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Shimada H, Powell TL, Jansson T. Regulation of placental amino acid transport in health and disease. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024:e14157. [PMID: 38711335 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal fetal growth, i.e., intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or fetal growth restriction (FGR) and fetal overgrowth, is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality and is strongly linked to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in childhood and later in life. Emerging evidence suggests that changes in placental amino acid transport may contribute to abnormal fetal growth. This review is focused on amino acid transport in the human placenta, however, relevant animal models will be discussed to add mechanistic insights. At least 25 distinct amino acid transporters with different characteristics and substrate preferences have been identified in the human placenta. Of these, System A, transporting neutral nonessential amino acids, and System L, mediating the transport of essential amino acids, have been studied in some detail. Importantly, decreased placental Systems A and L transporter activity is strongly associated with IUGR and increased placental activity of these two amino acid transporters has been linked to fetal overgrowth in human pregnancy. An array of factors in the maternal circulation, including insulin, IGF-1, and adiponectin, and placental signaling pathways such as mTOR, have been identified as key regulators of placental Systems A and L. Studies using trophoblast-specific gene targeting in mice have provided compelling evidence that changes in placental Systems A and L are mechanistically linked to altered fetal growth. It is possible that targeting specific placental amino acid transporters or their upstream regulators represents a novel intervention to alleviate the short- and long-term consequences of abnormal fetal growth in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Shimada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Thomas Jansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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2
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Lofthouse EM, Cleal J, Lewis RM, Sengers BG. Computational Modelling of Paracellular Diffusion and OCT3 Mediated Transport of Metformin in the Perfused Human Placenta. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:2570-2580. [PMID: 37211316 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Metformin is an antidiabetic drug, increasingly prescribed in pregnancy and has been shown to cross the human placenta. The mechanisms underlying placental metformin transfer remain unclear. This study investigated the roles of drug transporters and paracellular diffusion in the bidirectional transfer of metformin across the human placental syncytiotrophoblast using placental perfusion experiments and computational modelling. 14C-metformin transfer was observed in the maternal to fetal and fetal to maternal directions and was not competitively inhibited by 5 mM unlabelled metformin. Computational modelling of the data was consistent with overall placental transfer via paracellular diffusion. Interestingly, the model also predicted a transient peak in fetal 14C-metformin release due to trans-stimulation of OCT3 by unlabelled metformin at the basal membrane. To test this hypothesis a second experiment was designed. OCT3 substrates (5 mM metformin, 5 mM verapamil and 10 mM decynium-22) added to the fetal artery trans-stimulated release of 14C-metformin from the placenta into the fetal circulation, while 5 mM corticosterone did not. This study demonstrated activity of OCT3 transporters on the basal membrane of the human syncytiotrophoblast. However, we did not detect a contribution of either OCT3 or apical membrane transporters to overall materno-fetal transfer, which could be represented adequately by paracellular diffusion in our system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Lofthouse
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Jane Cleal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Rohan M Lewis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Bram G Sengers
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.
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Sreejan A, Gadgil M, Gadgil CJ. Mathematical model of the multi-amino acid multi-transporter system predicts uptake flux in CHO cells. J Biotechnol 2021; 344:40-9. [PMID: 34896439 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Supply and uptake of amino acids is of great importance to mammalian cell culture processes. Mammalian cells such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells express several amino acid (AA) transporters including uniporters and exchangers. Each transporter transports multiple AAs, making prediction of the effect of changed medium composition or transporter levels on individual AA transport rate challenging. A general kinetic model for such combinatorial amino acid transport, and a simplified analytical expression for the uptake rate as a function of amino acid concentrations and transporter levels is presented. From this general model, a CHO cell-specific AA transport model, to our knowledge the first such network model for any cell type, is constructed. The model is validated by its prediction of reported uptake flux and dependencies from experiments that were not used in model construction or parameter estimation. The model defines theoretical conditions for synergistic/repressive effect on the uptake rates of other AAs upon external addition of one AA. The ability of the CHO-specific model to predict amino acid interdependencies experimentally observed in other mammalian cell types suggests its robustness. This model will help formulate testable hypotheses of the effect of process changes on AA initial uptake, and serve as the AA transport component of kinetic models for cellular metabolism.
