scholarly journals Maternal Choline Supplementation Modulates Placental Markers of Inflammation, Angiogenesis, and Apoptosis in a Mouse Model of Placental Insufficiency

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia King ◽  
Sze Kwan ◽  
Jian Yan ◽  
Xinyin Jiang ◽  
Vladislav Fomin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Placental Insufficiency ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Fetal Sex ◽  
Placental Function ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
Angiogenic Genes ◽  
Fetal Genotype

Dlx3 (distal-less homeobox 3) haploinsufficiency in mice has been shown to result in restricted fetal growth and placental defects. We previously showed that maternal choline supplementation (4X versus 1X choline) in the Dlx3+/− mouse increased fetal and placental growth in mid-gestation. The current study sought to test the hypothesis that prenatal choline would modulate indicators of placenta function and development. Pregnant Dlx3+/− mice consuming 1X (control), 2X, or 4X choline from conception were sacrificed at embryonic (E) days E10.5, E12.5, E15.5, and E18.5, and placentas and embryos were harvested. Data were analyzed separately for each gestational day controlling for litter size, fetal genotype (except for models including only +/− pups), and fetal sex (except when data were stratified by this variable). 4X choline tended to increase (p < 0.1) placental labyrinth size at E10.5 and decrease (p < 0.05) placental apoptosis at E12.5. Choline supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) expression of pro-angiogenic genes Eng (E10.5, E12.5, and E15.5), and Vegf (E12.5, E15.5); and pro-inflammatory genes Il1b (at E15.5 and 18.5), Tnfα (at E12.5) and Nfκb (at E15.5) in a fetal sex-dependent manner. These findings provide support for a modulatory effect of maternal choline supplementation on biomarkers of placental function and development in a mouse model of placental insufficiency.

Effects of vitrification and the superovulated environment on placental function and fetal growth in an IVF mouse model

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 624-635
Author(s):  
C Roeca ◽  
E Silva ◽  
C Barentsen ◽  
T L Powell ◽  
T Jansson
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Large For Gestational Age ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Placental Function ◽  
Uterine Environment ◽  
Embryonic Viability ◽  
Human Ivf

Abstract In studies of human IVF, as compared to frozen embryo transfer (ET), fresh ET is associated with smaller infants and higher risk of small for gestational age infants. Recent observations suggest that ET using vitrified embryos is associated with higher pregnancy and live birth rates compared to fresh ET, but increased rates of large for gestational age infants. The mechanisms underlying these associations are largely unknown, and available evidence suggests that the influence of IVF, vitrification and the superovulated (SO) uterine environment on placental function and fetal growth is complex. This warrants further investigation given the prevalent practice in human IVF of both fresh ET into a SO uterine environment, and vitrification with ET into a more physiologic uterine environment. Using a mouse model that closely resembles human IVF, we investigated if vitrification of IVF embryos better preserves placental function and results in better pregnancy outcomes as compared to fresh ET because of transfer into a more physiologic endometrium. We found that the SO environment, independent of vitrification status, reduced implantation rates, inhibited placental mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling and induced placental stress signaling, resulting in fetal growth restriction (1.080 ± 0.05 g estrous fresh (n = 17 litters), 1.176 ± 0.05 g estrous vitrified (n = 12), 0.771 ± 0.06 g SO fresh (n = 15), 0.895 ± 0.08 g SO vitrified (n = 10), P &lt; 0.0001). In addition, our study suggests that vitrification impairs the developmental potential of IVF blastocysts that resulted in a significantly smaller litter size (2.6 ± 2.3 fresh estrous vs 2.5 ± 2.4 fresh SO vs 1.6 ± 1.7 estrous vitrified vs 1.7 ± 1.8 SO vitrified, P = 0.019), with no effect on fetal growth or placental function at term. Our findings suggest that vitrification may negatively impact early embryonic viability, while the SO maternal uterine environment impairs both placental development and fetal growth in IVF.

scholarly journals Maternal choline supplementation during murine pregnancy modulates placental markers of inflammation, apoptosis and vascularization in a fetal sex-dependent manner

