Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Wen Huang, Jin Zhou, Juanjuan Guo, Wen Hu, Guanghui Chen, Bin Li, Yajie Wen, Yimin Jiang, Kaili Fu, Huichang Bi, Yuanzhen Zhang, Hui Wang
Summary: Prenatal dexamethasone exposure can have lasting adverse effects on bile acid metabolism in offspring by affecting placental BA transporters and inducing imbalanced fetal-placental-maternal BA circulation, leading to increased levels of primary BAs in fetal serum.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Masanori Ono, Natsumi Toyoda, Kyosuke Kagami, Takashi Hosono, Takeo Matsumoto, Shin-ichi Horike, Rena Yamazaki, Mitsuhiro Nakamura, Yasunari Mizumoto, Tomoko Fujiwara, Hitoshi Ando, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Takiko Daikoku
Summary: Recent research has shown that the expression of the uterine gene BMAL1 is reduced in the endometrium of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion. By studying mice, it was found that conditional deletion of the uterine clock gene Bmal1 resulted in mice being able to undergo embryo implantation but unable to sustain pregnancy. Gene ontology analysis revealed suppressed function of uterine NK cells in these mice. Histological examination also showed poor formation of maternal vascular spaces in the placenta. However, progesterone supplementation prolonged pregnancy in some mice and recruited specific NK cells in the spongiotrophoblast layer.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Bianca M. Goncalves, Jones B. Graceli, Paula B. da Rocha, Helena P. Tilli, Ester M. Vieira, Maria T. de Sibio, Vinicius V. Peghinelli, Igor C. Depra, Lucas S. Mathias, Regiane M. C. Olimpio, Virginia C. Belik, Celia R. Nogueira
Summary: The placenta is a temporary organ that plays critical roles at the maternal-fetal interface. Its normal development and function depend on hormonal signaling pathways, which also make it vulnerable to endocrine disrupting chemicals. New placental models have been developed to assess and prevent developmental toxic harm caused by these chemicals. This review focuses on discussing the newest in vitro models for understanding the maternal-fetal interface and predicting placental development, physiology, and dysfunction.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Leslie A. Lekatz, Praveen Shukla, Stephen T. O'Rourke, Christopher S. Schauer, Megan L. Van Emon, Kasey R. Maddock-Carlin, Kimberly A. Vonnahme
Summary: This study hypothesized that isocaloric diets low in protein would decrease the sensitivity of caruncular and cotyledonary arteries. The results showed that low protein intake increased the sensitivity of cotyledonary arteries to low doses of potassium chloride, while caruncular arteries of ewes on 80% MP diet were more sensitive to bradykinin compared to ewes on 60% and 100% MP diets.
Review
Neurosciences
Chaselyn Ruffaner-Hanson, Shahani Noor, Melody S. Sun, Elizabeth Solomon, Lidia Enriquez Marquez, Dominique E. Rodriguez, Andrea M. Allan, Kevin K. Caldwell, Ludmila N. Bakhireva, Erin D. Milligan
Summary: This review explores the physiological, cellular, and molecular factors that are involved in the alteration of the developing fetal brain stress circuits and responses of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis caused by maternal stress and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). The role of the placenta in these processes is emphasized. Alterations in the fetal HPA axis can lead to long-term dysregulation of the brain stress-response system. The review also addresses the reciprocal interactions between the neuroimmune and neuroendocrine systems during fetal development, as well as the impact of maternal stress and PAE on later-life stress responses and mood dysregulation.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Davidson Peruci Moreira, Yves Moreira Ribeiro, Camila Stephanie Ferreira, Samyra Maria dos Santos Nassif Lacerda, Elizete Rizzo
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to environmentally relevant ACE concentrations on multiple reproductive parameters in zebrafish. The results showed that ACE impaired the reproductive performance of zebrafish, including a decrease in egg and sperm quantity and quality, as well as an imbalance of sex steroids and prostaglandin E-2 levels. These findings indicate the impact of ACE on the reproductive ability of aquatic species.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Nykola L. Kent, Sharat C. Atluri, Karen M. Moritz, James S. M. Cuffe
Summary: Maternal hypothyroidism affects placental nutrient transporter expression, placental morphology, and placental metabolism, thereby leading to fetal growth restriction. It reduces fetal weight, impairs placental efficiency, and alters the ratio of the junctional zone to the labyrinth zone. Additionally, it induces changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in the placenta, with sex-specific effects on mitochondria and nutrient transporters.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christina Stern, Sarah Schwarz, Gerit Moser, Silvija Cvitic, Evelyn Jantscher-Krenn, Martin Gauster, Ursula Hiden
