Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Long, Yan Huang, Zhengshan Tang, Yali Shan, Dou Feng, Wenqin Wang, Juan Liu, Ying Huang, Hang Gu, Dewei Guo, Ruojin Yao, Xin Ni
Summary: This study demonstrates that dysfunction of placental 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) contributes to the development of preeclampsia (PE) by causing mitochondrial dysfunction and mtDNA instability. These abnormalities impair trophoblast function and lead to the development of PE. The study also identifies excess ROS as a potential therapeutic target for treating PE.
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Xiang-Qun Hu, Lubo Zhang
Summary: Preeclampsia is a common complication in pregnancy, associated with high rates of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Mitochondrial abnormality is a major contributor to placental dysfunction, which is believed to be the cause of preeclampsia. Circulating bioactive factors released from the placenta can cause mitochondrial damage, leading to endothelial dysfunction and elevated maternal blood pressure.
CURRENT HYPERTENSION REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Peng Xu, Yeling Ma, Hongyu Wu, Yan-Ling Wang
Summary: Disorders in placental cells are closely associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and microRNAs in the placenta play important roles in regulating placental cell behaviors. Placental exosome miRNAs can potentially target maternal cells for intercellular communication between the mother and fetus, serving as novel biomarkers for predicting diseases such as preeclampsia. The transfer of placental miRNAs through exosomes may offer targeted strategies for diagnosing, prognosing, or treating preeclampsia.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Long, Yan Huang, Gang Wang, Zhengshan Tang, Yali Shan, Shiping Shen, Xin Ni
Summary: In this study, it was found that increased maternal glucocorticoid levels were a risk factor for the development of preeclampsia (PE). Pregnant rats exposed to dexamethasone (DEX) exhibited features of PE, impaired spiral artery remodeling, and elevated levels of certain circulatory markers. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology and dysfunction were observed in placentas of DEX rats. The use of a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant alleviated maternal hypertension and renal damage in the DEX-induced PE model. However, scavenging excess ROS did not improve intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and elevated levels of certain markers in DEX rats. These findings suggest that excess mitochondrial ROS contributes to trophoblast dysfunction, impaired spiral artery remodeling, reduced uteroplacental blood flow, and maternal hypertension in the DEX-induced PE model, while inflammation and impaired energy metabolism and IGF system may be associated with elevated levels of certain markers and IUGR.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fahmida Jahan, Goutham Vasam, Alex E. Green, Shannon A. Bainbridge, Keir J. Menzies
Summary: The placenta plays a crucial role in pregnancy, regulating various aspects such as adaptation to pregnancy, maternal-fetal exchange, and fetal development. Placental dysfunction, particularly in the case of preeclampsia, can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review examines the evidence of placental mitochondrial dysfunction in preeclampsia and discusses the potential of targeting mitochondria for therapeutic interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaotong Yang, Paula A. Benny, Elorri Cervera-Marzal, Biyu Wu, Cameron B. Lassiter, Joshua Astern, Lana X. Garmire
Summary: Variations in telomere length have been linked to aging, stress, and diseases. This study investigated the association between placental telomere length and preeclampsia. The results suggest that placental telomere length is not significantly different between severe preeclampsia cases and healthy controls, but it is negatively correlated with gestational age and influenced by race.
Review
Immunology
Xiaoqi Wei, Xiuhua Yang
Summary: Preeclampsia (PE) is a unique pregnancy-related disease that can cause maternal and perinatal mortality. Research suggests that natural killer (NK) cells play a central role in immune communication between the fetus and mother, and changes in their count or function may be the cause of PE. This review provides obstetricians with an updated report on the immunological roles of NK cells in PE and suggests that therapeutic measures targeting NK cells are necessary to maintain immune equilibrium.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Xiaoqi Wei, Xiuhua Yang
Summary: This study found that the expression of KIR2DS5 was significantly lower in preeclampsia patients. Overexpression of KIR2DS5 facilitated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of trophoblasts. Mechanistic study demonstrated a positive relationship between KIR2DS5 and GM-CSF. A decrease in KIR2DS5 could reduce the expression of GM-CSF via the JAK2/STAT5 pathway, resulting in the occurrence of preeclampsia.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oceane Pecheux, Ana Correia-Branco, Marie Cohen, Begona Martinez de Tejada
Summary: The apelinergic system is a highly conserved pleiotropic system that plays important roles in pregnancy and placenta-related complications. It is involved in the regulation of the adipoinsular axis, cardiovascular and central nervous systems, carcinogenesis, and embryo cardiogenesis and vasculogenesis during pregnancy. However, there are inconsistencies in the expression and circulating levels of its components in human placenta-associated preeclampsia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Brooke Armistead, Leena Kadam, Emily Siegwald, Fergus P. McCarthy, John C. Kingdom, Hamid-Reza Kohan-Ghadr, Sascha Drewlo
Summary: Preeclampsia is a severe hypertensive disorder of pregnancy caused by placental villi pathology leading to widespread maternal endothelial dysfunction. Modulating trophoblast differentiation pathway through PPAR gamma-GCM1 axis may reduce excessive sFLT1 production and improve clinical outcomes. Pharmacological manipulation of PPAR gamma activity shows potential to rescue the antiangiogenic state of preeclampsia.
