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Arman BM, Binder NK, de Alwis N, Beard S, Garg A, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Hannan NJ. Investigating ticagrelor in a preclinical pipeline as a novel therapeutic to prevent preterm birth. Reproduction 2024; 167:e230404. [PMID: 38205973 DOI: 10.1530/rep-23-0404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
In brief Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, and new therapies that delay preterm birth and improve neonatal outcomes are urgently needed. This study investigates whether ticagrelor inhibits uterine contractility and inflammation in preclinical in vitro, ex vivo (human) and in vivo (mouse) studies, to explore the potential of repurposing ticagrelor for the prevention of preterm birth. Abstract Preterm birth remains a significant global health challenge, affecting approximately 10% of pregnancies and resulting in one million deaths globally every year. Tocolytic agents, used to manage preterm labour, have considerable limitations including lack of efficacy, and adverse side effects, emphasising the urgent need for innovative solutions. Here, we explore repurposing an antiplatelet cardioprotective drug, ticagrelor, as a potential treatment to prevent preterm birth. Ticagrelor has demonstrated pleiotropic actions beyond platelet inhibition, including relaxant effects on smooth muscle cells and anti-inflammatory effects in models of diabetes and sepsis. As preterm birth is underscored by inflammatory processes triggering uterine contractions, these actions position ticagrelor as an attractive candidate for prevention or delay of preterm birth. Utilising primary human myometrial tissue, human myometrial cells, and a mouse model of preterm birth, we investigated ticagrelor's potential as a safe and effective therapy for preterm birth. We showed that ticagrelor did not reduce the frequency or strength of spontaneous muscle contractions of ex vivo myometrial tissue nor did it reduce in vitro inflammation-induced contractility in myometrial cells. Additionally, ticagrelor did not exhibit the anticipated anti-inflammatory effects in myometrial cell culture experiments. In our mouse model of preterm birth, ticagrelor neither improved the preterm birth rate or fetal survival outcomes. Gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and contraction-associated proteins in postpartum mouse uteri were unaltered by ticagrelor. In conclusion, ticagrelor is not a strong candidate to continue investigations in clinical trial for the treatment of preterm labour and prevention of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget M Arman
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Natalie K Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anjali Garg
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
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Fato BR, Beard S, Binder NK, Pritchard N, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ, de Alwis N, Hannan NJ. The Regulation of Endothelin-1 in Pregnancies Complicated by Gestational Diabetes: Uncovering the Vascular Effects of Insulin. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2660. [PMID: 37893034 PMCID: PMC10603897 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102660] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition of pregnancy defined by new-onset hyperglycemia. GDM is associated with impaired maternal endothelial and vascular reactivity. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor that contributes to endothelial dysfunction, however, its abundance and actions in GDM are unclear. Maternal plasma was obtained from pregnancies complicated by GDM (n = 24) and gestation-matched controls (n = 42); circulating ET-1 levels were assessed by ELISA. Human omental arteries from healthy pregnancies and those complicated by GDM were dissected from omental fat biopsies and collected at cesarean section. mRNA expression of ET-1 and its receptors, ETA and ETB, in addition to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) were assessed by qPCR (n = 28). Using wire myography, we investigated vascular constriction to ET-1 (10-11-10-4 M) in omental arteries from pregnancies complicated by GDM, compared to gestation-matched controls (n = 7). GDM cases were stratified by clinical management, diet intervention (n = 5), or insulin treatment (n = 6). Additionally, arteries from healthy pregnancies were treated with insulin (1 mU/mL (n = 7) and 10 mU/mL (n = 5)) or vehicle control. Vasoactive response to ET-1 was measured via wire myography. Circulating ET-1 levels and mRNA expression of the ET-1 system in omental arteries were not found to be significantly different between pregnancies complicated by GDM compared to healthy controls. However, we found insulin treatment during pregnancy and in ex vivo models reduced ET-1 vasoconstriction of maternal vasculature in GDM. These data suggest insulin may improve vascular function in GDM, however, further investigation is needed to define the role of ET-1 in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca R. Fato
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (B.R.F.); (S.B.); (N.K.B.); (N.d.A.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (B.R.F.); (S.B.); (N.K.B.); (N.d.A.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Natalie K. Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (B.R.F.); (S.B.); (N.K.B.); (N.d.A.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Natasha Pritchard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Diagnostic Discovery and Reverse Translation in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (B.R.F.); (S.B.); (N.K.B.); (N.d.A.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Natalie J. Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (B.R.F.); (S.B.); (N.K.B.); (N.d.A.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (T.J.K.-L.)
