1
|
Vidal MS, Radnaa E, Vora N, Khanipov K, Antich C, Ferrer M, Urrabaz-Garza R, Jacob JE, Menon R. Establishment and comparison of human term placenta-derived trophoblast cells†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:950-970. [PMID: 38330185 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae026] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on the biology of fetal-maternal barriers has been limited by access to physiologically relevant cells, including trophoblast cells. In this study, we describe the development of a human term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line (hPTCCTB) derived from the basal plate. Human-term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line cells are comparable to their primary cells of origin in terms of morphology, marker expression, and functional responses. We demonstrate that these can transform into syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblasts. We also compared the hPTCCTB cells to immortalized chorionic trophoblasts (hFM-CTC), trophoblasts of the chorionic plate, and BeWo cells, choriocarcinoma cell lines of conventional use. Human-term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line and hFM-CTCs displayed more similarity to each other than to BeWos, but these differ in syncytialization ability. Overall, this study (1) demonstrates that the immortalized hPTCCTB generated are cells of higher physiological relevance and (2) provides a look into the distinction between the spatially distinct placental and fetal barrier trophoblasts cells, hPTCCTB and hFM-CTC, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel S Vidal
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Natasha Vora
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Cristina Antich
- 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marc Ferrer
- 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jeena E Jacob
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Milan KL, Jayasuriya R, Harithpriya K, Anuradha M, Ramkumar KM. MicroRNA-125b regulates vitamin D resistance by targeting CYP24A1 in the progression of gestational diabetes mellitus. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 239:106475. [PMID: 38350553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106475] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in pregnancy and has been associated with increased occurrences of preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, neonatal bacterial vaginosis, and gestational diabetes. CYP24A1, recognized as a key factor in vitamin D metabolism homeostasis, encodes 24-hydroxylase responsible for converting 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 into inactive metabolites. Recently, we have reported CYP24A1 overexpression in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and trophoblast cells exposed to hyperglycemia. In this study, we explored miRNA-mediated regulation of CYP24A1 in GDM progression, validating our findings through silencing experiments in a trophoblast cell line. In silico tools identified miR-125b-5p as a putative target of CYP24A1. Expression analysis revealed downregulation of miR-125b-5p in blood samples from early GDM and GDM compared to healthy pregnant women, positively correlating with vitamin D levels. Hyperglycemic exposure in human trophoblastic cell lines (BeWo) decreased miR-125b-5p expression, concomitant with an increase in CYP24A1. To confirm the regulatory role of miR-125b on CYP24A1, we transfected BeWo cells with antimiR-125b or miR-125b mimic. AntimiR-125b transfection heightened CYP24A1 levels, while miR-125b mimic overexpression resulted in decreased CYP24A1 expression. These findings establish miR-125b as a regulator of CYP24A1. To explore the influence of miR-125b on vitamin D metabolism, trophoblast cells overexpressing miR-125b were treated with 0.1 and 1 µM calcitriol. Hyperglycemic conditions exhibited a reduction in CYP24A1 levels. Collectively, our results indicate that miR-125b may regulate vitamin D metabolism by targeting CYP24A1, contributing to GDM progression. These findings may pave the way for understanding vitamin D resistance in concurrent GDM development and identifying novel miRNAs targeting CYP24A1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K L Milan
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ravichandran Jayasuriya
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kannan Harithpriya
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Anuradha
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kunka Mohanram Ramkumar
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamil Nadu, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Vidal MS, Richardson LS, Kumar Kammala A, Kim S, Lam PY, Cherukuri R, Thomas TJ, Bettayeb M, Han A, Rusyn I, Menon R. Endocrine-disrupting compounds and their impact on human placental function: evidence from placenta organ-on-chip studies. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1727-1749. [PMID: 38334486 PMCID: PMC10998263 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00998j] [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] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
The effects of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) on the placenta, a critical gestational organ for xenobiotic protection, are well reported; however, models to determine the role of EDCs in placental disruption are limited. An advanced 2nd-trimester human placenta organ-on-chip model (2TPLA-OOC) was developed and validated, with six representative cells of the maternal and the fetal interface interconnected with microchannels. Various EDCs (150 ng mL-1 each of bisphenol A, bisphenol S, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers-47 and -99) were gradually propagated across the chip for 72 hours, and their various effects were determined. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE), an environmental risk factor, was used as a positive control. EDCs produced overall oxidative stress in the placental/decidual cells, induced cell-specific endocrine effects, caused limited (<10%) apoptosis/necrosis in trophoblasts and mesenchymal cells, induced localized inflammation but an overall anti-inflammatory shift, did not change immune cell migration from stroma to decidua, and did not affect placental nutrient transport. Overall, (1) the humanized 2TPLA-OOC recreated the placental organ and generated data distinct from the trophoblast and other cells studied in isolation, and (2) at doses associated with adverse pregnancies, EDCs produced limited and localized insults, and the whole organ compensated for the exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel S Vidal
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Lauren S Richardson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Sungjin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Po Yi Lam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Rahul Cherukuri
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Tilu Jain Thomas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Mohammed Bettayeb
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Arum Han
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ivan Rusyn
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Slaby EM, Plaisier SB, Brady SR, Hiremath SC, Weaver JD. Controlling placental spheroid growth and phenotype using engineered synthetic hydrogel matrices. Biomater Sci 2024; 12:933-948. [PMID: 38204396 PMCID: PMC10922805 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01393f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The human placenta is a complex organ comprised of multiple trophoblast subtypes, and inadequate models to study the human placenta in vitro limit the current understanding of human placental behavior and development. Common in vitro placental models rely on two-dimensional culture of cell lines and primary cells, which do not replicate the native tissue microenvironment, or poorly defined three-dimensional hydrogel matrices such as Matrigel™ that provide limited environmental control and suffer from high batch-to-batch variability. Here, we employ a highly defined, synthetic poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel system with tunable degradability and presentation of extracellular matrix-derived adhesive ligands native to the placenta microenvironment to generate placental spheroids. We evaluate the capacity of a hydrogel library to support the viability, function, and phenotypic protein expression of three human trophoblast cell lines modeling varied trophoblast phenotypes and find that degradable synthetic hydrogels support the greatest degree of placental spheroid viability, proliferation, and function relative to standard Matrigel controls. Finally, we show that trophoblast culture conditions modulate cell functional phenotype as measured by proteomics analysis and functional secretion assays. Engineering precise control of placental spheroid development in vitro may provide an important new tool for the study of early placental behavior and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Slaby
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA.
| | - Seema B Plaisier
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA
| | - Sarah R Brady
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA.
| | - Shivani C Hiremath
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA.
| | - Jessica D Weaver
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, 85287, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kuoni S, Steiner R, Saleh L, Lehmann R, Ochsenbein-Kölble N, Simões-Wüst AP. Safety assessment of the SGLT2 inhibitors empagliflozin, dapagliflozin and canagliflozin during pregnancy: An ex vivo human placenta perfusion and in vitro study. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116177. [PMID: 38262151 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Although uncontrolled hyperglycaemia during pregnancy can cause complications for both the mother and her offspring, pharmacological treatment options for gestational and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy are still limited. Empagliflozin (EMPA), dapagliflozin (DAPA) and canagliflozin (CANA) are three sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, a newer group of oral antidiabetics that are well established in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in non-pregnant patients. To date, no data regarding their placental transfer and safety in pregnant women are available. We performed ex vivo human placental perfusions (n = 4, term placentas, creatinine and antipyrine as connectivity controls) to evaluate the transplacental transfer of EMPA, DAPA and CANA across the placental barrier and assessed their influence on the secretion of two placental peptide hormones, leptin and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG). We discovered that all three SGLT2 inhibitors cross the placental barrier and attained maximal foetal to maternal concentration ratios of 0.38 ± 0.09 (EMPA), 0.67 ± 0.05 (DAPA) and 0.62 ± 0.05 (CANA) within the tested 360 min. A moderate but statistically significant decrease in placental leptin - but not β-hCG - secretion was observed during perfusions with SGLT2 inhibitors, which was confirmed in experiments performed with human placental BeWo cells. SGLT2 inhibitors are able to cross the human placental barrier and seem to interfere with placental leptin production. These observations should be considered in the ongoing discussion on the optimal treatment for gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus in pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Kuoni
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Regula Steiner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lanja Saleh
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Lehmann
- Department of Endocrinology, University Hospital of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Ochsenbein-Kölble
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ana Paula Simões-Wüst
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland; University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yu H, He X, Gu X, Hou Y, Zhao H, Gao L, An R, Wang J. Carbon-coated selenium nanoparticles for photothermal therapy in choriocarcinoma cells. RSC Adv 2024; 14:640-649. [PMID: 38173625 PMCID: PMC10758934 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra07085a] [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: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Choriocarcinoma can be cured by chemotherapy, but this causes resistance and severe side effects that bring about physical and psychological consequences for patients. Therefore, there is still an urgent need to find other alternative minimally invasive therapies to halt the progression of choriocarcinoma. Novel carbon-coated selenium nanoparticles (C-Se) were successfully synthesized for choriocarcinoma photothermal therapy. C-Se combined with near-infrared laser irradiation can inhibit the proliferation of human choriocarcinoma (JEG-3) cells and induce cell apoptosis. C-Se killed cells and produced ROS under near-infrared laser irradiation. Finally, the therapeutic mechanism of C-Se + laser was explored showing that C-Se + laser influenced numerous biological processes. Taken together, C-Se exhibited significant potential for choriocarcinoma photothermal therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Xinyi He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Xiaoya Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Yuemin Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Haoyi Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Li Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Ruifang An
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University Xi'an Shaanxi P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Öztürk S, Demir M, Koçkaya EA, Karaaslan C, Süloğlu AK. Establishment of a 3D multicellular placental microtissues for investigating the effect of antidepressant vortioxetine. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 123:108519. [PMID: 38043629 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a unique organ with an active metabolism and dynamically changing physiology throughout pregnancy. It is difficult to elucidate the structure of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions of the placenta in in vivo studies due to interspecies differences and ethical constraints. In this study, human umbilical cord vein cells (HUVEC) and human placental choriocarcinoma cells (BeWo) were co-cultured for the first time to form spheroids (microtissues) on a three-dimensional (3D) Petri Dish® mold and compared with a traditional two-dimensional (2D) system. Vortioxetine is an antidepressant with a lack of literature on its use in pregnancy in established cultures, the toxicity of vortioxetine was studied to investigate the response of spheroids representing placental tissue. Spheroids were characterised by morphology and exposed to vortioxetine. Cell viability and barrier integrity were then measured. Intercellular junctions and the localisation of serotonin transporter (SERT) proteins were demonstrated by immunofluorescence (IF) staining in BeWo cells. Human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) hormone levels were also measured. In the 3D system, cell viability and hormone production were higher than in the 2D system. It was observed that the barrier structure was impaired, the structure of intracellular skeletal elements was altered and SERT expression decreased depending on vortioxetine exposure. These results demonstrate that the multicellular microtissue placenta model can be used to obtain results that more closely resemble in vivo toxicity studies of various xenobiotics than other 2D and mono-culture spheroid models in the literature. It also describes the use of 3D models for soft tissues other than the placenta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Selen Öztürk