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Martens C, Debeir O, Decaestecker C, Metens T, Lebrun L, Leurquin-Sterk G, Trotta N, Goldman S, Van Simaeys G. Voxelwise Principal Component Analysis of Dynamic [S-Methyl- 11C]Methionine PET Data in Glioma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102342. [PMID: 34066294 PMCID: PMC8152079 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent works have demonstrated the added value of dynamic amino acid positron emission tomography (PET) for glioma grading and genotyping, biopsy targeting, and recurrence diagnosis. However, most of these studies are based on hand-crafted qualitative or semi-quantitative features extracted from the mean time activity curve within predefined volumes. Voxelwise dynamic PET data analysis could instead provide a better insight into intra-tumor heterogeneity of gliomas. In this work, we investigate the ability of principal component analysis (PCA) to extract relevant quantitative features from a large number of motion-corrected [S-methyl-11C]methionine ([11C]MET) PET frames. We first demonstrate the robustness of our methodology to noise by means of numerical simulations. We then build a PCA model from dynamic [11C]MET acquisitions of 20 glioma patients. In a distinct cohort of 13 glioma patients, we compare the parametric maps derived from our PCA model to these provided by the classical one-compartment pharmacokinetic model (1TCM). We show that our PCA model outperforms the 1TCM to distinguish characteristic dynamic uptake behaviors within the tumor while being less computationally expensive and not requiring arterial sampling. Such methodology could be valuable to assess the tumor aggressiveness locally with applications for treatment planning and response evaluation. This work further supports the added value of dynamic over static [11C]MET PET in gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corentin Martens
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (G.L.-S.); (N.T.); (S.G.); (G.V.S.)
- Laboratory of Image Synthesis and Analysis (LISA), École Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (O.D.); (C.D.); (T.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Olivier Debeir
- Laboratory of Image Synthesis and Analysis (LISA), École Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (O.D.); (C.D.); (T.M.)
| | - Christine Decaestecker
- Laboratory of Image Synthesis and Analysis (LISA), École Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (O.D.); (C.D.); (T.M.)
| | - Thierry Metens
- Laboratory of Image Synthesis and Analysis (LISA), École Polytechnique de Bruxelles, Université libre de Bruxelles, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (O.D.); (C.D.); (T.M.)
- Department of Radiology, Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Lebrun
- Department of Pathology, Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Gil Leurquin-Sterk
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (G.L.-S.); (N.T.); (S.G.); (G.V.S.)
| | - Nicola Trotta
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (G.L.-S.); (N.T.); (S.G.); (G.V.S.)
| | - Serge Goldman
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (G.L.-S.); (N.T.); (S.G.); (G.V.S.)
| | - Gaetan Van Simaeys
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hôpital Erasme, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Brussels, Belgium; (G.L.-S.); (N.T.); (S.G.); (G.V.S.)