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Arman BM, Binder NK, de Alwis N, Beard S, Debruin DA, Hayes A, Tong S, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Hannan NJ. Assessment of the tocolytic nifedipine in preclinical primary models of preterm birth. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5646. [PMID: 37024530 PMCID: PMC10079980 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31077-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Tocolytics are drugs used in cases of imminent preterm birth to inhibit uterine contractions. Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocking agent used to delay threatened spontaneous preterm birth, however, has limited efficacy and lacks preclinical data regarding mechanisms of action. It is unknown if nifedipine affects the pro-inflammatory environment associated with preterm labour pathophysiology and we hypothesise nifedipine only targets myometrial contraction rather than also mitigating inflammation. We assessed anti-inflammatory and anti-contractile effects of nifedipine on human myometrium using in vitro and ex vivo techniques, and a mouse model of preterm birth. We show that nifedipine treatment inhibited contractions in myometrial in vitro contraction assays (P = 0.004 vs. vehicle control) and potently blocked spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractions in ex vivo myometrial tissue in muscle myography studies (P = 0.01 vs. baseline). Nifedipine treatment did not reduce gene expression or protein secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in either cultured myometrial cells or ex vivo tissues. Although nifedipine could delay preterm birth in some mice, this was not consistent in all dams and was overall not statistically significant. Our data suggests nifedipine does not modulate preterm birth via inflammatory pathways in the myometrium, and this may account for its limited clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget M Arman
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, 3084, Australia
| | - Natalie K Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, 3084, Australia
| | - Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, 3084, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, 3084, Australia
| | - Danielle A Debruin
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, Victoria University, St AlbansVictoria, 3021, Australia
- Department of Medicine-Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, 3021, Australia
| | - Alan Hayes
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, Victoria University, St AlbansVictoria, 3021, Australia
- Department of Medicine-Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, St Albans, Victoria, 3021, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, 3084, Australia
| | | | - Natalie J Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, 163 Studley Rd, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia.
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, 3084, Australia.
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Binder NK, Beard S, de Alwis N, Fato BR, Nguyen TV, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ, Hannan NJ. Investigating the Effects of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide on the Maternal Endothelium to Determine Potential Implications for Preeclampsia. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076182. [PMID: 37047162 PMCID: PMC10094118 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is associated with an increased lifelong risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is not clear whether this is induced by persistent systemic organ and vascular damage following preeclampsia or due to a predisposition to both conditions that share cardiovascular pathophysiology. Common to both CVD and preeclampsia is the dysregulation of corin and its proteolytic product, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). ANP, a hypotensive hormone converted from pro-ANP by corin, is involved in blood pressure homeostasis. While corin is predominantly a cardiac enzyme, both corin and pro-ANP are significantly upregulated in the gravid uterus and dysregulated in preeclampsia. Relatively little is known about ANP function in the endothelium during a pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. Here, we investigated the effect of ANP on endothelial cell proliferation and migration, markers of endothelial dysfunction, and receptor expression in omental arteries exposed to circulating preeclamptic toxins. ANP receptor expression is significantly upregulated in preeclamptic vasculature but not because of exposure to preeclampsia toxins tumour necrosis factor α or soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1. The supplementation of endothelial cells with ANP did not promote proliferation or migration, nor did ANP improve markers of endothelial dysfunction. The role of ANP in preeclampsia is unlikely to be via endothelial pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie K. Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Laboratory, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Laboratory, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Laboratory, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Bianca R. Fato
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Laboratory, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Tuong-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Diagnostics Discovery and Reverse Translation Laboratory, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Diagnostics Discovery and Reverse Translation Laboratory, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Natalie J. Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Laboratory, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +613-8458-4371
