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Zaugg J, Lopez-Tello J, Musial B, Vaughan OR, Fowden AL, Albrecht C, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Obesogenic diet in pregnancy disrupts placental iron handling and ferroptosis and stress signalling in association with fetal growth alterations. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:151. [PMID: 38526599 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05192-5] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Obesity and gestational diabetes (GDM) impact fetal growth during pregnancy. Iron is an essential micronutrient needed for energy-intense feto-placental development, but if mis-handled can lead to oxidative stress and ferroptosis (iron-dependent cell death). In a mouse model showing maternal obesity and glucose intolerance, we investigated the association of materno-fetal iron handling and placental ferroptosis, oxidative damage and stress signalling activation with fetal growth. Female mice were fed a standard chow or high fat, high sugar (HFHS) diet during pregnancy and outcomes were measured at day (d)16 or d19 of pregnancy. In HFHS-fed mice, maternal hepcidin was reduced and iron status maintained (tissue iron levels) at both d16 and d19. However, fetal weight, placental iron transfer capacity, iron deposition, TFR1 expression and ERK2-mediated signalling were reduced and oxidative damage-related lipofuscin accumulation in the placenta was increased in HFHS-fed mice. At d19, whilst TFR1 remained decreased, fetal weight was normal and placental weight, iron content and iron transporter genes (Dmt1, Zip14, and Fpn1) were reduced in HFHS-fed mice. Furthermore, there was stress kinase activation (increased phosphorylated p38MAPK, total ERK and JNK) in the placenta from HFHS-fed mice at d19. In summary, a maternal HFHS diet during pregnancy impacts fetal growth trajectory in association with changes in placental iron handling, ferroptosis and stress signalling. Downregulation of placental iron transporters in HFHS mice may protect the fetus from excessive oxidative iron. These findings suggest a role for alterations in placental iron homeostasis in determining perinatal outcomes of pregnancies associated with GDM and/or maternal obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Zaugg
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jorge Lopez-Tello
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Barbara Musial
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Owen R Vaughan
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Abigail L Fowden
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland.
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
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2
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Laundon D, Gostling NJ, Sengers BG, Chavatte-Palmer P, Lewis RM. Placental evolution from a three-dimensional and multiscale structural perspective. Evolution 2024; 78:13-25. [PMID: 37974468 DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpad209] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The placenta mediates physiological exchange between the mother and the fetus. In placental mammals, all placentas are descended from a single common ancestor and functions are conserved across species; however, the placenta exhibits radical structural diversity. The selective pressures behind this structural diversity are poorly understood. Traditionally, placental structures have largely been investigated by grouping them into qualitative categories. Assessing the placenta on this basis could be problematic when inferring the relative "efficiency" of a placental configuration to transfer nutrients from mother to fetus. We argue that only by considering placentas as three-dimensional (3D) biological structures, integrated across scales, can the evolutionary questions behind their enormous structural diversity be quantitatively determined. We review the current state of placental evolution from a structural perspective, detail where 3D imaging and computational modeling have been used to gain insight into placental function, and outline an experimental roadmap to answer evolutionary questions from a multiscale 3D structural perspective. Our approach aims to shed light on placental evolution, and can be transferred to evolutionary investigations in any organ system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davis Laundon
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Neil J Gostling
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Bram G Sengers
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Engineering, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Pascale Chavatte-Palmer
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Rohan M Lewis
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Hermans S, Pilon J, Eschweiler D, Stegmaier J, Severens–Rijvers CAH, Al-Nasiry S, van Zandvoort M, Kapsokalyvas D. Definition and Quantification of Three-Dimensional Imaging Targets to Phenotype Pre-Eclampsia Subtypes: An Exploratory Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043240. [PMID: 36834652 PMCID: PMC9959375 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-eclampsia is a severe placenta-related complication of pregnancy with limited early diagnostic and therapeutic options. Aetiological knowledge is controversial, and there is no universal consensus on what constitutes the early and late phenotypes of pre-eclampsia. Phenotyping of native placental three-dimensional (3D) morphology offers a novel approach to improve our understanding of the structural placental abnormalities in pre-eclampsia. Healthy and pre-eclamptic placental tissues were imaged with multiphoton microscopy (MPM). Imaging based on inherent signal (collagen, and cytoplasm) and fluorescent staining (nuclei, and blood vessels) enabled the visualization of placental villous tissue with subcellular resolution. Images were analysed with a combination of open source (FIJI, VMTK, Stardist, MATLAB, DBSCAN), and commercially (MATLAB) available software. Trophoblast organization, 3D-villous tree structure, syncytial knots, fibrosis, and 3D-vascular networks were identified as quantifiable imaging targets. Preliminary data indicate increased syncytial knot density with characteristic elongated shape, higher occurrence of paddle-like villous sprouts, abnormal villous volume-to-surface ratio, and decreased vascular density in pre-eclampsia compared to control placentas. The preliminary data presented indicate the potential of quantifying 3D microscopic images for identifying different morphological features and phenotyping pre-eclampsia in placental villous tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sammy Hermans
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacob Pilon
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis Eschweiler
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Johannes Stegmaier
- Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Salwan Al-Nasiry
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GROW, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marc van Zandvoort
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, GROW, CARIM, MHeNS, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research IMCAR, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Kapsokalyvas
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research IZKF, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Ni G, Zhong J, Gao X, Wu R, Wang W, Wang X, Xie Y, Liu Y, Mei J. Three-dimensional morphological revealing of human placental villi with common obstetric complications via optical coherence tomography. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 8:e10372. [PMID: 36684097 PMCID: PMC9842035 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10372] [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: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental villi play a vital role in human fetal development, acting as the bridge of material exchange between the maternal and fetal. The abnormal morphology of placental villi is closely related to placental circulation disorder and pregnancy complications. Revealing placental villi three-dimensional (3D) morphology of common obstetric complications and healthy pregnancies provides a new perspective for studying the role of the placenta and its villi in the development of pregnancy diseases. In this study, we established a noninvasive, high-resolution 3D imaging platform via optical coherence tomography to reveal placental villi 3D morphological information of diseased and normal placentae. For the first time, 3D morphologies of placental villous tree structures in common obstetric complications were quantitatively revealed and corresponding 3D information could visualize the morphological characteristics of the placental villous tree from a more intuitive perspective, providing helpful information to the study of fetal development, feto-maternal material exchange, and gestational complications treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Ni