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Bowman CE, Arany Z, Wolfgang MJ. Regulation of maternal-fetal metabolic communication. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:1455-1486. [PMID: 33084944 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03674-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy may be the most nutritionally sensitive stage in the life cycle, and improved metabolic health during gestation and early postnatal life can reduce the risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Successful pregnancy requires coordinated metabolic, hormonal, and immunological communication. In this review, maternal-fetal metabolic communication is defined as the bidirectional communication of nutritional status and metabolic demand by various modes including circulating metabolites, endocrine molecules, and other secreted factors. Emphasis is placed on metabolites as a means of maternal-fetal communication by synthesizing findings from studies in humans, non-human primates, domestic animals, rabbits, and rodents. In this review, fetal, placental, and maternal metabolic adaptations are discussed in turn. (1) Fetal macronutrient needs are summarized in terms of the physiological adaptations in place to ensure their proper allocation. (2) Placental metabolite transport and maternal physiological adaptations during gestation, including changes in energy budget, are also discussed. (3) Maternal nutrient limitation and metabolic disorders of pregnancy serve as case studies of the dynamic nature of maternal-fetal metabolic communication. The review concludes with a summary of recent research efforts to identify metabolites, endocrine molecules, and other secreted factors that mediate this communication, with particular emphasis on serum/plasma metabolomics in humans, non-human primates, and rodents. A better understanding of maternal-fetal metabolic communication in health and disease may reveal novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn E Bowman
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zoltan Arany
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael J Wolfgang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Kurosawa K, Chiba K, Noguchi S, Nishimura T, Tomi M. Development of a Pharmacokinetic Model of Transplacental Transfer of Metformin to Predict In Vivo Fetal Exposure. Drug Metab Dispos 2020; 48:1293-1302. [PMID: 33051249 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.120.000127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Two types of systems are used in ex vivo human placental perfusion studies to predict fetal drug exposures, that is, closed systems with recirculation of the maternal and fetal buffer and open systems using a single-pass mode without recirculation. The in vivo fetal/maternal (F:M) ratio of metformin, a cationic drug that crosses the placenta, is consistent with that reported in an open system ex vivo but not with that in a closed system. In the present study, we aimed to develop a pharmacokinetic (PK) model of transplacental transfer of metformin to predict in vivo fetal exposure to metformin and to resolve the apparent inconsistency between open and closed ex vivo systems. The developed model shows that the difference between open and closed systems is due to the difference in the time required to achieve the steady state. The model-predicted F:M ratio (approx. 0.88) is consistent with reported in vivo values [mean (95% confidence interval): 1.10 (0.69-1.51)]. The model incorporates bidirectional transport via organic cation transporter 3 (OCT3) at the basal plasma membrane, and simulations indicate that the use of trimethoprim (an OCT3 inhibitor) to prevent microbial growth in the placenta ex vivo has a negligible effect on the overall maternal-to-fetal and fetal-to-maternal clearances. The model could successfully predict in vivo fetal exposure using ex vivo human placental perfusion data from both closed and open systems. This transplacental PK modeling approach is expected to be useful for evaluating human fetal exposures to other poorly permeable compounds, besides metformin. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We developed a pharmacokinetic model of transplacental transfer of metformin, used to treat gestational diabetes mellitus, in order to predict in vivo fetal exposure and resolve the discrepancy between reported findings in open and closed ex vivo perfusion systems. The discrepancy is due to a difference in the time required to reach the steady state. The model can predict in vivo fetal exposure using data from both closed and open systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Kurosawa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Tokyo, Japan (K.K.); Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Kanagawa, Japan (K.C.); and Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan (K.K., S.N., T.N., M.T.)
| | - Koji Chiba
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Tokyo, Japan (K.K.); Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Kanagawa, Japan (K.C.); and Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan (K.K., S.N., T.N., M.T.)
| | - Saki Noguchi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Tokyo, Japan (K.K.); Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Kanagawa, Japan (K.C.); and Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan (K.K., S.N., T.N., M.T.)
| | - Tomohiro Nishimura
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Tokyo, Japan (K.K.); Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Kanagawa, Japan (K.C.); and Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan (K.K., S.N., T.N., M.T.)
| | - Masatoshi Tomi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Tokyo, Japan (K.K.); Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Kanagawa, Japan (K.C.); and Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University of Pharmacy, Tokyo, Japan (K.K., S.N., T.N., M.T.)
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Tongpob Y, Wyrwoll C. Advances in imaging feto-placental vasculature: new tools to elucidate the early life origins of health and disease. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 12:168-78. [PMID: 32746961 DOI: 10.1017/S2040174420000720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Optimal placental function is critical for fetal development, and therefore a crucial consideration for understanding the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). The structure of the fetal side of the placental vasculature is an important determinant of fetal growth and cardiovascular development. There are several imaging modalities for assessing feto-placental structure including stereology, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, micro-computed tomography, light-sheet microscopy, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this review, we present current methodologies for imaging feto-placental vasculature morphology ex vivo and in vivo in human and experimental models, their advantages and limitations and how these provide insight into placental function and fetal outcomes. These imaging approaches add important perspective to our understanding of placental biology and have potential to be new tools to elucidate a deeper understanding of DOHaD.
