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Ning J, Huai J, Wang S, Yan J, Su R, Zhang M, Liu M, Yang H. METTL3 regulates glucose transporter expression in placenta exposed to hyperglycemia through the mTOR signaling pathway. Chin Med J (Engl) 2024; 137:1563-1575. [PMID: 37963715 PMCID: PMC11230790 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in the placental expression of glucose transporters (GLUTs), the crucial maternal-fetal nutrient transporters, have been found in women with hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP). However, there is still uncertainty about the underlying effect of the high-glucose environment on placental GLUTs expression in HIP. METHODS We quantitatively evaluated the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and expression of GLUTs (GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4) in the placenta of women with normal pregnancies (CTRL, n = 12) and pregnant women complicated with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n = 12) by immunohistochemistry. In addition, BeWo cells were treated with different glucose concentrations to verify the regulation of hyperglycemia. Then, changes in the expression of GLUTs following the activation or suppression of the mTOR pathway were also assessed using MHY1485/rapamycin (RAPA) treatment or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing approaches. Moreover, we further explored the alteration and potential upstream regulatory role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) when exposed to hyperglycemia. RESULTS mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), and GLUT1 protein levels were upregulated in the placenta of women with T2DM compared with those CTRL. In BeWo cells, mTOR activity increased with increasing glucose concentration, and the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4 as well as GLUT1 cell membrane translocation were upregulated by hyperglycemia to varying degrees. Both the drug-mediated and genetic depletion of mTOR signaling in BeWo cells suppressed GLUTs expression, whereas MHY1485-induced mTOR activation upregulated GLUTs expression. Additionally, high glucose levels upregulated METTL3 expression and nuclear translocation, and decreasing METTL3 levels suppressed GLUTs expression and mTOR activity and vice versa . Furthermore, in METTL3 knockdown BeWo cells, the inhibitory effect on GLUTs expression was eliminated by activating the mTOR signaling pathway using MHY1485. CONCLUSION High-glucose environment-induced upregulation of METTL3 in trophoblasts regulates the expression of GLUTs through mTOR signaling, contributing to disordered nutrient transport in women with HIP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ning
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jing Huai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Shuxian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Jie Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Rina Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Muqiu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Mengtong Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Huixia Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Maternal Foetal Medicine of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Beijing 100034, China
- Peking University, Beijing 100034, China
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Villagomez FR, Lang J, Rosario FJ, Nunez-Avellaneda D, Webb P, Neville M, Woodruff ER, Bitler BG. Claudin-4 Modulates Autophagy via SLC1A5/LAT1 as a Mechanism to Regulate Micronuclei. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 4:1625-1642. [PMID: 38867360 PMCID: PMC11218812 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-24-0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Genome instability is a hallmark of cancer crucial for tumor heterogeneity and is often a result of defects in cell division and DNA damage repair. Tumors tolerate genomic instability, but the accumulation of genetic aberrations is regulated to avoid catastrophic chromosomal alterations and cell death. In ovarian cancer tumors, claudin-4 is frequently upregulated and closely associated with genome instability and worse patient outcomes. However, its biological association with regulating genomic instability is poorly understood. Here, we used CRISPR interference and a claudin mimic peptide to modulate the claudin-4 expression and its function in vitro and in vivo. We found that claudin-4 promotes a tolerance mechanism for genomic instability through micronuclei generation in tumor cells. Disruption of claudin-4 increased autophagy and was associated with the engulfment of cytoplasm-localized DNA. Mechanistically, we observed that claudin-4 establishes a biological axis with the amino acid transporters SLC1A5 and LAT1, which regulate autophagy upstream of mTOR. Furthermore, the claudin-4/SLC1A5/LAT1 axis was linked to the transport of amino acids across the plasma membrane as one of the potential cellular processes that significantly decreased survival in ovarian cancer patients. Together, our results show that the upregulation of claudin-4 contributes to increasing the threshold of tolerance for genomic instability in ovarian tumor cells by limiting its accumulation through autophagy. SIGNIFICANCE Autophagy regulation via claudin-4/SLC1A5/LAT1 has the potential to be a targetable mechanism to interfere with genomic instability in ovarian tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian R. Villagomez
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Julie Lang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Fredrick J. Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Daniel Nunez-Avellaneda
- Deputy Directorate of Technological Development, Linkage, and Innovation, National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Patricia Webb
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Margaret Neville
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Elizabeth R. Woodruff
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
| | - Benjamin G. Bitler
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
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3
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Hou X, Song S, Xu Z, Shi Y, Yang Y, Zhang L, Cui Y, Wang C, Lin Y. Prolactin upregulates amino acids uptake in dairy cow mammary epithelial cells via LAT1. J Dairy Sci 2024:S0022-0302(24)00966-4. [PMID: 38945262 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24746] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The uptake of AA in mammary tissues is affected by prolactin (PRL). To investigate whether PRL-induced AA uptake is involved in L-type AA transporter 1 (LAT1), we analyzed the changes of AA in the medium of dairy cow mammary epithelial cells in the presence of PRL or PRL plus BCH, an inhibitor of LAT1. Then Western blot and luciferase assay were used to detect the regulation mechanism of PRL on LAT1 expression and function. Our results showed that Thr, Val, Met, Ile, Leu, Tyr, Lys, Phe, and His are LAT1 substrates and could be transported into mammary epithelial cells via LAT1. PRL stimulation increased the uptake of most AA into mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows, however, inhibition of LAT1 transport activity reduced PRL-induced AA uptake, suggesting that the effect of PRL on AA transport depends on LAT1 expression and function. PRL stimulation upregulated LAT1 expression and plasma membrane location not only in dairy cow mammary epithelial cells, but also in mouse mammary epithelial cell line HC11. Western blot showed that PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling could be activated in PRL-stimulated mammary epithelial cells. Treatment of cells with LY294002 decreased PI3K-AKT-mTOR activation, as well LAT1 expression, that in turn decreased milk protein synthesis. Luciferase assay showed PRL treatment increased the promoter activity of LAT1 promoter fragment -419∼-86 bp. Treatment of cells with LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K, or SC79, an activator of AKT abolished or promoted the transcriptional activity of this promoter fragment in the presence of PRL. These results suggested that the -419∼-86 bp fragment of LAT1 promoter mediates the action of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling on LAT1 transcription in mammary epithelial cells of dairy cows, which in turn increased LAT1 expression and AA uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Hou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Shuyuan Song
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Ziru Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science of Education Ministry, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yingjun Cui
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science of Education Ministry, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Chunmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Dairy Science of Education Ministry, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Ye Lin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Cellular and Genetics Engineering of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; Key Laboratory of Dairy Science of Education Ministry, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
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Rosario FJ, Barentsen K, Powell TL, Urschitz J, Brown TL, Kanai Y, Jansson T. Trophoblast-specific overexpression of the LAT1 increases transplacental transport of essential amino acids and fetal growth in mice. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae207. [PMID: 38894879 PMCID: PMC11184900 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Placental System L amino acid transporter activity is decreased in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and increased in fetal overgrowth. However, it is unknown if changes in the expression/activity of placental Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter Small Subunit 1 (Slc7a5/LAT1) are mechanistically linked to placental function and fetal growth. We hypothesized that trophoblast-specific Slc7a5 overexpression increases placental transport of essential amino acids, activates the placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, and promotes fetal growth in mice. Using lentiviral transduction of blastocysts with a Slc7a5 transgene, we achieved trophoblast-specific overexpression of Slc7a5 (Slc7a5 OX) with increased fetal (+27%) and placental weights (+10%). Trophoblast-specific Slc7a5 overexpression increased trophoblast plasma membrane (TPM) LAT1 protein abundance and TPM System L transporter (+53%) and System A transporter activity (+ 21%). Slc7a5 overexpression also increased transplacental transport of leucine (+ 85%) but not of the System A tracer, 14C-methylamino isobutyric acid, in vivo. Trophoblast-specific overexpression of Slc7a5 activated placental mTORC1, as assessed by increased (+44%) phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal protein (Ser 235/236), and mTORC2 as indicated by phosphorylation of PKCα-Tyr-657 (+47%) and Akt-Ser 473 (+96%). This is the first demonstration that placental transport of essential amino acids is mechanistically linked to fetal growth. The decreased placental System L activity in human IUGR and the increased placental activity of this transporter in some cases of fetal overgrowth may directly contribute to the development of these pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J Rosario
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth Barentsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Johann Urschitz
- Institue of Biogenesis, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Thomas L Brown
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
| | - Yoshikatsu Kanai
- Department of Bio-system Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Yi Y, Wang T, Xu W, Zhang SH. Epigenetic modifications of placenta in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and their offspring. World J Diabetes 2024; 15:378-391. [PMID: 38591094 PMCID: PMC10999040 DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i3.378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy-related complication characterized by abnormal glucose metabolism in pregnant women and has an important impact on fetal development. As a bridge between the mother and the fetus, the placenta has nutrient transport functions, endocrine functions, etc., and can regulate placental nutrient transport and fetal growth and development according to maternal metabolic status. Only by means of placental transmission can changes in maternal hyperglycemia affect the fetus. There are many reports on the placental pathophysiological changes associated with GDM, the impacts of GDM on the growth and development of offspring, and the prevalence of GDM in offspring after birth. Placental epigenetic changes in GDM are involved in the programming of fetal development and are involved in the pathogenesis of later chronic diseases. This paper summarizes the effects of changes in placental nutrient transport function and hormone secretion levels due to maternal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on the development of offspring as well as the participation of changes in placental epigenetic modifications due to maternal hyperglycemia in intrauterine fetal programming to promote a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of placental epigenetic modifications on the development of offspring from patients with GDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yi
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Ultrasonography, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434000, Hubei Province, China
| | - San-Hong Zhang
- Department of Pediatric, Xiantao First People’s Hospital, Xiantao 433000, Hubei Province, China
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Li Z, Pu J, Chen X, Chen Y, Peng X, Cai J, Jia G, Zhao H, Tian G. Betaine addition to the diet alleviates intestinal injury in growing rabbits during the summer heat through the AAT/mTOR pathway. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2024; 15:41. [PMID: 38454493 PMCID: PMC10921597 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-024-00998-6] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of different levels of betaine (Bet) inclusion in the diet on the intestinal health of growing rabbits under summer heat. A total of 100 weaned Qixing meat rabbits aged 35 d with body weight of 748.61 ± 38.59 g were randomly divided into 5 treatment groups: control group (basal diet) and Bet groups (basal diet + 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 g/kg Bet). The average daily temperature in the rabbitry during the experiment was 30.48 °C and the relative humidity was 69.44%. RESULTS Dietary addition of Bet had no significant effect on growth performance and health status of growing rabbits (P > 0.05), but it increased ileal secretory immunoglobulin A content compared to the control under summer heat (P < 0.05). Addition of 0.75 g/kg Bet up-regulated jejunal IL-4, down-regulated ileal TNF-α expression (P < 0.05). The addition of 1.0 g/kg Bet increased the villi height (VH) in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Serum glucose levels were reduced, and the expression of SLC6A20 was up-regulated in jejunum and ileum of rabbits fed with 1.5 g/kg Bet (P < 0.05). When added at 2.0 g/kg, Bet reduced serum HSP70 content, increased jejunal VH, and up-regulated duodenal SLC7A6, SLC38A2, mTOR and 4EBP-2 expression (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that intestinal mTOR expression was significantly and positively correlated with SLC7A6, SLC38A2, SLC36A1 and IL-4 expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Dietary addition of Bet can up-regulate the expression of anti-inflammatory factors through the AAT/mTOR pathway, improve the intestinal immune function, alleviate intestinal damage in growing rabbits caused by summer heat, and improve intestinal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zimei Li
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Junning Pu
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Yanbin Chen
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Xiaoyan Peng
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Jingyi Cai
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Gang Jia
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Hua Zhao
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Gang Tian
- Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China.
