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Hernandez MH, Cohen JM, Skåra KH, Grindstad TK, Lee Y, Magnus P, Njølstad PR, Andreassen OA, Corfield EC, Havdahl A, Molden E, Furu K, Magnus MC, Hernaez A. Placental efflux transporters and antiseizure or antidepressant medication use impact birth weight in MoBa cohort. iScience 2024; 27:109285. [PMID: 38455980 PMCID: PMC10918264 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Low birth weight raises neonatal risks and lifelong health issues and is linked to maternal medication use during pregnancy. We examined data from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, including 69,828 offspring with genotype data and 81,189 with maternal genotype data. We identified genetic risk variants in placental efflux transporters, calculated genetic scores based on alleles related to transporter activity, and assessed their interaction with prenatal use of antiseizure or antidepressant medication on offspring birth weight. Our study uncovered possible genetic variants in both offspring (rs3740066) and mothers (rs10248420; rs2235015) in placental efflux transporters (MRP2-ABCC2 and MDR1-ABCB1) that modulated the association between prenatal exposure to antiseizure medication and low birth weight in the offspring. Antidepressant exposure was associated with low birth weight, but there were no gene-drug interactions. The interplay between MRP2-ABCC2 and MDR1-ABCB1 variants and antiseizure medication may impact neonatal birth weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta H. Hernandez
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, University Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacqueline M. Cohen
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Karoline H. Skåra
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Thea K. Grindstad
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yunsung Lee
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pål R. Njølstad
- Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research, NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elizabeth C. Corfield
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Espen Molden
- Center for Psychopharmacology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Section for Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kari Furu
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria C. Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alvaro Hernaez
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, University Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Vukomanović P, Stefanović M, Stevanović JM, Petrić A, Trenkić M, Andrejević L, Lazarević M, Sokolović D, Veselinović AM. Monte Carlo Optimization Method Based QSAR Modeling of Placental Barrier Permeability. Pharm Res 2024; 41:493-500. [PMID: 38337105 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-024-03675-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In order to ensure that drug administration is safe during pregnancy, it is crucial to have the possibility to predict the placental permeability of drugs in humans. The experimental method which is most widely used for the said purpose is in vitro human placental perfusion, though the approach is highly expensive and time consuming. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling represents a powerful tool for the assessment of the drug placental transfer, and can be successfully employed to be an alternative in in vitro experiments. METHODS The conformation-independent QSAR models covered in the present study were developed through the use of the SMILES notation descriptors and local molecular graph invariants. What is more, the Monte Carlo optimization method, was used in the test sets and the training sets as the model developer with three independent molecular splits. RESULTS A range of different statistical parameters was used to validate the developed QSAR model, including the standard error of estimation, mean absolute error, root-mean-square error (RMSE), correlation coefficient, cross-validated correlation coefficient, Fisher ratio, MAE-based metrics and the correlation ideality index. Once the mentioned statistical methods were employed, an excellent predictive potential and robustness of the developed QSAR model was demonstrated. In addition, the molecular fragments, which are derived from the SMILES notation descriptors accounting for the decrease or increase in the investigated activity, were revealed. CONCLUSION The presented QSAR modeling can be an invaluable tool for the high-throughput screening of the placental permeability of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Predrag Vukomanović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Milan Stefanović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Jelena Milošević Stevanović
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Petrić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Milan Trenkić
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Lazar Andrejević
- COVID Hospital, University Clinical Centre of Niš, Kruševac, Serbia
| | - Milan Lazarević
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
- Clinic for Cardiovascular and Transplant Surgery, University Clinical Centre of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | | | - Aleksandar M Veselinović
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Chemistry, University of Niš, Bulevar Dr Zorana Đinđića 81, 18000, Niš, Serbia.
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Burhanuddin K, Badhan R. Optimising Fluvoxamine Maternal/Fetal Exposure during Gestation: A Pharmacokinetic Virtual Clinical Trials Study. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12121281. [PMID: 36557319 PMCID: PMC9782298 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12121281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluvoxamine plasma concentrations have been shown to decrease throughout pregnancy. CYP2D6 polymorphisms significantly influence these changes. However, knowledge of an optimum dose adjustment according to the CYP2D6 phenotype is still limited. This study implemented a physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling approach to assess the gestational changes in fluvoxamine maternal and umbilical cord concentrations. The optimal dosing strategies during pregnancy were simulated, and the impact of CYP2D6 phenotypes on fluvoxamine maternal and fetal concentrations was considered. A significant decrease in fluvoxamine maternal plasma concentrations was noted during gestation. As for the fetal concentration, a substantial increase was noted for the poor metabolisers (PM), with a constant level in the ultrarapid (UM) and extensive (EM) metabolisers commencing from gestation week 20 to term. The optimum dosing regimen suggested for UM and EM reached a maximum dose of 300 mg daily at gestational weeks (GW) 15 and 35, respectively. In contrast, a stable dose of 100 mg daily throughout gestation for the PM is sufficient to maintain the fluvoxamine plasma concentration within the therapeutic window (60-230 ng/mL). Dose adjustment during pregnancy is required for fluvoxamine, particularly for UM and EM, to maintain efficacy throughout the gestational period.
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Jiang H, Li L, Zhu D, Zhou X, Yu Y, Zhou Q, Sun L. A Review of Nanotechnology for Treating Dysfunctional Placenta. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:845779. [PMID: 35402416 PMCID: PMC8987505 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.845779] [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: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta plays a significant role during pregnancy. Placental dysfunction contributes to major obstetric complications, such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. Currently, there is no effective treatment for placental dysfunction in the perinatal period, and prophylaxis is often delivered too late, at which point the disease manifestation cannot be prevented. However, with recent integration of nanoscience and medicine to perform elaborate experiments on the human placenta, it is expected that novel and efficient nanotherapies will be developed to resolve the challenge of managing placental dysfunction. The advent of nanomedicine has enabled the safe and targeted delivery of drugs using nanoparticles. These smart nanoparticles can load the necessary therapeutic substances that specifically target the placenta, such as drugs, targeting molecules, and ligands. Packaging multifunctional molecules into specific delivery systems with high targeting ability, diagnosis, and treatment has emerged as a novel theragnostic (both therapeutic and diagnostic) approach. In this review, the authors discuss recent advances in nanotechnology for placental dysfunction treatment. In particular, the authors highlight potential candidate nanoparticle-loaded molecules that target the placenta to improve utero-placental blood flow, and reduce reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. The authors intend to provide basic insight and understanding of placental dysfunction, potential delivery targets, and recent research on placenta-targeted nanoparticle delivery systems for the potential treatment of placental dysfunction. The authors hope that this review will sensitize the reader for continued exploration of novel nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huabo Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyao Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongsheng Yu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yongsheng Yu, ; Qian Zhou, ; Luming Sun,
| | - Qian Zhou
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yongsheng Yu, ; Qian Zhou, ; Luming Sun,
| | - Luming Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yongsheng Yu, ; Qian Zhou, ; Luming Sun,
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Granitzer S, Ellinger I, Khan R, Gelles K, Widhalm R, Hengstschläger M, Zeisler H, Desoye G, Tupova L, Ceckova M, Salzer H, Gundacker C. In vitro function and in situ localization of Multidrug Resistance-associated Protein (MRP)1 (ABCC1) suggest a protective role against methyl mercury-induced oxidative stress in the human placenta. Arch Toxicol 2020; 94:3799-3817. [PMID: 32915249 PMCID: PMC7603445 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-020-02900-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Methyl mercury (MeHg) is an organic highly toxic compound that is transported efficiently via the human placenta. Our previous data suggest that MeHg is taken up into placental cells by amino acid transporters while mercury export from placental cells mainly involves ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters. We hypothesized that the ABC transporter multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP)1 (ABCC1) plays an essential role in mercury export from the human placenta. Transwell transport studies with MRP1-overexpressing Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK)II cells confirmed the function of MRP1 in polarized mercury efflux. Consistent with this, siRNA-mediated MRP1 gene knockdown in the human placental cell line HTR-8/SVneo resulted in intracellular mercury accumulation, which was associated with reduced cell viability, accompanied by increased cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and oxidative stress as determined via the glutathione (GSH) status. In addition, the many sources claiming different localization of MRP1 in the placenta required a re-evaluation of its localization in placental tissue sections by immunofluorescence microscopy using an MRP1-specific antibody that was validated in-house. Taken together, our results show that (1) MRP1 preferentially mediates apical-to-basolateral mercury transport in epithelial cells, (2) MRP1 regulates the GSH status of placental cells, (3) MRP1 function has a decisive influence on the viability of placental cells exposed to low MeHg concentrations, and (4) the in situ localization of MRP1 corresponds to mercury transport from maternal circulation to the placenta and fetus. We conclude that MRP1 protects placental cells from MeHg-induced oxidative stress by exporting the toxic metal and by maintaining the placental cells' GSH status in equilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Granitzer
- Karl-Landsteiner Private University for Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabella Ellinger
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rumsha Khan
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Gelles
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Raimund Widhalm
- Karl-Landsteiner Private University for Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Harald Zeisler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lenka Tupova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Ceckova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Hans Salzer
- Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Tulln, Tulln, Austria
| | - Claudia Gundacker
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Abdel Hamid ER, Sharaf NE, Ahmed HH, Ahmed A, Mossa ATH. In utero exposure to organochlorine pesticide residues and their potential impact on birth outcomes and fetal gender. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:33703-33711. [PMID: 32533481 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09411-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Being the largest agriculture country in the Arab world, Egypt was one of the major consumer of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in this area, continued to have a heavy burden of OCPs in the environment. There is growing concern that OCPs could pass from the maternal circulation through the placenta to the fetal circulation and pose several health risks to their fetuses. The current study was intended to identify OCPs residue exposure in healthy pregnant women and to justify the potential impacts of these residues on their fetuses. In this study, the prevalence of 18 OCPs was estimated in 81 maternal and cord blood samples, using Agilent 7890, gas chromatograph equipped with micro-electron capture detector (GC-μECD). Our data signposted that the heptachlor epoxide has the highest detection rate among all residues in both maternal (32%) and cord blood serum (27.16%). DDTs were still quantifiable, but with the lowest quantifiable percentage. More than 85% of mothers' serum with detectable residues transfer OCPs residue to their fetuses in a statistically significant manner (x = 42.9, p value < 0.001). The present findings showed no significant growth retardation, or preterm delivery induced by in utero exposure to the most abundant residues. There is growing evidence that exposure to OCPs residue has profound impact on sex ratio. Methoxychlor, in this study be deemed as testosterone triggers which yields high boys ratio (x = 4.37, p < 0.05). In conclusion, Egypt continued to have a heavy burden of OCPs residues, and fetuses and infants are especially the most vulnerable groups to their adverse health effects. Exposure to OCPs may disrupt the maternal hormones, which regulate the offspring gender, but these results need to be validated in larger sample sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nevin E Sharaf
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hanaa H Ahmed
- Hormones Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Abdel-Tawab H Mossa
- Pesticide Chemistry Department, Chemical Industries Research Division, National Research Centre (NRC), 33 El Bohouth Street (former El Tahrir St.), Giza, P.O. 12622,, Egypt.