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Elmetwally MA, Halawa AA, Tang W, Wu G, Bazer FW. Effects of Bisphenol A on expression of genes related to amino acid transporters, insulin- like growth factor, aquaporin and amino acid release by porcine trophectoderm cells. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:241-248. [PMID: 32710935 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The peri-implantation period of pregnancy is critical for conceptus development, implantation, and signaling for establishment of pregnancy. This study evaluated the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on proliferation, adhesion, and migration of porcine trophectoderm (pTr2) cells, expression of transporters of arginine and synthesis of amino acids. All concentrations of BPA decreased proliferation and adhesion of pTr2 cells after 96 h compared to the control group. Lower concentrations of BPA (1 × 10-9, 1 × 10-8, 10-7M) increased (P < 0.05), but higher concentrations of BPA (1 × 10-5, 1 × 10-4 M) decreased migration of pTr2 cells. BPA increased expression of SLC7A1 mRNA at lower concentrations (1 × 10-9 to 1 × 10-6M) and SL7A6, another cationic acid transporter, at higher concentrations (1 × 10-5, 1 × 10-4 M). BPA also down-regulated the expression of IGF1 and IGF1 receptor at concentrations of 1 × 10-7 to 1 × 10-4 M compared to the control group. The expression of mRNAs for aquaporins (AQP) 3 and 4 were reduced at all concentrations of BPA, but at lower concentrations of BPA, (1 × 10-9 to 1 × 10-8M) expression of AQP9 mRNA increased and the expression of AQP11 was not affected by BPA (P > 0.05). There was an inhibitory effect of BPA on the release of synthesis of asparagine, threonine, taurine, tryptophan, and ornithine into the culture medium by pTr2 cells. Collectively, BPA adversely affected the expression of transporters for cationic amino acids like arginine, as well as AQPs, IGF1, and IGF1R associated with proliferation, migration, and adhesion of pTr2 cells. Those adverse effects would likely increase pregnancy losses during the peri-implantation period of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Elmetwally
- Department of Animal Science, United States; Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States; Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Amal A Halawa
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Wanjin Tang
- Department of Animal Science, United States; Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Guoyao Wu
- Department of Animal Science, United States; Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Fuller W Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, United States; Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States.
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Lofthouse EM, Cleal JK, Hudson G, Lewis RM, Sengers BG. Glibenclamide transfer across the perfused human placenta is determined by albumin binding not transporter activity. Eur J Pharm Sci 2020; 152:105436. [PMID: 32592753 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2020.105436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The placenta mediates the transfer of maternal nutrients into the fetal circulation while removing fetal waste products, drugs and environmental toxins that may otherwise be detrimental to fetal development. This study investigated the role of drug transporters and protein binding in the transfer of the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide across the human placental syncytiotrophoblast using placental perfusion experiments and computational modeling. In the absence of albumin, placental glibenclamide uptake from the fetal circulation was not affected by competitive inhibition with bromosulphothalein (BSP), indicating that OATP2B1 does not mediate placental glibenclamide uptake from the fetus. In the presence of maternal and fetal albumin, BSP increased placental glibenclamide uptake from the fetal circulation by displacing glibenclamide from BSA, increasing the free fraction of glibenclamide driving diffusive transport. The P-gp and BCRP inhibitor GF120918 did not affect placental glibenclamide uptake from the maternal circulation and as such this study did not find any evidence for the apical efflux transporters in placental glibenclamide transfer. Computational modeling confirmed that albumin binding and not transporter activity, is the dominant factor in the transfer of glibenclamide across the human placenta. The effect of BSP binding to albumin on promoting the diffusive transfer of glibenclamide highlights the importance of drug-protein binding interactions and their interpretation using computational modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Lofthouse
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Jane K Cleal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | | | - Rohan M Lewis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Bram G Sengers
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.