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Silva E, Ferchaud‐Roucher V, Kramer A, Madi L, Pantham P, Chassen S, Jansson T, Powell TL. Oleic acid stimulation of amino acid uptake in primary human trophoblast cells is mediated by phosphatidic acid and mTOR signaling. FASEB Bioadv 2024; 6:1-11. [PMID: 38223199 PMCID: PMC10782470 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2023-00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Normal fetal development is critically dependent on optimal nutrient supply by the placenta, and placental amino acid transport has been demonstrated to be positively associated with fetal growth. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a positive regulator of placental amino acid transporters, such as System A. Oleic acid (OA) has been previously shown to have a stimulatory role on placental mTOR signaling and System A amino acid uptake in primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells. We investigated the mechanistic link between OA and System A activity in PHT. We found that inhibition of mTOR complex 1 or 2, using small interfering RNA to knock down raptor or rictor, prevented OA-stimulated System A amino acid transport indicating the interaction of OA with mTOR. Phosphatidic acid (PA) is a key intermediary for phospholipid biosynthesis and a known regulator of the mTOR pathway; however, phospholipid biosynthetic pathways have not been extensively studied in placenta. We identified placental isoforms of acyl transferase enzymes involved in de novo phospholipid synthesis. Silencing of 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase-4, an enzyme in this pathway, prevented OA mediated stimulation of mTOR and System A amino acid transport. These data indicate that OA stimulates mTOR and amino acid transport in PHT cells mediated through de novo synthesis of PA. We speculate that fatty acids in the maternal circulation, such as OA, regulate placental functions critical for fetal growth by interaction with mTOR and that late pregnancy hyperlipidemia may be critical for increasing nutrient transfer to the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Silva
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | | | - Anita Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Lana Madi
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Priyadarshini Pantham
- Ob/Gyn & Reproductive SciencesUniversity of California, San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Stephanie Chassen
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of NeonatologyUniversity of Colorado, Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of NeonatologyUniversity of Colorado, Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
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8
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Rosario FJ, Urschitz J, Powell TL, Brown TL, Jansson T. Overexpression of the LAT1 in primary human trophoblast cells increases the uptake of essential amino acids and activates mTOR signaling. Clin Sci (Lond) 2023; 137:1651-1664. [PMID: 37861075 DOI: 10.1042/cs20230490] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The System L amino acid transporter, particularly the isoform Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter Small Subunit 1 (LAT1) encoded by SLC7A5, is believed to mediate the transfer of essential amino acids in the human placenta. Placental System L amino acid transporter expression and activity is decreased in pregnancies complicated by IUGR and increased in fetal overgrowth. However, it remains unknown if changes in the expression of LAT1 are mechanistically linked to System L amino acid transport activity. Here, we combined overexpression approaches with protein analysis and functional studies in cultured primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells to test the hypothesis that SLC7A5 overexpression increases the uptake of essential amino acids and activates mTOR signaling in PHT cells. Overexpression of SLC7A5 resulted in a marked increase in protein expression of LAT1 in the PHT cells microvillous plasma membrane and System L amino acid transporter activity. Moreover, mTOR signaling was activated, and System A amino acid transporter activity increased following SLC7A5 overexpression, suggesting coordination of trophoblast amino transporter expression and activity to ensure balanced nutrient flux to the fetus. This is the first report showing that overexpression of LAT1 is sufficient to increase the uptake of essential amino acids in PHT cells, which activates mTOR, a master regulator of placental function. The decreased placental System L activity in human IUGR and the increased placental activity of this transporter system in some cases of fetal overgrowth may directly contribute to changes in fetal amino acid availability and altered fetal growth in these pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J Rosario
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, U.S.A
| | - Johann Urschitz
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, U.S.A
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, U.S.A
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, U.S.A
| | - Thomas L Brown
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, U.S.A
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, U.S.A
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, U.S.A
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Barroso E, Díaz M, Reguera AC, Peyman M, Balsinde J, Jurado-Aguilar J, Zhang M, Rostami A, Palomer X, Ibáñez L, Vázquez-Carrera M. CHOP upregulation and dysregulation of the mature form of the SNAT2 amino acid transporter in the placentas from small for gestational age newborns. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:326. [PMID: 37957724 PMCID: PMC10644500 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01352-5] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placentas from newborns that are small for gestational age (SGA; birth weight < -2 SD for gestational age) may display multiple pathological characteristics. A key determinant of fetal growth and, therefore, birth weight is placental amino acid transport, which is under the control of the serine/threonine kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). The effects of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on the mTOR pathway and the levels of amino acid transporters are not well established. METHODS Placentas from SGA and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns and the human placental BeWo cell line exposed to the ER stressor tunicamycin were used. RESULTS We detected a significant increase in the levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in the placentas from SGA newborns compared with those from AGA newborns, while the levels of other ER stress markers were barely affected. In addition, placental mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) activity and the levels of the mature form of the amino acid transporter sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) were also reduced in the SGA group. Interestingly, CHOP has been reported to upregulate growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34 (GADD34), which in turn suppresses mTORC1 activity. The GADD34 inhibitor guanabenz attenuated the increase in CHOP protein levels and the reduction in mTORC1 activity caused by the ER stressor tunicamycin in the human placental cell line BeWo, but it did not recover mature SNAT2 protein levels, which might be reduced as a result of defective glycosylation. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these data reveal that GADD34A activity and glycosylation are key factors controlling mTORC1 signaling and mature SNAT2 levels in trophoblasts, respectively, and might contribute to the SGA condition. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Barroso
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia I Ciències de L'Alimentació, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Marta Díaz
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Endocrinology, Pediatric Research Institute, Sant Joan de Déu Children's Hospital, Barcelona, Esplugues, Spain
| | - Ana Cristina Reguera
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia I Ciències de L'Alimentació, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Mona Peyman
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia I Ciències de L'Alimentació, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Jesús Balsinde
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Javier Jurado-Aguilar
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia I Ciències de L'Alimentació, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Meijian Zhang
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia I Ciències de L'Alimentació, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Adel Rostami
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia I Ciències de L'Alimentació, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Xavier Palomer
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia I Ciències de L'Alimentació, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Lourdes Ibáñez
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
- Endocrinology, Pediatric Research Institute, Sant Joan de Déu Children's Hospital, Barcelona, Esplugues, Spain
| | - Manuel Vázquez-Carrera
- Unitat de Farmacologia, Facultat de Farmàcia I Ciències de L'Alimentació, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
- Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Pediatric Research Institute-Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain.
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10
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Kramer AC, Jansson T, Bale TL, Powell TL. Maternal-fetal cross-talk via the placenta: influence on offspring development and metabolism. Development 2023; 150:dev202088. [PMID: 37831056 PMCID: PMC10617615 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Compelling epidemiological and animal experimental data demonstrate that cardiometabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases originate in a suboptimal intrauterine environment. Here, we review evidence suggesting that altered placental function may, at least in part, mediate the link between the maternal environment and changes in fetal growth and development. Emerging evidence indicates that the placenta controls the development and function of several fetal tissues through nutrient sensing, modulation of trophoblast nutrient transporters and by altering the number and cargo of released extracellular vesicles. In this Review, we discuss the development and functions of the maternal-placental-fetal interface (in humans and mice) and how cross-talk between these compartments may be a mechanism for in utero programming, focusing on mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), adiponectin and O-GlcNac transferase (OGT) signaling. We also discuss how maternal diet and stress influences fetal development and metabolism and how fetal growth restriction can result in susceptibility to developing chronic disease later in life. Finally, we speculate how interventions targeting placental function may offer unprecedented opportunities to prevent cardiometabolic disease in future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avery C. Kramer
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Tracy L. Bale
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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11
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Zhang C, Wu Z, Hu G, Zhang Y, Ao Z. Exploring characteristics of placental transcriptome and cord serum metabolome associated with low birth weight in Kele pigs. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:340. [PMID: 37770796 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03733-x] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
The neonate with low birth weight (LBW) resulted from intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) exists a substantial risk of postpartum death. Placental insufficiency is responsible for inadequate fetal growth; however, the pathological mechanisms of placental dysfunction-induced IUGR in pigs remain unclear. In this study, the characteristics of placental morphology, placental transcriptome, and cord serum metabolome were explored between the Kele piglets with LBW and the ones with normal birth weight (NBW). Results showed that LBW was a common occurrence in Kele piglets. The LBW placentas showed inferior villus development and lower villi density compared to NBW placentas. There were 1024 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified by transcriptome analysis between the LBW and NBW placentas, of which 218 and 806 genes were up- and down-regulated in the LBW placentas, respectively. PPI network analysis showed that ITGB2, CD4, IL6, ITGB3, LCK, RAC2, CD8A, JAK3, TYROBP, and CXCR4 were hub genes in all DEGs. From GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, DEGs were primarily enriched in immunological response, cell adhesion, immune response, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. By using metabolomic analysis, a total of 115 differential metabolites in the cord serum of LBW and NBW piglets were found, mostly linked to amino acid metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism. In comparison to NBW piglets, LBW piglets had lower levels of arginine, isoleucine, and aspartic acid in the cord. Taken together, these data revealed dysplasia of the placental villus, insufficient supply of nutrients, and abnormal immune function of the placenta may be associated with the occurrence and development of LBW in Kele pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caizai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Zhimin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guangling Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Yiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Zheng Ao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
- Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
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12
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Metaxakis A, Pavlidis M, Tavernarakis N. Neuronal atg1 Coordinates Autophagy Induction and Physiological Adaptations to Balance mTORC1 Signalling. Cells 2023; 12:2024. [PMID: 37626835 PMCID: PMC10453232 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162024] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The mTORC1 nutrient-sensing pathway integrates metabolic and endocrine signals into the brain to evoke physiological responses to food deprivation, such as autophagy. Nevertheless, the impact of neuronal mTORC1 activity on neuronal circuits and organismal metabolism remains obscure. Here, we show that mTORC1 inhibition acutely perturbs serotonergic neurotransmission via proteostatic alterations evoked by the autophagy inducer atg1. Neuronal ATG1 alters the intracellular localization of the serotonin transporter, which increases the extracellular serotonin and stimulates the 5HTR7 postsynaptic receptor. 5HTR7 enhances food-searching behaviour and ecdysone-induced catabolism in Drosophila. Along similar lines, the pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 in zebrafish also stimulates food-searching behaviour via serotonergic activity. These effects occur in parallel with neuronal autophagy induction, irrespective of the autophagic activity and the protein synthesis reduction. In addition, ectopic neuronal atg1 expression enhances catabolism via insulin pathway downregulation, impedes peptidergic secretion, and activates non-cell autonomous cAMP/PKA. The above exert diverse systemic effects on organismal metabolism, development, melanisation, and longevity. We conclude that neuronal atg1 aligns neuronal autophagy induction with distinct physiological modulations, to orchestrate a coordinated physiological response against reduced mTORC1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Metaxakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira 100, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Michail Pavlidis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Crete, Greece;
| | - Nektarios Tavernarakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira 100, 70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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13