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Beytepe Campus, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Merve Demir
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Beytepe Campus, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - E Arzu Koçkaya
- Gazi University, The Higher Vocational School of Health Services, Gölbaşı Campus, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Cagatay Karaaslan
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Section, Beytepe Campus, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Aysun Kılıç Süloğlu
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Beytepe Campus, Ankara, Türkiye.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vidal Jr S M, Enkhtuya R, Urrabaz-Garza R, Menon R. Placental Trophoblast Cell Isolation from the Term Placenta. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2781:131-142. [PMID: 38502449 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3746-3_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Multiple cell lines have been utilized over time in studying placental biology. Still, most of them rely on choriocarcinoma cells or immortalized trophoblast cells that may not be entirely comparable with actual human placental trophoblast cells. Term placentas can be a source of primary villous trophoblasts. However, challenges remain in isolating them and maintaining them in extended culture. This manuscript describes our three-phase protocol utilizing enzymatic/mechanical digestion, modified Percoll gradient density separation, and immunopurification using magnetic beads. The resulting trophoblast culture remains viable for an extended period and highly pure after initial passaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Vidal Jr S
- College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Radnaa Enkhtuya
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Chaudhary N, Newby AN, Whitehead KA. Non-Viral RNA Delivery During Pregnancy: Opportunities and Challenges. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2306134. [PMID: 38145340 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the risk of maternal and fetal adversities increases due to physiological changes, genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and infections. Unfortunately, treatment options are severely limited because many essential interventions are unsafe, inaccessible, or lacking in sufficient scientific data to support their use. One potential solution to this challenge may lie in emerging RNA therapeutics for gene therapy, protein replacement, maternal vaccination, fetal gene editing, and other prenatal treatment applications. In this review, the current landscape of RNA platforms and non-viral RNA delivery technologies that are under active development for administration during pregnancy is explored. Advancements of pregnancy-specific RNA drugs against SARS-CoV-2, Zika, influenza, preeclampsia, and for in-utero gene editing are discussed. Finally, this study highlights bottlenecks that are impeding translation efforts of RNA therapies, including the lack of accurate cell-based and animal models of human pregnancy and concerns related to toxicity and immunogenicity during pregnancy. Overcoming these challenges will facilitate the rapid development of this new class of pregnancy-safe drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Namit Chaudhary
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Alexandra N Newby
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Kathryn A Whitehead
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Lu X, Hong J, Zhang J, Liu Q, Liao G, Shi Y, Tang H, Liu X. Triphenyl phosphate disrupts placental tryptophan metabolism by activating MAOA/ROS/NFκB. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166688. [PMID: 37659542 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) is an organophosphate flame retardant widely distributed in the environment. The neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP has been observed in animals and humans. Previously, we found that prenatal TPhP exposure disturbed placental tryptophan metabolism, impaired neurodevelopment in male offspring, and induced abnormal neurobehavior; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, using the trophoblast cell line JEG-3, we found that TPhP altered gene and protein expression in the tryptophan metabolism pathway, inhibited the tryptophan-serotonin pathway, and activated the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway. Meanwhile, TPhP induced oxidative stress by activating monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), promoting inflammatory factors including nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB), interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α. The NFκB inhibitor sulfasalazine could alleviate the effects of TPhP on tryptophan metabolism disturbance. The MAOA inhibitor clorgyline or the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine can mitigate oxidative stress and eliminate TPhP-induced inflammatory factors and tryptophan metabolism disturbances. The data above suggest that TPhP disturbed tryptophan metabolism by activating NFκB through MAOA-mediated oxidative stress. Finally, using the mouse intrauterine exposure model, the results confirmed that TPhP induced oxidative stress, activated inflammatory factors, disturbed tryptophan metabolism, and increased the levels of the tryptophan metabolites serotonin, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in the placenta during the second trimester of pregnancy. Overall, TPhP can disturb placental tryptophan metabolism by activating the inflammatory factor NFκB, which was induced by MAOA-induced oxidative stress. The results of this study confirm that indirect exposure to xenobiotic compounds at an early life stage can impair offspring development and provide a novel perspective on the neurodevelopmental toxicity of TPhP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxun Lu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Jiabin Hong
- The Third People's Hospital of Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Qian Liu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Ganzhong Liao
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China
| | - Yanwei Shi
- Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanwen Tang
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China.
| | - Xiaoshan Liu
- The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Dongguan Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, Guangdong 523-808, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fein KC, Arral ML, Kim JS, Newby AN, Whitehead KA. Placental drug transport and fetal exposure during pregnancy is determined by drug molecular size, chemistry, and conformation. J Control Release 2023; 361:29-39. [PMID: 37473809 PMCID: PMC10624237 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant people are unable to take many prescription and over-the-counter medications because of suspected or known risk to the fetus. This undermedication contributes to the high maternal mortality rate in the United States and detracts from the quality of life of pregnant people. As such, there is an urgent need to develop safe pharmaceutical formulations for use during pregnancy. Most drugs are small molecules that easily cross the placenta, which is the biological barrier that separates the maternal and fetal bloodstreams. One potential approach to preventing fetal drug accumulation is to design drug compounds that are excluded by the placenta; however, there is little understanding of how macromolecular drug properties affect transplacental transport. To address this knowledge gap, we examined the transport behavior of fluorescently-labeled polymers with varying size, conformation, and chemistry. We compared these polymers to unconjugated fluorescein, a small molecule model drug that readily crosses biological barriers. We found that molecular size affected transplacental transport in an in vitro model, BeWo b30 monolayers, as well as in pregnant mice, with larger polymers having lower permeability. In addition to size, polymer chemistry altered behavior, with polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules permeating the placental barrier to a greater extent than dextrans of equivalent molecular weight. PEG molecules were also more readily taken up into placental cells in vivo. These findings will inform the future development of drug conjugates or other macromolecular medicines that can safely be used during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine C Fein
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America
| | - Mariah L Arral
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America
| | - Julie S Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America
| | - Alexandra N Newby
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America
| | - Kathryn A Whitehead
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ciampa EJ, Flahardy P, Srinivasan H, Jacobs C, Tsai L, Karumanchi SA, Parikh SM. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling drives placental aging and can provoke preterm labor. eLife 2023; 12:RP85597. [PMID: 37610425 PMCID: PMC10446824 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85597] [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: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Most cases of preterm labor have unknown cause, and the burden of preterm birth is immense. Placental aging has been proposed to promote labor onset, but specific mechanisms remain elusive. We report findings stemming from unbiased transcriptomic analysis of mouse placenta, which revealed that hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) stabilization is a hallmark of advanced gestational timepoints, accompanied by mitochondrial dysregulation and cellular senescence; we detected similar effects in aging human placenta. In parallel in primary mouse trophoblasts and human choriocarcinoma cells, we modeled HIF-1 induction and demonstrated resultant mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that HIF-1 stabilization recapitulated gene signatures observed in aged placenta. Further, conditioned media from trophoblasts following HIF-1 induction promoted contractility in immortalized uterine myocytes, suggesting a mechanism by which the aging placenta may drive the transition from uterine quiescence to contractility at the onset of labor. Finally, pharmacological induction of HIF-1 via intraperitoneal administration of dimethyloxalyl glycine (DMOG) to pregnant mice caused preterm labor. These results provide clear evidence for placental aging in normal pregnancy, and demonstrate how HIF-1 signaling in late gestation may be a causal determinant of the mitochondrial dysfunction and senescence observed within the trophoblast as well as a trigger for uterine contraction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin J Ciampa
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Padraich Flahardy
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Harini Srinivasan
- Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Christopher Jacobs
- Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Linus Tsai
- Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | | | - Samir M Parikh
- Division of Nephrology, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical SchoolDallasUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cary C, Stapleton P. Determinants and mechanisms of inorganic nanoparticle translocation across mammalian biological barriers. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2111-2131. [PMID: 37303009 PMCID: PMC10540313 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03528-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biological barriers protect delicate internal tissues from exposures to and interactions with hazardous materials. Primary anatomical barriers prevent external agents from reaching systemic circulation and include the pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and dermal barriers. Secondary barriers include the blood-brain, blood-testis, and placental barriers. The tissues protected by secondary barriers are particularly sensitive to agents in systemic circulation. Neurons of the brain cannot regenerate and therefore must have limited interaction with cytotoxic agents. In the testis, the delicate process of spermatogenesis requires a specific milieu distinct from the blood. The placenta protects the developing fetus from compounds in the maternal circulation that would impair limb or organ development. Many biological barriers are semi-permeable, allowing only materials or chemicals, with a specific set of properties, that easily pass through or between cells. Nanoparticles (particles less than 100 nm) have recently drawn specific concern due to the possibility of biological barrier translocation and contact with distal tissues. Current evidence suggests that nanoparticles translocate across both primary and secondary barriers. It is known that the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles can affect biological interactions, and it has been shown that nanoparticles can breach primary and some secondary barriers. However, the mechanism by which nanoparticles cross biological barriers has yet to be determined. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize how different nanoparticle physicochemical properties interact with biological barriers and barrier products to govern translocation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea Cary
