-
Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... Sep 2021Retention of foetal membranes (RFM) is a major reproductive disorder in dairy cows. An appropriate immune response is important for a physiological expulsion of the...
Retention of foetal membranes (RFM) is a major reproductive disorder in dairy cows. An appropriate immune response is important for a physiological expulsion of the foetal membranes at parturition. Our study aims to provide a deeper insight into characteristics of foetal and maternal macrophages in bovine term placenta. We used transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-PCR to provide a deeper insight into characteristics of foetal and maternal macrophages in bovine term placenta. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to define macrophage polarization in foetal and maternal compartments of normal term placenta. Gene expression of factors involved in M1 polarization [interferon regulatory factor-5 (IRF5), interleukin (IL)-12A, IL12B] and in M2 polarization (IL10) were studied. Ultrastructurally, foetal macrophages showed an irregular shape and large vacuoles, whereas the maternal macrophages were spindle shaped. By immunohistochemistry, macrophages were identified by a strong staining with the lysosomal marker Lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 1 (LAMP-1), while myofibroblast in the maternal stroma was positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin. We used the LAMP-1 marker to compare the density of foetal stromal macrophages in placentas of cows with RFM and in controls, but no statistically significant difference was observed. RT-PCR showed a higher expression of all studied genes in the maternal compartment of the placenta and generally a higher expression of M1-, compared to M2-associated genes. Our results indicated that at parturition placental macrophages predominantly show the pro-inflammatory M1 polarization. The higher expression of all the target genes in the maternal compartment may denote that maternal macrophages in bovine term placenta are more frequent than foetal macrophages.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Fetus; Macrophages; Parturition; Placenta; Pregnancy; Transcriptome
PubMed: 34174122
DOI: 10.1111/rda.13983 -
Journal of Pregnancy 2021Senescent cells have been demonstrated to release High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) which induces labor through an inflammatory pathway. This research is aimed at...
INTRODUCTION
Senescent cells have been demonstrated to release High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) which induces labor through an inflammatory pathway. This research is aimed at demonstrating whether telomere shortening, proinflammatory HMGB1, and oxidative damage marker 8-OHdG play a role in the placenta of preterm birth in comparison to term birth.
METHOD
A cross-sectional study on 67 full thickness of the placenta obtained from mothers with term and preterm birth. Mothers with clinical signs of infection (fever > 38°C, leukocytosis > 18000/L, or abnormal vaginal discharge) and other pregnancy complications were excluded. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure T/S ratio and ELISA quantification to measure the amount of HMGB1 and 8-OHdG.
RESULT
A total of 34 placentas from preterm and 33 placentas from term birth were examined. Maternal characteristics were comparable between the two groups. There were no statistical difference of T/S ratio ( = 0.181), HMGB1 ( = 0.119), and 8-OHdG ( = 0.144) between the preterm and term groups. HMGB1 was moderately correlated with 8-OHdG ( = 0.314). Telomere T/S ratio of the placenta did not differ between preterm and term labor despite difference in gestational age, suggesting earlier shortening in the preterm group. It is possible that critical telomere length has been achieved in both term and preterm placenta that warrants labor through senescence process. The result of our study also showed that HMGB1 was not correlated to telomere length, due to the fact that HMGB1 is not upregulated until the critical length of telomere for senescence is exhibited.
CONCLUSION
Similar telomere length might be exhibited due to early telomere shortening in preterm birth that mimics the term placenta. The relationship between placental telomere shortening and HMGB1 release remains to be uncovered. Further research is needed to discover the factors leading to early telomere shortening in the placenta of preterm birth.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Oxidative Stress; Placenta; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Telomere Shortening
PubMed: 34258068
DOI: 10.1155/2021/9923761 -
Rapid Communications in Mass... Feb 2023We describe a label-free proteomics protocol for the interrogation of the placental proteome. Step-by-step directions, including tissue cleanup and preparation,...
We describe a label-free proteomics protocol for the interrogation of the placental proteome. Step-by-step directions, including tissue cleanup and preparation, proteolytic digestion, nanoLC-MS/MS data collection and data analysis, are provided. The workflow has been applied toward exploring differential protein expression patterns in placentas from women who have been exposed to drugs during pregnancy relative to those who have not. We collected 20 tissue specimens, each representing a combination of spatially diverse sections across the placenta. These specimens were analyzed in the work described here, to survey information across the entire organ. This protocol can be scaled up or down as needed.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Placenta; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Proteomics; Proteolysis; Proteome
PubMed: 34486781
DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9189 -
Circulation Journal : Official Journal... Dec 2021Pregnant women with a Fontan circulation have a high risk of obstetric complications, such as preterm delivery and small for gestational age (SGA), which may be affected...