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Diniz MS, Grilo LF, Tocantins C, Falcão-Pires I, Pereira SP. Made in the Womb: Maternal Programming of Offspring Cardiovascular Function by an Obesogenic Womb. Metabolites 2023; 13:845. [PMID: 37512552 PMCID: PMC10386510 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13070845] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity incidence has been increasing at an alarming rate, especially in women of reproductive age. It is estimated that 50% of pregnancies occur in overweight or obese women. It has been described that maternal obesity (MO) predisposes the offspring to an increased risk of developing many chronic diseases in an early stage of life, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the main cause of death worldwide among men and women, and it is manifested in a sex-divergent way. Maternal nutrition and MO during gestation could prompt CVD development in the offspring through adaptations of the offspring's cardiovascular system in the womb, including cardiac epigenetic and persistent metabolic programming of signaling pathways and modulation of mitochondrial metabolic function. Currently, despite diet supplementation, effective therapeutical solutions to prevent the deleterious cardiac offspring function programming by an obesogenic womb are lacking. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which an obesogenic intrauterine environment could program the offspring's cardiovascular metabolism in a sex-divergent way, with a special focus on cardiac mitochondrial function, and debate possible strategies to implement during MO pregnancy that could ameliorate, revert, or even prevent deleterious effects of MO on the offspring's cardiovascular system. The impact of maternal physical exercise during an obesogenic pregnancy, nutritional interventions, and supplementation on offspring's cardiac metabolism are discussed, highlighting changes that may be favorable to MO offspring's cardiovascular health, which might result in the attenuation or even prevention of the development of CVD in MO offspring. The objectives of this manuscript are to comprehensively examine the various aspects of MO during pregnancy and explore the underlying mechanisms that contribute to an increased CVD risk in the offspring. We review the current literature on MO and its impact on the offspring's cardiometabolic health. Furthermore, we discuss the potential long-term consequences for the offspring. Understanding the multifaceted effects of MO on the offspring's health is crucial for healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers to develop effective strategies for prevention and intervention to improve care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana S Diniz
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís F Grilo
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carolina Tocantins
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Falcão-Pires
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana P Pereira
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, CIBB-Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Exercise (LaMetEx), Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Faculty of Sports, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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14
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McColl ER, Henderson JT, Piquette-Miller M. Dysregulation of Amino Acid Transporters in a Rat Model of TLR7-Mediated Maternal Immune Activation. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1857. [PMID: 37514044 PMCID: PMC10385561 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071857] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. Similarly, the TLR7 agonist imiquimod alters neurodevelopment in rodents. While the mechanisms underlying MIA-mediated neurodevelopmental changes are unknown, they could involve dysregulation of amino acid transporters essential for neurodevelopment. Therefore, we sought to determine the nature of such transporter changes in both imiquimod-treated rats and human placentas during infection. Pregnant rats received imiquimod on gestational day (GD)14. Transporter expression was measured in placentas and fetal brains via qPCR (GD14.5) and immunoblotting (GD16). To monitor function, fetal brain amino acid levels were measured by HPLC on GD16. Gene expression in the cortex of female fetal brains was further examined by RNAseq on GD19. In human placentas, suspected active infection was associated with decreased ASCT1 and SNAT2 protein expression. Similarly, in imiquimod-treated rats, ASCT1 and SNAT2 protein was also decreased in male placentas, while EAAT2 was decreased in female placentas. CAT3 was increased in female fetal brains. Consistent with this, imiquimod altered amino acid levels in fetal brains, while RNAseq demonstrated changes in expression of several genes implicated in autism. Thus, imiquimod alters amino acid transporter levels in pregnant rats, and similar changes occur in human placentas during active infection. This suggests that changes in expression of amino acid transporters may contribute to effects mediated by MIA toward altered neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza R McColl
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Jeffrey T Henderson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Micheline Piquette-Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
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15
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Liang Z, Jin C, Bai H, Liang G, Su X, Wang D, Yao J. Low rumen degradable starch promotes the growth performance of goats by increasing protein synthesis in skeletal muscle via the AMPK-mTOR pathway. ANIMAL NUTRITION (ZHONGGUO XU MU SHOU YI XUE HUI) 2023; 13:1-8. [PMID: 36873600 PMCID: PMC9981809 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Since starch digestion in the small intestine provides more energy than digestion in the rumen of ruminants, reducing dietary rumen degradable starch (RDS) content is beneficial for improving energy utilization of starch in ruminants. The present study tested whether the reduction of rumen degradable starch by restricting dietary corn processing for growing goats could improve growth performance, and further investigated the possible underlying mechanism. In this study, twenty-four 12-wk-old goats were selected and randomly allocated to receive either a high RDS diet (HRDS, crushed corn-based concentrate, the mean of particle sizes of corn grain = 1.64 mm, n = 12) or a low RDS diet (LRDS, non-processed corn-based concentrate, the mean of particle sizes of corn grain >8 mm, n = 12). Growth performance, carcass traits, plasma biochemical indices, gene expression of glucose and amino acid transporters, and protein expression of the AMPK-mTOR pathway were measured. Compared to the HRDS, LRDS tended to increase the average daily gain (ADG, P = 0.054) and decreased the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G, P < 0.05). Furthermore, LRDS increased the net lean tissue rate (P < 0.01), protein content (P < 0.05) and total free amino acids (P < 0.05) in the biceps femoris (BF) muscle of goats. LRDS increased the glucose concentration (P < 0.01), but reduced total amino acid concentration (P < 0.05) and tended to reduce blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration (P = 0.062) in plasma of goats. The mRNA expression of insulin receptors (INSR), glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hc) in BF muscle, and sodium-glucose cotransporters 1 (SGLT1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) in the small intestine were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in LRDS goats. LRDS also led to marked activation of p70-S6 kinase (S6K) (P < 0.05), but lower activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (P < 0.05) and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (P < 0.01). Our findings suggested that reducing the content of dietary RDS enhanced postruminal starch digestion and increased plasma glucose, thereby improving amino acid utilization and promoting protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle of goats via the AMPK-mTOR pathway. These changes may contribute to improvement in growth performance and carcass traits in LRDS goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqi Liang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chunjia Jin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hanxun Bai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Gaofeng Liang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaodong Su
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dangdang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junhu Yao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
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16
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Rosario FJ, Chopra A, Biggar K, Powell TL, Gupta MB, Jansson T. Placental Remote Control of Fetal Metabolism: Trophoblast mTOR Signaling Regulates Liver IGFBP-1 Phosphorylation and IGF-1 Bioavailability. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7273. [PMID: 37108437 PMCID: PMC10138459 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087273] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms mediating the restricted growth in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remain to be fully established. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling functions as a placental nutrient sensor, indirectly influencing fetal growth by regulating placental function. Increased secretion and the phosphorylation of fetal liver IGFBP-1 are known to markedly decrease the bioavailability of IGF-1, a major fetal growth factor. We hypothesized that an inhibition of trophoblast mTOR increases liver IGFBP-1 secretion and phosphorylation. We collected conditioned media (CM) from cultured primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells with a silenced RAPTOR (specific inhibition of mTOR Complex 1), RICTOR (inhibition of mTOR Complex 2), or DEPTOR (activates both mTOR Complexes). Subsequently, HepG2 cells, a well-established model for human fetal hepatocytes, were cultured in CM from PHT cells, and IGFBP-1 secretion and phosphorylation were determined. CM from PHT cells with either mTORC1 or mTORC2 inhibition caused the marked hyperphosphorylation of IGFBP-1 in HepG2 cells as determined by 2D-immunoblotting while Parallel Reaction Monitoring-Mass Spectrometry (PRM-MS) identified increased dually phosphorylated Ser169 + Ser174. Furthermore, using the same samples, PRM-MS identified multiple CK2 peptides coimmunoprecipitated with IGFBP-1 and greater CK2 autophosphorylation, indicating the activation of CK2, a key enzyme mediating IGFBP-1 phosphorylation. Increased IGFBP-1 phosphorylation inhibited IGF-1 function, as determined by the reduced IGF-1R autophosphorylation. Conversely, CM from PHT cells with mTOR activation decreased IGFBP-1 phosphorylation. CM from non-trophoblast cells with mTORC1 or mTORC2 inhibition had no effect on HepG2 IGFBP-1 phosphorylation. Placental mTOR signaling may regulate fetal growth by the remote control of fetal liver IGFBP-1 phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J. Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Anand Chopra
- Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Kyle Biggar
- Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Madhulika B. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Children’s Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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17
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Sferruzzi‐Perri AN, Lopez‐Tello J, Salazar‐Petres E. Placental adaptations supporting fetal growth during normal and adverse gestational environments. Exp Physiol 2023; 108:371-397. [PMID: 36484327 PMCID: PMC10103877 DOI: 10.1113/ep090442] [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: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the topic of this review? How the placenta, which transports nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, may alter its support of fetal growth developmentally and with adverse gestational conditions. What advances does it highlight? Placental formation and function alter with the needs of the fetus for substrates for growth during normal gestation and when there is enhanced competition for substrates in species with multiple gestations or adverse gestational environments, and this is mediated by imprinted genes, signalling pathways, mitochondria and fetal sexomes. ABSTRACT The placenta is vital for mammalian development and a key determinant of life-long health. It is the interface between the mother and fetus and is responsible for transporting the nutrients and oxygen a fetus needs to develop and grow. Alterations in placental formation and function, therefore, have consequences for fetal growth and birthweight, which in turn determine perinatal survival and risk of non-communicable diseases for the offspring in later postnatal life. However, the placenta is not a static organ. As this review summarizes, research from multiple species has demonstrated that placental formation and function alter developmentally to the needs of the fetus for substrates for growth during normal gestation, as well as when there is greater competition for substrates in polytocous species and monotocous species with multiple gestations. The placenta also adapts in response to the gestational environment, integrating information about the ability of the mother to provide nutrients and oxygen with the needs of the fetus in that prevailing environment. In particular, placental structure (e.g. vascularity, surface area, blood flow, diffusion distance) and transport capacity (e.g. nutrient transporter levels and activity) respond to suboptimal gestational environments, namely malnutrition, obesity, hypoxia and maternal ageing. Mechanisms mediating developmentally and environmentally induced homeostatic responses of the placenta that help support normal fetal growth include imprinted genes, signalling pathways, subcellular constituents and fetal sexomes. Identification of these placental strategies may inform the development of therapies for complicated human pregnancies and advance understanding of the pathways underlying poor fetal outcomes and their consequences for health and disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Nancy Sferruzzi‐Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Jorge Lopez‐Tello
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Esteban Salazar‐Petres
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and NeuroscienceUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Facultad de CienciasDepartamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Santo TomásValdiviaChile
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18
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Cindrova-Davies T, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Human placental development and function. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:66-77. [PMID: 35393235 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a transient fetal organ that plays a critical role in the health and wellbeing of both the fetus and its mother. Functionally, the placenta sustains the growth of the fetus as it facilitates delivery of oxygen and nutrients and removal of waste products. Not surprisingly, defective early placental development is the primary cause of common disorders of pregnancy, including recurrent miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and stillbirth. Adverse pregnancy conditions will also affect the life-long health of the fetus via developmental programming[1]. Despite its critical importance in reproductive success and life-long health, our understanding of placental development is not extensive, largely due to ethical limitations to studying early or chronological placental development, lack of long-term in vitro models, or comparative animal models. In this review, we examine current knowledge of early human placental development, discuss the critical role of the maternal endometrium and of the fetal-maternal dialogue in pregnancy success, and we explore the latest models of trophoblast and endometrial stem cells. In addition, we discuss the role of oxygen in placental formation and function, how nutrient delivery is mediated during the periods of histotrophic nutrition (uptake of uterine secretions) and haemotrophic nutrition (exchange between the maternal and fetal circulations), and how placental endocrine function facilitates fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Cindrova-Davies
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Wang C, Zhao F, Liu J, Liu H. The ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 mediates the regulation of PepT2 by mTORC1 in bovine mammary epithelial cells. ANIMAL NUTRITION 2022; 10:12-18. [PMID: 35601254 PMCID: PMC9111928 DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Peptide transporter 2 (PepT2) transports short peptides from the blood into bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) to stimulate milk protein synthesis. Despite the fact that the effect of PepT2 is acknowledged in BMEC, little is known about its regulation. This study was completed to investigate the role of mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling in regulating the expression and function of PepT2 in BMEC. The regulation of PepT2 by mTOR in BMEC was studied in vitro using peptide transport assay, gene silencing, Western blot. The membrane expression of PepT2 and the uptake of β-Ala-Lys-N-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetic acid (β-Ala-Lys-AMCA), a model dipeptide, in BMEC were reduced by rapamycin (a mTOR inhibitor) and silencing of either mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) or mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), stimulated by DEP domain-containing mTOR-interacting protein (DEPTOR, endogenous inhibitor of mTORC1 and mTORC2) silencing. The trafficking of PepT2 to the membrane and the uptake of β-Ala-Lys-AMCA was promoted by neuronal precursor cell-expressed developmentally down-regulated 4 isoform 2 (Nedd4-2) silencing. The effects of knockdown of mTORC1, but not mTORC2, on cell membrane expression and transport activity of PepT2 was abolished by Nedd4-2 silencing. With immunofluorescence staining, PepT2 was identified to be interacting with Nedd4-2. The Nedd4-2 expression and the interaction between PepT2 and Nedd4-2 was increased through mTORC1 knockdown, indicating an increased ubiquitination of PepT2. The results revealed that mTORC1 can regulate the expression and function of PepT2 through Nedd4-2 in BMEC.
