Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Joao Figueira Scarini, Natalia de Magalhaes Rodrigues, Wellington Lima Sabino, Ciro Soares, Thayna Melo de Lima Morais, Reydson Alcides de Lima-Souza, Livia Ramalho Crescencio, Rogerio de Oliveira Gondak, Fernanda Viviane Mariano, Albina Altemani, Erika Said Abu Egal
Summary: The study identified the predominance of M1 macrophages in inflamed areas of villitis of unknown etiology (VUE), indicating their influence in the pathogenesis of VUE. The higher presence of M2 in both inflamed villi and normal areas suggests a potential immunoregulatory mechanism in the inflammatory process of VUE.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Linda M. Ernst, Crystal Bockoven, Alexa Freedman, Vivien Wang, Matthew Pellerite, Todd N. Wylie, Kristine M. Wylie
Summary: Viruses, particularly herpesviruses, were more frequently detected in cases compared with controls. Antiviral pathways were upregulated in cases. VUE may have multiple inflammatory gene expression profiles.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Hadas Ganer Herman, Alexander Volodarsky-Perel, Tuyet Nhung Ton Nu, Alexandre Machado-Gedeon, Yiming Cui, Jonathan Shaul, Michael H. Dahan
Summary: The study investigates if obstetric outcomes and placental findings differ according to embryo quality in pregnancies conceived with IVF. The results suggest that pregnancies following the transfer of lower-quality embryos are associated with a higher rate of low-lying placentas and several adverse placental lesions.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Mekinian Arsene, Kamila Kolanska, Meryam Cheloufi, Aurore Coulomb, Jonathan Cohen, Noemie Abisror, Marie Bornes, Gilles Kayem, Jaume Alijotas-Reig, Olivier Fain
Summary: Villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) is characterized by lympho-histiocytic infiltrates in the villous stroma, which can have adverse effects on fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes. However, data on the management and treatment of VUE are extremely limited, with a need for prospective and well-designed studies to determine the real prevalence of adverse pregnancy events associated with VUE.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alexandra Bouariu, Nicolae Gica, Anca Marina Ciobanu, Ana Maria Scutelnicu, Mihaela Roxana Popescu, Anca Maria Panaitescu
Summary: The placenta serves as the connection between maternal and fetal circulation, established early in pregnancy. Chronic placental inflammatory (CPI) lesions can lead to various pregnancy complications, and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) shows potential in the treatment of CPI of unknown etiology.
Article
Developmental Biology
Brenden Osborne, Irina Oltean, Ewa Sucha, Nicholas Mitsakakis, Nick Barrowman, Shannon Bainbridge, Dina El Demellawy
Summary: The study found no statistical associations between distinct VUE features and FGR diagnosis, but the location of villitis may be associated with worse neonatal outcomes. Adjusting for prematurity < 37 weeks, there were lower odds of NICU admission in basal vs non-basal cases, indicating potential differences in neonatal outcomes based on VUE location.
Article
Developmental Biology
Brenden Osborne, Sonia R. Dancey, Erika Mery, Irina Oltean, Vid Bijelic, Joseph de Nanassy, Sarah L. Lawrence, Felipe Moretti, Dina El Demellawy
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the severity and distribution of villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) and adverse neonatal outcomes. The results showed a significant association between the severity and distribution of VUE and the need for newborn resuscitation, but no significant association with other neonatal outcomes of interest. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these associations for obstetric and neonatal case management.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lotte E. van der Meeren, Juliette Krop, Kyra L. Dijkstra, Kitty W. M. Bloemenkamp, Emily F. Cornish, Peter G. J. Nikkels, Marie-Louise P. van der Hoorn, Manon Bos
Summary: Chronic intervillositis of unknown etiology (CIUE) is a rare histopathological diagnosis of the placenta that is thought to be immunologically driven and related to human leukocyte antigen mismatches between the mother and the fetus. In cases of dizygotic twins where CIUE is present in only one placenta, it can lead to selective growth restriction in the affected twin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jefferson Terry, Mohamed A. Bedaiwy
Summary: This study uses digital spatial profiling to assess the pathogenetic mechanism of CIUE and reveals a specific profile of inflammatory mediators dominated by IFN signaling.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Hannah M. Scott, Ramila Mehta, Megan E. Branda, Jennifer Hughes, Sunanda V. Kane, Sylvie Girard, Andrew P. Norgan, Regan N. Theiler, Elizabeth Ann L. Enninga
Summary: This study investigated the effects of anti-TNF-alpha treatment in pregnant women with autoimmune diseases. The results showed that anti-TNF-alpha therapy did not significantly affect the occurrence of chronic villitis of unknown etiology or other obstetric complications. Therefore, this study supports the safety profile of biologic use in pregnancy.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Nora Hersoug Nedberg, Gitta Turowski, Katarzyna Guz, Ewa Przytula, Malgorzata Uhrynowska, Borghild Roald, Anne Husebekk, Vasilis Sitras, Mona Nystad, Marzena Debska, Ewa Brojer, Heidi Tiller
Summary: This study systematically examined placentas from pregnancies with maternal alloimmunization against HPA-1a, finding a significant association between chronic histiocytic intervillositis and maternal anti-HPA-1a antibodies. Maternal IVIg administration did not appear to protect against chronic inflammatory lesions.