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7
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Song S, He Y, Huang Y, Huang X, Guo Y, Zhu H, Kannan K, Zhang T. Occurrence and transfer of benzophenone-type ultraviolet filters from the pregnant women to fetuses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 726:138503. [PMID: 32320878 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Benzophenone (BP)-type ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely used in personal care products. Some of them have been identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals. However, little is known about the occurrence of BP-type UV filters in paired maternal-fetal samples. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of eight BP-type UV filters in paired maternal-fetal samples collected from Southern China. Among target analytes, only benzophenone-3 (BP-3) was frequently (detection rate > 80%) detected in maternal-fetal samples, i.e., maternal serum (MS), cord serum (CS), maternal urine (MU) and amniotic fluid (AF). BP-3 was the dominant compound in MS (median: 0.14 ng/mL), CS (0.16) and AF (0.12); whereas MU was dominated by benzophenone-1 (BP-1, 2.85). The median CS/MS ratios (i.e., placental transfer rates) of 4-hydroxy benzophenone (4-OH-BP, 2.35), BP-1 (1.52), benzophenone-4 (BP-4, 1.06), and BP-3 (1.03) were higher than 1.0, suggesting that exposure levels of these chemicals in fetuses were greater than those in mothers. Significant positive correlations (r = 0.667, p < 0.001) of BP-3 concentrations were found between MS and CS, which suggested that MS could be an indicator of fetal exposure to BP-3. Furthermore, the CS/MS ratios of 4-OH-BP, BP-1, BP-3, and benzophenone-8 (BP-8) increased with decreasing molecular weight or log Kow. Passive diffusion may play an important role in placental transfer of these BP type UV filters. The MU/MSBP-3 ratio (5.86) was relatively higher than that of MU/MSBP-1 (0.89), which indicated that BP-3 excretes rapidly in urine. The present study documents the occurrence of eight BP-type UV filters in matched MS, CS, MU and AF samples for the first time in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiming Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuan He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yingyan Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiongfei Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuankai Guo
- School of Chemistry and Environment, Jiaying University, Meizhou 514015, China
| | - Hongkai Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York NY10016, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York NY10016, USA
| | - Tao Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; School of Chemistry and Environment, Jiaying University, Meizhou 514015, China.
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8
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Wanat K. Biological barriers, and the influence of protein binding on the passage of drugs across them. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:3221-3231. [PMID: 32140957 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05361-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Drug-protein binding plays a key role in determining the pharmacokinetics of a drug. The distribution and protein binding ability of a drug changes over a lifetime, and are important considerations during pregnancy and lactation. Although proteins are a significant fraction in plasma composition, they also exist beyond the bloodstream and bind with drugs in the skin, tissues or organs. Protein binding influences the bioavailability and distribution of active compounds, and is a limiting factor in the passage of drugs across biological membranes and barriers: drugs are often unable to cross membranes mainly due to the high molecular mass of the drug-protein complex, thus resulting in the accumulation of the active compounds and a significant reduction of their pharmacological activity. This review describes the consequences of drug-protein binding on drug transport across physiological barriers, whose role is to allow the passage of essential substances-such as nutrients or oxygen, but not of xenobiotics. The placental barrier regulates passage of xenobiotics into a fetus and protects the unborn organism. The blood-brain barrier is the most important barrier in the entire organism and the skin separates the human body from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Wanat
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Muszyńskiego 1, 90-151, Lodz, Poland.
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9
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Yin S, Zhang J, Guo F, Poma G, Covaci A, Liu W. Transplacental transfer mechanism of organochlorine pesticides: An in vitro transcellular transport study. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 135:105402. [PMID: 31869730 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies show that, even after being banned for agricultural applications for over 30 years, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDXs), can still be found in various biological matrices and pose a potential hazard to the fetus in the womb. This study aimed to investigate the possible transplacental transfer mechanism of OCPs using an in vitro placental model. The results showed that for HCHs and DDXs, the placenta had a potential protection mechanism for the fetus by having higher efflux than intake active transport efficiency to transfer the xenobiotic out of the fetal circulation. No enantiomer-specific transport was observed for the chiral OCPs in vitro, hints simple diffusion played the major role in the transplacental transfer. Metabolic and transporter inhibitors were applied in the transepithelial transport experiment to evaluate the role that major transporting protein played in the active efflux process. The ATP production inhibitors were observed to have significant inhibition on transfer, proving the hypothesis that active transport participates in the transplacental transport of OCPs in humans. Multiple transporters contributed simultaneously in the active transport for the OCPs. In this study, we could confirm that the transplacental transfer of OCPs is a combination of simple diffusion and active transport. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily transporters on the placenta contribute in the active transport. These findings could improve the understanding of the mechanisms of transplacental transfer of the OCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yin
- Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China
| | - Fangjie Guo
- Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Weiping Liu
- Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Du B, Zhang Y, Lam JCW, Pan S, Huang Y, Chen B, Lan S, Li J, Luo D, Zeng L. Prevalence, Biotransformation, and Maternal Transfer of Synthetic Phenolic Antioxidants in Pregnant Women from South China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:13959-13969. [PMID: 31702911 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) have been identified as an emerging group of contaminants in recent years. However, there are significant gaps in our knowledge of human prenatal exposure to these synthetic chemicals. In this study, a set of eight SPAs and four major transformation products (TPs) were systematically analyzed in matched samples of maternal plasma, cord plasma, and placenta from a population of pregnant women. Five of the eight target SPAs and all four target TPs were frequently detected in the maternal-placental-fetal unit, indicating prenatal exposure to SPAs and the transfer of SPAs across the placenta. In the three matrices, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-hydroxytoluene (BHT), 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (DBP), and 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol) (AO 2246) were identified as the most abundant SPAs, while 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (BHT-Q) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadienone (BHT-quinol) were identified as the predominant TPs of BHT. In the maternal plasma, concentrations of both BHT-Q and BHT-quinol were significantly correlated with BHT (p < 0.001), suggesting that the two TPs mainly originated from the biotransformation of BHT itself in pregnant women. The transplacental transfer efficiencies (TTEs) of the SPAs and TPs were structure-dependent and generally less than 1. Significantly higher TTEs for four target TPs than their parent BHT were identified. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that SPAs and TPs transfer across the placenta in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibai Du
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - James C W Lam
- Department of Science and Environmental Studies , The Education University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Shilei Pan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510280 , China
| | - Yuxin Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University , Guangzhou 510280 , China
| | - Baowei Chen
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, School of Marine Sciences , Sun Yat-sen University , Zhuhai 519082 , China
| | - Shenyu Lan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Juan Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Dan Luo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
| | - Lixi Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment , Jinan University , Guangzhou 511443 , China
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11
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Hudon Thibeault AA, López de Los Santos Y, Doucet N, Sanderson JT, Vaillancourt C. Serotonin and serotonin reuptake inhibitors alter placental aromatase. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 195:105470. [PMID: 31509772 PMCID: PMC7939054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are currently the main molecules prescribed to pregnant women that suffer from depression. Placental cells are exposed to SRIs via maternal blood, and we have previously shown that SRIs alter feto-placental steroidogenesis in an in vitro co-culture model. More specifically, serotonin (5-HT) regulates the estrogen biosynthetic enzyme aromatase (cytochrome P450 19; CYP19), which is disrupted by fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine in BeWo choriocarcinoma cells. Based on molecular simulations, the present study illustrates that the SRIs fluoxetine, norfluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram and venlafaxine exhibit binding affinity for the active-site pocket of CYP19, suggesting potential competitive inhibition. Using BeWo cells and primary villous trophoblast cells isolated from normal term placentas, we compared the effects of the SRIs on CYP19 activity. We observed that paroxetine and sertraline induce aromatase activity in BeWo cells, while venlafaxine, fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline decrease aromatase activity in primary villous trophoblast. The effects of paroxetine and sertraline in primary villous trophoblasts were observed at the lower doses tested. We also showed that 5-HT and the 5-HT2A receptor agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) induced CYP19 activity. An increase in phosphorylation of serine and tyrosine and a decrease in threonine phosphorylation of CYP19 was also associated with DOI treatment. Our results contribute to better understanding how 5-HT and SRIs interact with CYP19 and may affect estrogen production. Moreover, this study suggests that alteration of placental 5-HT levels due to depression and/or SRI treatment during pregnancy may be associated with disruption of placental estrogen production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrée-Anne Hudon Thibeault
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Well-Being, Health, Society and Environment (CINBIOSE), Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
| | - Yossef López de Los Santos
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada.
| | - Nicolas Doucet
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada; PROTEO, the Québec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications, 1045 Avenue de la Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - J Thomas Sanderson
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada.