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10
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Abstract
The isolated perfused placental cotyledon technique has led to numerous advances in placental biology. Combining placental perfusion with mathematical modelling provides an additional level of insight into placental function. Mathematical modelling of perfusion data provides a quantitative framework to test the understanding of the underlying biology and to explore how different processes work together within the placenta as part of an integrated system. The perfusion technique provides a high degree of control over the experimental conditions as well as regular measurements of functional parameters such as pressure, solute concentrations and pH over time. This level of control is ideal for modelling as it allows placental function to be studied across a wide range of different conditions which permits robust testing of mathematical models. By placing quantitative values on different processes (e.g. transport, metabolism, blood flow), their relative contribution to the system can be estimated and those most likely to become rate-limiting identified. Using a combined placental perfusion and modelling approach, placental metabolism was shown to be a more important determinant of amino acid and fatty acid transfer. In contrast, metabolism was a less important determinant of placental cortisol transfer than initially thought. Identifying the rate-limiting factors in the system allows future work to be focused on the factors that are most likely to underlie placental dysfunction. A combined experimental and modelling approach using placental perfusions promotes an integrated view of placental physiology that can more effectively identify the processes leading to placental pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan M Lewis
- University of Southampton, Faulty of Medicine, UK; University of Southampton, Institute for Life Sciences, UK.
| | - Jane K Cleal
- University of Southampton, Faulty of Medicine, UK; University of Southampton, Institute for Life Sciences, UK
| | - Bram G Sengers
- University of Southampton, Institute for Life Sciences, UK; University of Southampton, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, UK
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Abstract
While biomedical engineers have participated in research studies that focus on understanding aspects particular to women's health since the 1950s, the depth and breadth of the research have increased significantly in the last 15-20 years. It has been increasingly clear that engineers can lend important knowledge and analysis to address questions that are key to understanding physiology and pathophysiology related to women's health. This historical survey identifies some of the earliest contributions of engineers to exploring aspects of women's health, from the behaviour of key tissues, to issues of reproduction and breast cancer. In addition, some of the more recent work in each area is identified and areas deserving additional attention are described. The interdisciplinary nature of this area of engineering, along with the growing interest within the field of biomedical engineering, promise to bring exciting new discoveries and expand knowledge that will positively impact women's health in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele J Grimm
- Wielenga Creative Engineering Endowed Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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12
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Abstract
Placental amino acid transfer is a complex process that is essential for fetal development. Impaired amino acid transfer causes fetal growth restriction, which may have lifelong health consequences. Transepithelial transfer of amino acids across the placental syncytiotrophoblast requires accumulative, exchange and facilitated transporters on the apical and basal membranes to work in concert. However, transporters alone do not determine amino acid transfer and factors that affect substrate availability, such as blood flow and metabolism, may also become rate-limiting for transfer. In order to determine the rate-limiting processes, it is necessary to take a systems approach which recognises the interdependence of these processes. New technologies have the potential to deliver targeted interventions to the placenta and help poorly growing fetuses. While many factors are necessary for amino acid transfer, novel therapies need to target the rate-limiting factors if they are going to be effective. This review will outline the factors which determine amino acid transfer and describe how they become interdependent. It will also highlight the role of computational modelling as a tool to understand this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane K. Cleal
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Institute of Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Emma M. Lofthouse
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Institute of Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Bram G. Sengers
- Institute of Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Faculty of Engineering and the EnvironmentUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Rohan M. Lewis
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
- Institute of Life SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
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13