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van Dijk A, Anten J, Bakker A, Evers N, Hoekstra AT, Chang JC, Scheenstra MR, Veldhuizen EJA, Netea MG, Berkers CR, Haagsman HP. Innate Immune Training of Human Macrophages by Cathelicidin Analogs. Front Immunol 2022; 13:777530. [PMID: 35958593 PMCID: PMC9360325 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.777530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Trained innate immunity can be induced in human macrophages by microbial ligands, but it is unknown if exposure to endogenous alarmins such as cathelicidins can have similar effects. Previously, we demonstrated sustained protection against infection by the chicken cathelicidin-2 analog DCATH-2. Thus, we assessed the capacity of cathelicidins to induce trained immunity. PMA-differentiated THP-1 (dTHP1) cells were trained with cathelicidin analogs for 24 hours and restimulated after a 3-day rest period. DCATH-2 training of dTHP-1 cells amplified their proinflammatory cytokine response when restimulated with TLR2/4 agonists. Trained cells displayed a biased cellular metabolism towards mTOR-dependent aerobic glycolysis and long-chain fatty acid accumulation and augmented microbicidal activity. DCATH-2-induced trained immunity was inhibited by histone acetylase inhibitors, suggesting epigenetic regulation, and depended on caveolae/lipid raft-mediated uptake, MAPK p38 and purinergic signaling. To our knowledge, this is the first report of trained immunity by host defense peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert van Dijk
- Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Albert van Dijk,
| | - Jennifer Anten
- Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anne Bakker
- Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Noah Evers
- Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anna T. Hoekstra
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jung-Chin Chang
- Division Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Maaike R. Scheenstra
- Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Edwin J. A. Veldhuizen
- Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Mihai G. Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases (RCI), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Celia R. Berkers
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Division Cell Biology, Metabolism & Cancer, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Henk P. Haagsman
- Division Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Huttunen J, Adla SK, Markowicz-Piasecka M, Huttunen KM. Increased/Targeted Brain (Pro)Drug Delivery via Utilization of Solute Carriers (SLCs). Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061234. [PMID: 35745806 PMCID: PMC9228667 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Membrane transporters have a crucial role in compounds’ brain drug delivery. They allow not only the penetration of a wide variety of different compounds to cross the endothelial cells of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), but also the accumulation of them into the brain parenchymal cells. Solute carriers (SLCs), with nearly 500 family members, are the largest group of membrane transporters. Unfortunately, not all SLCs are fully characterized and used in rational drug design. However, if the structural features for transporter interactions (binding and translocation) are known, a prodrug approach can be utilized to temporarily change the pharmacokinetics and brain delivery properties of almost any compound. In this review, main transporter subtypes that are participating in brain drug disposition or have been used to improve brain drug delivery across the BBB via the prodrug approach, are introduced. Moreover, the ability of selected transporters to be utilized in intrabrain drug delivery is discussed. Thus, this comprehensive review will give insights into the methods, such as computational drug design, that should be utilized more effectively to understand the detailed transport mechanisms. Moreover, factors, such as transporter expression modulation pathways in diseases that should be taken into account in rational (pro)drug development, are considered to achieve successful clinical applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland; (J.H.); (S.K.A.)
| | - Santosh Kumar Adla
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland; (J.H.); (S.K.A.)
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB), Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 542/2, 160 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Magdalena Markowicz-Piasecka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Radiopharmacy, Medical University of Lodz, ul. Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Kristiina M. Huttunen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland; (J.H.); (S.K.A.)
- Correspondence:
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Jia X, Cao Y, Ye L, Liu X, Huang Y, Yuan X, Lu C, Xu J, Zhu H. Vitamin D stimulates placental L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) in preeclampsia. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4651. [PMID: 35301401 PMCID: PMC8931068 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08641-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of preeclampsia. Impaired placental amino acid transport is suggested to contribute to abnormal fetal intrauterine growth in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. However, if vitamin D-regulated amino acid transporter is involved in the pathophysiologic mechanism of preeclampsia has not been clarified yet. The aberrant expression of key isoform of L-type amino acid transporter LAT1 was determined by western blot and immunohistochemistry in the placenta from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. The role for vitamin D on placental LAT1 expression was investigated through the exposure of HTR-8/SVneo human trophoblast cells to the biologically active 1,25(OH)2D3 and the oxidative stress-inducer cobalt chloride (CoCl2). Our results showed that placental LAT1 expression was reduced in women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnancies, which was associated with decreased expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR). 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly upregulated LAT1 expression in placental trophoblasts, and also prevented the decrease of mTOR activity under CoCl2-induced oxidative stress. siRNA targeting VDR significantly attenuated 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated LAT1 expression and mTOR signaling activity. Moreover, treatment of rapamycin specifically inhibited the activity of mTOR signaling and resulted in decrease of LAT1 expression. In conclusion, LAT1 expression was downregulated in the placenta from women with preeclampsia. 1,25(OH)2D3/VDR could stimulate LAT1 expression, which was likely mediated by mTOR signaling in placental trophoblasts. Regulation on placental amino acid transport may be one of the mechanisms by which vitamin D affects fetal growth in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Jia
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lingyu Ye
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yujia Huang
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xiaolei Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Chunmei Lu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China.
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23
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Aye IL, Aiken CE, Charnock-Jones DS, Smith GC. Placental energy metabolism in health and disease-significance of development and implications for preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:S928-S944. [PMID: 33189710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a highly metabolically active organ fulfilling the bioenergetic and biosynthetic needs to support its own rapid growth and that of the fetus. Placental metabolic dysfunction is a common occurrence in preeclampsia although its causal relationship to the pathophysiology is unclear. At the outset, this may simply be seen as an "engine out of fuel." However, placental metabolism plays a vital role beyond energy production and is linked to physiological and developmental processes. In this review, we discuss the metabolic basis for placental dysfunction and propose that the alterations in energy metabolism may explain many of the placental phenotypes of preeclampsia such as reduced placental and fetal growth, redox imbalance, oxidative stress, altered epigenetic and gene expression profiles, and the functional consequences of these aberrations. We propose that placental metabolic reprogramming reflects the dynamic physiological state allowing the tissue to adapt to developmental changes and respond to preeclampsia stress, whereas the inability to reprogram placental metabolism may result in severe preeclampsia phenotypes. Finally, we discuss common tested and novel therapeutic strategies for treating placental dysfunction in preeclampsia and their impact on placental energy metabolism as possible explanations into their potential benefits or harm.
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Tanaka K, Tanaka H, Tachibana R, Yoshikawa K, Kawamura T, Takakura S, Takeuchi H, Ikeda T. Tadalafil Treatment of Mice with Fetal Growth Restriction and Preeclampsia Improves Placental mTOR Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031474. [PMID: 35163395 PMCID: PMC8835936 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031474] [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: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a major cause of poor perinatal outcomes. Although several studies have been conducted to improve the prognosis of FGR in infants, no effective intrauterine treatment method has been established. This study aimed to use tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5) inhibitor, as a novel intrauterine treatment and conducted several basic and clinical studies. The study investigated the effects of tadalafil on placental mTOR signaling. Tadalafil was administered to mice with L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced FGR and associated preeclampsia (PE). Placental phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) signaling was assessed by fluorescent immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. The expression of p-mTOR was significantly decreased in mice with FGR on 13 days post coitum (d.p.c.) but recovered to the same level as that of the control on 17 d.p.c. following tadalafil treatment. The results were similar for 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and S6 ribosomal (S6R) protein, which act downstream in the mTOR signaling pathway. We demonstrate that the tadalafil treatment of FGR in mice improved placental mTOR signaling to facilitate fetal growth. Our study provides the key mechanistic detail about the mode of action of tadalafil and thus would be helpful for future clinical studies on FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hiroaki Tanaka
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-59-232-1111; Fax: +81-59-231-5202
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25
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Martín-Estal I, Castorena-Torres F. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Energy-Dense Diet: What Is the Role of the Insulin/IGF Axis? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:916042. [PMID: 35813659 PMCID: PMC9259869 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.916042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), is one of the most important pregnancy complications affecting approximately 15% of pregnant women. It is related to several gestational adverse outcomes in the fetus, e.g., macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, stillbirth, neonatal hypoglycemia, and respiratory distress. Women with GDM have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. The pathogenesis of GDM is not completely understood; nevertheless, two factors could contribute to its development: β-cell dysfunction and failure in insulin secretion in response to insulin resistance induced by gestation. Both processes, together with the physiological activities of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), play a crucial role in glucose transport to the fetus and hence, fetal growth and development. IGFs (both IGF-1 and IGF-2) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs) regulate glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Maternal nutritional status determines the health of the newborn, as it has substantial effects on fetal growth and development. Maternal obesity and an energy-dense diet can cause an increase in insulin and IGF-1 serum levels, producing metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, GDM, and high birth weight (> 4,000 g) due to a higher level of body fat. In this way, in GDM pregnancies there is an increase in IGF-1 and IGF-2 serum levels, and a decrease in IGFBP-1 and 4 serum levels, suggesting the crucial role of the insulin/IGF system in this gestational outcome. Here, the present review tries to elucidate the role that energy-dense diets and the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway perform in GDM pregnancies.