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, 531, boul. des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 1B7, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Well-Being, Health, Society and Environment (CINBIOSE), Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
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12
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Yin S, Zhang J, Guo F, Zhao L, Poma G, Covaci A, Liu W. Transplacental transfer of organochlorine pesticides: Concentration ratio and chiral properties. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 130:104939. [PMID: 31252166 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there is limited information about the mechanism of the human transplacental transfer for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). This study aimed to evaluate the transplacental transfer of OCPs to better understand the influencing factors of exposure and transplacental efficiency. The study involved quantitative determination of OCPs and the enantiomer fraction (EF) of chiral OCPs in pregnant women from Wuhan, China. The results indicate that the exposure levels of OCPs varied in the order: maternal serum > cord serum > placenta. Chiral contaminants, such as α-HCH, o,p'-DDD and o,p'-DDT, were non-racemic in the three biological matrices, wherein EFα-HCH < 0.5, EFo,p'-DDD < 0.5, EFo,p'-DDT > 0.5. For HCHs, the concentration ratio between cord serum and maternal serum (Rcm) <1, while for DDXs, the Rcm ≈ 1, indicating that the transport efficiency of different pollutants is related to the physicochemical properties. These results showed that placenta seems to be a more efficient barrier for β-HCH than for p,p'-DDE. The concentration ratios across placenta significantly lower than 1 and the enantiomeric selective transfer imply that some OCPs may have more complicated maternal-fetus transfer mechanisms, involving both simple diffusion and active transport. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the transfer of OCPs and their enantiomer fractions across placenta. These findings could expand the database of chemical exposure in biological matrices and improve the understanding of the mechanisms of transplacental transfer of OCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Yin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fangjie Guo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lu Zhao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Giulia Poma
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Weiping Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institution of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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13
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Zeng Q, Bai M, Li C, Lu S, Ma Z, Zhao Y, Zhou H, Jiang H, Sun D, Zheng C. Multiple Drug Transporters Contribute to the Placental Transfer of Emtricitabine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019; 63:e00199-19. [PMID: 31160284 PMCID: PMC6658773 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00199-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Emtricitabine (FTC) is a first-line antiviral drug recommended for the treatment of AIDS during pregnancy. We hypothesized that transporters located in the placenta contribute to FTC transfer across the blood-placenta barrier. BeWo cells, cell models with stable or transient expression of transporter genes, primary human trophoblast cells (PHTCs), and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were applied to demonstrate which transporters were involved. FTC accumulation in BeWo cells was reduced markedly by inhibitors of equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs), concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNTs), organic cation transporters (OCTs), and organic cation/carnitine transporter 1 (OCTN1) and increased by inhibitors of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs). ENT1, CNT1, OCTN1, MRP1/2/3, and BCRP, but not ENT2, CNT3, OCTN2, or multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1), were found to transport FTC. FTC accumulation in PHTCs was decreased significantly by inhibitors of ENTs and OCTN1. These results suggest that ENT1, CNT1, and OCTN1 probably contribute to FTC uptake from maternal circulation to trophoblasts and that ENT1, CNT1, and MRP1 are likely involved in FTC transport between trophoblasts and fetal blood, whereas BCRP and MRP1/2/3 facilitate FTC transport from trophoblasts to maternal circulation. Coexistence of tenofovir or efavirenz with FTC in the cell medium did not influence FTC accumulation in BeWo cells or PHTCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingquan Zeng
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengru Bai
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cui Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuanghui Lu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiyuan Ma
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunchun Zhao
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huidi Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dongli Sun
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Caihong Zheng
- Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Surface-Functionalized Nanoparticles as Efficient Tools in Targeted Therapy of Pregnancy Complications. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153642. [PMID: 31349643 PMCID: PMC6695948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Minimizing exposure of the fetus to medication and reducing adverse off-target effects in the mother are the primary challenges in developing novel drugs to treat pregnancy complications. Nanomedicine has introduced opportunities for the development of novel platforms enabling targeted delivery of drugs in pregnancy. This review sets out to discuss the advances and potential of surface-functionalized nanoparticles in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications. We first describe the human placental anatomy, which is fundamental for developing placenta-targeted therapy, and then we review current knowledge of nanoparticle transplacental transport mechanisms. Meanwhile, recent surface-functionalized nanoparticles for targeting the uterus and placenta are examined. Indeed, surface-functionalized nanoparticles could help prevent transplacental passage and promote placental-specific drug delivery, thereby enhancing efficacy and improving safety. We have achieved promising results in targeting the placenta via placental chondroitin sulfate A (plCSA), which is exclusively expressed in the placenta, using plCSA binding peptide (plCSA-BP)-decorated nanoparticles. Others have also focused on using placenta- and uterus-enriched molecules as targets to deliver therapeutics via surface-functionalized nanoparticles. Additionally, we propose that placenta-specific exosomes and surface-modified exosomes might be potential tools in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications. Altogether, surface-functionalized nanoparticles have great potential value as clinical tools in the targeted therapy of pregnancy complications.
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The Relationship Between Pregnancy Exposure to Antidepressant and Atypical Antipsychotic Medications and Placental Weight and Birth Weight Ratio: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2018; 38:563-569. [PMID: 30346334 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000000964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychotropic medication use in pregnancy has been associated with altered fetal growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between placental weight and placental weight-to-birth weight (PBW) ratio, as a potential marker of placental efficiency, and medication use in a cohort of women with severe mental illness in pregnancy. METHODS A retrospective database analysis was carried out on a cohort of pregnant women with severe mental illness (242 singleton pregnancies) and grouped according to their psychotropic medication use. Demographic, obstetric, neonatal, and psychiatric variables were analyzed using t tests, χ, analysis of variance, univariate, binary, and multiple regression adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a mean adjusted increase in placental weight of 114 g (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.2-165.6 g) in women taking antidepressant medication and 113 g (CI, 65.1-162.8 g) in women taking combined antidepressant and atypical antipsychotic medication in pregnancy. There was also a significantly elevated PBW ratio in these 2 medication groups (B 0.02: CI, 0.006-0.034; and B 0.025: CI, 0.012-0.038). Binary regression, adjusted for sex and gestational age, showed a significant odds ratio of 4.57 (95% CI, 2.17-9.62) for PBW ratio of greater than 90% in those taking antidepressant medication, either alone or in combination, compared with unmedicated women. CONCLUSIONS The use of antidepressant medication, alone or in combination, has a significant effect on placental weight and PBW ratio after adjusting for confounding variables. Given that this may reflect adverse effects on intrauterine growth and have possible long-term implications for the fetus, further research is warranted to confirm these findings.