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Binder NK, de Alwis N, Beard S, Kadife E, Harper A, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Brownfoot FC, Hannan NJ. Sulfasalazine for the treatment of preeclampsia in a nitric oxide synthase antagonist mouse model. Placenta 2023; 132:20-26. [PMID: 36623415 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.01.001] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Development of a therapeutic that targets the pathophysiological elements of preeclampsia would be a major advance for obstetrics, with potential to save the lives of countless mothers and babies. We recently identified anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine as a prospective candidate therapeutic for treatment of preeclampsia. In primary human cells and tissues in vitro, sulfasalazine potently decreased secretion of anti-angiogenic sFlt-1 and sENG, increased production of pro-angiogenic PlGF, mitigated endothelial dysfunction, and promoted whole vessel vasodilation. METHODS Using nitric oxide synthase antagonist Nω-Nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, a preeclampsia-like phenotype was induced in pregnant mice, including high blood pressure, fetal growth restriction, and elevated circulating sFlt-1. Mice were treated with sulfasalazine or vehicle from gestational day (D)13.5, with blood pressure measurements across gestation, fetal measurements at D17.5, and wire myograph assessment of vasoactivity. RESULTS Sulfasalazine had a modest effect on blood pressure, decreasing diastolic and mean blood pressure on D13.5, but not later in gestation, or systolic blood pressure. Sulfasalazine was not able to rescue fetal growth, in male or female fetuses. There was a suggestion of improved vasoactivity with sulfasalazine, but further clarification is required. DISCUSSION In this mouse model of preeclampsia, sulfasalazine did not sustain reductions in blood pressure nor affect fetal parameters of size and weight, both desirable attributes of a viable preeclampsia therapeutic. While these data suggest sulfasalazine might improve vasoactivity, murine toxicity considerations limited the dose range of sulfasalazine that could be tested in the current study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie K Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elif Kadife
- Obstetric Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alesia Harper
- Obstetric Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Diagnostics Discovery and Reverse Translation, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona C Brownfoot
- Obstetric Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia.
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de Alwis N, Binder NK, Beard S, Mangwiro YTM, Kadife E, Cuffe JSM, Keenan E, Fato BR, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ, Brownfoot FC, Marshall SA, Hannan NJ. The L-NAME mouse model of preeclampsia and impact to long-term maternal cardiovascular health. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/12/e202201517. [PMID: 36260752 PMCID: PMC9356384 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia affects ∼2–8% of pregnancies worldwide. It is associated with increased long-term maternal cardiovascular disease risk. This study assesses the effect of the vasoconstrictor N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in modelling preeclampsia in mice, and its long-term effects on maternal cardiovascular health. In this study, we found that L-NAME administration mimicked key characteristics of preeclampsia, including elevated blood pressure, impaired fetal and placental growth, and increased circulating endothelin-1 (vasoconstrictor), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (anti-angiogenic factor), and C-reactive protein (inflammatory marker). Post-delivery, mice that received L-NAME in pregnancy recovered, with no discernible changes in measured cardiovascular indices at 1-, 2-, and 4-wk post-delivery, compared with matched controls. At 10-wk post-delivery, arteries collected from the L-NAME mice constricted significantly more to phenylephrine than controls. In addition, these mice had increased kidney Mmp9:Timp1 and heart Tnf mRNA expression, indicating increased inflammation. These findings suggest that though administration of L-NAME in mice certainly models key characteristics of preeclampsia during pregnancy, it does not appear to model the adverse increase in cardiovascular disease risk seen in individuals after preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha de Alwis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Natalie K Binder
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Yeukai TM Mangwiro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Elif Kadife
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obstetrics Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - James SM Cuffe
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Emerson Keenan
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obstetrics Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Bianca R Fato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Tu’uhevaha J Kaitu’u-Lino
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Diagnostics Discovery and Reverse Translation in Pregnancy Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Fiona C Brownfoot
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obstetrics Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Sarah A Marshall
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Ritchie Centre, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University and The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, The University of Melbourne and Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Heidelberg, Australia