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Phoebe Stapleton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lermant A, Rabussier G, Lanz HL, Davidson L, Porter IM, Murdoch CE. Development of a human iPSC-derived placental barrier-on-chip model. iScience 2023; 26:107240. [PMID: 37534160 PMCID: PMC10392097 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Although recently developed placenta-on-chip systems opened promising perspectives for placental barrier modeling, they still lack physiologically relevant trophoblasts and are poorly amenable to high-throughput studies. We aimed to implement human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived trophoblasts into a multi-well microfluidic device to develop a physiologically relevant and scalable placental barrier model. When cultured in a perfused micro-channel against a collagen-based matrix, hiPSC-derived trophoblasts self-arranged into a 3D structure showing invasive behavior, fusogenic and endocrine activities, structural integrity, and expressing placental transporters. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the microfluidic 3D environment boosted expression of genes related to early placental structural development, mainly involved in mechanosensing and cell surface receptor signaling. These results demonstrated the feasibility of generating a differentiated primitive syncytium from hiPSC in a microfluidic platform. Besides expanding hiPSC-derived trophoblast scope of applications, this study constitutes an important resource to improve placental barrier models and boost research and therapeutics evaluation in pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Lermant
- Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| | | | | | - Lindsay Davidson
- Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Facility, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Iain M. Porter
- Dundee Imaging Facility, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Colin E. Murdoch
- Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wu Z, Zhang L, Jia Y, Bi B, Fang L, Cheng JC. GDF-11 downregulates placental human chorionic gonadotropin expression by activating SMAD2/3 signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:179. [PMID: 37480123 PMCID: PMC10362589 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01201-5] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The production of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by the placental trophoblast cells is essential for maintaining a normal pregnancy. Aberrant hCG levels are associated with reproductive disorders. The protein of hCG is a dimer consisting of an α subunit and a β subunit. The β subunit is encoded by the CGB gene and is unique to hCG. Growth differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11), a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, is expressed in the human placenta and can stimulate trophoblast cell invasion. However, whether the expression of CGB and the production of hCG are regulated by GDF-11 remains undetermined. METHODS Two human choriocarcinoma cell lines, BeWo and JEG-3, and primary cultures of human cytotrophoblast (CTB) cells were used as experimental models. The effects of GDF-11 on CGB expression and hCG production, as well as the underlying mechanisms, were explored by a series of in vitro experiments. RESULTS Our results show that treatment of GDF-11 downregulates the expression of CGB and the production of hCG in both BeWo and JEG-3 cells as well as in primary CTB cells. Using a pharmacological inhibitor and siRNA-mediated approach, we reveal that both ALK4 and ALK5 are required for the GDF-11-induced downregulation of CGB expression. In addition, treatment of GDF-11 activates SMAD2/3 but not SMAD1/5/8 signaling pathways. Moreover, both SMAD2 and SMAD3 are involved in the GDF-11-downregulated CGB expression. ELISA results show that the GDF-11-suppressed hCG production requires the ALK4/5-mediated activation of SMAD2/3 signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS This study not only discovers the biological function of GDF-11 in the human placenta but also provides important insights into the regulation of the expression of hCG. Video Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ze Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Beibei Bi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Lanlan Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jung-Chien Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Stapleton PA. The Application of Engineered Nanomaterials in Perinatal Therapeutics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2303072. [PMID: 37438678 PMCID: PMC10784409 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a vulnerable life stage for the mother and developing fetus. Because of this dual concern, approved therapeutic options for pre-existing conditions or pregnancy-induced pathologies, placental deformities, or fetal concerns are extremely limited. These cases often leave patients and clinicians having to choose between maternal health and fetal development. Recent advancements in nanomedicine and nanotherapeutic devices have made the development of perinatal therapeutics an attractive objective. However, perinatal medicine requires a multifaceted approach given the interactions between maternal, placental, and fetal physiology. Maternal-fetal interactions are centralized to the placenta, a specialized transient barrier organ, to allow for nutrient and waste exchange. Perinatal nanotherapeutics must be designed for placental avoidance or uptake. In this review, pregnancy-related conditions, experimental models, and modes of drug delivery during pregnancy are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe A Stapleton
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Milano-Foster J, Schulz LC. RISING STARS: Approaches to modeling placental function in preeclampsia in vitro and in vivo. J Endocrinol 2023; 258:e230008. [PMID: 37014303 PMCID: PMC10330201 DOI: 10.1530/joe-23-0008] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Modeling preeclampsia remains difficult due to the nature of the disease and the unique characteristics of the human placenta. Members of the Hominidae superfamily have a villous hemochorial placenta that is different in structure from those of other therian mammals, including the mouse hemochorial placenta, making this common animal model less ideal for studying this disease. Human placental tissues delivered from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia are excellent for assessing the damage the disease causes but cannot answer how or when the disease begins. Symptoms of preeclampsia manifest halfway through pregnancy or later, making it currently impossible to identify preeclampsia in human tissues obtained from an early stage of pregnancy. Many animal and cell culture models recapitulate various aspects of preeclampsia, though none can on its own completely capture the complexity of human preeclampsia. It is particularly difficult to uncover the cause of the disease using models in which the disease is induced in the lab. However, the many ways by which preeclampsia-like features can be induced in a variety of laboratory animals are consistent with the idea that preeclampsia is a two-stage disease, in which a variety of initial insults may lead to placental ischemia, and ultimately systemic symptoms. The recent development of stem cell-based models, organoids, and various coculture systems have brought in vitro systems with human cells ever closer to recapitulating in vivo events that lead to placental ischemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Milano-Foster
- Division of Animal Sciences, 245 Bond Life Sciences Center, 1201 Rollins Dr University of Missouri, Columbia MO 65211
| | - Laura C. Schulz
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, N610 Medical Sciences Building, Columbia, MO 65212
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nashif SK, Mahr RM, Jena S, Jo S, Nelson AB, Sadowski D, Crawford PA, Puchalska P, Alejandro EU, Gearhart MD, Wernimont SA. Metformin impairs trophoblast metabolism and differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1167097. [PMID: 37250894 PMCID: PMC10213689 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1167097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin is a widely prescribed medication whose mechanism of action is not completely defined and whose role in gestational diabetes management remains controversial. In addition to increasing the risk of fetal growth abnormalities and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes is associated with abnormalities in placental development including impairments in trophoblast differentiation. Given that metformin impacts cellular differentiation events in other systems, we assessed metformin's impact on trophoblast metabolism and differentiation. Using established cell culture models of trophoblast differentiation, oxygen consumption rates and relative metabolite abundance were determined following 200 µM (therapeutic range) and 2000 µM (supra-therapeutic range) metformin treatment using Seahorse and mass-spectrometry approaches. While no differences in oxygen consumption rates or relative metabolite abundance were detected between vehicle and 200 µM metformin-treated cells, 2000 µM metformin impaired oxidative metabolism and increased the abundance of lactate and TCA cycle intermediates, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, and malate. Examining differentiation, treatment with 2000 μM, but not 200 µM metformin, impaired HCG production and expression of multiple trophoblast differentiation markers. Overall, this work suggests that supra-therapeutic concentrations of metformin impair trophoblast metabolism and differentiation whereas metformin concentrations in the therapeutic range do not strongly impact these processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sereen K. Nashif
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Renee M. Mahr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Snehalata Jena
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Alisa B. Nelson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Danielle Sadowski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Peter A. Crawford
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Patrycja Puchalska
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Emilyn U. Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Micah D. Gearhart
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sarah A. Wernimont
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mahr RM, Jena S, Nashif SK, Nelson AB, Rauckhorst AJ, Rome FI, Sheldon RD, Hughey CC, Puchalska P, Gearhart MD, Taylor EB, Crawford PA, Wernimont SA. Mitochondrial citrate metabolism and efflux regulate BeWo differentiation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7387. [PMID: 37149697 PMCID: PMC10164164 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34435-x] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotrophoblasts fuse to form and renew syncytiotrophoblasts necessary to maintain placental health throughout gestation. During cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, cells undergo regulated metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming. Mitochondria play a critical role in differentiation events in cellular systems, thus we hypothesized that mitochondrial metabolism played a central role in trophoblast differentiation. In this work, we employed static and stable isotope tracing untargeted metabolomics methods along with gene expression and histone acetylation studies in an established BeWo cell culture model of trophoblast differentiation. Differentiation was associated with increased abundance of the TCA cycle intermediates citrate and α-ketoglutarate. Citrate was preferentially exported from mitochondria in the undifferentiated state but was retained to a larger extent within mitochondria upon differentiation. Correspondingly, differentiation was associated with decreased expression of the mitochondrial citrate transporter (CIC). CRISPR/Cas9 disruption of the mitochondrial citrate carrier showed that CIC is required for biochemical differentiation of trophoblasts. Loss of CIC resulted in broad alterations in gene expression and histone acetylation. These gene expression changes were partially rescued through acetate supplementation. Taken together, these results highlight a central role for mitochondrial citrate metabolism in orchestrating histone acetylation and gene expression during trophoblast differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renee M Mahr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Snehalata Jena
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sereen K Nashif
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Alisa B Nelson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adam J Rauckhorst
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ferrol I Rome
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ryan D Sheldon
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Curtis C Hughey
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Patrycja Puchalska
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Micah D Gearhart
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Eric B Taylor
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Peter A Crawford
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sarah A Wernimont
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zhong H, Geng Y, Gao R, Chen J, Chen Z, Mu X, Zhang Y, Chen X, He J. Decidual derived exosomal miR-99a-5p targets Ppp2r5a to inhibit trophoblast invasion in response to CeO 2NPs exposure. Part Fibre Toxicol 2023; 20:14. [PMID: 37081566 PMCID: PMC10116836 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-023-00524-y] [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: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The biological effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs), a novel material in the biomedical field, have attracted widespread attention. Our previous study confirmed that exposure to CeO2NPs during pregnancy led to abnormal trophoblast invasion during early placental development, thereby impairing placental development. The potential mechanisms may be related to low-quality decidualization triggered by CeO2NPs exposure, such as an imbalance in trophoblast invasion regulators secreted by decidual cells. However, the intermediate link mediating the "dialogue" between decidual cells and trophoblasts during this process remains unclear. As an important connection between cells, exosomes participate in the "dialogue" between endometrial cells and trophoblasts. Exosomes transfer bioactive microRNA into target cells, which can target and regulate the level of mRNA in target cells. RESULTS Here, we constructed a mice primary uterine stromal cell-induced decidualization model in vitro, and detected the effect of CeO2NPs exposure on the expression of decidual-derived exosomal miRNAs by high-throughput sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify target genes of the screened key miRNAs in regulating trophoblast invasion. Finally, the role of the screened miRNAs and their target genes in regulating trophoblast (HTR-8/SVneo cells) invasion was confirmed. The results showed that CeO2NPs exposure inhibited trophoblast invasion by promoting miR-99a-5p expression in decidual-derived exosomes, and Ppp2r5a is a potential target gene for miR-99a-5p to inhibit trophoblast invasion. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the molecular mechanism by which CeO2NPs exposure inhibits trophoblast invasion from the perspective of decidual derived exosomal miRNAs. These results will provide an experimental basis for screening potential therapeutic targets for the negative biological effects of CeO2NPs exposure and new ideas for studying the mechanism of damage to trophoblast cells at the decidual-foetal interface by harmful environmental or occupational factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hangtian Zhong