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Bourquin J, Milosevic A, Hauser D, Lehner R, Blank F, Petri-Fink A, Rothen-Rutishauser B. Biodistribution, Clearance, and Long-Term Fate of Clinically Relevant Nanomaterials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1704307. [PMID: 29389049 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201704307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Realization of the immense potential of nanomaterials for biomedical applications will require a thorough understanding of how they interact with cells, tissues, and organs. There is evidence that, depending on their physicochemical properties and subsequent interactions, nanomaterials are indeed taken up by cells. However, the subsequent release and/or intracellular degradation of the materials, transfer to other cells, and/or translocation across tissue barriers are still poorly understood. The involvement of these cellular clearance mechanisms strongly influences the long-term fate of used nanomaterials, especially if one also considers repeated exposure. Several nanomaterials, such as liposomes and iron oxide, gold, or silica nanoparticles, are already approved by the American Food and Drug Administration for clinical trials; however, there is still a huge gap of knowledge concerning their fate in the body. Herein, clinically relevant nanomaterials, their possible modes of exposure, as well as the biological barriers they must overcome to be effective are reviewed. Furthermore, the biodistribution and kinetics of nanomaterials and their modes of clearance are discussed, knowledge of the long-term fates of a selection of nanomaterials is summarized, and the critical points that must be considered for future research are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joël Bourquin
- Adolphe Merkle InstituteUniversity of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Ana Milosevic
- Adolphe Merkle InstituteUniversity of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Hauser
- Adolphe Merkle InstituteUniversity of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Roman Lehner
- Adolphe Merkle InstituteUniversity of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Blank
- Respiratory Medicine, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 50, 3008, Bern
| | - Alke Petri-Fink
- Adolphe Merkle InstituteUniversity of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, 1700, Fribourg, Switzerland
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Kliman HJ, Quaratella SB, Setaro AC, Siegman EC, Subha ZT, Tal R, Milano KM, Steck TL. Pathway of Maternal Serotonin to the Human Embryo and Fetus. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1609-1629. [PMID: 29381782 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] is essential to intrauterine development, but its source is debated. We used immunocytochemistry to gauge 5-HT, its biosynthetic enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1); an importer (serotonin transporter, 5-HTT/SERT/SLC6A); other transporters [P-glycoprotein 1 (P-gp/ABCB1), OCT3/SLC22A3, and gap junction connexin-43]; and the 5-HT degradative enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) in sections of placentas. In humans, 5-HT was faintly stained only in first-trimester trophoblasts, whereas TPH1 was not seen at any stage. SERT was expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts and, more strongly, in cytotrophoblasts. MAOA was prominent in syncytiotrophoblasts, OCT3 and gap junctions were stained in cytotrophoblasts, and P-gp was present at the apical surfaces of both epithelia. 5-HT added to cultured placental explants accumulated in the trophoblast epithelium and reached the villus core vessels. Trophoblast uptake was blocked by the SERT inhibitor escitalopram. Inhibition of gap junctions with heptanol prevented the accumulation of 5-HT in cytotrophoblasts, whereas blocking OCT3 with decynium-22 and P-gp with mitotane led to its accumulation in cytotrophoblasts. Reducing 5-HT destruction by inhibiting MAOA with clorgyline increased the accumulation of 5-HT throughout the villus. In the mouse fetus, intravascular platelets stained prominently for 5-HT at day 13.5, whereas the placenta and yolk sac endoderm were both negative. TPH1 was not detected, but SERT was prominent in these mouse tissues. We conclude that serotonin is conveyed from the maternal blood stream through syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts and the villus core to the fetus through a physiological pathway that involves at least SERT, gap junctions, P-gp, OCT3, and MAOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harvey J Kliman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | | | | | | | - Reshef Tal
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kristin M Milano
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Theodore L Steck
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Zhang X, Wu X, Lei B, Jing Y, Jiang Z, Zhang X, Fang X, Yu Y. Transplacental transfer characteristics of organochlorine pesticides in paired maternal and cord sera, and placentas and possible influencing factors. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 233:446-454. [PMID: 29100182 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites [dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane], hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), are widely detected in humans despite the considerable decline in environmental concentrations. To understand the placental transfer of OCPs and the possible maternal influence on them, we measured the concentrations of DDTs, HCHs, and HCB in 102 paired samples of maternal and cord sera, and placentas collected in Shanghai, China. The median concentrations of DDTs and HCHs were the highest in maternal sera (601, 188 ng g-1 lipid), followed by umbilical cord sera (389, 131 ng g-1 lipid), and placentas (65, 37 ng g-1 lipid). 4,4'-DDE, β-HCH, and HCB were the predominant contaminants in the three matrices. The ubiquitous existence of OCPs, and the significant concentration relationships of DDTs, HCHs, and OCPs in the three matrices suggested placental transfer from mother to fetus. The lipid-based concentration ratios of 4,4'-DDE, β-HCH, and HCB in umbilical cord serum to those in maternal serum (F/M), and ratios of placenta to maternal serum (P/M) ranged from 0.66 to 1.01, and 0.12 to 0.25, respectively. Maternal variables affected the levels of fetal contamination. For primiparous women, significant correlations between maternal age and maternal HCHs, and between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal HCHs were found. The negative effect of parity, and the positive effect of food consumption on maternal OCP concentrations were also observed, although there were no significant differences. The possible influence of parity on F/M and P/M of 4,4'-DDE suggested borderline significant differences between primiparous and multiparous women. Also, slight group differences were observed between elder and younger women, and between overweight and normal/underweight women. Parity seems to have a potential influence on transfer ratios of some OCP pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Xia Wu
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Bingli Lei
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Ye Jing
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Zi'an Jiang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Xiangming Fang
- Shanghai Huangpu Maternity & Infant Health Hospital, Shanghai 200020, PR China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China.
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Rothbauer M, Patel N, Gondola H, Siwetz M, Huppertz B, Ertl P. A comparative study of five physiological key parameters between four different human trophoblast-derived cell lines. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5892. [PMID: 28724925 PMCID: PMC5517571 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06364-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta plays a crucial role as the interface between mother and fetus. It represents a unique tissue that undergoes morphological as well as functional changes on the cellular and tissue level throughout pregnancy. To better understand how the placenta works, a variety of techniques has been developed to re-create this complex physiological barrier in vitro. However, due to the low availability of freshly isolated primary cells, choriocarcinoma cell lines remain the usual suspects as in vitro models for placental research. Here, we present a comparative study on the functional aspects of the choriocarcinoma cell lines BeWo, JAR and Jeg-3, as well as the first trimester trophoblast cell line ACH-3P as placental in vitro barrier models for endocrine and transport studies. Functional assays including tight junction immunostaining, sodium fluorescein retardation, trans epithelial resistance, glucose transport, hormone secretion as well as size-dependent polystyrene nanoparticle transport were performed using the four cell types to evaluate key functional parameters of each cell line to act a relevant in vitro placental barrier model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rothbauer
- Vienna University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Nilaykumar Patel
- University of Vienna, Department of Pharmacognosy, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hajnalka Gondola
- Vienna University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Monika Siwetz
- Medical University of Graz, Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Harrachgasse 21/VII, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Medical University of Graz, Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Harrachgasse 21/VII, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Peter Ertl
- Vienna University of Technology, Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry & Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Getreidemarkt 9, 1060, Vienna, Austria
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20
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Zhang X, Li X, Jing Y, Fang X, Zhang X, Lei B, Yu Y. Transplacental transfer of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in paired samples of maternal serum, umbilical cord serum, and placenta in Shanghai, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 222:267-275. [PMID: 28024810 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a high-priority public health concern. However, maternal to fetal transplacental transfer of PAHs has not been systematically studied. To investigate the transplacental transfer of PAHs from mother to fetus and determine the influence of lipophilicity (octanol-water partition coefficient, KOW) on transfer process, in the present study, we measured the concentrations of 15 PAHs in 95 paired maternal and umbilical cord serum, and placenta samples (in total 285 samples) collected in Shanghai, China. The average concentration of total PAHs was the highest in maternal serums (1290 ng g-1 lipid), followed by umbilical cord serums (1150 ng g-1 lipid). The value was the lowest in placenta samples (673 ng g-1 lipid). Low molecular weight PAHs were the predominant compounds in the three matrices. Increases in fish and meat consumption did not lead to increases in maternal PAH levels, and no obvious gender differences in umbilical cord serums were observed. The widespread presence of PAHs in umbilical cord serums indicated the occurrence of transplacental transfer. The ratios of PAH concentrations in umbilical cord serum to those in maternal serum (F/M) and the concentrations in placenta to those in maternal serum (P/M) of paired samples were analyzed to characterize the transfer process of individual PAHs. Most F/M ratios on lipid basis were close to one (range: 0.79 to 1.36), which suggested that passive diffusion may control the transplacental transfer of PAHs from maternal serum to the fetal circulation. The P/M and F/M values calculated on lipid basis showed that PAHs with lower KOW were more likely to transfer from mother to fetus via the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Ye Jing
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Xiangming Fang
- Shanghai Huangpu Maternity & Infant Health Hospital, Shanghai, 200020, PR China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Bingli Lei
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, PR China.