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Peng X, Cai X, Li J, Huang Y, Liu H, He J, Fang Z, Feng B, Tang J, Lin Y, Jiang X, Hu L, Xu S, Zhuo Y, Che L, Wu D. Effects of Melatonin Supplementation during Pregnancy on Reproductive Performance, Maternal-Placental-Fetal Redox Status, and Placental Mitochondrial Function in a Sow Model. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1867. [PMID: 34942970 PMCID: PMC8698367 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10121867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin (MT) is a bio-antioxidant that has been widely used to prevent pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia and IUGR during gestation. This experiment evaluated the impacts of dietary MT supplementation during pregnancy on reproductive performance, maternal-placental-fetal redox status, placental inflammatory response, and mitochondrial function, and sought a possible underlying mechanism in the placenta. Sixteen fifth parity sows were divided into two groups and fed each day of the gestation period either a control diet or a diet that was the same but for 36 mg of MT. The results showed that dietary supplementation with MT increased placental weight, while the percentage of piglets born with weight < 900 g decreased. Meanwhile, serum and placental MT levels, maternal-placental-fetal redox status, and placental inflammatory response were increased by MT. In addition, dietary MT markedly increased the mRNA levels of nutrient transporters and antioxidant-related genes involved in the Nrf2/ARE pathway in the placenta. Furthermore, dietary MT significantly increased ATP and NAD+ levels, relative mtDNA content, and the protein expression of Sirt1 in the placenta. These results suggested that MT supplementation during gestation could improve maternal-placental-fetal redox status and reproductive performance by ameliorating placental antioxidant status, inflammatory response, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xie Peng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Xuelin Cai
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Yingyan Huang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Hao Liu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Jiaqi He
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Zhengfeng Fang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Bin Feng
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Jiayong Tang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Yan Lin
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Xuemei Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Liang Hu
- College of Food Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625014, China;
| | - Shengyu Xu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Yong Zhuo
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Lianqiang Che
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - De Wu
- Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education, Animal Nutrition Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; (X.P.); (X.C.); (J.L.); (Y.H.); (H.L.); (J.H.); (Z.F.); (B.F.); (J.T.); (Y.L.); (X.J.); (S.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.C.)
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Rosario FJ, Kelly AC, Gupta MB, Powell TL, Cox L, Jansson T. Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 Regulation of the Primary Human Trophoblast Cell Transcriptome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:670980. [PMID: 34805133 PMCID: PMC8599300 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.670980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 (mTORC2) regulates placental amino acid and folate transport. However, the role of mTORC2 in modulating other placental functions is largely unexplored. We used a gene array following the silencing of rictor to identify genes regulated by mTORC2 in primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells. Four hundred and nine genes were differentially expressed; 102 genes were down-regulated and 307 up-regulated. Pathway analyses demonstrated that inhibition of mTORC2 resulted in increased expression of genes encoding for pro-inflammatory IL-6, VEGF-A, leptin, and inflammatory signaling (SAPK/JNK). Furthermore, down-regulated genes were functionally enriched in genes involved in angiogenesis (Osteopontin) and multivitamin transport (SLC5A6). In addition, the protein expression of leptin, VEGFA, IL-6 was increased and negatively correlated to mTORC2 signaling in human placentas collected from pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In contrast, the protein expression of Osteopontin and SLC5A6 was decreased and positively correlated to mTORC2 signaling in human IUGR placentas. In conclusion, mTORC2 signaling regulates trophoblast expression of genes involved in inflammation, micronutrient transport, and angiogenesis, representing novel links between mTOR signaling and multiple placental functions necessary for fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Amy Catherine Kelly
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Madhulika B Gupta
- Children's Health Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Laura Cox
- Section of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Toschi P, Baratta M. Ruminant Placental Adaptation in Early Maternal Undernutrition: An Overview. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:755034. [PMID: 34746288 PMCID: PMC8565373 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.755034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Correct placental development during early gestation is considered the main determinant of fetal growth in late pregnancy. A reduction in maternal nourishment occurring across the early developmental window has been linked to a wide range of pregnancy disorders affecting placental transport capacity and consequently the fetal nutrient supply line, with long-term implications for offspring health and productivity. In livestock, ruminant species specifically experience maternal undernutrition in extensive systems due to seasonal changes in food availability, with significant economic losses for the farmer in some situations. In this review, we aim to discuss the effects of reduced maternal nutrition during early pregnancy on placental development with a specific focus on ruminant placenta physiology. Different types of placental adaptation strategies were examined, also considering the potential effects on the epigenetic landscape, which is known to undergo extensive reprogramming during early mammalian development. We also discussed the involvement of autophagy as a cellular degradation mechanism that may play a key role in the placental response to nutrient deficiency mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin, named the mTOR intracellular pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Toschi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Mario Baratta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Viale delle Scienze, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Rosario FJ, Pardo S, Michelsen TM, Erickson K, Moore L, Powell TL, Weintraub ST, Jansson T. Characterization of the Primary Human Trophoblast Cell Secretome Using Stable Isotope Labeling With Amino Acids in Cell Culture. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:704781. [PMID: 34595166 PMCID: PMC8476785 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.704781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The placental villus syncytiotrophoblast, the nutrient-transporting and hormone-producing epithelium of the human placenta, is a critical regulator of fetal development and maternal physiology. However, the identities of the proteins synthesized and secreted by primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells remain unknown. Stable Isotope Labeling with Amino Acids in Cell Culture followed by mass spectrometry analysis of the conditioned media was used to identify secreted proteins and obtain information about their relative rates of synthesis in syncytialized multinucleated PHT cells isolated from normal term placental villus tissue (n = 4/independent placenta). A total of 1,344 proteins were identified, most of which have not previously been reported to be secreted by the human placenta or trophoblast. The majority of secreted proteins are involved in energy and carbon metabolism, glycolysis, biosynthesis of amino acids, purine metabolism, and fatty acid degradation. Histone family proteins and mitochondrial proteins were among proteins with the slowest synthesis rate whereas proteins associated with signaling and the plasma membrane were synthesized rapidly. There was a significant overlap between the PHT secretome and proteins known be secreted to the fetal circulation by the human placenta in vivo. The generated data will guide future experiments to determine the function of individual secreted proteins and will help us better understand how the placenta controls maternal and fetal physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Sammy Pardo
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Trond M Michelsen
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kathryn Erickson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Lorna Moore
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.,Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Susan T Weintraub
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of OB/GYN, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Placenta-specific Slc38a2/SNAT2 knockdown causes fetal growth restriction in mice. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:2049-2066. [PMID: 34406367 PMCID: PMC8410983 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a complication of pregnancy that reduces birth weight, markedly increases infant mortality and morbidity and is associated with later-life cardiometabolic disease. No specific treatment is available for FGR. Placentas of human FGR infants have low abundance of sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (Slc38a2/SNAT2), which supplies the fetus with amino acids required for growth. We determined the mechanistic role of placental Slc38a2/SNAT2 deficiency in the development of restricted fetal growth, hypothesizing that placenta-specific Slc38a2 knockdown causes FGR in mice. Using lentiviral transduction of blastocysts with a small hairpin RNA (shRNA), we achieved 59% knockdown of placental Slc38a2, without altering fetal Slc38a2 expression. Placenta-specific Slc38a2 knockdown reduced near-term fetal and placental weight, fetal viability, trophoblast plasma membrane (TPM) SNAT2 protein abundance, and both absolute and weight-specific placental uptake of the amino acid transport System A tracer, 14C-methylaminoisobutyric acid (MeAIB). We also measured human placental SLC38A2 gene expression in a well-defined term clinical cohort and found that SLC38A2 expression was decreased in late-onset, but not early-onset FGR, compared with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) control placentas. The results demonstrate that low placental Slc38a2/SNAT2 causes FGR and could be a target for clinical therapies for late-onset FGR.
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McColl ER, Piquette-Miller M. Viral model of maternal immune activation alters placental AMPK and mTORC1 signaling in rats. Placenta 2021; 112:36-44. [PMID: 34256323 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal immune activation (MIA) is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. We previously demonstrated that poly(I:C)-mediated MIA alters placental and fetal brain amino acid transporter expression in rats, which could potentially play a role in altered neurodevelopment; however, the mechanism(s) underlying these changes in amino acid transporter expression remain unknown. The objective of the current study was to investigate the mechanism(s) underlying poly(I:C)-mediated changes in the expression of the amino acid transporters in the placenta. METHODS Pregnant rats received poly(I:C) on gestational day 14 and placentas were collected 6 h later. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics of placentas was performed followed by pathway enrichment analysis. Activation of mTORC1 and its upstream regulator, AMPK, was investigated using immunoblotting. Finally, the role of mTORC1 and AMPK in regulating the expression and localization of the amino acid transporters EAAT2 and ASCT1 was investigated in the human choriocarcinoma cell line JAR. RESULTS The impact of poly(I:C) on the placental proteome was highly sexually dimorphic. While proteomics-based pathway enrichment analysis indicated enrichment of mTOR signaling in male placentas only, further investigation revealed inhibition of mTORC1 in both male and female placentas in addition to activation of AMPK. In vitro, activation of AMPK and inhibition of mTORC1 decreased membrane localization of EAAT2 and ASCT1. DISCUSSION Poly(I:C)-mediated MIA activates AMPK and inhibits mTORC1 in rat placenta, both of which decrease expression and membrane localization of EAAT2 and ASCT1 in vitro. Thus, AMPK/mTORC1 signaling could be a novel treatment target for alleviating MIA-mediated changes in placental amino acid transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza R McColl
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada.
| | - Micheline Piquette-Miller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College St, Toronto, ON, M5S 3M2, Canada.