Placenta ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sze Ting (Cecilia) Kwan ◽  
Julia H. King ◽  
Jian Yan ◽  
Xinyin Jiang ◽  
Emily Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Fetal Sex ◽  
Markers Of Inflammation ◽  
Murine Pregnancy

scholarly journals Maternal Choline Supplementation Alters Fetal Growth Patterns in a Mouse Model of Placental Insufficiency

Nutrients ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia King ◽  
Sze Kwan ◽  
Jian Yan ◽  
Kevin Klatt ◽  
Xinyin Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Placental Insufficiency

scholarly journals Gene therapy via canalostomy approach preserves auditory and vestibular functions in a mouse model of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome type 2

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuewen Wu ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Yihui Li ◽  
Wenjuan Zhang ◽  
Jianjun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Mouse Model ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Viral Vectors ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Semicircular Canals ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Syndrome Type ◽  
Dose Dependent

AbstractMutations in voltage-gated potassium channel KCNE1 cause Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome type 2 (JLNS2), resulting in congenital deafness and vestibular dysfunction. We conducted gene therapy by injecting viral vectors using the canalostomy approach in Kcne1−/− mice to treat both the hearing and vestibular symptoms. Results showed early treatment prevented collapse of the Reissner’s membrane and vestibular wall, retained the normal size of the semicircular canals, and prevented the degeneration of inner ear cells. In a dose-dependent manner, the treatment preserved auditory (16 out of 20 mice) and vestibular (20/20) functions in mice treated with the high-dosage for at least five months. In the low-dosage group, a subgroup of mice (13/20) showed improvements only in the vestibular functions. Results supported that highly efficient transduction is one of the key factors for achieving the efficacy and maintaining the long-term therapeutic effect. Secondary outcomes of treatment included improved birth and litter survival rates. Our results demonstrated that gene therapy via the canalostomy approach, which has been considered to be one of the more feasible delivery methods for human inner ear gene therapy, preserved auditory and vestibular functions in a dose-dependent manner in a mouse model of JLNS2.

Maternal Marijuana Exposure, Feto-Placental Weight Ratio, and Placental Histology

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torri D. Metz ◽  
Amanda A. Allshouse ◽  
Halit Pinar ◽  
Michael Varner ◽  
Marcela C. Smid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Placental Weight ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Serum Cotinine ◽  
Fetal Sex ◽  
Live Births

Objective Marijuana use is associated with placenta-mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes including fetal growth restriction, but the mechanism remains uncertain. The objective was to evaluate the association between maternal marijuana use and the feto-placental weight ratio (FPR). Secondarily, we aimed to compare placental histology of women who used marijuana to those who did not. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of singleton pregnancies enrolled in a multicenter and case–control stillbirth study. Prior marijuana use was detected by electronic medical record abstraction or cord homogenate positive for 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid. Prior tobacco use was detected by self-report or presence of maternal serum cotinine. Stillbirths and live births were considered separately. The primary outcome was FPR. Association of marijuana use with FPR was estimated with multivariable linear modeling adjusted for fetal sex, preterm birth, and tobacco use. Comparisons between groups for placental histology were made using Chi-square and stratified by live birth and stillbirth, term and preterm deliveries, and fetal sex. Results Of 1,027 participants, 224 were stillbirths and 803 were live births. Overall, 41 (4%) women used marijuana during the pregnancy. The FPR ratio was lower among exposed offspring but reached statistical significance only for term stillbirths (mean 6.84 with marijuana use vs. mean 7.8 without use, p < 0.001). In multivariable modeling, marijuana use was not significantly associated with FPR (p = 0.09). There were no differences in histologic placental features among those with and without marijuana use overall or in stratified analyses. Conclusion Exposure to marijuana may not be associated with FPR. Similarly, there were no placental histologic features associated with marijuana exposure. Further study of the influence of maternal marijuana use on placental development and function is warranted to better understand the association between prenatal marijuana use and poor fetal growth. Key Points

scholarly journals Male Fetal Sex Affects Uteroplacental Angiogenesis in Growth Restriction Mouse Model†