Summary: During pregnancy, the placenta plays a crucial role in regulating maternal physiology by secreting a variety of hormones and proteins. Maternal insulin resistance increases to supply glucose for the developing fetus, with a compensation in beta-cell mass and function. Sex differences may influence placenta-derived hormones and proteins, impacting the regulation of maternal glucose metabolism.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Thais de Merici Domingues e Paula, Lucas Carvalho Cardoso, Fernando Felicioni, Andre Lucas Caldeira-Brant, Thais Garcia Santos, Hortencia Castro-Oliveira, Gustavo Batista Menezes, Enrrico Bloise, Helio Chiarini-Garcia, Fernanda Radicchi Campos Lobato de Almeida
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of maternal chronic caffeine intake on placental morphofunctional alterations and fetal growth. The results showed that caffeine had detrimental effects on fetal growth and placental vasculature in mice.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Song Ah Chae, Jun Seok Son, Min Du
Summary: Studies have shown that physical activity during pregnancy can enhance oxidative metabolism and improve placental function, while the release of placentokines plays a crucial role in fetal development and maternal metabolism. However, current research is mainly limited to rodents, and further exploration is needed to understand the effects of maternal exercise on placental function and fetal development.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caiyun Ge, Ting Geng, Lin Cheng, Yuanzhen Zhang
Summary: Maternal exposure to PCB118 was found to have adverse effects on placental angiogenesis and fetal growth. PCB118 exposure caused decreased fetal body and placental weights, increased rates of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), impaired placental histology, decreased number of blood vessels, and anomalous mRNA expression of genes related to angiogenesis in the placenta.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patrice Rat, Pascale Leproux, Sophie Fouyet, Elodie Olivier
Summary: This study evaluated the placental toxicity of Forskolin in pregnant women. The results showed that Forskolin activated P2X7 receptors and disrupted the secretion of estradiol, progesterone, hPL, and hyperglycosylated hCG in placental cells. This suggests that Forskolin may pose risks to pregnant women and should be restricted.
Article
Developmental Biology
Kimberly O. O'Brien
Summary: The human placenta is a specialized organ responsible for housing and nourishing the fetus during pregnancy. Iron is an essential nutrient for successful pregnancy outcomes, but iron deficiency is common in pregnant women. Hormones produced by the mother, placenta, and fetus play important roles in iron homeostasis, but their functions vary in each compartment. Further research is needed to understand the partitioning of iron between these compartments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zorimar Rivera-Nunez, Carolyn W. Kinkade, Leena Khoury, Jessica Brunner, Hannah Murphy, Christina Wang, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Richard K. Miller, Thomas G. O'Connor, Emily S. Barrett
Summary: The study found that maternal serum levels of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are associated with sex steroid hormone levels during pregnancy. Specifically, PFHxS is associated with increased testosterone levels in male fetuses, while PFNA and PFDA are associated with increased free testosterone levels in male fetuses. For female fetuses, PFHxS is associated with increased levels of estradiol and estriol. No associations were found for PFOS and PFOA.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yingya Zhao, Pengpeng Wang, Yuhan Zhou, Bin Xia, Qingyang Zhu, Wenzhen Ge, Jialin Li, Huijing Shi, Xirong Xiao, Yunhui Zhang
Summary: This study examined the impact of prenatal PM2.5 exposure on fetal growth and placental epigenetic mechanisms in Chinese women. Results showed that increased PM2.5 exposure was associated with reduced fetal growth characteristics and aberrant changes in placental DNA methylation.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Marie Albrecht, Mirja Pagenkemper, Christian Wiessner, Michael Spohn, Marc Luetgehetmann, Henning Jacobsen, Gulsah Gabriel, Dimitra E. Zazara, Christoph Haertel, Kurt Hecher, Anke Diemert, Petra Clara Arck
Summary: Neonatal passive immunity, derived from the transplacental transfer of IgG antibodies from mother to fetus during pregnancy, can reduce the risk of severe infections in the early postnatal period. Factors such as placental function and IgG levels in mothers play a crucial role in this process. Higher levels of anti-influenza A IgG in cord blood are associated with a reduced risk of respiratory tract infections in infants. Vaccination of pregnant women against influenza can increase neonatal antibody levels and protect against early life respiratory infections.