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Mirbod P. Analytical model of the feto-placental vascular system: consideration of placental oxygen transport. R Soc Open Sci 2018; 5:180219. [PMID: 29765697 PMCID: PMC5936962 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a transient vascular organ that enables nutrients and blood gases to be exchanged between fetal and maternal circulations. Herein, the structure and oxygen diffusion across the trophoblast membrane between the fetal and maternal red blood cells in the feto-placental vasculature system in both human and mouse placentas are presented together as a functional unit. Previous models have claimed that the most efficient fetal blood flow relies upon structures containing a number of 'conductive' symmetrical branches, offering a path of minimal resistance that maximizes blood flow to the terminal villi, where oxygen diffusion occurs. However, most of these models have disregarded the actual descriptions of the exchange at the level of the intermediate and terminal villi. We are proposing a 'mixed model' whereby both 'conductive' and 'terminal' villi are presumed to be present at the end of single (in human) or multiple (in mouse) pregnancies. We predict an optimal number of 18 and 22 bifurcation levels in the human and the mouse placentas, respectively. Wherever possible, we have compared our model's predictions with experimental results reported in the literature and found close agreement between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Mirbod
- Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
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Taslimifar M, Buoso S, Verrey F, Kurtcuoglu V. Functional Polarity of Microvascular Brain Endothelial Cells Supported by Neurovascular Unit Computational Model of Large Neutral Amino Acid Homeostasis. Front Physiol 2018; 9:171. [PMID: 29593549 PMCID: PMC5859092 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeostatic regulation of large neutral amino acid (LNAA) concentration in the brain interstitial fluid (ISF) is essential for proper brain function. LNAA passage into the brain is primarily mediated by the complex and dynamic interactions between various solute carrier (SLC) transporters expressed in the neurovascular unit (NVU), among which SLC7A5/LAT1 is considered to be the major contributor in microvascular brain endothelial cells (MBEC). The LAT1-mediated trans-endothelial transport of LNAAs, however, could not be characterized precisely by available in vitro and in vivo standard methods so far. To circumvent these limitations, we have incorporated published in vivo data of rat brain into a robust computational model of NVU-LNAA homeostasis, allowing us to evaluate hypotheses concerning LAT1-mediated trans-endothelial transport of LNAAs across the blood brain barrier (BBB). We show that accounting for functional polarity of MBECs with either asymmetric LAT1 distribution between membranes and/or intrinsic LAT1 asymmetry with low intraendothelial binding affinity is required to reproduce the experimentally measured brain ISF response to intraperitoneal (IP) L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine injection. On the basis of these findings, we have also investigated the effect of IP administrated L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine on the dynamics of LNAAs in MBECs, astrocytes and neurons. Finally, the computational model was shown to explain the trans-stimulation of LNAA uptake across the BBB observed upon ISF perfusion with a competitive LAT1 inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Taslimifar
- The Interface Group, Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Epithelial Transport Group, Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Buoso
- The Interface Group, Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Zurich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francois Verrey
- Epithelial Transport Group, Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,National Center of Competence in Research, Kidney.CH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vartan Kurtcuoglu
- The Interface Group, Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,National Center of Competence in Research, Kidney.CH, Zurich, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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15
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Stirrat LI, Sengers BG, Norman JE, Homer NZM, Andrew R, Lewis RM, Reynolds RM. Transfer and Metabolism of Cortisol by the Isolated Perfused Human Placenta. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 103:640-648. [PMID: 29161409 PMCID: PMC5800837 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-02140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Fetal overexposure to glucocorticoids in utero is associated with fetal growth restriction and is postulated to be a key mechanism linking suboptimal fetal growth with cardiovascular disease in later life. OBJECTIVE To develop a model to predict maternal-fetal glucocorticoid transfer. We hypothesized placental 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-type 2 (11β-HSD2) would be the major rate-limiting step in maternal cortisol transfer to the fetus. DESIGN We used a deuterated cortisol tracer in the ex vivo placental perfusion model, in combination with computational modeling, to investigate the role of interconversion of cortisol and its inactive metabolite cortisone on transfer of cortisol from mother to fetus. PARTICIPANTS Term placentas were collected from five women with uncomplicated pregnancies, at elective caesarean delivery. INTERVENTION Maternal artery of the isolated perfused placenta was perfused with D4-cortisol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES D4-cortisol, D3-cortisone, and D3-cortisol were measured in maternal and fetal venous outflows. RESULTS D4-cortisol, D3-cortisone, and D3-cortisol were detected and increased in maternal and fetal veins as the concentration of D4-cortisol perfusion increased. D3-cortisone synthesis was inhibited when 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) activity was inhibited. At the highest inlet concentration, only 3.0% of the maternal cortisol was transferred to the fetal circulation, whereas 26.5% was metabolized and 70.5% exited via the maternal vein. Inhibiting 11β-HSD activity increased the transfer to the fetus to 7.3% of the maternal input, whereas 92.7% exited via the maternal vein. CONCLUSIONS Our findings challenge the concept that maternal cortisol diffuses freely across the placenta and confirm that 11β-HSD2 acts as a major "barrier" to cortisol transfer to the fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura I. Stirrat
- Tommy’s Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Bram G. Sengers
- Bioengineering Science Research Group, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Jane E. Norman
- Tommy’s Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie Z. M. Homer