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Yi Xue Yuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanqing Geng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rufei Gao
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Yi Xue Yuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuxiu Chen
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Yi Xue Yuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xinyi Mu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Yi Xue Yuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Yi Xue Yuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junlin He
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, No.1, Yi Xue Yuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Parsons AM, Rajendran RR, Whitcomb LA, Bouma GJ, Chicco AJ. Characterization of trophoblast mitochondrial function and responses to testosterone treatment in ACH-3P cells. Placenta 2023; 137:70-77. [PMID: 37087951 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Trophoblast mitochondria play important roles in placental energy metabolism, physiology and pathophysiology. Hyperandrogenism has been associated with mitochondrial abnormalities in pregnancy disorders such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and intrauterine growth restriction, but the direct impacts of androgen exposure on placental mitochondrial function are unknown. Given the inherent limitations of studying the human placenta during pregnancy, trophoblast cell lines are routinely used to model placental biology in vitro. The aim of this study was to characterize mitochondrial respiratory function in four commonly used trophoblast cell lines to provide a basis for selecting one well-suited to investigating the impact of androgens on trophoblast mitochondrial function. METHODS Androgen receptor expression, mitochondrial respiration (JO2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) release rates were evaluated in three human trophoblast cell lines (ACH-3P, BeWo and Swan-71) and one immortalized ovine trophoblast line (iOTR) under basal and substrate-stimulated conditions using high-resolution fluorespirometry. RESULTS ACH-3P cells exhibited the greatest mitochondrial respiratory capacity and coupling efficiency of the four trophoblast lines tested, along with robust expression of androgen receptor protein that was found to co-localize with mitochondria by immunoblot and immunofluorescence. Acute testosterone administration (10 nM) tended to decrease ACH-3P mitochondrial JO2 and increase ROS release, while chronic (7 days) testosterone exposure increased expression of mitochondrial proteins, JO2, and ROS release. DISCUSSION These studies establish ACH-3P as a suitable cell line for investigating trophoblast mitochondrial function, and provide foundational evidence supporting links between hyperandrogenism and placental mitochondrial ROS production with potential relevance to several common pregnancy disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agata M Parsons
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Ranjitha Raja Rajendran
- Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Luke A Whitcomb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Gerrit J Bouma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Adam J Chicco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mohammad S, Bhattacharjee J, Tzaneva V, Hutchinson KA, Shaikh M, Fernandes da Silva D, Burger D, Adamo KB. The Influence of Exercise-Associated Small Extracellular Vesicles on Trophoblasts In Vitro. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030857. [PMID: 36979835 PMCID: PMC10045992 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Exercise induces the release of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) into circulation that are postulated to mediate tissue cross-talk during exercise. We previously reported that pregnant individuals released greater levels of sEVs into circulation after exercise compared to matched non-pregnant controls, but their biological functions remain unknown. In this study, sEVs isolated from the plasma of healthy pregnant and non-pregnant participants after a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise were evaluated for their impact on trophoblasts in vitro. Exercise-associated sEVs were found localized within the cytoplasm of BeWo choriocarcinoma cells, used to model trophoblasts in vitro. Exposure to exercise-associated sEVs did not significantly alter BeWo cell proliferation, gene expression of angiogenic growth factors VEGF and PLGF, or the release of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin. The results from this pilot study support that exercise-associated sEVs could interact with trophoblasts in vitro, and warrant further investigation to reveal their potential role in communicating the effects of exercise to the maternal–fetal interface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuhiba Mohammad
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jayonta Bhattacharjee
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Velislava Tzaneva
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Kelly Ann Hutchinson
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Madeeha Shaikh
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Danilo Fernandes da Silva
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Dylan Burger
- Kidney Research Centre, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Kristi B. Adamo
- School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lintao RCV, Kammala AK, Vora N, Yaklic JL, Menon R. Fetal membranes exhibit similar nutrient transporter expression profiles to the placenta. Placenta 2023; 135:33-42. [PMID: 36913807 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION During pregnancy, the growth of the fetus is supported by the exchange of nutrients, waste, and other molecules between maternal and fetal circulations in the utero-placental unit. Nutrient transfer, in particular, is mediated by solute transporters such as solute carrier (SLC) and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) proteins. While nutrient transport has been extensively studied in the placenta, the role of human fetal membranes (FM), which was recently reported to have a role in drug transport, in nutrient uptake remains unknown. OBJECTIVES This study determined nutrient transport expression in human FM and FM cells and compared expression with placental tissues and BeWo cells. METHODS RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) of placental and FM tissues and cells was done. Genes of major solute transporter groups, such as SLC and ABC, were identified. Proteomic analysis of cell lysates was performed via nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS) to confirm expression at a protein level. RESULTS We determined that FM tissues and cells derived from the fetal membrane tissues express nutrient transporter genes, and their expression is similar to that seen in the placenta or BeWo cells. In particular, transporters involved in macronutrient and micronutrient transfer were identified in both placental and FM cells. Consistent with RNA-Seq findings, carbohydrate transporters (3), vitamin transport-related proteins (8), amino acid transporters (21), fatty acid transport-related proteins (9), cholesterol transport-related proteins (6) and nucleoside transporters (3) were identified in BeWo and FM cells, with both groups sharing similar nutrient transporter expression. CONCLUSION This study determined the expression of nutrient transporters in human FMs. This knowledge is the first step in improving our understanding of nutrient uptake kinetics during pregnancy. Functional studies are required to determine the properties of nutrient transporters in human FMs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C V Lintao
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1062, USA; College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, 547 Pedro Gil St., Manila, 1000, Philippines
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1062, USA.
| | - Natasha Vora
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1062, USA; John Sealy School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1062, USA
| | - Jerome L Yaklic
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1062, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, 77555-1062, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
A Systematic Review of the Placental Translocation of Micro- and Nanoplastics. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023:10.1007/s40572-023-00391-x. [PMID: 36848019 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00391-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite increasing awareness of the ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in our environments, little is known about their risk of developmental toxicity. Even less is known about the environmental distribution and associated toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs). Here, we review the current literature on the capacity for MPs and NPs to be transported across the placental barrier and the potential to exert toxicity on the developing fetus. RECENT FINDINGS This review includes 11 research articles covering in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo models, and observational studies. The current literature confirms the placental translocation of MPs and NPs, depending on physicochemical properties such as size, charge, and chemical modification as well as protein corona formation. Specific transport mechanisms for translocation remain unclear. There is emerging evidence of placental and fetal toxicity due to plastic particles based on animal and in vitro studies. Nine out of eleven studies examined in this review found that plastic particles were capable of placental translocation. In the future, more studies are needed to confirm and quantify the existence of MPs and NPs in human placentas. Additionally, translocation of different plastic particle types and heterogenous mixtures across the placenta, exposure at different periods of gestation, and associations with adverse birth and other developmental outcomes should also be investigated.
Collapse
|
25
|
Dusza HM, van Boxel J, van Duursen MBM, Forsberg MM, Legler J, Vähäkangas KH. Experimental human placental models for studying uptake, transport and toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160403. [PMID: 36417947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and have recently been found in human lungs, blood and placenta. However, data on the possible effects of MNPs on human health is extremely scarce. The potential toxicity of MNPs during pregnancy, a period of increased susceptibility to environmental insults, is of particular concern. The placenta provides a unique interface between maternal and fetal circulation which is essential for in utero survival and healthy pregnancy. Placental toxicokinetics and toxicity of MNPs are still largely unexplored and the limited studies performed up to now focus mainly on polystyrene particles. Practical and ethical considerations limit research options in humans, and extrapolation from animal studies is challenging due to marked differences between species. Nevertheless, diverse in vitro and ex vivo human placental models exist e.g., plasma membrane vesicles, mono-culture and co-culture of placental cells, placenta-on-a-chip, villous tissue explants, and placental perfusion that can be used to advance this research area. The objective of this concise review is to recapitulate different human placental models, summarize the current understanding of placental uptake, transport and toxicity of MNPs and define knowledge gaps. Moreover, we provide perspectives for future research urgently needed to assess the potential hazards and risks of MNP exposure to maternal and fetal health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M Dusza
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeske van Boxel
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Majorie B M van Duursen
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Markus M Forsberg
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juliette Legler
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kirsi H Vähäkangas
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Nashif SK, Mahr RM, Jena S, Jo S, Nelson AB, Sadowski D, Crawford PA, Puchalska P, Alejandro EU, Gearhart MD, Wernimont SA. Metformin impairs trophoblast metabolism and differentiation in dose dependent manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.14.528531. [PMID: 36824783 PMCID: PMC9949099 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.14.528531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Metformin is a widely prescribed medication whose mechanism of action is not completely defined and whose role in gestational diabetes management remains controversial. In addition to increasing risks of fetal growth abnormalities and preeclampsia, gestational diabetes is associated with abnormalities in placental development including impairments in trophoblast differentiation. Given that metformin impacts cellular differentiation events in other systems, we assessed metformin's impact on trophoblast metabolism and differentiation. Using established cell culture models of trophoblast differentiation, oxygen consumption rates and relative metabolite abundance were determined following 200 μM (therapeutic range) and 2000 μM (supra-therapeutic range) metformin treatment using Seahorse and mass-spectrometry approaches. While no differences in oxygen consumption rates or relative metabolite abundance were detected between vehicle and 200 μM metformin treated cells, 2000 μM metformin impaired oxidative metabolism and increased abundance of lactate and TCA cycle intermediates, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, and malate. Examining differentiation, treatment with 2000 μM, but not 200 μM metformin, impaired HCG production and expression of multiple trophoblast differentiation markers. Overall, this work suggests that supra-therapeutic concentrations of metformin impairs trophoblast metabolism and differentiation whereas metformin concentrations in the therapeutic range do not strongly impact these processes.