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Roeca C, Silva E, Barentsen C, Powell TL, Jansson T. Effects of vitrification and the superovulated environment on placental function and fetal growth in an IVF mouse model. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:624-635. [PMID: 32618997 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In studies of human IVF, as compared to frozen embryo transfer (ET), fresh ET is associated with smaller infants and higher risk of small for gestational age infants. Recent observations suggest that ET using vitrified embryos is associated with higher pregnancy and live birth rates compared to fresh ET, but increased rates of large for gestational age infants. The mechanisms underlying these associations are largely unknown, and available evidence suggests that the influence of IVF, vitrification and the superovulated (SO) uterine environment on placental function and fetal growth is complex. This warrants further investigation given the prevalent practice in human IVF of both fresh ET into a SO uterine environment, and vitrification with ET into a more physiologic uterine environment. Using a mouse model that closely resembles human IVF, we investigated if vitrification of IVF embryos better preserves placental function and results in better pregnancy outcomes as compared to fresh ET because of transfer into a more physiologic endometrium. We found that the SO environment, independent of vitrification status, reduced implantation rates, inhibited placental mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling and induced placental stress signaling, resulting in fetal growth restriction (1.080 ± 0.05 g estrous fresh (n = 17 litters), 1.176 ± 0.05 g estrous vitrified (n = 12), 0.771 ± 0.06 g SO fresh (n = 15), 0.895 ± 0.08 g SO vitrified (n = 10), P < 0.0001). In addition, our study suggests that vitrification impairs the developmental potential of IVF blastocysts that resulted in a significantly smaller litter size (2.6 ± 2.3 fresh estrous vs 2.5 ± 2.4 fresh SO vs 1.6 ± 1.7 estrous vitrified vs 1.7 ± 1.8 SO vitrified, P = 0.019), with no effect on fetal growth or placental function at term. Our findings suggest that vitrification may negatively impact early embryonic viability, while the SO maternal uterine environment impairs both placental development and fetal growth in IVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Roeca
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - E Silva
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - C Barentsen
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - T L Powell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - T Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Abstract
The ageing population is becoming a significant socio-economic issue. To address the expanding health gap, it is important to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ageing in various organisms at the single-cell level. The discovery of the antifungal, immunosuppressive, and anticancer drug rapamycin, which possesses the ability to extend the lifespan of several species, has prompted extensive research in the areas of cell metabolic regulation, development, and senescence. At the centre of this research is the mTOR pathway, with key roles in cell growth, proteosynthesis, ribosomal biogenesis, transcriptional regulation, glucose and lipid metabolism, and autophagy. Recently, it has become obvious that mTOR dysregulation is involved in several age-related diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, mTOR hyperactivation affects the process of ageing per se. In this review, we provide an overview of recent insights into the mTOR signalling pathway, including its regulation and its influence on various hallmarks of ageing at the cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zofia Chrienova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
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Castillo-Castrejon M, Yamaguchi K, Rodel RL, Erickson K, Kramer A, Hirsch NM, Rolloff K, Jansson T, Barbour LA, Powell TL. Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on placental expression and activity of nutrient transporters and their association with birth weight and neonatal adiposity. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 532:111319. [PMID: 33989714 PMCID: PMC8206039 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Infants born to women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are at risk of being born large for gestational age due to excess fetal fat accretion. Placental nutrient transport determines fetal nutrient availability, impacting fetal growth. The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of T2DM on placental insulin signaling, placental nutrient transporters and neonatal adiposity. METHODS Placentas were collected from BMI-matched normoglycemic controls (NGT, n = 9) and T2DM (n = 9) women. Syncytiotrophoblast microvillous (MVM) and basal (BM) plasma membranes were isolated. Expression of glucose (GLUT1, -4), fatty acid (FATP2, -4, -6, FAT/CD36), amino acid (SNAT1, -2, -4, LAT1, -2) transporters, insulin signaling, and System A transporter activity was determined. Neonatal fat mass (%) was measured in a subset of neonates born to T2DM women. RESULTS GLUT1 protein expression was increased (p = 0.001) and GLUT4 decreased (p = 0.006) in BM from T2DM. MVM FATP6 expression was increased (p = 0.02) and correlated with birth weight in both T2DM and NGT groups (r = 0.65, p = 0.02). BM FATP6 expression was increased (p = 0.01) in T2DM. In MVM of T2DM placentas, SNAT1 expression was increased (p = 0.05) and correlated with birth weight (r = 0.84, p = 0.004); SNAT2 was increased (p = 0.01), however System A transporter activity was not different between groups. MVM LAT1 expression was increased (p = 0.01) in T2DM and correlated with birth weight (r = 0.59, p = 0.04) and neonatal fat mass (r = 0.76, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION In pregnancies complicated by T2DM placental protein expression of transporters for glucose, amino acids and fatty acids is increased, which may contribute to increased fetal growth and neonatal adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Castillo-Castrejon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Kyohei Yamaguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University, Mie, Japan
| | - Rachel L Rodel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kathryn Erickson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Anita Kramer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nicole M Hirsch
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Kristy Rolloff
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Linda A Barbour
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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Zhu C, Li X, Bazer FW, Johnson GA, Burghardt RC, Jiang Z, Wu G. Dietary L-arginine supplementation during days 14-25 of gestation enhances aquaporin expression in the placentae and endometria of gestating gilts. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1287-1295. [PMID: 34241695 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This study tested the hypothesis that dietary L-arginine (Arg) supplementation to pregnant gilts enhanced the expression of water channel proteins [aquaporins (AQPs)] in their placentae and endometria. Gilts were fed twice daily 1 kg of a corn and soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0.0%, 0.4%, or 0.8% Arg between Days 14 and 25 of gestation. On Days 25 and 60 of gestation, gilts were hysterectomized to obtain placentae and endometria. On Day 25 of gestation, supplementation with 0.4% Arg increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of placental AQP9 protein, whereas supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased (P < 0.05) placental AQP1 and AQP9 proteins, compared with controls. On Day 60 of gestation, supplementation with 0.4% Arg increased (P < 0.05) endometrial AQP1 protein, whereas supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased (P < 0.05) endometrial AQP5 and AQP9 proteins. Supplementation with 0.8% Arg increased the endometrial expression of AQP1, AQP5, and AQP9 proteins located in the luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of endometria, and placental transport of 3H2O. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary Arg supplementation stimulates the expression of selective AQPs in porcine placenta and endometria, thereby enhancing water transport from mother to fetus and expanding the chorioallantoic membranes during the period of placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui Zhu
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Xilong Li
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Fuller W Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Gregory A Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Robert C Burghardt
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Zongyong Jiang
- Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, Guangdong, China
| | - Guoyao Wu
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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Akhaphong B, Baumann DC, Beetch M, Lockridge AD, Jo S, Wong A, Zemanovic T, Mohan R, Fondevilla DL, Sia M, Pineda-Cortel MRB, Alejandro EU. Placental mTOR complex 1 regulates fetal programming of obesity and insulin resistance in mice. JCI Insight 2021; 6:149271. [PMID: 34032632 PMCID: PMC8410096 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction, or low birth weight, is a strong determinant for eventual obesity and type 2 diabetes. Clinical studies suggest placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling regulates fetal birth weight and the metabolic health trajectory of the offspring. In the current study, we used a genetic model with loss of placental mTOR function (mTOR-KOPlacenta) to test the direct role of mTOR signaling on birth weight and metabolic health in the adult offspring. mTOR-KOPlacenta animals displayed reduced placental area and total weight, as well as fetal body weight at embryonic day (E) 17.5. Birth weight and serum insulin levels were reduced; however, β cell mass was normal in mTOR-KOPlacenta newborns. Adult mTOR-KOPlacenta offspring, under a metabolic high-fat challenge, displayed exacerbated obesity and metabolic dysfunction compared with littermate controls. Subsequently, we tested whether enhancing placental mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, via genetic ablation of TSC2, in utero would improve glucose homeostasis in the offspring. Indeed, increased placental mTORC1 conferred protection from diet-induced obesity in the offspring. In conclusion, placental mTORC1 serves as a mechanistic link between placental function and programming of obesity and insulin resistance in the adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Akhaphong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Daniel C Baumann
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Megan Beetch
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Amber D Lockridge
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Seokwon Jo
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Alicia Wong
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tate Zemanovic
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ramkumar Mohan
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Danica L Fondevilla
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michelle Sia
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Maria Ruth B Pineda-Cortel
- Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences and.,Department of Medical Technology, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
| | - Emilyn U Alejandro
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Abstract
Almost 2 billion adults in the world are overweight, and more than half of them are classified as obese, while nearly one-third of children globally experience poor growth and development. Given the vast amount of knowledge that has been gleaned from decades of research on growth and development, a number of questions remain as to why the world is now in the midst of a global epidemic of obesity accompanied by the "double burden of malnutrition," where overweight coexists with underweight and micronutrient deficiencies. This challenge to the human condition can be attributed to nutritional and environmental exposures during pregnancy that may program a fetus to have a higher risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. To explore this concept, frequently called the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), this review considers a host of factors and physiological mechanisms that drive a fetus or child toward a higher risk of obesity, fatty liver disease, hypertension, and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D). To that end, this review explores the epidemiology of DOHaD with discussions focused on adaptations to human energetics, placental development, dysmetabolism, and key environmental exposures that act to promote chronic diseases in adulthood. These areas are complementary and additive in understanding how providing the best conditions for optimal growth can create the best possible conditions for lifelong health. Moreover, understanding both physiological as well as epigenetic and molecular mechanisms for DOHaD is vital to most fully address the global issues of obesity and other chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Hoffman
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Program in International Nutrition, and Center for Childhood Nutrition Research, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Division of Exposure Science and Epidemiology, Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Daniel B Hardy
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Division of Exposure Science and Epidemiology, Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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Inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling decreases levels of O-GlcNAc transferase and increases serotonin release in the human placenta. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 134:3123-3136. [PMID: 33215629 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201050] [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: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Changes in placental function, in particular down-regulation of placental O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) in response to maternal stress and increased placental secretion of serotonin into the fetal circulation following maternal infection, have been mechanistically linked to adverse neurodevelopment in mice. We hypothesized that mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is a key regulator of trophoblast serotonin synthesis and OGT protein expression and that serotonin is secreted by the human placenta into the fetal circulation. Placental homogenates (n=46) from elective terminations at 8-22 weeks of gestation and from healthy-term women were sexed and the protein levels of OGT and enzymes involved in serotonin synthesis was determined. Primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells were isolated from normal term placenta (n=27), cultured and transfected (n=8) with siRNA targeting a scramble sequence (control), raptor (inhibits mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1)), or rictor (inhibits mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2)). Subsequently, conditioned media and PHT cell lysates were collected. Free serotonin concentration was measured using ELISA in cell culture media and in platelet-depleted normal term umbilical vein and artery plasma (n=38). Both mTORC1 and mTORC2 inhibition down-regulated OGT levels in PHT cells. The level of serotonin synthesis enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH-1) was higher in early gestation female placentas and at term serotonin concentration was three-fold higher in the umbilical vein than in the umbilical artery. Inhibition of mTORC2, but not mTORC1, increased cultured PHT cell serotonin secretion. Our data are consistent with the model that mTOR signaling is a key regulator of trophoblast serotonin synthesis and OGT protein expression.