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Velasquez JC, Goeden N, Herod SM, Bonnin A. Maternal Pharmacokinetics and Fetal Disposition of (±)-Citalopram during Mouse Pregnancy. ACS Chem Neurosci 2016; 7:327-38. [PMID: 26765210 PMCID: PMC5384759 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
While selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are commonly prescribed in the treatment of depression, their use during pregnancy leads to fetal drug exposures. According to recent reports, such exposures could affect fetal development and long-term offspring health. A central question is how pregnancy-induced physical and physiological changes in mothers, fetuses, and the placenta influence fetal SSRI exposures during gestation. In this study, we examined the effects of gestational stage on the maternal pharmacokinetics and fetal disposition of the SSRI (±)-citalopram (CIT) in a mouse model. We determined the maternal and fetal CIT serum concentration-time profiles following acute maternal administration on gestational days (GD)14 and GD18, as well as the fetal brain drug disposition. The results show that pregnancy affects the pharmacokinetics of CIT and that maternal drug clearance increases as gestation progresses. The data further show that CIT and its primary metabolite desmethylcitalopram (DCIT) readily cross the placenta into the fetal compartment, and fetal exposure to CIT exceeds that of the mother during gestation 2 h after maternal administration. Enzymatic activity assays revealed that fetal drug metabolic capacity develops in late gestation, resulting in elevated circulating and brain concentrations of DCIT at embryonic day (E)18. Fetal exposure to the SSRI CIT in murine pregnancy is therefore influenced by both maternal gestational stage and embryonic development, suggesting potential time-dependent effects on fetal brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Skyla M. Herod
- Department
of Biology and Chemistry, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California 91702, United States
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22
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Muoth C, Aengenheister L, Kucki M, Wick P, Buerki-Thurnherr T. Nanoparticle transport across the placental barrier: pushing the field forward! Nanomedicine (Lond) 2016; 11:941-57. [PMID: 26979802 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2015-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta is a multifunctional organ constituting the barrier between maternal and fetal tissues. Nanoparticles can cross the placental barrier, and there is increasing evidence that the extent of transfer is dependent on particle characteristics and functionalization. While translocated particles may pose risks to the growing fetus particles may also be engineered to enable new particle-based therapies in pregnancy. In both cases, a comprehensive understanding of nanoparticle uptake, accumulation and translocation is indispensable and requires predictive placental transfer models. We examine and evaluate the current literature to draw first conclusions on the possibility to steer translocation of nanoparticles. In addition, we discuss if current placental models are suitable for nanoparticle transfer studies and suggest strategies to improve their predictability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Muoth
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Leonie Aengenheister
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Kucki
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Peter Wick
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Tina Buerki-Thurnherr
- Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science & Technology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Bioluminescent imaging of ABCG2 efflux activity at the blood-placenta barrier. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20418. [PMID: 26853103 PMCID: PMC4745077 DOI: 10.1038/srep20418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiologic barriers such as the blood placenta barrier (BPB) and the blood brain barrier protect the underlying parenchyma from pathogens and toxins. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are transmembrane proteins found at these barriers, and function to efflux xenobiotics and maintain chemical homeostasis. Despite the plethora of ex vivo and in vitro data showing the function and expression of ABC transporters, no imaging modality exists to study ABC transporter activity in vivo at the BPB. In the present study, we show that in vitro models of the placenta possess ABCG2 activity and can specifically transport D-luciferin, the endogenous substrate of firefly luciferase. To test ABCG2 transport activity at the BPB, we devised a breeding strategy to generate a bioluminescent pregnant mouse model to demonstrate transporter function in vivo. We found that coadministering the ABCG2 inhibitors Ko143 and gefitinib with D-luciferin increased bioluminescent signal from fetuses and placentae, whereas the control P-gp inhibitor DCPQ had no effect. We believe that our bioluminescent pregnant mouse model will facilitate greater understanding of the BPB and ABCG2 activity in health and disease.
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24
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Placental transfer of antidepressant medications: implications for postnatal adaptation syndrome. Clin Pharmacokinet 2015; 54:359-70. [PMID: 25711391 DOI: 10.1007/s40262-014-0233-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Seven to thirteen percent of women are either prescribed or taking (depending on the study) an antidepressant during pregnancy. Because antidepressants freely cross into the intrauterine environment, we aim to summarize the current findings on placental transfer of antidepressants. Although generally low risk, antidepressants have been associated with postnatal adaptation syndrome (PNAS). Specifically, we explore whether the antidepressants most closely associated with PNAS (paroxetine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine) cross the placenta to a greater extent than other antidepressants. We review research on antidepressants in the context of placental anatomy, placental transport mechanisms, placental metabolism, pharmacokinetics, as well as non-placental maternal and fetal factors. This provides insight into the complexity involved in understanding how placental transfer of antidepressants may relate to adverse perinatal outcomes. Ultimately, from this data there is no pattern in which PNAS is related to placental transfer of antidepressant medications. In general, there is large interindividual variability for each type of antidepressant. To make the most clinically informed decisions about the use of antidepressants in pregnancy, studies that link maternal, placental and fetal genetic polymorphisms, placental transfer rates and infant outcomes are needed.
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25
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Avilès A, Nambo MJ, Huerta-Guzmàn J, Neri N, Cleto S. Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography to Detect Cardiac Toxicity in Children Who Received Anthracyclines During Pregnancy. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2015; 16:1-4. [PMID: 26549215 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac toxicities remain a possible risk to fetuses that received anthracyclines during pregnancy. The introduction of new echocardiographic techniques will improve the detection of early cardiac damage. Thus, we began a observational study using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in children who had received anthracyclines during pregnancy, including the first trimester. From 2009 to 2013, we performed STE on patients > 5 years old, whose mothers had received anthracyclines during pregnancy. Siblings or cousins of equivalent age and gender were used as the control group. A total of 90 children fulfilled the entry criteria. Our results with STE were normal in all echocardiography parameters and did not show any differences when compared with the findings from the control group. We consider that the use of anthracyclines during pregnancy does not produce cardiac damage in newborns and can be safely administered, because no cardiac toxicity was evident in these children and it is of benefit to the mother.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustin Avilès
- Oncology Research Unit, Oncology Hospital National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Marìa-Jesus Nambo
- Hematology Department, Oncology Hospital National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Judith Huerta-Guzmàn
- Hematology Department, Oncology Hospital National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Natividad Neri
- Hematology Department, Oncology Hospital National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sergio Cleto
- Hematology Department, Oncology Hospital National Medical Center, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico
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Wong CT, Wais J, Crawford DA. Prenatal exposure to common environmental factors affects brain lipids and increases risk of developing autism spectrum disorders. Eur J Neurosci 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christine T. Wong
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science; York University; Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
- Neuroscience Graduate Diploma Program; York University; Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
| | - Joshua Wais
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science; York University; Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
| | - Dorota A. Crawford
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science; York University; Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
- Neuroscience Graduate Diploma Program; York University; Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
- Department of Biology; York University; Toronto ON Canada M3J 1P3
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Keelan JA, Leong JW, Ho D, Iyer KS. Therapeutic and safety considerations of nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery in pregnancy. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2015. [DOI: 10.2217/nnm.15.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in nanotechnology have resulted in the design of effective, safe and tissue-selective nanocarriers for delivering therapeutics to treat malignancies, infections and other diseases. In pregnancy, nanoparticle-based drug formulations could have the potential to selectively target either the placenta and/or fetus, enabling ‘fetal-friendly’ drugs to be administered in pregnancy with minimal risk of off-target effects. A considerable amount of research has been carried out on maternal-placental-fetal nanoparticle uptake, transfer and toxicity using rodent and ex vivo models. However, the development of placental targeting strategies and the therapeutic evaluation of nanoformulations in pregnancy remains in its infancy. While some promising avenues are currently under investigation, much work is needed to bring the advantages of nanoparticle-based drug therapy in pregnancy to clinical reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Keelan
- School of Women's and Infants’ Health, University of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth WA 6008, Australia
| | - Joan W Leong
- School of Women's and Infants’ Health, University of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth WA 6008, Australia
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6008, Australia
| | - Diwei Ho
- School of Women's and Infants’ Health, University of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth WA 6008, Australia
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6008, Australia
| | - K Swaminatha Iyer
- School of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6008, Australia
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Lee JS, Romero R, Han YM, Kim HC, Kim CJ, Hong JS, Huh D. Placenta-on-a-chip: a novel platform to study the biology of the human placenta. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2015; 29:1046-54. [PMID: 26075842 DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2015.1038518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studying the biology of the human placenta represents a major experimental challenge. Although conventional cell culture techniques have been used to study different types of placenta-derived cells, current in vitro models have limitations in recapitulating organ-specific structure and key physiological functions of the placenta. Here we demonstrate that it is possible to leverage microfluidic and microfabrication technologies to develop a microengineered biomimetic model that replicates the architecture and function of the placenta. MATERIALS AND METHODS A "Placenta-on-a-Chip" microdevice was created by using a set of soft elastomer-based microfabrication techniques known as soft lithography. This microsystem consisted of two polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic channels separated by a thin extracellular matrix (ECM) membrane. To reproduce the placental barrier in this model, human trophoblasts (JEG-3) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were seeded onto the opposite sides of the ECM membrane and cultured under dynamic flow conditions to form confluent epithelial and endothelial layers in close apposition. We tested the physiological function of the microengineered placental barrier by measuring glucose transport across the trophoblast-endothelial interface over time. The permeability of the barrier study was analyzed and compared to that obtained from acellular devices and additional control groups that contained epithelial or endothelial layers alone. RESULTS Our microfluidic cell culture system provided a tightly controlled fluidic environment conducive to the proliferation and maintenance of JEG-3 trophoblasts and HUVECs on the ECM scaffold. Prolonged culture in this model produced confluent cellular monolayers on the intervening membrane that together formed the placental barrier. This in vivo-like microarchitecture was also critical for creating a physiologically relevant effective barrier to glucose transport. Quantitative investigation of barrier function was conducted by calculating permeability coefficients and metabolic rates in varying conditions of barrier structure. The rates of glucose transport and metabolism were consistent with previously reported in vivo observations. CONCLUSION The "Placenta-on-a-Chip" microdevice described herein provides new opportunities to simulate and analyze critical physiological responses of the placental barrier. This system may be used to address the major limitations of existing placenta model systems and serve to enable research platforms for reproductive biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Soo Lee