Collapse
|
27
|
Mahr RM, Jena S, Nashif SK, Nelson AB, Rauckhorst AJ, Rome FI, Sheldon RD, Hughey CC, Puchalska P, Gearhart MD, Taylor EB, Crawford PA, Wernimont SA. Mitochondrial citrate metabolism and efflux regulates trophoblast differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.22.525071. [PMID: 36711862 PMCID: PMC9882289 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.22.525071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Cytotrophoblasts fuse to form and renew syncytiotrophoblasts necessary to maintain placental health throughout gestation. During cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, cells undergo regulated metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming. Mitochondria play a critical role in differentiation events in cellular systems, thus we hypothesized that mitochondrial metabolism played a central role in trophoblast differentiation. In this work, we employed static and stable isotope tracing untargeted metabolomics methods along with gene expression and histone acetylation studies in an established cell culture model of trophoblast differentiation. Trophoblast differentiation was associated with increased abundance of the TCA cycle intermediates citrate and α-ketoglutarate. Citrate was preferentially exported from mitochondria in the undifferentiated state but was retained to a larger extent within mitochondria upon differentiation. Correspondingly, differentiation was associated with decreased expression of the mitochondrial citrate transporter (CIC). CRISPR/Cas9 disruption of the mitochondrial citrate carrier showed that CIC is required for biochemical differentiation of trophoblasts. Loss of CIC resulted in broad alterations in gene expression and histone acetylation. These gene expression changes were partially rescued through acetate supplementation. Taken together, these results highlight a central role for mitochondrial citrate metabolism in orchestrating histone acetylation and gene expression during trophoblast differentiation.
Collapse
|
28
|
Sammar M, Apicella C, Altevogt P, Meiri H, Vaiman D. Modeling Preeclampsia In Vitro: Polymorphic Variants of STOX1-A/B Genes Can Downregulate CD24 in Trophoblast Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415927. [PMID: 36555567 PMCID: PMC9783292 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
CD24 is a mucin-like immunosuppressing glycoprotein whose levels increase during pregnancy and decrease in the syncytio- and cytotrophoblasts in early and preterm preeclampsia. We used two modified cell lines that mimic in vitro features of preeclampsia to identify if this phenomenon could be reproduced. Our model was the immortalized placental-derived BeWo and JEG-3 cell lines that overexpress the STOX1 A/B transcription factor gene that was discovered in familial forms of preeclampsia. BeWo and JEG-3 cells stably transduced with the two major isoforms of STOX1-A/B or by an empty vector (control), were propagated, harvested, and analyzed. CD24 mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase nuclear chain reaction (qRT-PCR). CD24 protein levels were determined by Western blots. In STOX1-A/B overexpressing in BeWo cells, CD24 mRNA was downregulated by 91 and 85%, respectively, compared to the control, and by 30% and 74%, respectively in JEG-3 cells. A 67% and 82% decrease in CD24 protein level was determined by immunoblot in BeWo overexpressing STOX1-A/B, respectively, while the reduction in JEG-3 cells was between 47 and 62%. The immortalized BeWo and JEG-3 cell lines overexpressing STOX1-A/B had reduced CD24. Although both cell lines were affected, BeWo appears to be more susceptible to downregulation by STOX-1 than JEG-3, potentially because of their different cell origin and properties. These results strengthen the in vivo results of reduced CD24 levels found in early and preterm preeclampsia. Accordingly, it implies the importance of the reduced immune tolerance in preeclampsia, which was already demonstrated in vivo in the STOX1-A/B model of preeclampsia, and is now implied in the in vitro STOX-1 model, a subject that warrants further investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marei Sammar
- Prof. Ephraim Katzir’s Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Braude College of Engineering, 51 Snunit St., Karmiel 2161002, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-(04)-9901769; Fax: +972-(04)-99017
| | - Clara Apicella
- Institute Cochin, U1016, INSERM, UMR 8504 CNRS, Paris-Descartes Université, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Peter Altevogt
- Skin Cancer Unit, DKFZ and Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1–3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hamutal Meiri
- Hylabs, Rehovot and TeleMarpe, 21 Beit El St., Tel Aviv 6908742, Israel
| | - Daniel Vaiman
- Institute Cochin, U1016, INSERM, UMR 8504 CNRS, Paris-Descartes Université, 75014 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Human Maternal-Fetal Interface Cellular Models to Assess Antiviral Drug Toxicity during Pregnancy. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed3040024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a period of elevated risk for viral disease severity, resulting in serious health consequences for both the mother and the fetus; yet antiviral drugs lack comprehensive safety and efficacy data for use among pregnant women. In fact, pregnant women are systematically excluded from therapeutic clinical trials to prevent potential fetal harm. Current FDA-recommended reproductive toxicity assessments are studied using small animals which often do not accurately predict the human toxicological profiles of drug candidates. Here, we review the potential of human maternal-fetal interface cellular models in reproductive toxicity assessment of antiviral drugs. We specifically focus on the 2- and 3-dimensional maternal placental models of different gestational stages and those of fetal embryogenesis and organ development. Screening of drug candidates in physiologically relevant human maternal-fetal cellular models will be beneficial to prioritize selection of safe antiviral therapeutics for clinical trials in pregnant women.
Collapse
|
30
|
Schmidt S. Breach of Security? Placental Uptake of Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:114001. [PMID: 36318466 PMCID: PMC9624286 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
|
31
|
Ahamed M, Lateef R, Akhtar MJ, Rajanahalli P. Dietary Antioxidant Curcumin Mitigates CuO Nanoparticle-Induced Cytotoxicity through the Oxidative Stress Pathway in Human Placental Cells. Molecules 2022; 27:7378. [PMID: 36364205 PMCID: PMC9654626 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta is an important organ that maintains a healthy pregnancy by transporting nutrients to the fetus and removing waste from the fetus. It also acts as a barrier to protect the fetus from hazardous materials. Recent studies have indicated that nanoparticles (NPs) can cross the placental barrier and pose a health risk to the developing fetus. The high production and widespread application of copper oxide (CuO) NPs may lead to higher exposure to humans, raising concerns of health hazards, especially in vulnerable life stages, e.g., pregnancy. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Due to its strong antioxidant activity, dietary curcumin can act as a therapeutic agent for adverse pregnancy. There is limited knowledge on the hazardous effects of CuO NPs during pregnancy and their mitigation by curcumin. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of curcumin against CuO NP-induced toxicity in human placental (BeWo) cells. CuO NPs were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence techniques. We observed that curcumin did not induce toxicity in BeWo cells (1-100 µg/mL for 24 h), whereas CuO NPs decreased the cell viability dose-dependently (5-200 µg/mL for 24 h). Interestingly, CuO NP-induced cytotoxicity was effectively mitigated by curcumin co-exposure. The apoptosis data also exhibited that CuO NPs modulate the expression of several genes (p53, bax, bcl-2, casp3, and casp9), the activity of enzymes (caspase-3 and -9), and mitochondrial membrane potential loss, which was successfully reverted by co-treatment with curcumin. The mechanistic study suggested that CuO-induced reactive oxygen species generation, lipid peroxidation, and higher levels of hydrogen peroxide were significantly alleviated by curcumin co-exposure. Moreover, glutathione depletion and the lower activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) were effectively mitigated by curcumin. We believe this is the first report exhibiting that CuO-induced toxicity in BeWo cells can be effectively alleviated by curcumin. The pharmacological potential of dietary curcumin in NP-induced toxicity during pregnancy warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maqusood Ahamed
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rashid Lateef
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur 222003, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mohd Javed Akhtar
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Listeria monocytogenes Infection Alters the Content and Function of Extracellular Vesicles Produced by Trophoblast Stem Cells. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0034722. [PMID: 36154271 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00347-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental immunity is critical for fetal health during pregnancy, as invading pathogens spread from the parental blood to the fetus through this organ. However, inflammatory responses in the placenta can adversely affect both the fetus and the pregnant person, and the balance between protective placental immune response and detrimental inflammation is poorly understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed vesicles that play a critical role in placental immunity. EVs produced by placental trophoblasts mediate immune tolerance to the fetus and to the placenta itself, but these EVs can also activate detrimental inflammatory responses. The regulation of these effects is not well characterized, and the role of trophoblast EVs (tEVs) in the response to infection has yet to be defined. The Gram-positive bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes infects the placenta, serving as a model to study tEV function in this context. We investigated the effect of L. monocytogenes infection on the production and function of tEVs, using a trophoblast stem cell (TSC) model. We found that tEVs from infected TSCs can induce the production of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in recipient cells. Surprisingly, this tEV treatment could confer increased susceptibility to subsequent L. monocytogenes infection, which has not been reported previously as an effect of EVs. Proteomic analysis and RNA sequencing revealed that tEVs from infected TSCs had altered cargo compared with those from uninfected TSCs. However, no L. monocytogenes proteins were detected in tEVs from infected TSCs. Together, these results suggest an immunomodulatory role for tEVs during prenatal infection.
