. We excluded in vitro and experimental studies, but also ex-vivo and animal study methods. To exclude the risk of bias during data collection and interpretation, all included studies were peer-reviewed publications. This review is estimated to tabulate the study intervention characteristics and compare them against the planned groups for each synthesis. Our findings showed that pregnant women are commonly susceptible to respiratory viral infections and severe pneumonia due to physiological immune suppression and pregnancy-induced changes. VT of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy is associated with a great deal of controversy and conflict. However, there is still no robust clinical evidence of VT. Furthermore, the clinical presentation and management of COVID-19 during pregnancy are nearly identical to those of non-pregnant women. Finally, chloroquine and remdesivir are the only two drugs evaluated as adequate for the management of COVID-19 during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, AL-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali I Al-Gareeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, AL-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | | | - Haitham Ahmed Bahaa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Maisra M El-Bouseary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, Australia.,AFNP Med Austria, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shatha Hallal Al-Ziyadi
- Saudi Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Assistant Professor at Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt.
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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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