Article
Cell Biology
Thomas Menter, Kirsten Diana Mertz, Sizun Jiang, Han Chen, Cecile Monod, Alexandar Tzankov, Salome Waldvogel, Sven M. Schulzke, Irene Hosli, Elisabeth Bruder
Summary: This study presented five cases of SARS-CoV-2-positive placentas from pregnant women with mild COVID-19 symptoms or who were asymptomatic. Only one patient showed symptoms of cough and dyspnoea. Histopathological analysis revealed signs of maternal and foetal malperfusion in all placentas, but there was no evidence of transplacental transmission to the infants. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in placental tissue and umbilical cord suggests a potential for infection of the placenta, but further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rachel L. Leon, Vinay Kalvacherla, Michelle Machie Andrews, Jennifer M. Thomas, Imran N. Mir, Lina F. Chalak
Summary: In this study, we found a birth prevalence of 1 in 6,829 infants for perinatal stroke in term born infants at our high-volume delivery center. Both gross and histologic placental pathologies associated with perinatal stroke were common. Perinatal risk factors were present in the majority of patients, and seizures were a common presenting symptom. Pathologic placental examination revealed a high rate of acute histologic chorioamnionitis and isolated umbilical and/or chorionic plate vasculitis in the cohort compared to a control group. Chronic inflammation in the form of villitis of unknown etiology was also frequently observed in the acutely inflamed placentas.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
A. A. Penn, P. Wintermark, L. F. Chalak, J. Armstrong, R. Redline, M. S. Scher, K. B. Nelson
Summary: Placental assessment is crucial in understanding the pathogenesis of Neonatal Encephalopathy, particularly in relation to placental dysfunction. Maternal and fetal factors affecting specific placental pathologies need to be taken into consideration, and comprehensive evaluations of the placenta across trimesters and after delivery are essential. Advanced prenatal molecular and imaging assessments of placenta, combined with placental histopathological examination methods, should be used in large representative population studies to further define the links between placental dysfunction and Neonatal Encephalopathy.
SEMINARS IN FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hadas Ganer Herman, Alexander Volodarsky-Perel, Tuyet Nhung Ton Nu, Alexandre Machado-Gedeon, Yiming Cui, Jonathan Shaul, Michael H. Dahan
Summary: The study found that obstetric outcomes were similar between ICSI and IVF treatments for non-male infertility. Placental histology also showed comparable results with some isolated differences. These findings are important for guiding clinicians and reassuring patients.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Pooya Mobadersany, Lee A. D. Cooper, Jeffery A. Goldstein
Summary: The authors utilized artificial intelligence to estimate gestational age from scanned placental images, developing attention and aggregation deep learning methods for higher accuracy. Abnormalities in the placenta can affect gestation, and machine learning can assist in diagnosing and studying these abnormalities.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Thalia Mok, Deisy Contreras, Ramen H. Chmait, Jeffrey Goldstein, Ilina D. Pluym, Khalil Tabsh, Grace Aldrovandi, Yalda Afshar
Summary: This case suggests that transplacental transmission may not occur after a second-trimester infection, but raises awareness of the potential downstream complications that may arise from early infection.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Madina Sukhanova, Leena B. Mithal, Sebastian Otero, Hooman A. Azad, Emily S. Miller, Lawrence J. Jennings, Elisheva D. Shanes, Jeffery A. Goldstein
Summary: This study aimed to determine the origin of blood in placental intervillous thrombi (IVTs) and found evidence supporting a maternal origin for IVTs. The use of immunohistochemistry for IgM and AFP was found to be clinically useful in determining maternal vs fetal contribution to IVTs.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexa A. Freedman, Britney P. Smart, Lauren S. Keenan-Devlin, Ann Borders, Linda M. Ernst, Gregory E. Miller
Summary: The study shows that individuals living in areas with higher eviction rates are more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially for those with low neighborhood and individual socioeconomic status who are likely to be renters and affected by local eviction policies.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Pathology
Elisheva D. Shanes, Emily S. Miller, Sebastian Otero, Rebecca Ebbott, Raveena Aggarwal, Antonia S. Willnow, Egon A. Ozer, Leena B. Mithal, Jeffery A. Goldstein
Summary: This study describes placental pathology after SARS-CoV-2 infection, categorizing it according to the predominant circulating variants. It finds an association between maternal vascular malperfusion and infection, with the risk varying over time and with increased disease severity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SURGICAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Abhineet M. Sharma, Robert Birkett, Erika T. Lin, Linda M. Ernst, William A. Grobman, Suchitra Swaminathan, Hiam Abdala-Valencia, Alexander Misharin, Elizabeth T. Bartom, Karen K. Mestan