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Castillo-Castrejon M, Yang IV, Davidson EJ, Borengasser SJ, Jambal P, Westcott J, Kemp JF, Garces A, Ali SA, Saleem S, Goldenberg RL, Figueroa L, Hambidge KM, Krebs NF, Powell TL. Preconceptional Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplementation in 2 Low-Resource Countries Results in Distinctly Different IGF-1/mTOR Placental Responses. J Nutr 2021; 151:556-569. [PMID: 33382407 PMCID: PMC7948206 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preconceptional maternal small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplementation (SQLNS) improved intrauterine linear growth in low-resource countries as demonstrated by the Women First Preconception Maternal Nutrition Trial (WF). Fetal growth is dependent on nutrient availability and regulated by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) through changes in placental transfer capacity, mediated by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. OBJECTIVES Our objective was to evaluate the role of placental mTOR and IGF-1 signaling on fetal growth in women from 2 low-resource countries with high rates of stunting after they received preconceptional SQLNS. METHODS We studied 48 women from preconception through delivery who were from Guatemala and Pakistan and received SQLNS or not, as part of the WF study. Placental samples were obtained at delivery (control, n = 24; SQLNS, n = 24). Placental protein or mRNA expression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor binding protein-1 (4E-BP1), ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6), AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKA), IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), and pregnancy associated plasma protein (PAPP)-A, and DNA methylation of the IGF1 promoter were determined. Maternal serum IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3, IGFBP-4, IGFBP-5, PAPP-A, PAPP-A2, and zinc were measured. RESULTS Mean ± SEM maternal prepregnancy BMI differed between participants in Guatemala (26.5 ± 1.3) and Pakistan (19.8 ± 0.7) (P < 0.001). In Pakistani participants, SQLNS increased the placental rpS6(T37/46):rpS6 ratio (1.5-fold) and decreased the AMPKA(T172):AMPKA ratio. Placental IGF1 mRNA expression was positively correlated with birth length and birth weight z-scores. Placental PAPP-A (30-fold) and maternal serum zinc (1.2-fold) increased with SQLNS. In Guatemalan participants SQLNS did not influence placental mTOR signaling. Placental IGF-1R protein expression was positively associated with birth length and birth weight z-scores. SQLNS increased placental PAPP-A (40-fold) and maternal serum IGFBP-4 (1.6-fold). CONCLUSIONS In Pakistani pregnant women with poor nutritional status, preconceptional SQLNS activated placental mTOR and IGF-1 signaling and was associated with improved fetal growth. In contrast, in Guatemalan women SQLNS did not activate placental nutrient-sensing pathways. In populations experiencing childhood stunting, preconceptional SQLNS improves placental function and fetal growth only in the context of poor maternal nutrition. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01883193.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol Castillo-Castrejon
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ivana V Yang
- Biomedical Informatics & Personalized Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Davidson
- Biomedical Informatics & Personalized Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sarah J Borengasser
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Purevsuren Jambal
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jamie Westcott
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jennifer F Kemp
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ana Garces
- Maternal and Infant Health Center, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Sumera A Ali
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sarah Saleem
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Robert L Goldenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lester Figueroa
- Maternal and Infant Health Center, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - K Michael Hambidge
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Nancy F Krebs
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Melnik BC. Lifetime Impact of Cow's Milk on Overactivation of mTORC1: From Fetal to Childhood Overgrowth, Acne, Diabetes, Cancers, and Neurodegeneration. Biomolecules 2021; 11:404. [PMID: 33803410 PMCID: PMC8000710 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The consumption of cow's milk is a part of the basic nutritional habits of Western industrialized countries. Recent epidemiological studies associate the intake of cow's milk with an increased risk of diseases, which are associated with overactivated mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling. This review presents current epidemiological and translational evidence linking milk consumption to the regulation of mTORC1, the master-switch for eukaryotic cell growth. Epidemiological studies confirm a correlation between cow's milk consumption and birthweight, body mass index, onset of menarche, linear growth during childhood, acne vulgaris, type 2 diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, neurodegenerative diseases, and all-cause mortality. Thus, long-term persistent consumption of cow's milk increases the risk of mTORC1-driven diseases of civilization. Milk is a highly conserved, lactation genome-controlled signaling system that functions as a maternal-neonatal relay for optimized species-specific activation of mTORC1, the nexus for regulation of eukaryotic cell growth, and control of autophagy. A deeper understanding of milk´s impact on mTORC1 signaling is of critical importance for the prevention of common diseases of civilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodo C Melnik
- Department of Dermatology, Environmental Medicine and Health Theory, University of Osnabrück, Am Finkenhügel 7a, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany
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Fairweather SJ, Shah N, Brӧer S. Heteromeric Solute Carriers: Function, Structure, Pathology and Pharmacology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 21:13-127. [PMID: 33052588 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2020_584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Solute carriers form one of three major superfamilies of membrane transporters in humans, and include uniporters, exchangers and symporters. Following several decades of molecular characterisation, multiple solute carriers that form obligatory heteromers with unrelated subunits are emerging as a distinctive principle of membrane transporter assembly. Here we comprehensively review experimentally established heteromeric solute carriers: SLC3-SLC7 amino acid exchangers, SLC16 monocarboxylate/H+ symporters and basigin/embigin, SLC4A1 (AE1) and glycophorin A exchanger, SLC51 heteromer Ost α-Ost β uniporter, and SLC6 heteromeric symporters. The review covers the history of the heteromer discovery, transporter physiology, structure, disease associations and pharmacology - all with a focus on the heteromeric assembly. The cellular locations, requirements for complex formation, and the functional role of dimerization are extensively detailed, including analysis of the first complete heteromer structures, the SLC7-SLC3 family transporters LAT1-4F2hc, b0,+AT-rBAT and the SLC6 family heteromer B0AT1-ACE2. We present a systematic analysis of the structural and functional aspects of heteromeric solute carriers and conclude with common principles of their functional roles and structural architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Fairweather
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia. .,Resarch School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
| | - Nishank Shah
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Stefan Brӧer
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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Sedlmeier EM, Meyer DM, Stecher L, Sailer M, Daniel H, Hauner H, Bader BL. Fetal sex modulates placental microRNA expression, potential microRNA-mRNA interactions, and levels of amino acid transporter expression and substrates: INFAT study subpopulation analysis of n-3 LCPUFA intervention during pregnancy and associations with offspring body composition. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:15. [PMID: 33657992 PMCID: PMC7931339 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-021-00345-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previously, we revealed sexually dimorphic mRNA expression and responsiveness to maternal dietary supplementation with n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) in placentas from a defined INFAT study subpopulation. Here, we extended these analyses and explored the respective placental microRNA expression, putative microRNA-mRNA interactions, and downstream target processes as well as their associations with INFAT offspring body composition. Results We performed explorative placental microRNA profiling, predicted microRNA-mRNA interactions by bioinformatics, validated placental target microRNAs and their putative targets by RT-qPCR and western blotting, and measured amino acid levels in maternal and offspring cord blood plasma and placenta. microRNA, mRNA, protein, and amino acid levels were associated with each other and with offspring body composition from birth to 5 years of age. Forty-six differentially regulated microRNAs were found. Validations identified differential expression for microRNA-99a (miR-99a) and its predicted target genes mTOR, SLC7A5, encoding L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), and SLC6A6, encoding taurine transporter (TauT), and their prevailing significant sexually dimorphic regulation. Target mRNA levels were mostly higher in placentas from control male than from female offspring, whereas respective n-3 LCPUFA responsive target upregulation was predominantly found in female placentas, explaining the rather balanced expression levels between the sexes present only in the intervention group. LAT1 and TauT substrates tryptophan and taurine, respectively, were significantly altered in both maternal plasma at 32 weeks’ gestation and cord plasma following intervention, but not in the placenta. Several significant associations were observed for miR-99a, mTOR mRNA, SLC7A5 mRNA, and taurine and tryptophan in maternal and cord plasma with offspring body composition at birth, 1 year, 3 and 5 years of age. Conclusions Our data suggest that the analyzed targets may be part of a sexually dimorphic molecular regulatory network in the placenta, possibly modulating gene expression per se and/or counteracting n-3 LCPUFA responsive changes, and thereby stabilizing respective placental and fetal amino acid levels. Our data propose placental miR-99, SLC7A5 mRNA, and taurine and tryptophan levels in maternal and fetal plasma as potentially predictive biomarkers for offspring body composition. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-021-00345-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Sedlmeier
- ZIEL-PhD Graduate School 'Epigenetics, Imprinting and Nutrition', ZIEL-Institute for Food and Health, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.,Else Kröner-Fresenius-Center for Nutritional Medicine, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Dorothy M Meyer
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, 80992, Munich, Germany
| | - Lynne Stecher
- Institute of Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, 80992, Munich, Germany
| | - Manuela Sailer
- Molecular Nutrition Unit, ZIEL-Institute for Food and Health, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Hannelore Daniel
- Molecular Nutrition Unit, ZIEL-Institute for Food and Health, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Hans Hauner
- Else Kröner-Fresenius-Center for Nutritional Medicine, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.,Institute of Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 62, 80992, Munich, Germany.,Clinical Nutritional Medicine Unit, ZIEL-Institute for Food and Health, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Bernhard L Bader
- ZIEL-PhD Graduate School 'Epigenetics, Imprinting and Nutrition', ZIEL-Institute for Food and Health, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany. .,Else Kröner-Fresenius-Center for Nutritional Medicine, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany. .,Clinical Nutritional Medicine Unit, ZIEL-Institute for Food and Health, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85354, Freising, Germany.
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Abstract
Cells metabolize nutrients for biosynthetic and bioenergetic needs to fuel growth and proliferation. The uptake of nutrients from the environment and their intracellular metabolism is a highly controlled process that involves cross talk between growth signaling and metabolic pathways. Despite constant fluctuations in nutrient availability and environmental signals, normal cells restore metabolic homeostasis to maintain cellular functions and prevent disease. A central signaling molecule that integrates growth with metabolism is the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). mTOR is a protein kinase that responds to levels of nutrients and growth signals. mTOR forms two protein complexes, mTORC1, which is sensitive to rapamycin, and mTORC2, which is not directly inhibited by this drug. Rapamycin has facilitated the discovery of the various functions of mTORC1 in metabolism. Genetic models that disrupt either mTORC1 or mTORC2 have expanded our knowledge of their cellular, tissue, as well as systemic functions in metabolism. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the regulation and functions of mTORC2, particularly in metabolism, has lagged behind. Since mTOR is an important target for cancer, aging, and other metabolism-related pathologies, understanding the distinct and overlapping regulation and functions of the two mTOR complexes is vital for the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. This review discusses the key discoveries and recent findings on the regulation and metabolic functions of the mTOR complexes. We highlight findings from cancer models but also discuss other examples of the mTOR-mediated metabolic reprogramming occurring in stem and immune cells, type 2 diabetes/obesity, neurodegenerative disorders, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelia Szwed
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Eugene Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Estela Jacinto
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
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Colson A, Sonveaux P, Debiève F, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Adaptations of the human placenta to hypoxia: opportunities for interventions in fetal growth restriction. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 27:531-569. [PMID: 33377492 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is the functional interface between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy, and a critical determinant of fetal growth and life-long health. In the first trimester, it develops under a low-oxygen environment, which is essential for the conceptus who has little defense against reactive oxygen species produced during oxidative metabolism. However, failure of invasive trophoblasts to sufficiently remodel uterine arteries toward dilated vessels by the end of the first trimester can lead to reduced/intermittent blood flow, persistent hypoxia and oxidative stress in the placenta with consequences for fetal growth. Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is observed in ∼10% of pregnancies and is frequently seen in association with other pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia (PE). FGR is one of the main challenges for obstetricians and pediatricians, as smaller fetuses have greater perinatal risks of morbidity and mortality and postnatal risks of neurodevelopmental and cardio-metabolic disorders. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim of this review was to examine the importance of placental responses to changing oxygen environments during abnormal pregnancy in terms of cellular, molecular and functional changes in order to highlight new therapeutic pathways, and to pinpoint approaches aimed at enhancing oxygen supply and/or mitigating oxidative stress in the placenta as a mean of optimizing fetal growth. SEARCH METHODS An extensive online search of peer-reviewed articles using PubMed was performed with combinations of search terms including pregnancy, placenta, trophoblast, oxygen, hypoxia, high altitude, FGR and PE (last updated in May 2020). OUTCOMES Trophoblast differentiation and placental establishment are governed by oxygen availability/hypoxia in early pregnancy. The placental response to late gestational hypoxia includes changes in syncytialization, mitochondrial functions, endoplasmic reticulum stress, hormone production, nutrient handling and angiogenic factor secretion. The nature of these changes depends on the extent of hypoxia, with some responses appearing adaptive and others appearing detrimental to the placental support of fetal growth. Emerging approaches that aim to increase placental oxygen supply and/or reduce the impacts of excessive oxidative stress are promising for their potential to prevent/treat FGR. WIDER IMPLICATIONS There are many risks and challenges of intervening during pregnancy that must be considered. The establishment of human trophoblast stem cell lines and organoids will allow further mechanistic studies of the effects of hypoxia and may lead to advanced screening of drugs for use in pregnancies complicated by placental insufficiency/hypoxia. Since no treatments are currently available, a better understanding of placental adaptations to hypoxia would help to develop therapies or repurpose drugs to optimize placental function and fetal growth, with life-long benefits to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Colson