- a Interdisciplinary Program of Bioengineering, Seoul National University Graduate School , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Roberto Romero
- b Perinatology Research Branch, Program for Perinatal Research and Obstetrics, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , NIH, Bethesda, MD and Detroit, MI , USA .,c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA .,d Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics , Michigan State University , East Lansing , MI , USA .,e Department of Molecular Obstetrics and Genetics , Wayne State University , Detroit , MI , USA
| | - Yu Mi Han
- f Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Seoul National University Bundang Hospital , Gyeonggi-do , Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Chan Kim
- g Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University , Seoul , Republic of Korea .,h Department of Biomedical Engineering , Seoul National University College of Medicine , Seoul , Republic of Korea .,i Department of Biomedical Engineering , Seoul National University Hospital , Seoul , Republic of Korea
| | - Chong Jai Kim
- j Department of Pathology , Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine , Seoul , Republic of Korea , and
| | - Joon-Seok Hong
- f Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Seoul National University Bundang Hospital , Gyeonggi-do , Republic of Korea
| | - Dongeun Huh
- k Department of Bioengineering , University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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29
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Lancz K, Murínová L, Patayová H, Drobná B, Wimmerová S, Sovčíková E, Kováč J, Farkašová D, Hertz-Picciotto I, Jusko TA, Trnovec T. Ratio of cord to maternal serum PCB concentrations in relation to their congener-specific physicochemical properties. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2015; 218:91-8. [PMID: 25277764 PMCID: PMC4256144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim was to characterize placental transfer of some congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and to relate human in utero exposure to these pollutants to their physicochemical properties. We included into the study 1134 births during the period 2002-2003 from two highly PCB contaminated districts in eastern Slovakia. Concentrations of 15 PCB congeners (IUPAC No. 28, 52, 101, 123(+149), 118, 114, 153, 105, 138(+163), 167, 156(+171), 157, 180, 170, and 189) in umbilical cord (C) and maternal serum (M) were determined. The C/M ratios were significantly related, either positively or inversely depending on parameter, to the logarithm of partition coefficient octanol-water (KOW), to fusion enthalpy at the melting point, molecular weight, water solubility, total surface area of the molecule, solvent accessible surface area, melting point, molar volume, and molecular electronegativity distance vector. We found an inverse association between logKOW and lipid adjusted logC/M (const=1.078, b1=-0.179, p<0.001, R(2)=0.039). Parameters evaluated were interrelated except fusion enthalpy at the melting point and electron affinity vs. solubility. We discuss the possible role of cholesterol as a transplacental transporter of PCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Lancz
- Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lubica Murínová
- Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Beata Drobná
- Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Soňa Wimmerová
- Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Sovčíková
- Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ján Kováč
- Department of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine in Bratislava, Špitálska 24, 813 72 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dana Farkašová
- Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Irva Hertz-Picciotto
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, One Shields Avenue, Med-Sci 1C, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Todd A Jusko
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 265 Crittenden Blvd, CU 420644, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Tomáš Trnovec
- Slovak Medical University, Limbová 14, 83303 Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Keelan J, Pugazhenthi K. Trans-placental passage and anti-inflammatory effects of solithromycin in the human placenta. Placenta 2014; 35:1043-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in placenta protectively transport drugs and xenobiotics. ABCB5 [subfamily B (MDR/TAP)] is a novel ABC multidrug-resistance transporter that also mediates cell fusion, stem cell function, and vasculogenic plasticity. Immunohistochemistry and double-labeling immunofluorescence staining for ABCB5 and ABCB5/CD200, respectively, was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded placental tissue from 5 first trimester, 5 second trimester, and 5 term pregnancies as well as 5 partial moles, and 5 complete moles. In addition, tumor cells from 5 choriocarcinoma and 5 placental site trophoblastic tumor cases were examined. ABCB5 staining was observed in villous trophoblasts in 100% (5/5) of first trimester placentas (with progressive decrease in term placentas); 100% of partial moles (5/5); and 100% of complete moles (5/5). Notably, reactivity was discretely restricted to the inner trophoblast layer, with no staining of overlying syncytiotrophoblast. Antibody specificity and localization was confirmed further by in situ hybridization. ABCB5 expression was retained in 20% of choriocarcinomas (1/5) and 40% of placental site trophoblastic tumors (2/5). Prior studies have localized expression of multidrug-resistance-1, also known as ABCB1, within the syncytiotrophoblast of early placentas, where it serves a protective function as an efflux transporter. Our results show that ABCB5 is preferentially expressed in the cytotrophoblast layer of placental villi. The expression of this novel biomarker at the maternal-fetal interface raises questions on its role in placental structure and function as well as on its potential contribution to the protective efflux provided by other P-glycoprotein transporters.
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32
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Olagunju A, Owen A, Cressey TR. Potential effect of pharmacogenetics on maternal, fetal and infant antiretroviral drug exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pharmacogenomics 2013; 13:1501-22. [PMID: 23057550 DOI: 10.2217/pgs.12.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Mother-to-child-transmission rates of HIV in the absence of any intervention range between 20 and 45%. However, the provision of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding can reduce HIV transmission to less than 2%. Physiological changes during pregnancy can influence ARV disposition. Associations between SNPs in genes coding for metabolizing enzymes, and/or transporters, and ARVs disposition are well described; however, relatively little is known about the influence of these SNPs on ARV pharmacokinetics during pregnancy and lactation as well as their effect on distribution into the fetal compartment and breast milk excretion. Differences in maternal, fetal and infant ARV exposure due to SNPs may affect the efficacy and safety of ARVs used to prevent mother-to-child-transmission. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the effect of pregnancy-induced changes on the pharmacokinetics of ARVs and highlight the potential role of pharmacogenetics.
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33
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Placental ABC transporters, cellular toxicity and stress in pregnancy. Chem Biol Interact 2013; 203:456-66. [PMID: 23524238 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2013.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The human placenta, in addition to its roles as a nutrient transfer and endocrine organ, functions as a selective barrier to protect the fetus against the harmful effects of exogenous and endogenous toxins. Members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of transport proteins limit the entry of xenobiotics into the fetal circulation via vectorial efflux from the placenta to the maternal circulation. Several members of the ABC family, including proteins from the ABCA, ABCB, ABCC and ABCG subfamilies, have been shown to be functional in the placenta with clinically significant roles in xenobiotic efflux. However, recent findings suggest that these transporters also protect placental tissue by preventing the cellular accumulation of cytotoxic compounds such as lipids, sterols and their derivatives. Such protective functions are likely to be particularly important in pregnancies complicated by inflammatory or oxidative stress, where the generation of toxic metabolites is enhanced. For example, ABC transporters have been shown to protect against the harmful effects of hypoxia and oxidative stress through increased expression and efflux of oxysterols and glutathione conjugated xenobiotics. However, this protective capacity may be diminished in response to the same stressors. Several studies in primary human trophoblast cells and animal models have demonstrated decreased expression and activity of placental ABC transporters with inflammatory, oxidative or metabolic stress. Several clinical studies in pregnancies complicated by inflammatory conditions such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes support these findings, although further studies are required to determine the clinical relevance of the relationships between placental ABC transporter expression and activity, and placental function in stressed pregnancies. Such studies are necessary to fully understand the consequences of pregnancy disorders on placental function and viability in order to optimise pregnancy care and maximise fetal growth and health.
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Abstract
Efflux pump mechanisms perform important physiological functions such as prevention of toxin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, elimination of bile from the hepatocytes, effective functioning of the blood-brain barrier and placental barrier, and renal excretion of drugs. They exist in all living cells, but those in the bacterial and mammalian cells are more important to the clinician and pharmacologist, as they constitute an important cause of antimicrobial drug resistance, which contributes to treatment failure, high medical bills, and increased mortality / morbidity. This review was aimed at highlighting the role of efflux pump mechanisms in microbial resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. It was also aimed to elucidate their structure and mechanisms of action so as to integrate the efflux pump mechanisms in the design and development of novel antimicrobial agents. Findings from previous studies and research on this subject assessed through Google search, Pubmed, Hinari websites, as well as standard textbooks on chemotherapy, provided the needed information in the process of this review. Efflux pump inhibitors are promising strategies for preventing and reverting efflux-mediated resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. They are usually employed as adjuncts in antimicrobial and cancer chemotherapy. Toxicity, more common with the older-generation inhibitors such as verapamil and reserpine, constitutes the greatest impediment to their clinical applications. No efflux pump inhibitor has been approved for routine clinical use, as a result of doubtful clinical efficacy and unacceptably high incidence of adverse effects, particularly inhibition of the P-450 drug metabolizing enzyme. At present, their applications are mainly restricted to epidemiological studies. Nonetheless, the search for efficacious and tolerable efflux pump inhibitors continues because of the potential benefits. There is a need to consider efflux pump substrate selectivity in the design and development of novel chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po Ughachukwu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Anambra State University, Awka Campus, Anambra, Nigeria
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35
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Zhang D, He K, Herbst JJ, Kolb J, Shou W, Wang L, Balimane PV, Han YH, Gan J, Frost CE, Humphreys WG. Characterization of efflux transporters involved in distribution and disposition of apixaban. Drug Metab Dispos 2013; 41:827-35. [PMID: 23382458 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.112.050260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The studies reported here were conducted to investigate the transport characteristics of apixaban (1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7-oxo-6-(4-(2-oxopiperidin-1-yl)phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine-3-carboxamide) and to understand the impact of transporters on apixaban distribution and disposition. In human permeability glycoprotein (P-gp)- and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)-cDNA-transfected cell monolayers as well as Caco-2 cell monolayers, the apparent efflux ratio of basolateral-to-apical (PcB-A) versus apical-to-basolateral permeability (PcA-B) of apixaban was >10. The P-gp- and BCRP-facilitated transport of apixaban was concentration- and time-dependent and did not show saturation over a wide range of concentrations (1-100 μM). The efflux transport of apixaban was also demonstrated by the lower mucosal-to-serosal permeability than that of the serosal-to-mucosal direction in isolated rat jejunum segments. Apixaban did not inhibit digoxin transport in Caco-2 cells. Ketoconazole decreased the P-gp-mediated apixaban efflux in Caco-2 and the P-gp-cDNA-transfected cell monolayers, but did not affect the apixaban efflux to a meaningful extent in the BCRP-cDNA-transfected cell monolayers. Coincubation of a P-gp inhibitor (ketoconazole or cyclosporin A) and a BCRP inhibitor (Ko134) provided more complete inhibition of apixaban efflux in Caco-2 cells than separate inhibition by individual inhibitors. Naproxen inhibited apixaban efflux in Caco-2 cells but showed only a minimal effect on apixaban transport in the BCRP-transfected cells. Naproxen was the first nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug that was demonstrated as a weak P-gp inhibitor. These results demonstrate that apixaban is a substrate for efflux transporters P-gp and BCRP, which can help explain its low brain penetration, and low fetal exposures and high milk excretion in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglu Zhang
- Pharmaceutical Candidate Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey 08543, USA.