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, University of Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Andrew
- Mass Spectrometry Core, Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, University of Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
| | - Rohan M. Lewis
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton S016 6BD, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca M. Reynolds
- Tommy’s Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health, MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom
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Perazzolo S, Lewis R, Sengers B. Modelling the effect of intervillous flow on solute transfer based on 3D imaging of the human placental microstructure. Placenta 2017; 60:21-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Haeussner E, Schmitz C, Grynspan D, Edler von Koch F, Frank H. Syncytial nuclei accumulate at the villous surface in IUGR while proliferation is unchanged. Placenta 2017; 60:47-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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18
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Simner C, Novakovic B, Lillycrop KA, Bell CG, Harvey NC, Cooper C, Saffery R, Lewis RM, Cleal JK. DNA methylation of amino acid transporter genes in the human placenta. Placenta 2017; 60:64-73. [PMID: 29208242 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Placental transfer of amino acids via amino acid transporters is essential for fetal growth. Little is known about the epigenetic regulation of amino acid transporters in placenta. This study investigates the DNA methylation status of amino acid transporters and their expression across gestation in human placenta. METHODS BeWo cells were treated with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine to inhibit methylation and assess the effects on amino acid transporter gene expression. The DNA methylation levels of amino acid transporter genes in human placenta were determined across gestation using DNA methylation array data. Placental amino acid transporter gene expression across gestation was also analysed using data from publically available Gene Expression Omnibus data sets. The expression levels of these transporters at term were established using RNA sequencing data. RESULTS Inhibition of DNA methylation in BeWo cells demonstrated that expression of specific amino acid transporters can be inversely associated with DNA methylation. Amino acid transporters expressed in term placenta generally showed low levels of promoter DNA methylation. Transporters with little or no expression in term placenta tended to be more highly methylated at gene promoter regions. The transporter genes SLC1A2, SLC1A3, SLC1A4, SLC7A5, SLC7A11 and SLC7A10 had significant changes in enhancer DNA methylation across gestation, as well as gene expression changes across gestation. CONCLUSION This study implicates DNA methylation in the regulation of amino acid transporter gene expression. However, in human placenta, DNA methylation of these genes remains low across gestation and does not always play an obvious role in regulating gene expression, despite clear evidence for differential expression as gestation proceeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Simner
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - B Novakovic
- Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - K A Lillycrop
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; Centre for Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - C G Bell
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK
| | - N C Harvey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - C Cooper
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust, UK; NIHR Oxford Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, UK
| | - R Saffery
- Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital and Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - R M Lewis
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK
| | - J K Cleal
- The Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, UK.
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Abstract
Placental dysfunction underlies major obstetric diseases such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR). Whilst there has been a little progress in prophylaxis, there are still no treatments for placental dysfunction in normal obstetric practice. However, a combination of increasingly well-described in vitro systems for studying the human placenta, together with the availability of more appropriate animal models of pre-eclampsia and FGR, has facilitated a recent surge in work aimed at repurposing drugs and therapies, developed for other conditions, as treatments for placental dysfunction. This review: (1) highlights potential candidate drug targets in the placenta - effectors of improved uteroplacental blood flow, anti-oxidants, heme oxygenase induction, inhibition of HIF, induction of cholesterol synthesis pathways, increasing insulin-like growth factor II availability; (2) proposes an experimental pathway for taking a potential drug or treatment for placental dysfunction from concept through to early phase clinical trials, utilizing techniques for studying the human placenta in vitro and small animal models, particularly the mouse, for in vivo studies; (3) describes the data underpinning sildenafil citrate and adenovirus expressing vascular endothelial growth as potential treatments for placental dysfunction and summarizes recent research on other potential treatments. The importance of sharing information from such studies even when no effect is found, or there is an adverse outcome, is highlighted. Finally, the use of adenoviral vectors or nanoparticle carriers coated with homing peptides to selectively target drugs to the placenta is highlighted: such delivery systems could improve efficacy and reduce the side effects of treating the dysfunctional placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin P Sibley
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research CentreDivision of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- St Mary's HospitalCentral Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
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20