- Pole of Obstetrics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Pole of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre Sonveaux
- Pole of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Debiève
- Pole of Obstetrics, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Rosario FJ, Powell TL, Gupta MB, Cox L, Jansson T. mTORC1 Transcriptional Regulation of Ribosome Subunits, Protein Synthesis, and Molecular Transport in Primary Human Trophoblast Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:583801. [PMID: 33324640 PMCID: PMC7726231 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.583801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) serves as positive regulator of placental nutrient transport and mitochondrial respiration. The role of mTORC1 signaling in modulating other placental functions is largely unexplored. We used gene array following silencing of raptor to identify genes regulated by mTORC1 in primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells. Seven hundred and thirty-nine genes were differentially expressed; 487 genes were down-regulated and 252 up-regulated. Bioinformatic analyses demonstrated that inhibition of mTORC1 resulted in decreased expression of genes encoding ribosomal proteins in the 60S and 40S ribosome subunits. Furthermore, down-regulated genes were functionally enriched in genes involved in eIF2, sirtuin and mTOR signaling, mitochondrial function, and glutamine and zinc transport. Stress response genes were enriched among up-regulated genes following mTORC1 inhibition. The protein expression of ribosomal proteins RPL26 (RPL26) and Ribosomal Protein S10 (RPS10) was decreased and positively correlated to mTORC1 signaling and System A amino acid transport in human placentas collected from pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In conclusion, mTORC1 signaling regulates the expression of trophoblast genes involved in ribosome and protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism, nutrient transport, and angiogenesis, representing novel links between mTOR signaling and multiple placental functions critical for normal fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrick J. Rosario
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Theresa L. Powell
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Madhulika B. Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Laura Cox
- Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Keleher MR, Erickson K, Kechris K, Yang IV, Dabelea D, Friedman JE, Boyle KE, Jansson T. Associations between the activity of placental nutrient-sensing pathways and neonatal and postnatal metabolic health: the ECHO Healthy Start cohort. Int J Obes (Lond) 2020; 44:2203-2212. [PMID: 32327723 PMCID: PMC8329931 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-020-0574-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our hypothesis was that the activity of placental nutrient-sensing pathways is associated with adiposity and metabolic health in childhood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using placental villus samples from healthy mothers from the Healthy Start Study, we measured the abundance and phosphorylation of key intermediates in the mTOR, insulin, AMPK, and ER stress signaling pathways. Using multivariate multiple regression models, we tested the association between placental proteins and offspring adiposity (%fat mass) at birth (n = 109), 4-6 months (n = 104), and 4-6 years old (n = 64), adjusted for offspring sex and age. RESULTS Placental mTORC1 phosphorylation was positively associated with adiposity at birth (R2 = 0.13, P = 0.009) and 4-6 years (R2 = 0.15, P = 0.046). The mTORC2 target PKCα was positively associated with systolic blood pressure at 4-6 years (β = 2.90, P = 0.005). AMPK phosphorylation was positively associated with adiposity at birth (β = 2.32, P = 0.023), but the ratio of phosphorylated to total AMPK was negatively associated with skinfold thickness (β = -2.37, P = 0.022) and body weight (β = -2.92, P = 0.005) at 4-6 years. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of associations between key placental protein activity measures and longitudinal child outcomes at various life stages. Our data indicate that AMPK and mTOR signaling are linked to cardiometabolic measures at birth and 4-6 years, providing novel insight into potential mechanisms underpinning how metabolic signaling in the placenta is associated with future risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline Rose Keleher
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
- The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Kathryn Erickson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Katerina Kechris
- The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Ivana V Yang
- The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Dana Dabelea
- The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jacob E Friedman
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Kristen E Boyle
- Section of Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- The Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Liu R, Hong R, Wang Y, Gong Y, Yeerken D, Yang D, Li J, Fan J, Chen J, Zhang W, Zhan Q. Defect of SLC38A3 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and predicts poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Chin J Cancer Res 2020; 32:547-563. [PMID: 33223751 PMCID: PMC7666777 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2020.05.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Solute carrier family 38 (SLC38s) transporters play important roles in amino acid transportation and signaling transduction. However, their genetic alterations and biological roles in tumors are still largely unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic signatures of SLC38s transporters and their implications in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Analyses on somatic mutation and copy number alterations (CNAs) of SLC38A3 were performed as described. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay and Western blot assay were used to detect the protein expression level. MTS assay, colony formation assay, transwell assay and wound healing assay were used to explore the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells. Immunofluorescence assay was used to verify the colocalization of two indicated proteins and immunopreciptation assay was performed to confirm the interaction of proteins. Results Our findings revealed that SLC38s family was significantly disrupted in ESCC, with high frequent CNAs and few somatic mutations. SLC38A3 was the most frequent loss gene among them and was linked to poor survival and lymph node metastasis. The expression of SLC38A3 was lower in tumor tissues compared to that in normal tissues, which was also significantly associated with worse clinical outcome. Further experiments revealed that depletion of SLC38A3 could promote EMT in ESCC cell lines, and the interaction of SLC38A3 and SETDB1 might lead to the reduced transcription of Snail. Pharmacogenomic analyses demonstrated that fifteen inhibitors were showed significantly correlated with SLC38A3 expression.
Conclusions Our investigations have provided insights that SLC38A3 could act as a suppressor in EMT pathway and serve as a prognostic factor and predictor of differential drug sensitivities in ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Ruoxi Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Ying Gong
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Danna Yeerken
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Di Yang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Jinting Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Jiawen Fan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Weimin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Qimin Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
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48
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Luo W, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Liang P, Wang X, Ma J, Tan D, Tan Y, Song J, Ji P, Zhao T. L-type amino acid transporter 1 promotes proliferation and invasion of human chorionic trophoblast and choriocarcinoma cells through mTORC1. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:6665-6681. [PMID: 33194063 PMCID: PMC7653574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is a neutral amino acid transporter expressed in trophoblast giant cells onembryonic day 8 in mice. LAT1 is responsible for metabolism in blastocysts and cancer cells. Despite research concerning the aberrant high expression and indispensable function of LAT1 in various cancers, little is known about the role of LAT1 in regulating the behaviors of human trophoblast cells under different physiological and pathological conditions. The HTR8-SVneo human trophoblast cell line and JEG-3 and JAR choriocarcinoma cell lines are used as models for trophoblast cell biological research. The proliferation and apoptosis of these cells were assayed using the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Transwell-chambers were used to observed migration and invasion of the cells. Immunofluorescent staining, western blot, and RT-PCR assays were used to determine the possible mechanism of LAT1 on human trophoblast cell behaviors with small interfering RNA or signal agonists and antagonist treatments. LAT1 was expressed in the trophoblast and choriocarcinoma cells. LAT1 was involved in regulating behaviors of these cells, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Detailed results suggested that LAT1 modulated trophoblast cell functions by mediation of mTORC1 signaling pathways. Our results implicate LAT1 as a very important regulator in human trophoblast cell behaviors at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenping Luo
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Panpan Liang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Xiaojie Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University1 Medical College Road, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University1 Medical College Road, Chongqing 400016, China
- Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Health Birth, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Hebei Research Institute for Family PlanningShijiazhuang 050071, Hebei, China
| | - Dongmei Tan
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University1 Medical College Road, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yi Tan
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University1 Medical College Road, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jinlin Song
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Ping Ji
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
| | - Tianyu Zhao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical Sciences426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher Education426 Songshi North Road, Yubei Distrinct, Chongqing 401147, China
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49
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Zaugg J, Huang X, Ziegler F, Rubin M, Graff J, Müller J, Moser-Hässig R, Powell T, Gertsch J, Altmann KH, Albrecht C. Small molecule inhibitors provide insights into the relevance of LAT1 and LAT2 in materno-foetal amino acid transport. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:12681-12693. [PMID: 33001560 PMCID: PMC7687008 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta supplies the foetus with critical nutrients such as essential amino acids (AA, eg leucine) for development and growth. It also represents a cellular barrier which is formed by a polarized, differentiated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) monolayer. Active Na+‐independent leucine transport across the placenta is mainly attributed to the System L transporters LAT1/SLC7A5 and LAT2/SLC7A8. This study explored the influence of trophoblast differentiation on the activity of LAT1/LAT2 and the relevance of LAT1/LAT2 in leucine uptake and transfer in trophoblasts by applying specific small molecule inhibitors (JPH203/JG336/JX009). L‐leucine uptake (total dose = 167 μmol/L) was sensitive to LAT1‐specific inhibition by JPH203 (EC50 = 2.55 µmol/L). The inhibition efficiency of JPH203 was increased by an additional methoxy group in the JPH203‐derivate JG336 (EC50 = 1.99 µmol/L). Interestingly, JX009 showed efficient System L inhibition (EC50 = 2.35 µmol/L) and was the most potent inhibitor of leucine uptake in trophoblasts. The application of JPH203 and JX009 in Transwell®‐based leucine transfer revealed LAT1 as the major accumulative transporter at the apical membrane, but other System L transporters such as LAT2 as rate‐limiting for leucine efflux across the basal membrane. Therefore, differential specificity of the applied inhibitors allowed for estimation of the contribution of LAT1 and LAT2 in materno‐foetal AA transfer and their potential impact in pregnancy diseases associated with impaired foetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Zaugg
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Xiao Huang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Ziegler
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Rubin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Julien Graff
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Müller
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruedi Moser-Hässig
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Lindenhofgruppe, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Theresa Powell
- Department of Pediatrics, Neonatology Section, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Karl-Heinz Altmann
- Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christiane Albrecht
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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50
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McIntyre KR, Vincent KMM, Hayward CE, Li X, Sibley CP, Desforges M, Greenwood SL, Dilworth MR. Human placental uptake of glutamine and glutamate is reduced in fetal growth restriction. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16197. [PMID: 33004923 PMCID: PMC7530652 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72930-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a significant risk factor for stillbirth, neonatal complications and adulthood morbidity. Compared with those of appropriate weight for gestational age (AGA), FGR babies have smaller placentas with reduced activity of amino acid transporter systems A and L, thought to contribute to poor fetal growth. The amino acids glutamine and glutamate are essential for normal placental function and fetal development; whether transport of these is altered in FGR is unknown. We hypothesised that FGR is associated with reduced placental glutamine and glutamate transporter activity and expression, and propose the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway as a candidate mechanism. FGR infants [individualised birth weight ratio (IBR) < 5th centile] had lighter placentas, reduced initial rate uptake of 14C-glutamine and 14C-glutamate (per mg placental protein) but higher expression of key transporter proteins (glutamine: LAT1, LAT2, SNAT5, glutamate: EAAT1) versus AGA [IBR 20th-80th]. In further experiments, in vitro exposure to rapamycin inhibited placental glutamine and glutamate uptake (24 h, uncomplicated pregnancies) indicating a role of mTOR in regulating placental transport of these amino acids. These data support our hypothesis and suggest that abnormal glutamine and glutamate transporter activity is part of the spectrum of placental dysfunction in FGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty R McIntyre
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. .,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. .,School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Wolfson Medical School Building, University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
| | - Kirsty M M Vincent
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Christina E Hayward
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Xiaojia Li
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Colin P Sibley
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Michelle Desforges
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Susan L Greenwood
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Mark R Dilworth
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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