Collapse
|
33
|
Stojanovska V, Arnold S, Bauer M, Voss H, Fest S, Zenclussen AC. Characterization of Three-Dimensional Trophoblast Spheroids: An Alternative Model to Study the Physiological Properties of the Placental Unit. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182884. [PMID: 36139458 PMCID: PMC9497053 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It was postulated that 3D cell culture models more accurately reflect the complex tissue physiology and morphology in comparison to 2D cell monolayers. Currently, there is a shortage of well-characterized and easily maintainable high-throughput experimental models of the human placenta. Here, we characterized three different 3D cultures (e.g., spheroids) derived from trophoblast cell lines and studied their functionality in comparison to primary fetal trophoblasts and placental tissue. The spheroid growth rates of JEG3, BeWo and HTR8/SVneo cell lines were similar among each other and were significantly larger in comparison to primary trophoblast spheroids. All spheroids exhibited migratory properties and shortest distances were registered for JEG3 spheroids. Even though all spheroids displayed invasive capabilities, only the invasive features of HTR8/SVneo spheroids resulted in specific branching. This was in agreement with the invasive properties of the spheroids obtained from primary trophoblasts. Human chorionic gonadotropin production was highest in JEG3 spheroids and only increased when stimulated with cAMP and forskolin in BeWo, but not HTR8/SVneo spheroids. The gene expression analysis confirmed that 3D trophoblast cell cultures and especially HTR8/SVneo spheroids showed considerable similarities with the gene expression profile of primary placental tissue. This study offers a broad characterization of 3D trophoblast spheroids that, in turn, can help in selecting the best model depending on the scientific question that needs to be answered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Stojanovska
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Susanne Arnold
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mario Bauer
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hermann Voss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Städtisches Klinikum Dessau, Academic Hospital of University Brandenburg, 06847 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Stefan Fest
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Städtisches Klinikum Dessau, Academic Hospital of University Brandenburg, 06847 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany
| | - Ana Claudia Zenclussen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Saxonian Incubator for Translational Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Dusza HM, Katrukha EA, Nijmeijer SM, Akhmanova A, Vethaak AD, Walker DI, Legler J. Uptake, Transport, and Toxicity of Pristine and Weathered Micro- and Nanoplastics in Human Placenta Cells. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:97006. [PMID: 36129437 PMCID: PMC9491364 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The first evidence of micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) exposure in the human placenta is emerging. However, the toxicokinetics and toxicity of MNPs in the placenta, specifically environmentally relevant particles, remain unclear. OBJECTIVES We examined the transport, uptake, and toxicity of pristine and experimentally weathered MNPs in nonsyncytialized and syncytialized BeWo b30 choriocarcinoma cells. METHODS We performed untargeted chemical characterization of pristine and weathered MNPs using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry to evaluate compositional differences following particle weathering. We investigated cellular internalization of pristine and weathered polystyrene (PS; 0.05-10μm) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE; 0-80μm) particles using high-resolution confocal imaging and three-dimensional rendering. We investigated the influence of particle coating with human plasma on the cellular transport of PS particles using a transwell setup and examined the influence of acute MNP exposure on cell viability, damage to the plasma membrane, and expression of genes involved in steroidogenesis. RESULTS Chemical characterization of MNPs showed a significantly higher number of unique features in pristine particles in comparison with weathered particles. Size-dependent placental uptake of pristine and weathered MNPs was observed in both placental cell types after 24 h exposure. Cellular transport was limited and size-dependent and was not influenced by particle coating with human plasma. None of the MNPs affected cell viability. Damage to the plasma membrane was observed only for 0.05μm PS particles in the nonsyncytialized cells at the highest concentration tested (100μg/mL). Modest down-regulation of hsd17b1 was observed in syncytialized cells exposed to pristine MNPs. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that pristine and weathered MNPs are internalized and translocated in placental cells in vitro. Effects on gene expression observed upon pristine PS and HDPE particle exposure warrant further examination. More in-depth investigations are needed to better understand the potential health risks of MNP and chemicals associated with them under environmentally relevant exposure scenarios. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10873.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M. Dusza
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Eugene A. Katrukha
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra M. Nijmeijer
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Akhmanova
- Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A. Dick Vethaak
- Deltares, Delft, the Netherlands
- Department of Environment and Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Douglas I. Walker
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Juliette Legler
- Division of Toxicology, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kruger L, Yue G, Mettu VS, Paquette A, Sathyanarayana S, Prasad B. Differential proteomics analysis of JEG-3 and JAR placental cell models and the effect of androgen treatment. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2022; 222:106138. [PMID: 35690242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106138] [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: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a vital fetal organ that plays an important role in maintaining fetal sex hormone homeostasis. Xenobiotics can alter placental sex-steroidogenic enzymes and transporters, including enzymes such as aromatase (CYP19A1) and the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) but studying how compounds disrupt in vivo placental metabolism is complex. Utilizing high-throughput in vitro models is critical to predict the disruption of placental sex-steroidogenic enzymes and transporters, particularly by drug candidates in the early stages of drug discovery. JAR and JEG-3 cells are the most common, simple, and cost-effective placental cell models that are capable of high-throughput screening, but how well they express the sex-steroidogenic enzymes and transporters is not well known. Here, we compared the proteomes of JAR and JEG-3 cells in the presence and absence of physiologically relevant concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 8 µM) and testosterone (15 nM) to aid the characterization of sex-steroidogenic enzymes and transporters in these cell models. Global proteomics analysis detected 2931 and 3449 proteins in JAR cells and JEG-3 cells, respectively. However, dramatic differences in sex-steroidogenic enzymes and transporters were observed between these cells. In particular, the basal expression of steroid sulfatase (STS), HSD17B1, and HSD17B7 were unique to JEG-3 cells. JEG-3 cells also showed significantly higher protein levels of aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1A1 and AKR1B1, while JAR cells showed significantly higher levels of HSD17B4 and HSDB12. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) 3A2 and HSD17B11 enzymes as well as the transporters sterol O-acyltransferase (SOAT) 1 and ATP binding cassette subfamily G2 (ABCG2) were comparable between the cell lines, whereas sulfotransferases (SULTs) were uniquely present within JAR cells. Androgen treatments significantly lowered HSD17B11, HSD17B4, HSD17B12, and ALDH3A2 levels in JAR cells. DHEA treatment significantly raised the level of HSD17B1 by 51 % in JEG-3 cells, whereas CYP19A1 was increased to significant levels in both JAR and JEG-3 cells after androgen treatments. The proteomics data were supported by a complementary targeted metabolomics analysis of culture media in the DHEA (8 µM) and testosterone (15 nM) treated groups. This study has indicated that untreated JEG-3 cells express more sex-steroidogenic enzymes and transporters. Nevertheless, JEG-3 and JAR cells are unique and their respective proteomics data can be used to select the best model depending on the hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laken Kruger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Guihua Yue
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Vijaya Saradhi Mettu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Alison Paquette
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA; University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sheela Sathyanarayana
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA; University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bhagwat Prasad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Balhara A, Kumar AR, Unadkat JD. Predicting Human Fetal Drug Exposure Through Maternal-Fetal PBPK Modeling and In Vitro or Ex Vivo Studies. J Clin Pharmacol 2022; 62 Suppl 1:S94-S114. [PMID: 36106781 PMCID: PMC9494623 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.2117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Medication (drug) use in human pregnancy is prevalent. Determining fetal safety and efficacy of drugs is logistically challenging. However, predicting (not measuring) fetal drug exposure (systemic and tissue) throughout pregnancy is possible through maternal-fetal physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and simulation. Such prediction can inform fetal drug safety and efficacy. Fetal drug exposure can be quantified in 2 complementary ways. First, the ratio of the steady-state unbound plasma concentration in the fetal plasma (or area under the plasma concentration-time curve) to the corresponding maternal plasma concentration (ie, Kp,uu ). Second, the maximum unbound peak (Cu,max,ss,f ) and trough (Cu,min,ss,f ) fetal steady-state plasma concentrations. We (and others) have developed a maternal-fetal PBPK model that can successfully predict maternal drug exposure. To predict fetal drug exposure, the model needs to be populated with drug specific parameters, of which transplacental clearances (active and/or passive) and placental/fetal metabolism of the drug are critical. Herein, we describe in vitro studies in cells/tissue fractions or the perfused human placenta that can be used to determine these drug-specific parameters. In addition, we provide examples whereby this approach has successfully predicted systemic fetal exposure to drugs that passively or actively cross the placenta. Apart from maternal-fetal PBPK models, animal studies also have the potential to estimate fetal drug exposure by allometric scaling. Whether such scaling will be successful is yet to be determined. Here, we review the above approaches to predict fetal drug exposure, outline gaps in our knowledge to make such predictions and map out future research directions that could fill these gaps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankit Balhara
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Aditya R Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jashvant D Unadkat
- Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jiang Z, Tang H, Xiong Q, Li M, Dai Y, Zhou Z. Placental cell translocation of folate-conjugated pullulan acetate non-spherical nanoparticles. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 216:112553. [PMID: 35598508 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Due to the adverse effects of free drugs on the fetus, placental-mediated pregnancy complications still lack effective pharmacotherapy. This study aims to construct a non-spherical drug delivery system based on folate-conjugated pullulan acetate (FPA) for placental targeting and translocation. By adjusting the initial solvent system, FPA nanoparticles with different morphologies were prepared using dialysis method without a surfactant. Cytotoxicity and lactate dehydrogenase release assays indicated the good biocompatibility of FPA nanoparticles in BeWo b30 cells. Cellular uptake and in vitro placental barrier transportation studies showed that FPA nanoparticles entered the cells and transported across the cell monolayer, benefiting from the active target effect mediated by the folate receptor. Moreover, non-spherical FPA nanoparticles showed nuclear translocation due to their shape effect. These findings provide a novel aspect in placental-mediated pregnancy treatment and applications in the obstetrics field of drug use during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziwen Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Hongbo Tang
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China.
| | - Qingqing Xiong
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin 300060, China
| | - Min Li
- Biomedical Barriers Research Center, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yinmei Dai
- Department of Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China.
| | - Zhimin Zhou
- Biomedical Barriers Research Center, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Tianjin 300192, China.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Martin H, Barthelemy J, Chin Y, Bergamelli M, Moinard N, Cartron G, Tanguy Le Gac Y, Malnou CE, Simonin Y. Usutu Virus Infects Human Placental Explants and Induces Congenital Defects in Mice. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081619. [PMID: 35893684 PMCID: PMC9330037 DOI: 10.3390/v14081619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Usutu virus (USUV) is a neurotropic mosquito-borne flavivirus that has dispersed quickly in Europe these past years. This arbovirus mainly follows an enzootic cycle involving mosquitoes and birds, but can also infect other mammals, causing notably sporadic cases in humans. Although it is mainly asymptomatic or responsible for mild clinical symptoms, USUV has been associated with neurological disorders, such as encephalitis and meningoencephalitis, highlighting the potential health threat of this virus. Among the different transmission routes described for other flaviviruses, the capacity for some of them to be transmitted vertically has been demonstrated, notably for Zika virus or West Nile virus, which are closely related to USUV. To evaluate the ability of USUV to replicate in the placenta and gain access to the fetus, we combined the use of several trophoblast model cell lines, ex vivo human placental explant cultures from first and third trimester of pregnancy, and in vivo USUV-infected pregnant mice. Our data demonstrate that human placental cells and tissues are permissive to USUV replication, and suggest that viral transmission can occur in mice during gestation. Hence, our observations suggest that USUV could be efficiently transmitted by the vertical route.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Martin
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France; (H.M.); (Y.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Jonathan Barthelemy
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France;
| | - Yamileth Chin
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France; (H.M.); (Y.C.); (M.B.)