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de Alwis N, Binder NK, Mangwiro YTM, Pritchard N, Beard S, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Brownfoot F, Hannan NJ. The effect of metformin on cardiovascular markers in female mice consuming a high fat diet. Obes Res Clin Pract 2022; 16:524-532. [PMID: 36333189 DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2022.10.006] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metformin, widely used to treat diabetes, is now considered a candidate therapeutic for treatment of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to assess whether metformin's non-glycaemic effects could mitigate cardiovascular disease indices in female mice consuming a high fat diet (HFD). METHODS Four-week old female Arc:Arc(S) mice were placed on a standard (std) chow diet or Western-style HFD (22% fat, 0.15% cholesterol). At ∼8 months, the mice were administered 150 mg/kg metformin or vehicle (control) via intraperitoneal injection for 11 days. Blood pressure was measured (tail cuff plethysmography) at Day 9 and 11 of treatment. On Day 11, mice were weighed and culled. The mesenteric arcade and kidneys were collected for assessment of vascular reactivity (wire myography), and assessment of expression of cardiometabolic markers (qPCR), respectively. RESULTS The HFD fed female mice were significantly heavier than those receiving the std diet at 1-12 weeks on diet, and at cull. Mice on a std diet with metformin treatment were significantly heavier at cull than the mice on a std diet administered the control treatment. Metformin treatment did not alter the weight of the mice receiving the HFD. Neither the HFD (compared to the std diet), nor metformin treatment (compared to control treatment) altered blood pressure, vascular reactivity, or expression of cardiometabolic markers in the kidney. CONCLUSION Consumption of a Western-style HFD (without high salt/sugar levels) did not alter the cardiovascular markers measured. Further studies are required to establish the non-glycaemic, cardio-protective effects of metformin in high-risk cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie K Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yeukai T M Mangwiro
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natasha Pritchard
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona Brownfoot
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia.
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8
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Arman B, Binder N, de Alwis N, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Hannan NJ. Repurposing existing drugs as a therapeutic approach for the prevention of preterm birth. Reproduction 2022; 165:R9-R23. [PMID: 36305709 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. Despite extensive research into the underlying pathophysiology, rates of preterm birth have not significantly reduced. Currently, preterm labour management is based on optimising neonatal outcomes. Treatment involves administering drugs (tocolytics) to suppress uterine contractions to allow sufficient time for transfer to an appropriate facility and administration of antenatal corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation. Current tocolytics are limited as they are associated with adverse maternal and fetal effects and only delay delivery for a short period. There has been a serious lack of therapeutic development for preterm birth, and new approaches to protect against or delay preterm birth are urgently needed. Repurposing drugs for prevention of preterm birth presents as a promising approach by reducing the time and costs associated with pharmaceutical drug development. In this review, we explore the evidence for the potential of therapies, specifically proton pump inhibitors, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, prostaglandin receptor antagonists, aspirin, and statins, to be repurposed as preventatives and/or treatments for preterm birth. Importantly, many of these innovative approaches being explored have good safety profiles in pregnancy. We also review how delivery of these drugs can be enhanced, either through targeted delivery systems or via combination therapy approaches. We aim to present innovative strategies capable of targeting multiple aspects of the complex pathophysiology that underlie preterm birth. There is an urgent unmet need for preterm birth therapeutic development and these strategies hold great promise for improving neonatal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Arman
- B Arman, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Natalie Binder
- N Binder, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Natasha de Alwis
- N de Alwis, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha Joy Kaitu'u-Lino
- T Kaitu'u-Lino, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Translational Obstetrics Group, Diagnostics Discovery and Reverse Translation Group, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia
| | - Natalie Josephine Hannan
- N Hannan, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia
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9
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de Alwis N, Beard S, Binder NK, Pritchard N, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ, Walker SP, Stock O, Groom K, Petersen S, Henry A, Said JM, Seeho S, Kane SC, Tong S, Hui L, Hannan NJ. Placental OLAH Levels Are Altered in Fetal Growth Restriction, Preeclampsia and Models of Placental Dysfunction. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:1677. [PMID: 36139751 PMCID: PMC9495588 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11091677] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we identified elevated transcripts for the gene Oleoyl-ACP Hydrolase (OLAH) in the maternal circulation of pregnancies complicated by preterm fetal growth restriction. As placental dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of both fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia, we aimed to investigate OLAH levels and function in the human placenta. We assessed OLAH mRNA expression (qPCR) throughout pregnancy, finding placental expression increased as gestation progressed. OLAH mRNA and protein levels (Western blot) were elevated in placental tissue from cases of preterm preeclampsia, while OLAH protein levels in placenta from growth-restricted pregnancies were comparatively reduced in the preeclamptic cohort. OLAH expression was also elevated in placental explant tissue, but not isolated primary cytotrophoblast cultured under hypoxic conditions (as models of placental dysfunction). Further, we discovered that silencing cytotrophoblast OLAH reduced the expression of pro- and anti-apoptosis genes, BAX and BCL2, placental growth gene, IGF2, and oxidative stress gene, NOX4. Collectively, these findings suggest OLAH could play a role in placental dysfunction and may be a therapeutic target for mitigating diseases associated with this vital organ. Further research is required to establish the role of OLAH in the placenta, and whether these changes may be a maternal adaptation or consequence of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Northern Health, Epping, VIC 3076, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Northern Health, Epping, VIC 3076, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Natalie K. Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Natasha Pritchard