Summary: Placental lesions are associated with unique changes in gene expression in fetal monocytes and monocyte subsets. Fetal monocytes exposed to acute placental inflammation upregulate biological processes related to monocyte activation, monocyte chemotaxis, and platelet function, while monocytes exposed to maternal vascular malperfusion lesions downregulate these processes. Intermediate monocytes might be a source of mitogens implicated in different outcomes related to prematurity.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sunitha C. Suresh, Alexa A. Freedman, Emmet Hirsch, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: This study analyzed the placental pathology histologic types in preterm births and found that high-grade chronic placental inflammation was associated with recurrent preterm birth. Low-grade maternal vascular malperfusion was associated with recurrent preterm birth only in early preterm births.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Raymond W. Redline, Drucilla J. Roberts, Mana M. Parast, Linda M. Ernst, Terry K. Morgan, Michael F. Greene, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, Judette M. Louis, Emin Maltepe, Karen K. Mestan, Roberto Romero, Joanne Stone
Summary: The importance of a fully functioning placenta for a good pregnancy outcome is unquestioned. Placental pathology has advanced the science and practice of obstetrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine. However, obstacles in incorporating placental findings into clinical studies and practice have existed. Nonetheless, the potential use of placental pathology for phenotypic classification, understanding adverse pregnancy outcomes, and developing treatment and prevention has never been greater. This review reexamines the role of placental pathology, explains current concepts and terminology, emphasizes the usefulness of specific diagnoses, and suggests future improvements.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Linda M. Ernst, Alexa Freedman, Erica Price, Andrew Franklin
Summary: The tapering of the ductus arteriosus in stillborn fetuses is associated with fetal vascular blood flow obstruction and more prevalent in cases with umbilical cord accident/FVM-related cause of death.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Kiran Manjee, Erica Price, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: This study compares the autopsy findings of second trimester and third trimester stillbirths and finds that the most common cause of death is pathologic placental conditions, particularly those associated with umbilical cord obstruction. The study emphasizes the importance of placenta examination in determining the cause of death in both second and third trimester fetuses.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Alexa A. A. Freedman, Erica Price, Andrew Franklin, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: Placental maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) is associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR). In autopsied stillbirths, it was found that stillbirths caused by MVM had relatively less impact on heart weight compared to body weight. Therefore, the effect of MVM on fetal cardiac structure is minimal and further research is needed in this area.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Michael K. Fritsch, Nina Gotteiner, Jamaal A. Rehman, Erica Price, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: This research identified that anomalies in the cardiac conduction system and thinning or discontinuity of the annulus fibrosus may lead to fetal atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia, resulting in refractory dysrhythmia.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jeffery A. Goldstein, Ramin Nateghi, Ismail Irmakci, Lee A. D. Cooper
Summary: In this study, a machine learning model was used to identify and classify placental parenchymal lesions. The overall balanced accuracy was 0.86, and the three lesions were successfully recognized. Attention maps were used to gain further insight into the model's function.
Article
Pathology
Ansa Mehreen, Sunitha Suresh, Alexa A. Freedman, Linda M. Ernst
Summary: This study compared the histopathology and CD15 expression in large for gestational age (LGA) placentas with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) placentas. The results showed that LGA placentas had increased expression of CD15 in villous capillary endothelium and a higher prevalence of fetal vascular malperfusion, delayed villous maturation, and villous chorangiosis. Therefore, LGA placentas have high-risk features compared to AGA placentas.
PEDIATRIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohamed Amgad, James M. Hodge, Maha A. T. Elsebaie, Clara Bodelon, Samantha Puvanesarajah, David A. Gutman, Kalliopi P. Siziopikou, Jeffery A. Goldstein, Mia M. Gaudet, Lauren R. Teras, Lee A. D. Cooper
Summary: HiPS is a robustly validated biomarker for evaluating the survival risk of breast tumor microenvironment morphology. It outperforms pathologists in predicting survival outcomes, particularly in terms of stromal and immune features.