Article
Cell Biology
Margarita L. Martinez-Fierro, Idalia Garza-Veloz
Summary: The study evaluated serum microRNA expression profiling and identified multiple microRNAs involved in preeclampsia development, affecting various signaling pathways. Specific microRNAs were differentially expressed in the serum of pregnant women before the development of preeclampsia.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reinaldo Marin, Flor H. Pujol, Deliana Rojas, Luis Sobrevia
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women leads to alterations in maternal and placental function, increasing the risk of preterm birth and caesarean delivery. Placentas of infected mothers show signs of vasculopathy and inflammation. The impact of maternal infection on the fetus and postnatal health is still unclear.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadja Kupper, Berthold Huppertz
Summary: This article discusses the importance of the placental exposome on maternal health and normal pregnancy development, as well as the role and interaction of placenta-derived extracellular vesicles in this process.
MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jessica Milano-Foster, Laura C. Schulz
Summary: Researching preeclampsia is challenging due to the unique characteristics of the human placenta. The mouse model, commonly used for studying diseases, is not ideal due to differences in placental structure. Human placental tissues from affected pregnancies can assess the damage caused by preeclampsia, but cannot determine its onset. Although various animal and cell culture models can partially replicate preeclampsia, none can fully capture its complexity.
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lingli Li, Luping Liu, YuYue Xu
Summary: A meta-analysis explored the potential relationship between hypertensive disease during pregnancy and placenta accreta, finding that hypertensive disease during pregnancy was associated with a lower prevalence of placenta accreta.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Stephanie Galibert, Emerson Keenan, Roxanne Hastie, Fiona C. Brownfoot
Summary: The study aimed to investigate delivery indications for late preterm preeclampsia in women. It found that majority of women were delivered due to maternal disease progression rather than fetal compromise. Intrauterine growth restriction and abnormal Dopplers were identified as predictors for delivery for fetal indications.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Faith Andres, Georgia P. Wong, Susan P. Walker, Teresa M. MacDonald, Emerson Keenan, Ping Cannon, Tuong-Vi Nguyen, Natalie J. Hannan, Stephen Tong, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino
Summary: The circulating ADAM12 levels in the first trimester are reduced in fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. This study validates ADAM12 as a biomarker for small for gestational age infants near term, but its predictive value for preeclampsia is inconsistent.
Article
Developmental Biology
Yann W. Yap, Natalie J. Hannan, Euan M. Wallace, Sarah A. Marshall
Summary: Nrf proteins have been found to play a crucial role in placental-derived oxidative stress-induced pregnancy disorders. Successful silencing of Nrf proteins in human cells has been achieved for further research.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Teresa M. MacDonald, Susan P. Walker, Natalie J. Hannan, Stephen Tong, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino
Summary: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disease that has a significant impact on maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Currently, there are limited options for predicting and diagnosing preeclampsia, and further research is needed to identify effective tests and biomarkers.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ciara N. Murphy, Catherine A. Cluver, Susan P. Walker, Emerson Keenan, Roxanne Hastie, Teresa M. MacDonald, Natalie J. Hannan, Fiona C. Brownfoot, Ping Cannon, Stephen Tong, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino
Summary: This study is the first to demonstrate significantly reduced SPINT1 levels in pregnancies with co-existing FGR and preeclampsia.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Lucy A. Bartho, Daniel R. McKeating, Natalie J. Hannan, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino, Anthony Perkins
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between genes related to mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and cellular senescence in placentae affected by pregnancy complications. The findings suggest that genes associated with mitochondrial dynamics and aging undergo changes in placentae affected by pregnancy pathologies. The TOMM20/PARK2 ratio may be a promising marker for distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy placental tissue.
