MicroRNA-29 differentially mediates preeclampsia-dysregulated cellular responses to cytokines in female and male fetal endothelial cells

An endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand dysregulates endothelial functions, transcriptome, and phosphoproteome

We have reported that an endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand, 2-(1'H-indole-3'-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE), inhibits functions of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and induces preeclampsia (PE)-like symptoms in rats. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that ITE impairs endothelial functions via disturbing transcriptome and phosphoproteome in HUVECs. We measured AhR activity in human maternal and umbilical vein sera from PE and normotensive (NT) pregnancies. The serum-induced changes in CYP1A1/B1 mRNA (indexes of AhR activation) in HUVECs were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). ITE's effects on endothelial proliferation and monolayer integrity in female and male HUVECs were determined. We profiled ITE-induced changes in transcriptome and phosphoproteome in HUVECs using RNA-seq and bottom-up phosphoproteomics, respectively. After 12 h of treatment, umbilical vein sera from PE increased CYP1A1 mRNA (1.7-fold of NT) in HUVECs, which was blocked by CH223191, an AhR antagonist. ITE dose-dependently inhibited endothelial proliferation (76%-87% of control) and time-dependently reduced endothelial integrity with a maximum inhibition (∼10%) at 40 h. ITE induced 140 and 80 differentially expressed genes in female and male HUVECs, respectively. ITE altered phosphorylation of 92 and 105 proteins at 4 and 24 h, respectively, in HUVECs. These ITE-dysregulated genes and phosphoproteins were enriched in biological functions and pathways that are relevant to heart, liver, and kidney diseases, vascular functions, and inflammatory responses. Thus, endogenous AhR ligands may impair endothelial functions by disturbing transcriptome and phosphoproteome. These AhR ligand-dysregulated genes and phosphoproteins may be therapeutic and cell sex-specific targets for PE-induced endothelial dysfunction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Preeclampsia elevates AhR agonistic activities in fetal circulation and alters immune cell gene signatures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). An endogenous AhR ligand (ITE) decreases cell proliferation and monolayer integrity in HUVECs in vitro. ITE dysregulates transcriptome in HUVECs in a fetal sex-specific manner. ITE also disrupts phosphoproteome in HUVECs. These ITE-dysregulated genes and phosphoproteins are highly relevant to diseases of the heart, vascular function, and inflammatory responses.

PFOS-Induced Perturbations in Trophoblast Functions through the Oip5os1/miR-155/Rnd3 Axis in PE

The widespread use of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) has raised concerns regarding its potential on pregnant women, particularly in relation to the development of pre-eclampsia (PE). This study investigates the impact of PFOS exposure on the LncRNA/Rnd3 axis in pregnant mice and its association with trophoblast cell functions in PE. Bioinformatics analysis revealed PFOS-related gene alterations in PE, with pathways enriched in apoptotic signaling and cytokine interactions. Experimental findings showed the downregulation of Oip5os1 and Rnd3, along with the upregulation of miR-155, affecting trophoblast behavior. Animal experiments confirmed that PFOS-induced gene expression changes are linked to PE progression. PFOS exposure impairs trophoblast proliferation and migration via the Oip5os1/miR-155/Rnd3 axis, contributing to PE development.

An endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand induces preeclampsia-like phenotypes in rats

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder during human pregnancy. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor. Exogenous and endogenous AhR ligands can induce hypertension in male rats and mice. Herein, using rats as a model, we tested the hypothesis that over-regulation of endogenous AhR ligands during pregnancy impairs vascular functions by disrupting the transcriptome in the placenta, contributing to the development of PE. Pregnant rats were injected daily with an endogenous AhR ligand, 2-(1'H-indole-3'-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE), from gestational day (GD) 10 to 19. Maternal mean blood pressure was measured on GD16-20. Proteinuria and uteroplacental blood flow were monitored on GD20. Placentas collected on GD20 were used to determine changes in vascular density and transcriptome. Compared with the vehicle control, ITE elevated maternal mean blood pressure by 22% and 16% on GD16 and 17, respectively. ITE increased proteinuria by 50% and decreased uteroplacental blood flow by 26%. ITE reduced the placental vascular density by 18%. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that ITE induced 1316 and 2020 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in female and male placentas, respectively. These DEGs were enriched in pathways relevant to heart diseases, vascular functions and inflammation. Bioinformatics analysis also predicted that ITE altered immune cell infiltration in placentas depending on fetal sex. These data suggest that over-regulation of endogenous AhR ligands may lead to PE with impaired vascular functions and disrupted fetal sex-specific transcriptomes and immune cell infiltration in placentas. These AhR ligand-induced DEGs and pathways may represent promising therapeutic targets for PE-induced cardiovascular dysfunctions. KEY POINTS: An endogenous AhR ligand (ITE) elevated maternal blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnant rats, and decreased uteroplacental blood flow and fetal and placental growth, all of which are hallmarks of preeclampsia. ITE reduced vascular density and altered immune cell distribution in rat placentas. ITE dysregulated transcriptomes in rat placentas in a fetal sex-specific manner. These ITE-dysregulated genes and pathways are highly relevant to diseases of heart, vascular functions and inflammatory responses.