BACKGROUND
Pregnant women with a Fontan circulation have a high risk of obstetric complications, such as preterm delivery and small for gestational age (SGA), which may be affected by low blood flow to the placenta and hypoxia. This study investigated placental pathology in a Fontan circulation.Methods and Results:Eighteen pregnancies in 11 women with a Fontan circulation were reviewed. Pregnancy outcomes showed 9 miscarriages and 9 live births, with 4 preterm deliveries. Five neonates were SGA (<5th percentile). Eight placentas from live births in 7 women were available for the study. Five placentas had low weight placenta for gestational age, and 7 grossly showed a chronic subchorionic hematoma. Histological examination revealed all placentas had some form of histological hypoxic lesions: maternal vascular malperfusion in 7, fetal vascular malperfusion in 1, and other hypoxia-related lesions in 8. Quantitative analyses, including immunohistochemistry (CD31, CD68, and hypoxia inducible factor-1α antibodies) and Masson's trichrome staining, were also performed and compared with 5 control placentas. Capillary density and the area of fibrosis were significantly greater in placentas from women with a Fontan circulation than in control placentas.
CONCLUSIONS
Placentas in a Fontan circulation were characterized by a high frequency of low placental weight, chronic subchorionic hematoma, and constant histological hypoxic changes, which could reflect altered maternal cardiac conditions and lead to poor pregnancy outcomes.
Topics: Child; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Fontan Procedure; Hematoma; Humans; Hypoxia; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Placenta; Pregnancy
PubMed: 34497162
DOI: 10.1253/circj.CJ-21-0133 -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Mar 2015The placenta is one of the most morphologically variable mammalian organs. Four major characteristics are typically discussed when comparing the placentas of different... (Review)
Review
The placenta is one of the most morphologically variable mammalian organs. Four major characteristics are typically discussed when comparing the placentas of different eutherian species: placental shape, maternal-fetal interdigitation, intimacy of the maternal-fetal interface and the pattern of maternal-fetal blood flow. Here, we describe the evolution of three of these features as well as other key aspects of eutherian placentation. In addition to interspecific anatomical variation, there is also variation in placental anatomy and function within a single species. Much of this intraspecific variation occurs in response to different environmental conditions such as altitude and poor maternal nutrition. Examinations of variation in the placenta from both intra- and interspecies perspectives elucidate different aspects of placental function and dysfunction at the maternal-fetal interface. Comparisons within species identify candidate mechanisms that are activated in response to environmental stressors ultimately contributing to the aetiology of obstetric syndromes such as pre-eclampsia. Comparisons above the species level identify the evolutionary lineages on which the potential for the development of obstetric syndromes emerged.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Female; Mammals; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Obstetric Labor Complications; Placenta; Pregnancy; Species Specificity
PubMed: 25602076
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0072 -
Genes Mar 2023Exposure to environmental stressors during pregnancy plays an important role in influencing subsequent susceptibility to certain chronic diseases through the modulation...
Exposure to environmental stressors during pregnancy plays an important role in influencing subsequent susceptibility to certain chronic diseases through the modulation of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation. Our aim was to explore the connections between environmental exposures during gestation with DNA methylation of placental cells, maternal and neonatal buccal cells by applying artificial neural networks (ANNs). A total of 28 mother-infant pairs were enrolled. Data on gestational exposure to adverse environmental factors and on mother health status were collected through the administration of a questionnaire. DNA methylation analyses at both gene-specific and global level were analyzed in placentas, maternal and neonatal buccal cells. In the placenta, the concentrations of various metals and dioxins were also analyzed. Analysis of ANNs revealed that suboptimal birth weight is associated with placental methylation, maternal stress during pregnancy with methylation levels of and in placentas and mother's buccal DNA, respectively, and exposure to air pollutants with maternal methylation. Associations were also observed between placental concentrations of lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury with methylation levels of in placentas, in maternal buccal cells and placentas, in neonatal buccal cells, and in maternal buccal cells. Furthermore, dioxin concentrations were associated with placental , neonatal and maternal gene methylation levels. Current results suggest that exposure of pregnant women to environmental stressors during pregnancy could induce aberrant methylation levels in genes linked to several pathways important for embryogenesis in both the placenta, potentially affecting foetal development, and in the peripheral tissues of mothers and infants, potentially providing peripheral biomarkers of environmental exposure.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Infant; Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Placenta; DNA Methylation; Mothers; Mouth Mucosa; Epigenesis, Genetic
PubMed: 37107594
DOI: 10.3390/genes14040836 -
Placenta Jan 2021Women living with HIV experience more adverse birth outcomes; the mechanisms are not fully understood. We examined placenta morphology and associations with birth...
INTRODUCTION
Women living with HIV experience more adverse birth outcomes; the mechanisms are not fully understood. We examined placenta morphology and associations with birth outcomes in a Canadian cohort of women living with HIV (HIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) from conception and HIV-uninfected (HIV) women.
METHODS
Term placentas from 94 women (40 HIV, 54 HIV) were studied. Trimmed placenta weight was collected. Placenta digital photos were used to compute morphometric parameters. Regression models investigated associations between log-transformed placenta parameters and birth outcomes.