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Roxanne Hastie, Lina Bergman, Susan P. Walker, Tu'uhevaha Kaitu'u-Lino, Natalie J. Hannan, Fiona Brownfoot, Sonja Schell, Alesia Harper, Ping Cannon, Catherine A. Cluver, Stephen Tong
Summary: The study shows that there is an association between circulating sFlt-1 and PlGF levels and severe adverse maternal outcomes among women with preeclampsia, with levels becoming more deranged with increasing disease severity. This suggests that further angiogenic imbalance may be a pathogenic disease driver responsible for the life-threatening maternal complications in preeclampsia.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Review
Developmental Biology
Bridget M. Arman, Natalie K. Binder, Natasha de Alwis, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino, Natalie J. Hannan
Summary: Preterm birth is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current therapies for preterm birth have limited effectiveness. This review explores the potential of repurposing drugs with known safety profiles to prevent or treat preterm birth.
Article
Developmental Biology
Natalie K. Binder, Natasha de Alwis, Sally Beard, Elif Kadife, Alesia Harper, Tuuhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino, Fiona C. Brownfoot, Natalie J. Hannan
Summary: The anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine has been identified as a potential therapeutic for the treatment of preeclampsia, as it effectively mitigates endothelial dysfunction and promotes vasodilation. However, in a mouse model, sulfasalazine had limited effects on blood pressure and fetal growth.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Angela X. Chen, Rod W. Hunt, Kirsten R. Palmer, Claudia F. Bull, Emily J. Callander
Summary: Conception via in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and ovulation induction (OI) is associated with an increased risk of breech presentation, according to a cohort study in Queensland, Australia. The study suggests that the increased risk is similar for both IVF and OI pregnancies, and low birthweight is the most significant mediating factor for breech presentation in these pregnancies.
AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino, Lucy A. Bartho, Stephen Tong
Summary: A blood test measuring cell-free DNA methylation in early pregnancy may provide a novel method to predict the risk of preterm pre-eclampsia.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Neville J. Fields, Kirsten R. Palmer, Daniel L. Rolnik, Jennifer Yo, Marcel F. Nold, Michelle L. Giles, Sushena Krishnaswamy, Ary Serpa Neto, Ryan J. Hodges, Sarah A. Marshall, Bruce W. Hollis
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effects of using a broccoli sprout supplement on the duration of symptoms, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and biomarkers in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection. By conducting a pilot, double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized trial, researchers plan to enroll 60 pregnant women with COVID-19 and treat them for 14 days, assessing the feasibility and safety of the broccoli sprout supplement.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kirstin Tindal, Caitlin E. Filby, Caroline E. Gargett, Fiona Cousins, Kirsten Rebecca Palmer, Beverley Vollenhoven, Miranda Davies-Tuck
Summary: Current research on stillbirth focuses on the role of the placenta, but the origins of poor placental function leading to stillbirth are poorly understood. The endometrial environment has been shown to affect pregnancy outcomes, and menstrual fluid might hold potential in studying adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to compare menstrual fluid and menstrual cycle characteristics between women with preterm stillbirth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes, and those with healthy term births, and to determine the association between menstrual fluid composition and menstrual cycle characteristics.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Madeleine N. Jones, Kirsten R. Palmer, Maleesa M. Pathirana, Jose Guilherme Cecatti, Olimpio B. Moraes Filho, Lena Marions, Mans Edlund, Martina Prager, Craig Pennell, Jan E. Dickinson, Nelson Sass, Marta Jozwiak, Mieke Ten Eikelder, Katrien Oude Rengerink, Kitty W. M. Bloemenkamp, Amanda Henry, Ellen C. L. Lokkegaard, Ib Jarle Christensen, Jeff M. Szychowski, Rodney K. Edwards, Michael Beckmann, Caroline Diguisto, Amelie Le Gouge, Franck Perrotin, Ian Symonds, Sean O'Leary, Daniel L. Rolnik, Ben W. Mol, Wentao Li
Summary: This meta-analysis compares the effectiveness and safety profiles of balloon catheters and vaginal prostaglandins for cervical ripening before labor induction. Balloon catheters and vaginal prostaglandins have comparable cesarean delivery rates and maternal safety profiles, but balloon catheters lead to fewer adverse perinatal events.