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Susan P. Walker
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Owen Stock
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Katie Groom
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Scott Petersen
- Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Mater Mothers’ Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Amanda Henry
- Discipline of Women’s Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Joanne M. Said
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Maternal Fetal Medicine, Joan Kirner Women’s & Children’s Sunshine Hospital, St Albans, VIC 3021, Australia
| | - Sean Seeho
- Women and Babies Research, Sydney Medical School-Northern, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Stefan C. Kane
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Lisa Hui
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Northern Health, Epping, VIC 3076, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Natalie J. Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Northern Health, Epping, VIC 3076, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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10
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de Alwis N, Fato BR, Beard S, Binder NK, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ, Onda K, Hannan NJ. Assessment of the Proton Pump Inhibitor, Esomeprazole Magnesium Hydrate and Trihydrate, on Pathophysiological Markers of Preeclampsia in Preclinical Human Models of Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179533. [PMID: 36076929 PMCID: PMC9455231 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we demonstrated that the proton pump inhibitor, esomeprazole magnesium hydrate (MH), could have potential as a repurposed treatment against preeclampsia, a serious obstetric condition. In this study we investigate the difference in the preclinical effectiveness between 100 µM of esomeprazole MH and its hydration isomer, esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate (MTH). Here, we found that both treatments reduced secretion of sFLT-1 (anti-angiogenic factor) from primary cytotrophoblast, but only esomeprazole MH reduced sFLT-1 secretion from primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (assessed via ELISA). Both drugs could mitigate expression of the endothelial dysfunction markers, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and endothelin-1 (via qPCR). Neither esomeprazole MH nor MTH quenched cytotrophoblast reactive oxygen species production in response to sodium azide (ROS assay). Finally, using wire myography, we demonstrated that both compounds were able to induce vasodilation of human omental arteries at 100 µM. Esomeprazole is safe to use in pregnancy and a candidate treatment for preeclampsia. Using primary human tissues and cells, we validated that esomeprazole is effective in enhancing vascular relaxation, and can reduce key factors associated with preeclampsia, including sFLT-1 and endothelial dysfunction. However, esomeprazole MH was more efficacious than esomeprazole MTH in our in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Bianca R. Fato
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Natalie K. Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino
- Diagnostics Discovery and Reverse Translation in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Kenji Onda
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Natalie J. Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mercy Hospital for Women, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-3-8458-4371
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11
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de Alwis N, Binder NK, Mangwiro YTM, Beard S, Pritchard N, Kadife E, Fato BR, Keenan E, Brownfoot FC, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ, Hannan NJ. Actions of Esomeprazole on the Maternal Vasculature in Lean and Obese Pregnant Mice with Impaired Nitric Oxide Synthesis: A Model of Preeclampsia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158185. [PMID: 35897759 PMCID: PMC9330120 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a devastating, multisystem disorder of pregnancy. It has no cure except delivery, which if premature can impart significant neonatal morbidity. Efforts to repurpose pregnancy-safe therapeutics for the treatment of preeclampsia have led to the assessment of the proton pump inhibitor, esomeprazole. Preclinically, esomeprazole reduced placental secretion of anti-angiogenic sFlt-1, improved endothelial dysfunction, promoted vasorelaxation, and reduced maternal hypertension in a mouse model. Our understanding of the precise mechanisms through which esomeprazole works to reduce endothelial dysfunction and enhance vasoreactivity is limited. Evidence from earlier studies suggested esomeprazole might work via the nitric oxide pathway, upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Here, we investigated the effect of esomeprazole in a mouse model of L-NAME-induced hypertension (decreased eNOS activity). We further antagonised the model by addition of diet-induced obesity, which is relevant to both preeclampsia and the nitric oxide pathway. Esomeprazole did not decrease blood pressure in this model, nor were there any alterations in vasoreactivity or changes in foetal outcomes in lean mice. We observed similar findings in the obese mouse cohort, except esomeprazole treatment enhanced ex vivo acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation. As acetylcholine induces nitric oxide production, these findings hint at a function for esomeprazole in the nitric oxide pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery & Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.d.A.); (N.K.B.); (Y.T.M.M.); (S.B.); (B.R.F.)