- School of Optoelectronic Science and EngineeringUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Junming Zhong
- School of Optoelectronic Science and EngineeringUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Xuemei Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologySichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduSichuanChina
| | - Renxiong Wu
- School of Optoelectronic Science and EngineeringUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologySichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduSichuanChina
| | - Xiaoshan Wang
- Cancer Center of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Sichuan Provincial People's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Yao Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologySichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yong Liu
- School of Optoelectronic Science and EngineeringUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Jie Mei
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologySichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduSichuanChina
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Wheeler ML, Oyen ML. Bioengineering Approaches for Placental Research. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:1805-1818. [PMID: 33420547 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02714-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Research into the human placenta's complex functioning is complicated by a lack of suitable physiological in vivo models. Two complementary approaches have emerged recently to address these gaps in understanding, computational in silico techniques, including multi-scale modeling of placental blood flow and oxygen transport, and cellular in vitro approaches, including organoids, tissue engineering, and organ-on-a-chip models. Following a brief introduction to the placenta's structure and function and its influence on the substantial clinical problem of preterm birth, these different bioengineering approaches are reviewed. The cellular techniques allow for investigation of early first-trimester implantation and placental development, including critical biological processes such as trophoblast invasion and trophoblast fusion, that are otherwise very difficult to study. Similarly, computational models of the placenta and the pregnant pelvis at later-term gestation allow for investigations relevant to complications that occur when the placenta has fully developed. To fully understand clinical conditions associated with the placenta, including those with roots in early processes but that only manifest clinically at full-term, a holistic approach to the study of this fascinating, temporary but critical organ is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie L Wheeler
- Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA
| | - Michelle L Oyen
- Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA.
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Burton GJ, Jauniaux E. Placentation in the Human and Higher Primates. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2021; 234:223-254. [PMID: 34694484 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77360-1_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Placentation in humans is precocious and highly invasive compared to other mammals. Implantation is interstitial, with the conceptus becoming completely embedded within the endometrium towards the end of the second week post-fertilization. Villi initially form over the entire surface of the chorionic sac, stimulated by histotrophic secretions from the endometrial glands. The secondary yolk sac never makes contact with the chorion, and a choriovitelline placenta is never established. However, recent morphological and transcriptomic analyses suggest that the yolk sac plays an important role in the uptake of nutrients from the coelomic fluid. Measurements performed in vivo demonstrate that early development takes place in a physiological, low-oxygen environment that protects against teratogenic free radicals and maintains stem cells in a multipotent state. The maternal arterial circulation to the placenta is only fully established around 10-12 weeks of gestation. By then, villi have regressed over the superficial, abembryonic pole, leaving the definitive discoid placenta, which is of the villous, hemochorial type. Remodeling of the maternal spiral arteries is essential to ensure a high-volume but low-velocity inflow into the mature placenta. Extravillous trophoblast cells migrate from anchoring villi and surround the arteries. Their interactions with maternal immune cells release cytokines and proteases that are key to remodeling, and a successful pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham J Burton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Eric Jauniaux
- Faculty of Population Health Sciences, EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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Advances in imaging feto-placental vasculature: new tools to elucidate the early life origins of health and disease. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2020; 12:168-178. [PMID: 32746961 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174420000720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Optimal placental function is critical for fetal development, and therefore a crucial consideration for understanding the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). The structure of the fetal side of the placental vasculature is an important determinant of fetal growth and cardiovascular development. There are several imaging modalities for assessing feto-placental structure including stereology, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, micro-computed tomography, light-sheet microscopy, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this review, we present current methodologies for imaging feto-placental vasculature morphology ex vivo and in vivo in human and experimental models, their advantages and limitations and how these provide insight into placental function and fetal outcomes. These imaging approaches add important perspective to our understanding of placental biology and have potential to be new tools to elucidate a deeper understanding of DOHaD.
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Miller KS, Myers K, Oyen M. Bioengineering in women's health, volume 2: pregnancy—from implantation to parturition. Interface Focus 2019. [DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2019.0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This special issue of
Interface Focus
is the second of two sets of articles on the topic of bioengineering in women's health. This second issue in the series focuses on pregnancy, a dynamic time in a women's life that involves dramatic physiologic changes within a relatively small timeframe. Pregnancy demands endurance and resilience of one's body and represents a critical component of women's health research. The health of an individual leading up to, during and after pregnancy is paramount for reproductive health and the lifelong health of offspring. The articles in this issue explore physiological events that support reproduction spanning from embryo implantation, through gestation, to delivery and parturition. Specifically, the articles highlight essential developments in placenta, fetal membranes, cervix, pelvic floor and anthropometry research. The featured bioengineering disciplines deployed to study such complex biological processes are diverse, with articles detailing the latest advancements in computational modelling at various biological length-scales, biomaterial design, material modelling, non-invasive diagnostic techniques, microfluidic devices and experimental mechanics. This second issue continues the first in this series, on the physiology of the non-pregnant woman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin S. Miller
- Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, 500 Lindy Boggs Center, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | - Kristin Myers
- Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Michelle Oyen
- Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
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