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica F Hebert ◽  
Jess A Millar ◽  
Rahul Raghavan ◽  
Amie Romney ◽  
Jason E Podrabsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Killer Cell ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Growth Restriction ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Spiral Artery ◽  
Micro Computed Tomography ◽  
Fetal Sex ◽  
Maternal Genotype ◽  
Agt Gene

Abstract Abnormally increased angiotensin II activity related to maternal angiotensinogen (AGT) genetic variants, or aberrant receptor activation, is associated with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies and abnormal uterine spiral artery remodeling in humans. Our group studies a murine AGT gene titration transgenic (TG; 3-copies of the AGT gene) model, which has a 20% increase in AGT expression mimicking a common human AGT genetic variant (A[−6]G) associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and spiral artery pathology. We hypothesized that aberrant maternal AGT expression impacts pregnancy-induced uterine spiral artery angiogenesis in this mouse model leading to IUGR. We controlled for fetal sex and fetal genotype (e.g., only 2-copy wild-type [WT] progeny from WT and TG dams were included). Uteroplacental samples from WT and TG dams from early (days 6.5 and 8.5), mid (d12.5), and late (d16.5) gestation were studied to assess uterine natural killer cell (uNK) phenotypes, decidual metrial triangle angiogenic factors, placental growth and capillary density, placental transcriptomics, and placental nutrient transport. Spiral artery architecture was evaluated at day 16.5 by contrast-perfused three-dimensional micro-computed tomography (3D microCT). Our results suggest that uteroplacental angiogenesis is significantly reduced in TG dams at day 16.5. Males from TG dams are associated with significantly reduced uteroplacental angiogenesis from early to late gestation compared with their female littermates and WT controls. Angiogenesis was not different between fetal sexes from WT dams. We conclude that male fetal sex compounds the pathologic impact of maternal genotype in this mouse model of growth restriction.

scholarly journals Genomic imbalances in the placenta are associated with poor fetal growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia F. Del Gobbo ◽  
Yue Yin ◽  
Sanaa Choufani ◽  
Emma A. Butcher ◽  
John Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Growth ◽  
Sex Chromosome ◽  
Copy Number Variants ◽  
Placental Insufficiency ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Genomic Imbalances ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with increased risks for complications before, during, and after birth, in addition to risk of disease through to adulthood. Although placental insufficiency, failure to supply the fetus with adequate nutrients, underlies most cases of FGR, its causes are diverse and not fully understood. One of the few diagnosable causes of placental insufficiency in ongoing pregnancies is the presence of large chromosomal imbalances such as trisomy confined to the placenta; however, the impact of smaller copy number variants (CNVs) has not yet been adequately addressed. In this study, we confirm the importance of placental aneuploidy, and assess the potential contribution of CNVs to fetal growth. Methods We used molecular-cytogenetic approaches to identify aneuploidy in placentas from 101 infants born small-for-gestational age (SGA), typically used as a surrogate for FGR, and from 173 non-SGA controls from uncomplicated pregnancies. We confirmed aneuploidies and assessed mosaicism by microsatellite genotyping. We then profiled CNVs using high-resolution microarrays in a subset of 53 SGA and 61 control euploid placentas, and compared the load, impact, gene enrichment and clinical relevance of CNVs between groups. Candidate CNVs were confirmed using quantitative PCR. Results Aneuploidy was over tenfold more frequent in SGA-associated placentas compared to controls (11.9% vs. 1.1%; p = 0.0002, OR = 11.4, 95% CI 2.5–107.4), was confined to the placenta, and typically involved autosomes, whereas only sex chromosome abnormalities were observed in controls. We found no significant difference in CNV load or number of placental-expressed or imprinted genes in CNVs between SGA and controls, however, a rare and likely clinically-relevant germline CNV was identified in 5.7% of SGA cases. These CNVs involved candidate genes INHBB, HSD11B2, CTCF, and CSMD3. Conclusions We conclude that placental genomic imbalances at the cytogenetic and submicroscopic level may underlie up to ~ 18% of SGA cases in our population. This work contributes to the understanding of the underlying causes of placental insufficiency and FGR, which is important for counselling and prediction of long term outcomes for affected cases.

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