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Natalie K. Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery & Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.d.A.); (N.K.B.); (Y.T.M.M.); (S.B.); (B.R.F.)
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Yeukai T. M. Mangwiro
- Therapeutics Discovery & Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.d.A.); (N.K.B.); (Y.T.M.M.); (S.B.); (B.R.F.)
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery & Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.d.A.); (N.K.B.); (Y.T.M.M.); (S.B.); (B.R.F.)
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Natasha Pritchard
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Elif Kadife
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Obstetrics Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Bianca R. Fato
- Therapeutics Discovery & Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.d.A.); (N.K.B.); (Y.T.M.M.); (S.B.); (B.R.F.)
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
| | - Emerson Keenan
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Obstetrics Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Fiona C. Brownfoot
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Obstetrics Diagnostics and Therapeutics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Diagnostics Discovery and Reverse Translation in Pregnancy, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Natalie J. Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery & Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.d.A.); (N.K.B.); (Y.T.M.M.); (S.B.); (B.R.F.)
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; (N.P.); (E.K.); (E.K.); (F.C.B.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-3-8458-4371; Fax: +61-3-8458-4380
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12
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de Alwis N, Beard S, Binder NK, Pritchard N, Tong S, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Hannan NJ. Placental DAAM2 is unaltered in preeclampsia, but upregulated by treatment with proton pump inhibitors. Pregnancy Hypertens 2022; 30:13-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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13
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de Alwis N, Mangwiro YT, Binder NK, Beard S, Hannan NJ. P-044. Assessing long-term cardiovascular effects of hypertension in an L-NAME mouse model of preeclampsia. Pregnancy Hypertens 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.07.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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de Alwis N, Beard S, Binder N, Pritchard N, Kaitu'u-Lino T, Walker S, Stock O, Groom K, Petersen S, Henry A, Said J, Seeho S, Kane S, Tong S, Hannan N. LOX-1 expression is reduced in placenta from cases of preeclampsia and in hypoxic cytotrophoblasts. Placenta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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15
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Binder NK, MacDonald TM, Beard SA, de Alwis N, Tong S, Kaitu’u-Lino TJ, Hannan NJ. Pre-Clinical Investigation of Cardioprotective Beta-Blockers as a Therapeutic Strategy for Preeclampsia. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3384. [PMID: 34362171 PMCID: PMC8348612 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10153384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant maternal and fetal morbidity, a treatment for preeclampsia currently remains an unmet need in clinical care. As too does the lifelong cardiovascular risks imparted on preeclampsia sufferers. Endothelial dysfunction and end-organ injury are synonymous with both preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. We propose that beta-blockers, known to improve endothelial dysfunction in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, and specifically known to reduce mortality in the treatment of heart failure, may be beneficial in the treatment of preeclampsia. Here, we assessed whether the beta-blockers carvedilol, bisoprolol, and metoprolol could quench the release of anti-angiogenic factors, promote production of pro-angiogenic factors, reduce markers of inflammation, and reduce endothelial dysfunction using our in vitro pre-clinical preeclampsia models encompassing primary placental tissue and endothelial cells. Here, we show beta-blockers effected a modest reduction in secretion of anti-angiogenic soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and soluble endoglin and increased expression of pro-angiogenic placental growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and adrenomedullin in endothelial cells. Beta-blocker treatment mitigated inflammatory changes occurring after endothelial dysfunction and promoted cytoprotective antioxidant heme oxygenase-1. The positive effects of the beta-blockers were predominantly seen in endothelial cells, with a less consistent response seen in placental cells/tissue. In conclusion, beta-blockers show potential as a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of preeclampsia and warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie K. Binder
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia; (N.K.B.); (T.M.M.); (S.A.B.); (N.d.A.); (S.T.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
| | - Teresa M. MacDonald
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia; (N.K.B.); (T.M.M.); (S.A.B.); (N.d.A.); (S.T.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
| | - Sally A. Beard
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia; (N.K.B.); (T.M.M.); (S.A.B.); (N.d.A.); (S.T.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
| | - Natasha de Alwis
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia; (N.K.B.); (T.M.M.); (S.A.B.); (N.d.A.); (S.T.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia; (N.K.B.); (T.M.M.); (S.A.B.); (N.d.A.); (S.T.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
| | - Tu’uhevaha J. Kaitu’u-Lino
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia; (N.K.B.); (T.M.M.); (S.A.B.); (N.d.A.); (S.T.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
- Diagnostics Discovery and Reverse Translation, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
| | - Natalie J. Hannan
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia; (N.K.B.); (T.M.M.); (S.A.B.); (N.d.A.); (S.T.); (T.J.K.-L.)