RESULTS
We observed a trend towards lower placenta weight and smaller placenta area in the HIV group, both of which were significantly associated with small for gestational age births. HIV serostatus was associated with 6-fold (95%CI 2-20) greater odds of having placenta area in the lowest quartile (<236 cm). Cord marginality (distance from the edge) was significantly lower in the HIV group (p = 0.004), with 35% of placenta having an abnormal (marginal or velamentous) cord insertion vs. 12.5% in the HIV group (p = 0.01). Velamentous cord insertion was seen in 13% of placentas in the HIV vs. 0% in HIV group (p = 0.02). A significant correlation between cord marginality and placenta thickness was observed in the HIV group, with a more marginal cord being associated with a thicker placenta. This correlation was not observed in the HIV group. HIV placentas exposed to protease inhibitors were significantly less circular compared to the HIV group (p = 0.03).
CONCLUSION
Our data suggest that HIV/ART exposure affects placenta morphology and is associated with higher rates of abnormal cord insertion.
Topics: Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Placenta; Pregnancy; Umbilical Cord
PubMed: 33310298
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.12.004 -
Placenta Dec 2021Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as diabetes with onset or first recognition during gestation. It is a common complication of pregnancy that has become... (Review)
Review
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as diabetes with onset or first recognition during gestation. It is a common complication of pregnancy that has become more prevalent over the past few decades. Abnormalities in fetal growth, including increased incidence of both large and small for gestational age babies, suggest placental dysfunction. The major goal of this scoping review is to determine what is known about abnormalities in placentas delivered from GDM pregnancies, and how early in gestation these abnormalities arise. A secondary goal is to review to what extent other selected factors, in particular obesity, have been found to influence or modify the reported effects of GDM on placental development, and whether these are considered in the study of GDM placentas. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched using the key terms: "gestational diabetes AND (woman OR human) AND placenta AND (ultrasound OR ultrastructure OR imaging OR histology OR pathology). Studies of gross morphology and histoarchitecture in placentas delivered from GDM pregnancies consistently report increased placental size, villous immaturity and a range of vascular lesions when compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. In contrast, a small number of ultrasound studies have examined placental development in GDM pregnancies in the second, and especially, the first trimester. Relatively few studies have analyzed interactions with maternal BMI, but these do suggest that it may play a role in placental abnormalities. Further examination of placental development early in pregnancy is needed to understand when it becomes disrupted in GDM, as a first step to identifying the underlying causes.
Topics: Diabetes, Gestational; Female; Humans; Placenta; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 33958235
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.04.005 -
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences :... Jan 2016Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disease that complicates many pregnancies, typically presenting with new-onset or worsening hypertension and proteinuria. It is well... (Review)
Review
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disease that complicates many pregnancies, typically presenting with new-onset or worsening hypertension and proteinuria. It is well recognized that the placental syncytium plays a key role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This review summarizes the findings pertaining to the structural alterations in the syncytium of preeclamptic placentas and analyzes their pathological implications for the development of preeclampsia. Changes in the trophoblastic lineage, including those in the proliferation of cytotrophoblasts, the formation of syncytiotrophoblast through cell fusion, cell apoptosis and syncytial deportation, are discussed in the context of preeclampsia. Extensive correlations are made between functional deficiencies and the alterations on the levels of gross anatomy, tissue histology, cellular events, ultrastructure, molecular pathways, and gene expression. Attention is given to the significance of dynamic changes in the syncytial turnover in preeclamptic placentas. Specifically, experimental evidences for the complex and obligatory role of syncytin-1 in cell fusion, cell-cycle regulation at the G1/S transition, and apoptosis through AIF-mediated pathway, are discussed in detail in the context of syncytium homeostasis. Finally, the recent observations on the aberrant fibrin deposition in the trophoblastic layer and the trophoblast immature phenotype in preeclamptic placentas and their potential pathogenic impact are also reviewed.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Fusion; Cell Proliferation; Female; Gene Products, env; Giant Cells; Humans; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Proteins; Trophoblasts
PubMed: 26496726
DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2069-x -
The Journal of Histochemistry and... Apr 2023Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that affects 3-5% of pregnancies and is one of the major causes of maternal/neonatal mortality and morbidities worldwide. We...
Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that affects 3-5% of pregnancies and is one of the major causes of maternal/neonatal mortality and morbidities worldwide. We aimed to investigate the distribution of Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells and CD68+ Hofbauer cells in the placenta of preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women with a special focus on correlating these findings with placental histology. Decidua and chorionic villi of the placenta obtained from healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies were evaluated in full-thickness sections. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome and immunostained for Foxp3 and CD68 for histological analyses. The total histomorphological score for placentas was found to be higher in preeclamptic placentas than that in the controls. The CD68 immunoreactivity was higher in the chorionic villi of preeclamptic placentas than that in the controls. The immunoreactivity of Foxp3 was found widely distributed within the decidua in both the groups and did not differ significantly. Interestingly, Foxp3 immunoreactivity in the chorionic villi was found mainly in the villous core and, to a lesser extent, in the syncytiotrophoblasts. We found no significant relation between Foxp3 expressions and morphological changes observed in preeclamptic placentas. Although extensive research is being carried out regarding the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, the findings are still controversial.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia; Trophoblasts; Transcription Factors; Forkhead Transcription Factors
PubMed: 37070940
DOI: 10.1369/00221554231170662