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Liu Q, Wu J, Shen W, Wei R, Jiang J, Liang J, Chen M, Zhong M, Yin A. Analysis of amino acids and acyl carnitine profiles in low birth weight, preterm, and small for gestational age neonates. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2017; 30:2697-2704. [PMID: 27844490 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1261395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University, Nan fang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen Shen
- Department of Urology, Liuhuaqiao Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ran Wei
- Department of Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhui Jiang
- Department of Children Inherited Metabolism and Endocrine, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinqun Liang
- Department of Children Inherited Metabolism and Endocrine, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Chen
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis & Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mei Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Southern Medical University, Nan fang Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aihua Yin
- Department of Medical Genetics Center, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
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Perazzolo S, Hirschmugl B, Wadsack C, Desoye G, Lewis RM, Sengers BG. The influence of placental metabolism on fatty acid transfer to the fetus. J Lipid Res 2017; 58:443-454. [PMID: 27913585 PMCID: PMC5282960 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.p072355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The factors determining fatty acid transfer across the placenta are not fully understood. This study used a combined experimental and computational modeling approach to explore placental transfer of nonesterified fatty acids and identify the rate-determining processes. Isolated perfused human placenta was used to study the uptake and transfer of 13C-fatty acids and the release of endogenous fatty acids. Only 6.2 ± 0.8% of the maternal 13C-fatty acids taken up by the placenta was delivered to the fetal circulation. Of the unlabeled fatty acids released from endogenous lipid pools, 78 ± 5% was recovered in the maternal circulation and 22 ± 5% in the fetal circulation. Computational modeling indicated that fatty acid metabolism was necessary to explain the discrepancy between uptake and delivery of 13C-fatty acids. Without metabolism, the model overpredicts the fetal delivery of 13C-fatty acids 15-fold. Metabolic rate was predicted to be the main determinant of uptake from the maternal circulation. The microvillous membrane had a greater fatty acid transport capacity than the basal membrane. This study suggests that incorporation of fatty acids into placental lipid pools may modulate their transfer to the fetus. Future work needs to focus on the factors regulating fatty acid incorporation into lipid pools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Perazzolo
- Faculty of Engineering and Environment, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences Southampton, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Birgit Hirschmugl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Rohan M Lewis
- Institute for Life Sciences Southampton, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
- Bioengineering Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Bram G Sengers
- Faculty of Engineering and Environment, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences Southampton, University of Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
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22
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Brownbill P, Chernyavsky I, Bottalico B, Desoye G, Hansson S, Kenna G, Knudsen LE, Markert UR, Powles-Glover N, Schneider H, Leach L. An international network (PlaNet) to evaluate a human placental testing platform for chemicals safety testing in pregnancy. Reprod Toxicol 2016; 64:191-202. [PMID: 27327413 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The human placenta is a critical life-support system that nourishes and protects a rapidly growing fetus; a unique organ, species specific in structure and function. We consider the pressing challenge of providing additional advice on the safety of prescription medicines and environmental exposures in pregnancy and how ex vivo and in vitro human placental models might be advanced to reproducible human placental test systems (HPTSs), refining a weight of evidence to the guidance given around compound risk assessment during pregnancy. The placental pharmacokinetics of xenobiotic transfer, dysregulated placental function in pregnancy-related pathologies and influx/efflux transporter polymorphisms are a few caveats that could be addressed by HPTSs, not the specific focus of current mammalian reproductive toxicology systems. An international consortium, "PlaNet", will bridge academia, industry and regulators to consider screen ability and standardisation issues surrounding these models, with proven reproducibility for introduction into industrial and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Brownbill
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| | - Igor Chernyavsky
- School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Barbara Bottalico
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,.
| | - Gernot Desoye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Stefan Hansson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden,.
| | | | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- Department of Public Health, Faculty Of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Udo R Markert
- Placenta-Labor Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics, Friedrich Schiller University, D-07740, Jena, Germany.
| | - Nicola Powles-Glover
- Reproductive, Development and Paediatric Centre of Excellence, AstraZeneca, Mereside, Alderley Park, Alderley Edge SK10 4TG, UK.
| | - Henning Schneider
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Lopa Leach
- Molecular Cell Biology & Development, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK.
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