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Australia
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16
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de Alwis N, Beard S, Binder NK, Pritchard N, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Walker SP, Stock O, Groom KM, Petersen S, Henry A, Said JM, Seeho S, Kane SC, Tong S, Hannan NJ. LOX-1 expression is reduced in placenta from pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia and in hypoxic cytotrophoblast. Pregnancy Hypertens 2021; 25:255-261. [PMID: 34325289 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.07.243] [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: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) is upregulated in the maternal vasculature in preeclampsia, and contributes to oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. However, its function in the placenta is unclear. This paper investigated LOX-1 expression in models of placental dysfunction and preeclampsia, and whether candidate therapeutics for preeclampsia could alter its expression. STUDY DESIGN Placentas were collected from preterm pregnancies and cases of preterm preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Blood was collected from participants whose pregnancies were complicated by preterm fetal growth restriction and/or preeclampsia. Primary cytotrophoblast and placental explant tissue were cultured under hypoxic (1% O2) or normoxic (8% O2) conditions. Cytotrophoblast were exposed to 10% preeclamptic or control serum. Cytotrophoblast and preeclamptic explant tissue were treated with 100 µM esomeprazole, lansoprazole or rabeprazole. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES LOX-1 expression was assessed in all samples via qPCR. RESULTS LOX-1 expression was reduced in placentas from cases of preterm preeclampsia, but not fetal growth restriction, compared to controls. LOX-1 expression was reduced in cytotrophoblast under hypoxia, but not in explant tissue. Treatment with preeclamptic serum in vitro did not alter cytotrophoblast LOX-1 expression. Circulating LOX-1 mRNA was unaltered in patients with fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and fetal hypoxia, compared to controls. Treatment with esomeprazole or lansoprazole in vitro increased placental LOX-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS LOX-1 expression is reduced in preeclamptic placentas and hypoxic cytotrophoblast. Esomeprazole and lansoprazole increase placental LOX-1 expression. These findings demonstrate a role for LOX-1 in the placenta, and improve our understanding of maternal adaptations in pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie K Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natasha Pritchard
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan P Walker
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Owen Stock
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katie M Groom
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
| | - Scott Petersen
- Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Mater Mothers' Hospital, South Brisbane 4101, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amanda Henry
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joanne M Said
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Maternal Fetal Medicine, Joan Kirner Women's & Children's Sunshine Hospital, St Albans 3021, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean Seeho
- The University of Sydney Northern Clinical School, Women and Babies Research, St Leonards 2065, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stefan C Kane
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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17
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de Alwis N, Beard S, Binder NK, Pritchard N, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Walker SP, Stock O, Groom K, Petersen S, Henry A, Said JM, Seeho S, Kane SC, Hui L, Tong S, Hannan NJ. DAAM2 is elevated in the circulation and placenta in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction and is regulated by hypoxia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5540. [PMID: 33692394 PMCID: PMC7946951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84785-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we identified increased maternal circulating DAAM2 mRNA in pregnancies complicated by preterm fetal growth restriction (FGR). Here, we assessed whether circulating DAAM2 mRNA could detect FGR, and whether the DAAM2 gene, known to play roles in the Wnt signalling pathway is expressed in human placenta and associated with dysfunction and FGR. We performed linear regression analysis to calculate area under the ROC curve (AUC) for DAAM2 mRNA expression in the maternal circulation of pregnancies complicated by preterm FGR. DAAM2 mRNA expression was assessed across gestation by qPCR. DAAM2 protein and mRNA expression was assessed in preterm FGR placenta using western blot and qPCR. DAAM2 expression was assessed in term cytotrophoblasts and placental explant tissue cultured under hypoxic and normoxic conditions by qPCR. Small interfering RNAs were used to silence DAAM2 in term primary cytotrophoblasts. Expression of growth, apoptosis and oxidative stress genes were assessed by qPCR. Circulating DAAM2 mRNA was elevated