Exploring the Lifeline: Unpacking the Complexities of Placental Vascular Function in Normal and Preeclamptic Pregnancies

The proper development and function of the placenta are essential for the success of pregnancy and the well-being of both the fetus and the mother. Placental vascular function facilitates efficient fetal development during pregnancy by ensuring adequate gas exchange with low vascular resistance. This review focuses on how placental vascular function can be compromised in the pregnancy pathology preeclampsia, and conversely, how placental vascular dysfunction might contribute to this condition. While the maternal endothelium is widely recognized as a key focus in preeclampsia research, this review emphasizes the importance of understanding how this condition affects the development and function of the fetal placental vasculature. The placental vascular bed, consisting of microvasculature and macrovasculature, is discussed in detail, as well as structural and functional changes associated with preeclampsia. The complexity of placental vascular reactivity and function, its mediators, its impact on placental exchange and blood distribution, and how these factors are most affected in early-onset preeclampsia are further explored. These factors include foremost lipoproteins and their cargo, oxygen levels and oxidative stress, biomechanics, and shear stress. Challenges in studying placental pathophysiology are discussed, highlighting the necessity of innovative research methodologies, including ex vivo experiments, in vivo imaging tools, and computational modeling. Finally, an outlook on the potential of drug interventions targeting the placental endothelium to improve placental vascular function in preeclampsia is provided. Overall, this review highlights the need for further research and the development of models and tools to better understand and address the challenges posed by preeclampsia and its effects on placental vascular function to improve short- and long-term outcomes for the offspring of preeclamptic pregnancies. © 2024 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 14:5763-5787, 2024.

Identification of differentially expressed miRNAs involved in vascular aging reveals pathways associated with the endocrine hormone regulation

Vascular aging refers to a series of processes where the elasticity of blood vessels diminishes, leading to stiffening, and deposition of fat components on the vessel walls, causing inflammation. Cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and hypertension, play significant roles in morbidity and mortality rates among the elderly population. In this study, the Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) was measured to assess vascular endothelial function and aging-induced pathogenesis of vascular diseases in Korean subjects. We aimed to identify extracellular vesicle microRNAs (EV-miRNAs) with differential abundance between groups of individuals at the ends of a continuum in vascular aging acceleration, revealing miRNAs regulating genes in endocrine hormone regulation and tumor-related pathways. We also discovered that the principal component characterizing the global miRNA expression profile is significantly associated with clinical traits including cholesterol levels. Together, these data provide a foundation for understanding the role of miRNAs as modulators of longevity and for developing age-specific epigenetic biomarkers.

An Endogenous Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligand Induces Preeclampsia-like Phenotypes: Transcriptome, Phosphoproteome, and Cell Functions

Background

Preeclampsia (PE) is one hypertensive disorder and a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity during human pregnancy. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor, which regulates vascular functions. Exogenous and endogenous AhR ligands can induce hypertension in animals. However, if dysregulation of endogenous AhR ligands contributes to the pathophysiology of PE remains elusive.

Methods

We measured AhR activities in human maternal and umbilical vein sera. We also applied physiological, cellular, and molecular approaches to dissect the role of endogenous AhR ligands in vascular functions during pregnancy using pregnant rats and primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as models.

Results

PE elevated AhR activities in human umbilical vein sera. Exposure of pregnant rats to an endogenous AhR ligand, 2-(1'H-indole-3'-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE) increased blood pressure and proteinuria, while decreased uteroplacental blood flow and reduced fetal and placental weights, all of which are hallmarks of PE. ITE dampened vascular growth and fetal sex-specifically altered immune cell infiltration in rat placentas. ITE also decreased cell proliferation and cell monolayer integrity in HUVECs in vitro . RNA sequencing analysis revealed that ITE dysregulated transcriptome in rat placentas and HUVECs in a fetal sex-specific manner. Bottom-up phosphoproteomics showed that ITE disrupted phosphoproteome in HUVECs. These ITE-dysregulated genes and phosphoproteins were enriched in biological functions and pathways which are highly relevant to diseases of heart, liver, and kidney, vascular functions, inflammation responses, cell death, and kinase inhibition.

Conclusions

Dysregulation of endogenous AhR ligands during pregnancy may lead to the development of PE with underlying impaired vascular functions, fetal sex-specific immune cell infiltration and transcriptome, and phosphoproteome. Thus, this study has provided a novel mechanism for the development of PE and potentially other forms of hypertensive pregnancies. These AhR ligand-activated genes and phosphoproteins might represent promising therapeutic and fetal sex-specific targets for PE-impaired vascular functions.