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The promiscuous binding of pharmaceutical drugs and their transporter-mediated uptake into cells: what we (need to) know and how we can do so. Drug Discov Today 2012. [PMID: 23207804 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2012.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A recent paper in this journal sought to counter evidence for the role of transport proteins in effecting drug uptake into cells, and questions that transporters can recognize drug molecules in addition to their endogenous substrates. However, there is abundant evidence that both drugs and proteins are highly promiscuous. Most proteins bind to many drugs and most drugs bind to multiple proteins (on average more than six), including transporters (mutations in these can determine resistance); most drugs are known to recognise at least one transporter. In this response, we alert readers to the relevant evidence that exists or is required. This needs to be acquired in cells that contain the relevant proteins, and we highlight an experimental system for simultaneous genome-wide assessment of carrier-mediated uptake in a eukaryotic cell (yeast).
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37
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Giaginis C, Theocharis S, Tsantili-Kakoulidou A. Current toxicological aspects on drug and chemical transport and metabolism across the human placental barrier. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2012; 8:1263-75. [PMID: 22780574 DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2012.699041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Placenta plays an obligatory role in fetal growth and development by performing a multitude of functions, including embryo implantation, transport of nutrients and elimination of metabolic waste products and endocrine activity. Drugs and chemicals can transfer across the placental barrier from mother to fetus either by passive diffusion mechanisms and/or via a network of active transporters, which may lead to potential fetotoxicity effects. Placenta also expresses a wide variety of enzymes, being capable of metabolizing a large diversity of drugs and chemicals to metabolites of lower or even higher toxicity than parent compounds. AREAS COVERED The present review aims to summarize the current toxicological aspects in the emerging topic of drug transport and metabolism across the human placental barrier. EXPERT OPINION There is an emerging demand for accurate assessment of drug transport and metabolism across the human placental barrier, on the basis of a high throughput screening process in the early stages of drug design, to avoid drug candidates from potential fetotoxicity effects. In this aspect, combined studies, which take into account in vivo and in vitro investigations, as well as the ex vivo perfusion method and the recently developed computer-aided technologies, may significantly contribute to this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos Giaginis
- University of the Aegean, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, 2 Mitropoliti Ioakeim Street, Myrina, Lemnos 81400, Greece.
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Ek CJ, Dziegielewska KM, Habgood MD, Saunders NR. Barriers in the developing brain and Neurotoxicology. Neurotoxicology 2011; 33:586-604. [PMID: 22198708 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2011.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2011] [Revised: 12/11/2011] [Accepted: 12/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The brain develops and grows within a well-controlled internal environment that is provided by cellular exchange mechanisms in the interfaces between blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain. These are generally referred to by the term "brain barriers": blood-brain barrier across the cerebral endothelial cells and blood-CSF barrier across the choroid plexus epithelial cells. An essential component of barrier mechanisms is the presence of tight junctions between the endothelial and epithelial cells of these interfaces. This review outlines historical evidence for the presence of effective barrier mechanisms in the embryo and newborn and provides an up to date description of recent morphological, biochemical and molecular data for the functional effectiveness of these barriers. Intercellular tight junctions between cerebral endothelial cells and between choroid plexus epithelial cells are functionally effective as soon as they differentiate. Many of the influx and efflux mechanisms are not only present from early in development, but the genes for some are expressed at much higher levels in the embryo than in the adult and there is physiological evidence that these transport systems are functionally more active in the developing brain. This substantial body of evidence supporting the concept of well developed barrier mechanisms in the developing brain is contrasted with the widespread belief amongst neurotoxicologists that "the" blood-brain barrier is immature or even absent in the embryo and newborn. A proper understanding of the functional capacity of the barrier mechanisms to restrict the entry of harmful substances or administered therapeutics into the developing brain is critical. This knowledge would assist the clinical management of pregnant mothers and newborn infants and development of protocols for evaluation of risks of drugs used in pregnancy and the neonatal period prior to their introduction into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Joakim Ek
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Ni Z, Mao Q. ATP-binding cassette efflux transporters in human placenta. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2011; 12:674-85. [PMID: 21118087 DOI: 10.2174/138920111795164057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant women are often complicated with diseases including viral or bacterial infections, epilepsy, hypertension, or pregnancy-induced conditions such as depression and gestational diabetes that require treatment with medication. In addition, substance abuse during pregnancy remains a major public health problem. Many drugs used by pregnant women are off label without the necessary dose, efficacy, and safety data required for rational dosing regimens of these drugs. Thus, a major concern arising from the widespread use of drugs by pregnant women is the transfer of drugs across the placental barrier, leading to potential toxicity to the developing fetus. Knowledge regarding the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporters, which play an important role in drug transfer across the placental barrier, is absolutely critical for optimizing the therapeutic strategy to treat the mother while protecting the fetus during pregnancy. Such transporters include P-glycoprotein (P-gp, gene symbol ABCB1), the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, gene symbol ABCG2), and the multidrug resistance proteins (MRPs, gene symbol ABCCs). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge with respect to developmental expression and regulation, membrane localization, functional significance, and genetic polymorphisms of these ABC transporters in the placenta and their relevance to fetal drug exposure and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanglin Ni
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Characterisation of the nuclear receptors FXR, PXR and CAR in normal and cholestatic placenta. Placenta 2011; 32:535-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2009] [Revised: 04/17/2011] [Accepted: 04/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Keelan JA, Nitsos I, Saito M, Musk GC, Kemp MW, Timmins M, Li S, Yaegashi N, Newnham JP. Maternal-amniotic-fetal distribution of macrolide antibiotics following intravenous, intramuscular, and intraamniotic administration in late pregnant sheep. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011; 204:546.e10-7. [PMID: 21481833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to explore the maternal-fetal pharmacokinetics of intraamniotic (IA), intravenous (IV), or intramuscular (IM) administration of erythromycin or azithromycin in a pregnant sheep model. STUDY DESIGN Pregnant ewes of 115-121 days' gestation received a single maternal IV infusion (5 mg/kg over 60 min), a single IM injection, or a single IA injection (3.2 mg/kg fetal weight) of either erythromycin lactobionate or azithromycin. Maternal/fetal blood and amniotic fluid (AF) samples were collected across 48 h for macrolide assay by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS Maternal administration achieved therapeutic maternal plasma macrolide concentrations (≥0.5 μg/mL) with low concentrations in AF equivalent to less than 7% transfer; fetal plasma levels were even lower (<1.5% transfer). The IA administration achieved therapeutic concentrations in AF and sustained for 48 h, with poor maternal-fetal transfer (<1% maternal, <0.3% fetal). Modest pharmacokinetic differences were evident between erythromycin and azithromycin. CONCLUSION Maternal macrolide administration achieves subtherapeutic concentrations in AF or fetal plasma, whereas a single IA injection achieves therapeutic concentrations in AF but not in maternal-fetal circulations. Combined maternal and single IA administration of macrolides may be a more effective regimen for treatment of intrauterine, but not fetal, infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Keelan
- School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
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Petropoulos S, Gibb W, Matthews SG. Glucocorticoid regulation of placental breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp1) in the mouse. Reprod Sci 2011; 18:631-9. [PMID: 21602547 DOI: 10.1177/1933719110395399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Placental breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp1; encoded by the Abcg2 gene) limits maternal-fetal transplacental transfer of numerous endogenous and exogenous substrates; however, the regulation of placental Abcg2 and Bcrp1 and is not well understood. Placental Abcg2 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels decrease with advancing gestation in the mouse, and this corresponds to increasing levels of maternal and fetal plasma glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids, including dexamethasone (DEX), downregulate Bcrp1 expression and function in both breast cancer cell lines and the blood-brain barrier in vitro; whether this occurs in the placenta is not known. The potential regulatory role of synthetic glucocorticoids on placental Bcrp1 is of interest, given that approximately 10% of pregnant women are treated with synthetic glucocorticoid for threatened preterm labor. We hypothesized that (1) exposure of pregnant mice to DEX will downregulate placental Abcg2 mRNA and Bcrp1 protein, and (2) results in increased fetal accumulation of [(3)H]mitoxantrone. Pregnant mice were treated with DEX (low-dose: 0.1 mg/kg or high-dose: 1 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline) from embryonic day (E) E9.5 to E15.5 or E12.5 to E18.5. In placentae derived from female fetuses, high-dose DEX significantly downregulated Abcg2 mRNA expression on E15.5 (P < .05) and significantly inhibited Bcrp1 function (P < .05). Similarly, high-dose DEX significantly inhibited Bcrp1 function in the placentae derived from male fetuses (P < .05). In conclusion, there is a dose-dependent regulatory effect of synthetic glucocorticoid on placental Abcg2 mRNA and Bcrp1 function in vivo. Further, it appears that, at the level of Abcg2 gene expression, the female-derived placentae are more susceptible to the effects of DEX than male placentae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Petropoulos