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
| | - Mathilde Bergamelli
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France; (H.M.); (Y.C.); (M.B.)
| | - Nathalie Moinard
- Développement Embryonnaire, Fertilité, Environnement (DEFE), INSERM UMR 1203, Université de Toulouse et Université de Montpellier, France;
- CECOS, Groupe d’Activité de Médecine de la Reproduction, CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Paule de Viguier, Toulouse, France
| | - Géraldine Cartron
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Paule de Viguier, Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique, Toulouse, France; (G.C.); (Y.T.L.G.)
| | - Yann Tanguy Le Gac
- CHU Toulouse, Hôpital Paule de Viguier, Service de Gynécologie Obstétrique, Toulouse, France; (G.C.); (Y.T.L.G.)
| | - Cécile E. Malnou
- Institut Toulousain des Maladies Infectieuses et Inflammatoires (Infinity), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France; (H.M.); (Y.C.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence: (C.E.M.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yannick Simonin
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections, University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, Montpellier, France;
- Correspondence: (C.E.M.); (Y.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Renaud SJ, Jeyarajah MJ. How trophoblasts fuse: an in-depth look into placental syncytiotrophoblast formation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:433. [PMID: 35859055 PMCID: PMC11072895 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04475-z] [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: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In humans, cell fusion is restricted to only a few cell types under normal conditions. In the placenta, cell fusion is a critical process for generating syncytiotrophoblast: the giant multinucleated trophoblast lineage containing billions of nuclei within an interconnected cytoplasm that forms the primary interface separating maternal blood from fetal tissue. The unique morphology of syncytiotrophoblast ensures that nutrients and gases can be efficiently transferred between maternal and fetal tissue while simultaneously restricting entry of potentially damaging substances and maternal immune cells through intercellular junctions. To maintain integrity of the syncytiotrophoblast layer, underlying cytotrophoblast progenitor cells terminate their capability for self-renewal, upregulate expression of genes needed for differentiation, and then fuse into the overlying syncytium. These processes are disrupted in a variety of obstetric complications, underscoring the importance of proper syncytiotrophoblast formation for pregnancy health. Herein, an overview of key mechanisms underlying human trophoblast fusion and syncytiotrophoblast development is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Renaud
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada.
| | - Mariyan J Jeyarajah
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Parameshwar PK, Sagrillo-Fagundes L, Azevedo Portilho N, Pastor WA, Vaillancourt C, Moraes C. Engineered models for placental toxicology: Emerging approaches based on tissue decellularization. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 112:148-159. [PMID: 35840119 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent increases in prescriptions and illegal drug use as well as exposure to environmental contaminants during pregnancy have highlighted the critical importance of placental toxicology in understanding and identifying risks to both mother and fetus. Although advantageous for basic science, current in vitro models often fail to capture the complexity of placental response, likely due to their inability to recreate and monitor aspects of the microenvironment including physical properties, mechanical forces and stiffness, protein composition, cell-cell interactions, soluble and physicochemical factors, and other exogenous cues. Tissue engineering holds great promise in addressing these challenges and provides an avenue to better understand basic biology, effects of toxic compounds and potential therapeutics. The key to success lies in effectively recreating the microenvironment. One strategy to do this would be to recreate individual components and then combine them. However, this becomes challenging due to variables present according to conditions such as tissue location, age, health status and lifestyle. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to influence cellular fate by working as a storage of factors. Decellularized ECM (dECM) is a recent tool that allows usage of the original ECM in a refurbished form, providing a relatively reliable representation of the microenvironment. This review focuses on using dECM in modified forms such as whole organs, scaffold sheets, electrospun nanofibers, hydrogels, 3D printing, and combinations as building blocks to recreate aspects of the microenvironment to address general tissue engineering and toxicology challenges, thus illustrating their potential as tools for future placental toxicology studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathalia Azevedo Portilho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - William A Pastor
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Québec, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Ruyak SL, Noor S, DiDomenico J, Sun MS, Fernandez Oropeza AK, Rodriguez DE, Marquez LE, Milligan ED, Bakhireva LN. Effects of prenatal opioid and alcohol exposures on immune and serotonin factors in human placenta. Exp Neurol 2022; 353:114057. [PMID: 35364108 PMCID: PMC10035581 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114057] [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: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Opioids and alcohol impact critical serotonin (5-HT) function in the developing placenta and fetus through the actions of immune proinflammatory factors. Yet, possible convergent effects of opioids and alcohol on human placental toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation and subsequent 5-HT homeostasis remain entirely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prenatal exposure to opioids with or without prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on the expression of key placental immune and serotonin signaling factors in human placental tissue obtained from a well-characterized prospective cohort. METHODS Data were collected from a subset of participants enrolled in the prospective pre-birth Ethanol, Neurodevelopment, Infant, and Child Health (ENRICH-1) cohort. Women were recruited and classified into four study groups: 1) PAE (n = 20); 2) those taking medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD; n = 28), 3) concurrent PAE and MOUD (n = 20); and 4) controls (HC; n = 20) based on prospective, repeated self-report, and biomarker analysis. Placenta samples underwent tissue processing to identify mRNA for TLR4, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), serotonin transporter (SERT), tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH1), indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (IDO) as well as protein concentrations of TLR4, IL-1β, TNF-α, SERT. To consider the association between study group and mRNA/protein expression of our targets, multivariable regression models were developed with inclusion of a priori selected covariates. RESULTS There was a significant negative association between PAE and SERT mRNA (β = -0.01; p < 0.01) and a positive association with TPH1 mRNA expression (β = 0.78; p < 0.05). In addition, there was a negative association between MOUD and TNF-α protein expression (β = -0.12; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first evidence that PAE may inhibit SERT expression while simultaneously promoting increased TPH1 protein expression in human placenta. This may result in increased 5-HT in fetal circulation known to affect neurodevelopment. Our data suggest that opioids and alcohol may disturb the bidirectional, dynamic interaction between the placental immune and serotonin system. Given the implication for brain development and health across the life-span further investigation of these critical mechanisms in well-defined cohorts is required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Ruyak
- College of Nursing, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America; College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America.
| | - Shahani Noor
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Jared DiDomenico
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Melody S Sun
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Annette K Fernandez Oropeza
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Dominique E Rodriguez
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Lidia Enriquez Marquez
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Erin D Milligan
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Ludmila N Bakhireva
- College of Pharmacy Substance Use Research Education Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
James JL, Lissaman A, Nursalim YNS, Chamley LW. Modelling human placental villous development: designing cultures that reflect anatomy. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:384. [PMID: 35753002 PMCID: PMC9234034 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The use of in vitro tools to study trophoblast differentiation and function is essential to improve understanding of normal and abnormal placental development. The relative accessibility of human placentae enables the use of primary trophoblasts and placental explants in a range of in vitro systems. Recent advances in stem cell models, three-dimensional organoid cultures, and organ-on-a-chip systems have further shed light on the complex microenvironment and cell-cell crosstalk involved in placental development. However, understanding each model's strengths and limitations, and which in vivo aspects of human placentation in vitro data acquired does, or does not, accurately reflect, is key to interpret findings appropriately. To help researchers use and design anatomically accurate culture models, this review both outlines our current understanding of placental development, and critically considers the range of established and emerging culture models used to study this, with a focus on those derived from primary tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L James
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Abbey Lissaman
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yohanes N S Nursalim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lawrence W Chamley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Fendereski M, Neupane B, Nazneen F, Bai F, Guo YL. Mouse Trophoblast Cells Can Provide IFN-Based Antiviral Protection to Embryonic Stem Cells via Paracrine Signaling. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:2761-2770. [PMID: 35649628 PMCID: PMC9308691 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The blastocyst is the preimplantation stage embryo that consists of two major components: the inner cell mass (ICM) and the trophectoderm (TE). The ICM gives rise to the fetus and some extraembryonic tissues whereas the TE contributes to development of the placenta. Previous studies have demonstrated that both human and mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from the ICM are deficient in expressing type I IFNs in response to viral infection. In this study, we investigated the IFN response in mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and their in vitro differentiated trophoblasts (TSC-TBs). In this study, we report that, unlike ESCs, TSCs have a functional IFN system. They can express type I IFNs in response to viral stimuli and express IFN-stimulated genes in response to type I IFNs. TSC-TBs have a further developed IFN system and acquired the ability to express specialized type III IFN-λ. Furthermore, TSCs and TSC-TBs can provide ESCs with antiviral activity against Chikungunya, West Nile, and Zika virus infection, as demonstrated with a novel coculture model that simulates the temporal and spatial relationship between the ICM and the TE in a blastocyst. Taken together, our data demonstrate that mouse ESCs can respond to type I IFNs and gain IFN-based antiviral protection from TSCs and TSC-TBs via paracrine signaling mechanisms even though they themselves are unable to express type I IFNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Fendereski
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
| | - Biswas Neupane
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
| | - Farzana Nazneen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
| | - Fengwei Bai
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
| | - Yan-Lin Guo
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Wang Y, Jiang X, Jia L, Wu X, Wu H, Wang Y, Li Q, Yu R, Wang H, Xiao Z, Liang X. A Single-Cell Characterization of Human Post-implantation Embryos Cultured In Vitro Delineates Morphogenesis in Primary Syncytialization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:835445. [PMID: 35784461 PMCID: PMC9240912 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.835445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Implantation of the human blastocyst is a milestone event in embryonic development. The trophoblast is the first cell lineage to differentiate during implantation. Failures in trophoblast differentiation during implantation are correlated to the defects of pregnancy and embryonic growth. However, many gaps remain in the knowledge of human embryonic development, especially regarding trophoblast morphogenesis and function. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis on human post-implantation embryos cultured in vitro. A hierarchical model was established, which was characterized by the sequential development of two primitive cytotrophoblast cell (pCTB) subtypes, two primitive syncytiotrophoblast subtypes, and migrative trophoblast cells (MTB) after the trophectoderm . Further analysis characterized cytoskeleton transition of trophoblast cells and morphogenesis, such as irregular nuclei, cell cycle arrest, and cellular aging during implantation. Moreover, we found syncytialization of hTSCs could mimic the morphogenesis, serving as a powerful tool for further understanding of the mechanism during the implantation stage of pregnancy. Our work allows for the reconstruction of trophoblast cell transcriptional transition and morphogenesis during implantation and provides a valuable resource to study pathologies in early pregnancy, such as recurrent implantation failure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangxiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Jia