in pregnancies complicated by preterm FGR [p < 0.0001, AUC = 0.83 (0.78–0.89)]. Placental DAAM2 mRNA was detectable across gestation, with highest expression at term. DAAM2 protein was increased in preterm FGR placentas but demonstrated no change in mRNA expression. DAAM2 mRNA expression was increased in cytotrophoblasts and placental explants under hypoxia. Silencing DAAM2 under hypoxia decreased expression of pro-survival gene, BCL2 and oxidative stress marker, NOX4, whilst increasing expression of antioxidant enzyme, HMOX-1. The increased DAAM2 associated with FGR and hypoxia implicates a potential role in placental dysfunction. Decreasing DAAM2 may have cytoprotective effects, but further research is required to elucidate its role in healthy and dysfunctional placentas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Northern Health, Epping, VIC, 3076, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Northern Health, Epping, VIC, 3076, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Natalie K Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Natasha Pritchard
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Susan P Walker
- Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Owen Stock
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Katie Groom
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Scott Petersen
- Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine, Mater Mothers' Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD, 4101, Australia
| | - Amanda Henry
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joanne M Said
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Maternal Fetal Medicine, Joan Kirner Women's & Children's Sunshine Hospital, St Albans, VIC, 3021, Australia
| | - Sean Seeho
- The University of Sydney Northern Clinical School, Women and Babies Research, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Stefan C Kane
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Lisa Hui
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Northern Health, Epping, VIC, 3076, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia. .,Translational Obstetrics Group, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia. .,Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia. .,Northern Health, Epping, VIC, 3076, Australia. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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18
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de Alwis N, Beard S, Mangwiro YT, Binder NK, Kaitu'u-Lino TJ, Brownfoot FC, Tong S, Hannan NJ. Pravastatin as the statin of choice for reducing pre-eclampsia-associated endothelial dysfunction. Pregnancy Hypertens 2020; 20:83-91. [PMID: 32199147 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is avid interest in pravastatin as a therapeutic intervention for pre-eclampsia, however little is known on statin action on endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of pravastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin to reduce pre-eclampsia-associated markers of endothelial dysfunction in human endothelial cells. STUDY DESIGN Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and uterine microvascular cells (UtMVs) were isolated and treated with 0.2, 2, 20 and 200 µM pravastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin for 24 h, either with or without pre-treatment with TNF-α to induce endothelial dysfunction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cell viability (MTS) assays were performed and cells were visually inspected. Expression of endothelial dysfunction markers, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were assessed by qPCR (n=3). Intracellular VCAM-1 protein was examined by Western Blotting (n=5). ET-1 and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT-1) protein secretion was assessed by ELISA in HUVEC conditioned media (n=3). RESULTS High doses of simvastatin and rosuvastatin significantly compromised HUVEC survival. 200 µM simvastatin significantly reduced UtMV survival. Abnormal cell structure was observed with these doses and thus were excluded from further analysis. The statins did not mitigate TNF-α induced ET-1 or VCAM-1 expression in either HUVECs or UtMVs, nor VCAM-1 protein expression in HUVECs. 0.2 µM pravastatin and simvastatin significantly reduced ET-1 and sFLT-1 protein secretion. CONCLUSIONS Pravastatin significantly reduced secretion of both ET-1 and sFLT-1, key mediators of endothelial dysfunction. Importantly, pravastatin had no toxic effects, in contrast to rosuvastatin and simvastatin. This further supports selection of pravastatin for clinical applications to combat pre-eclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha de Alwis
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sally Beard
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yeukai T Mangwiro
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie K Binder
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tu'uhevaha J Kaitu'u-Lino
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona C Brownfoot
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Tong
- Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia
| | - Natalie J Hannan
- Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg 3084, Victoria, Australia.
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