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Petropoulos S, Gibb W, Matthews SG. Breast cancer-resistance protein (BCRP1) in the fetal mouse brain: development and glucocorticoid regulation. Biol Reprod 2010; 84:783-9. [PMID: 21159928 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.088468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer-resistance protein (BCRP1), encoded by Abcg2 mRNA, limits the penetration of a spectrum of compounds into the brain. The fetal brain is a primary target for many BCRP1 substrates; however, the developmental expression, function, and regulation of Abcg2/BCRP1 in the mouse fetal brain are unknown. Synthetic glucocorticoids (e.g., dexamethasone [DEX]) increase Abcg2/BCRP1 expression and function in vitro in endothelial cells derived from brain microvessels. A regulatory role of glucocorticoids on Abcg2/BCRP1 in the fetal brain is of importance given that approximately 10% of pregnant women are treated with synthetic glucocorticoid for threatened preterm labor. We hypothesized the following: 1) Abcg2 mRNA and BCRP1 protein expression increases with development (from Embryonic Day [E] 15.5 to E18.5), corresponding to decreased accumulation of BCRP1 substrate in the fetal brain. 2) Maternal treatment with DEX will up-regulate Abcg2 mRNA and BCRP1 protein expression in the fetal brain, resulting in decreased BCRP1 substrate accumulation. Pregnant FVB dams were euthanized on E15.5 or E18.5, and fetal brains were collected and analyzed for [(3)H]mitoxantrone (BCRP1-specific substrate) accumulation and Abcg2/BCRP1 expression. In another six groups (n = 4-5/group), pregnant mice were treated with DEX (0.1 or 1 mg/kg) or vehicle (saline) from either E9.5 to E15.5 (midgestation) or E12.5 to E18.5 (late gestation) and then injected with [(3)H]mitoxantrone. In conclusion, Abcg2 mRNA expression significantly decreases with advancing gestation, while BCRP1-mediated neuroprotection increases. Furthermore, there is a dose-, sex-, and age-dependent effect of DEX on Abcg2 mRNA in the fetal brain in vivo, indicating a complex regulatory role of glucocorticoid during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Petropoulos
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Prouillac C, Lecoeur S. The Role of the Placenta in Fetal Exposure to Xenobiotics: Importance of Membrane Transporters and Human Models for Transfer Studies. Drug Metab Dispos 2010; 38:1623-35. [DOI: 10.1124/dmd.110.033571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Balakrishnan B, Thorstensen EB, Ponnampalam AP, Mitchell MD. Transplacental transfer and biotransformation of genistein in human placenta. Placenta 2010; 31:506-11. [PMID: 20413155 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2009] [Revised: 02/26/2010] [Accepted: 03/16/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study transplacental transfer and biotransformation of genistein in the human placenta. STUDY DESIGN AND OUTCOMES: Human placentae obtained from healthy term singleton pregnancies were utilised in a dual re-circulating model of ex-vivo placental perfusion. Four placentae were perfused for 180min following addition of genistein (10ng/mL) to the maternal perfusate. Antipyrine and FITC dextran were used as positive and negative controls respectively to validate integrity of the circuits. Concentrations of genistein and its conjugates were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS The transfer percentage for antipyrine and genistein was 25.6+/-1.40% and 22.1+/-1.61% respectively and the transfer index for genistein was 0.90+/-0.04 after 180min of perfusion. 12.0+/-2.40% of genistein in the fetal compartment and 7.36+/-4.73% of genistein in the maternal compartment were in the conjugated form. CONCLUSIONS Genistein can transfer across the human placenta at environmentally relevant levels. Placental metabolizing enzymes conjugate a small fraction of genistein into the glucuronide/sulphate form, which is devoid of estrogenic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Balakrishnan
- The Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Kalabis GM, Petropoulos S, Gibb W, Matthews SG. Multidrug resistance phosphoglycoprotein (ABCB1) expression in the guinea pig placenta: developmental changes and regulation by betamethasone. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2010; 87:973-8. [PMID: 19935905 DOI: 10.1139/y09-087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Placental ABCB1 plays an important role in fetal protection against xenobiotics in the maternal circulation. Limited evidence indicates that glucocorticoids regulate ABCB1 expression in other tissues. Since approximately 10% of pregnant women are treated with synthetic glucocorticoids for threatened preterm labour, the effects of synthetic glucocorticoids on placental ABCB1 are important. We hypothesized that placental levels of ABCB1 are reduced in late gestation in the guinea pig and that synthetic glucocorticoids downregulate ABCB1 production. There was a significant decrease in placental Abcb1 mRNA expression in late gestation. Treatment of guinea pigs with betamethasone (1 mg/kg) on gestational days 40/41 and 50/51 resulted in a significant decrease in placental Abcb1 mRNA and protein expression. No sex differences were observed. Understanding the regulation of ABCB1 function will facilitate the development of treatment strategies for human fetal protection against maternally derived endobiotics and xenobiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazyna M Kalabis
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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The complexities of antiretroviral drug-drug interactions: role of ABC and SLC transporters. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2009; 31:22-35. [PMID: 20004485 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2009.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2009] [Revised: 09/30/2009] [Accepted: 10/01/2009] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection involves a combination of several antiviral agents belonging to different pharmacological classes. This combination is referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). This treatment has proved to be very effective in suppressing HIV replication, but antiretroviral drugs have complex pharmacokinetic properties involving extensive drug metabolism and transport by membrane-associated drug carriers. Combination drug therapy often introduces complex drug-drug interactions that can result in toxic or sub-therapeutic drug concentrations, compromising treatment. This review focuses on the role of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane-associated efflux transporters and solute carrier (SLC) uptake transporters in antiretroviral drug disposition, and identifies clinically important antiretroviral drug-drug interactions associated with changes in drug transport.
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Vähäkangas K, Myllynen P. Drug transporters in the human blood-placental barrier. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 158:665-78. [PMID: 19788499 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00336.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on the increasing number of transporters found in the placental barrier are gaining momentum, because of their tissue-specific expression, significance in physiology and disease, and the possible utilization of the emerging knowledge in pharmacology. In the placenta, both syncytiotrophoblast and fetal capillary endothelium express transporters. Fetal exposure is determined by the net effect of combination of transporters, their nature and localization in relation to placental cells and their substrate specificity. Although the significance of placental transporters on human fetal drug exposure is almost an unstudied field so far, their potential use to design drugs that do not cross the placenta is already being pursued. It is thus of interest to review the existing knowledge of human placental transporters. Transporters in all groups which take part in drug transport are found in human placenta. Especially, ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCG2/breast cancer resistance protein, ABCB1/P-glycoprotein and ABCC2/MRP2 are all expressed at the apical surface of syncytiotrophoblast facing maternal blood and are putatively important protective proteins both for placental tissue and the fetus, because they are efflux transporters and their substrates include many drugs and also environmental chemicals. Such protective effect has been shown in animals, but these results cannot be directly extrapolated to humans due to interspecies differences in placental structure and function. Experimental models utilizing human placental tissue, especially human placental perfusion, offer valuable possibilities, which have been insufficiently studied so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Vähäkangas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
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Prouillac C, Videmann B, Mazallon M, Lecoeur S. Induction of cells differentiation and ABC transporters expression by a myco-estrogen, zearalenone, in human choriocarcinoma cell line (BeWo). Toxicology 2009; 263:100-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2009.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2009] [Revised: 06/25/2009] [Accepted: 06/26/2009] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Gulati A, Gerk PM. Role of placental ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy. J Pharm Sci 2009; 98:2317-35. [PMID: 19067393 DOI: 10.1002/jps.21623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is used to treat HIV-infected patients and involves administration of multiple antiretroviral drugs acting at different steps of the HIV life cycle. In treating HIV-infected pregnant patients, the aim of therapy is not only to treat the mother but also to prevent the transmission of the virus to the fetus. Among the antiretroviral drugs used, there are differences in the extent of transfer of these drugs across the placenta; HIV protease inhibitors are particularly poorly transferred. Activities of ABC transporters expressed in the human placenta as well as differences in plasma protein binding may account for the poor transplacental transfer of certain drugs. This review discusses factors affecting the extent of placental transfer of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy. These issues may also apply to drugs in other therapeutic categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Gulati
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia Campus, 410 N. 12th Street, PO Box 980533, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0533, USA
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