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xulun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ruoxuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hongmei Wang, ; Xiaoyan Liang, ; Zhenyu Xiao,
| | - Zhenyu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hongmei Wang, ; Xiaoyan Liang, ; Zhenyu Xiao,
| | - Xiaoyan Liang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hongmei Wang, ; Xiaoyan Liang, ; Zhenyu Xiao,
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Balahmar RM, Ranganathan B, Ebegboni V, Alamir J, Rajakumar A, Deepak V, Sivasubramaniam S. Analyses of selected tumour-associated factors expression in normotensive and preeclamptic placenta. Pregnancy Hypertens 2022; 29:36-45. [PMID: 35717832 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2022.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human placenta is often considered a controlled-tumour because of shared properties such as invasion and angiogenesis. We assessed the status of a few selected tumour-associated factors (TAFs) in late onset pre-eclamptic (PE) and normotensive (NT) placentae, to understand their involvement in trophoblast invasion. These molecules include aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH3A1), aurora kinases (AURK-A/C), platelet derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα), jagged-1 (JAG1) and twist related protein-1 (TWIST1). METHODS The expression of TAF was compared in 13 NT and 11 PE (late onset) placentae using immunoblotting/immunohistochemistry. We then used a novel spheroidal cell model developed from transformed human first trimester trophoblast cell lines HTR8/SVneo and TEV-1 to determine the expression and localization of these six factors during invasion. We also compared the expression of these TAFs during migration and invasion. RESULTS Our results suggest that expressions of ALDH3A1, AURK-A, PDGFRα, and TWIST1 are significantly upregulated in PE placentae (p < 0.05) when compared to NT placentae, whereas AURK-C and JAG1 are down-regulated (p < 0.05). The protein expression pattern of all the six factors were found to be similar in spheroids in comparison to their parental counterparts. The invasive potential of the spheroids was also enhanced when compared with the parental cells. DISCUSSION Collectively, data from our present study suggests that these TAFs are involved in placental invasion and their altered expressions may be regarded as a compensatory mechanism against reduced invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reham M Balahmar
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, United Kingdom
| | - Bhuvaneshwari Ranganathan
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, United Kingdom
| | - Vernon Ebegboni
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, United Kingdom
| | - Jumanah Alamir
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham NG11 8NS, United Kingdom
| | - Augustine Rajakumar
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics(3), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA
| | - Venkataraman Deepak
- School of Human Sciences, College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, United Kingdom.
| | - Shiva Sivasubramaniam
- School of Human Sciences, College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Koishikawa M, Furugen A, Ohyama N, Narumi K, Ishikawa S, Kobayashi M. Uptake of antiepileptic drugs in forskolin-induced differentiated BeWo cells: Alteration of gabapentin transport. Xenobiotica 2022; 52:405-412. [PMID: 35642749 DOI: 10.1080/00498254.2022.2085635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that the expression levels of several transporters are altered during placental trophoblast differentiation. However, changes in the transport activities of therapeutic agents during differentiation must be comprehensively characterised. Antiepileptic drugs, including gabapentin (GBP), lamotrigine (LTG), topiramate, and levetiracetam, are increasingly prescribed during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to elucidate differences in the uptake of antiepileptic drugs during the differentiation process.Human placental choriocarcinoma BeWo cells were used as trophoblast models. For differentiation into syncytiotrophoblast-like cells, cells were treated with forskolin.The uptake of GBP and LTG was lower in differentiated BeWo cells than in undifferentiated cells. In particular, the maximum uptake rate of GBP transport was decreased in differentiated BeWo cells. Furthermore, GBP transport was trans-stimulated by the amino acids His and Met. We investigated the profiles of amino acids in undifferentiated and differentiated BeWo cells. Supplementation with His and Met, which demonstrated trans-stimulatory effects on GBP uptake, restored GBP uptake in differentiated cells. The findings of this study suggest that drug transport in BeWo cells can be altered before and after differentiation, and that the altered GBP uptake could be mediated by the intracellular amino acid status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mai Koishikawa
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutics & Therapeutics, Division of Pharmasciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University
| | - Ayako Furugen
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutics & Therapeutics, Division of Pharmasciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University
| | - Nanami Ohyama
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutics & Therapeutics, Division of Pharmasciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University
| | - Katsuya Narumi
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutics & Therapeutics, Division of Pharmasciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University
| | | | - Masaki Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutics & Therapeutics, Division of Pharmasciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
Treatment with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in human primed pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) for generating trophoblast lineage cells has sparked debate that the resulting cells are closer to amnion lineage cells rather than trophoblast. This study reports that trophoblast stem-like cells (TSLCs) can be generated from human primed PSCs by a short-term treatment of BMP4 without amnion lineage marker expression. In addition, we describe that TSLCs are self-renewing in long-term culture and bipotent as they can differentiate into functional extravillous trophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts. We propose an alternative method to generate an available model for studying human placental development from human primed PSCs. The placenta is a transient but important multifunctional organ crucial for healthy pregnancy for both mother and fetus. Nevertheless, limited access to human placenta samples and the paucity of a proper in vitro model system have hampered our understanding of the mechanisms underlying early human placental development and placenta-associated pregnancy complications. To overcome these constraints, we established a simple procedure with a short-term treatment of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in trophoblast stem cell culture medium (TSCM) to convert human primed pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to trophoblast stem-like cells (TSLCs). These TSLCs show not only morphology and global gene expression profiles comparable to bona fide human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) but also long-term self-renewal capacity with bipotency that allows the cells to differentiate into functional extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) and syncytiotrophoblasts (ST). These indicate that TSLCs are equivalent to genuine human TSCs. Our data suggest a straightforward approach to make human TSCs directly from preexisting primed PSCs and provide a valuable opportunity to study human placenta development and pathology from patients with placenta-related diseases.
Collapse
|
48
|
An improved in vitro model simulating the feto-maternal interface to study developmental effects of potentially toxic compounds: The example of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 446:116056. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
49
|
Cornish EF, McDonnell T, Williams DJ. Chronic Inflammatory Placental Disorders Associated With Recurrent Adverse Pregnancy Outcome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:825075. [PMID: 35529853 PMCID: PMC9072631 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.825075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammatory placental disorders are a group of rare but devastating gestational syndromes associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. This review focuses on three related conditions: villitis of unknown etiology (VUE), chronic histiocytic intervillositis (CHI) and massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPFD). The hallmark of these disorders is infiltration of the placental architecture by maternal immune cells and disruption of the intervillous space, where gas exchange between the mother and fetus occurs. Currently, they can only be detected through histopathological examination of the placenta after a pregnancy has ended. All three are associated with a significant risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies. Villitis of unknown etiology is characterised by a destructive infiltrate of maternal CD8+ T lymphocytes invading into the chorionic villi, combined with activation of fetal villous macrophages. The diagnosis can only be made when an infectious aetiology has been excluded. VUE becomes more common as pregnancy progresses and is frequently seen with normal pregnancy outcome. However, severe early-onset villitis is usually associated with fetal growth restriction and recurrent pregnancy loss. Chronic histiocytic intervillositis is characterised by excessive accumulation of maternal CD68+ histiocytes in the intervillous space. It is associated with a wide spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes including high rates of first-trimester miscarriage, severe fetal growth restriction and late intrauterine fetal death. Intervillous histiocytes can also accumulate due to infection, including SARS-CoV-2, although this infection-induced intervillositis does not appear to recur. As with VUE, the diagnosis of CHI requires exclusion of an infectious cause. Women with recurrent CHI and their families are predisposed to autoimmune diseases, suggesting CHI may have an alloimmune pathology. This observation has driven attempts to prevent CHI with a wide range of maternal immunosuppression. Massive perivillous fibrin deposition is diagnosed when >25% of the intervillous space is occupied by fibrin, and is associated with fetal growth restriction and late intrauterine fetal death. Although not an inflammatory disorder per se, MPFD is frequently seen in association with both VUE and CHI. This review summarises current understanding of the prevalence, diagnostic features, clinical consequences, immune pathology and potential prophylaxis against recurrence in these three chronic inflammatory placental syndromes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily F. Cornish
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Emily F. Cornish,
| | - Thomas McDonnell
- Faculty of Engineering Science, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Williams
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health, Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Placental Models for Evaluation of Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Systems for Pregnancy Associated Disorders. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10050936. [PMID: 35625672 PMCID: PMC9138319 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10050936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy-associated disorders affect around 20% of pregnancies each year around the world. The risk associated with pregnancy therapeutic management categorizes pregnant women as “drug orphan” patients. In the last few decades, nanocarriers have demonstrated relevant properties for controlled drug delivery, which have been studied for pregnancy-associated disorders. To develop new drug dosage forms it is mandatory to have access to the right evaluation models to ensure their usage safety and efficacy. This review exposes the various placental-based models suitable for nanocarrier evaluation for pregnancy-associated therapies. We first review the current knowledge about nanocarriers as drug delivery systems and how placenta can be used as an evaluation model. Models are divided into three categories: in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo placental models. We then examine the recent studies using those models to evaluate nanocarriers behavior towards the placental barrier and which information can be gathered from these results. Finally, we propose a flow chart on the usage and the combination of models regarding the nanocarriers and nanoparticles studied and the intended therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
|