Review
Immunology
Dennis Yuezen, Petra Clara Arck, Kristin Thiele
Summary: The understanding of immune system organization has been challenged recently, as it was found that immune cells can reside in tissues instead of circulating. However, research on tissue-resident immunity in the female reproductive tract is lacking. This review focuses on the characteristics and functional roles of tissue-resident immune cells in the vagina, endometrium, decidua, and highlights their importance in reproductive health.
SEMINARS IN IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Susanne Mudra, Ariane Goebel, Eva Moehler, Lydia Yao Stuhrmann, Michael Schulte-Markwort, Petra Arck, Kurt Hecher, Anke Diemert
Summary: The study found that both infant and maternal factors are predictive of the development of behavioral inhibition in toddlerhood. Maternal pregnancy-related anxiety was associated with more overprotective parenting and infants with more distress to novelty, which in turn were related to greater behavioral inhibition. The stability of infant distress to novelty was also found to be a predictor of later behavioral inhibition.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Dominik Noerz, Susanne Pfefferle, Thomas T. Brehm, Gefion Franke, Ilka Grewe, Birte Knobling, Martin Aepfelbacher, Samuel Huber, Eva M. Klupp, Sabine Jordan, Marylyn M. Addo, Julian Schulze zur Wiesch, Stefan Schmiedel, Marc Luetgehetmann, Johannes K. Knobloch
Summary: The study investigated the environmental contamination of monkeypox virus on surfaces in hospital rooms occupied by patients. High concentrations of viral copies were detected on inanimate surfaces and the virus was successfully isolated from these surfaces. These findings emphasize the importance of strict adherence to protective measures by hospital staff and suggest pre-exposure or early post-exposure vaccination for individuals at risk.
Article
Immunology
Flaminia Olearo, Laura-Sophie Radmanesh, Nadine Felber, Ronald von Possel, Petra Emmerich, Neele Pekarek, Susanne Pfefferle, Dominik Noerz, Gudula Hansen, Anke Diemert, Martin Aepfelbacher, Kurt Hecher, Marc Luetgehetmann, Petra Clara Arck, Ann-Christin Tallarek
Summary: This study found a moderate positive correlation between antibody levels in maternal serum and breast milk, with significantly higher anti-RBD IgA/M/G transfer in breast milk of COVID-19 recovered women who were vaccinated during lactation. Breast milk antibodies had neutralization capacities against early pandemic and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Leon Cords, Maximilian Knapp, Robin Woost, Sophia Schulte, Silke Kummer, Christin Ackermann, Claudia Beisel, Sven Peine, Alexandra Marta Johansson, William Wai-Hung Kwok, Thomas Guenther, Nicole Fischer, Melanie Wittner, Marylyn Martina Addo, Samuel Huber, Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
Summary: This study longitudinally assessed the ex vivo frequency and phenotype of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4(+) T-cells in an anti-CD20-treated patient and an immunocompetent patient. The results showed a high and stable CD4(+) T-cell response in both patients, with higher frequencies in the B-cell-depleted patient. However, the B-cell-depleted patient had an altered CD4(+) T-cell phenotype and weaker antiviral effect.
Article
Immunology
Nils H. Wildner, Andreas Walker, Franziska Brauneck, Vanessa Ditt, Sven Peine, Samuel Huber, Friedrich Haag, Claudia Beisel, Joerg Timm, Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
Summary: TOX is a key regulator in HCV-specific CD8+ T cell exhaustion, and its co-expression with Eomesodermin is associated with terminally exhausted phenotype of virus-specific CD8+ T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Thomas Theo Brehm, Felix Ullrich, Michelle Thompson, Julia Kuechen, Dorothee Schwinge, Anthea Spier, Samuel Huber, Johannes K. Knobloch, Martin Aepfelbacher, Marylyn M. Addo, Ansgar W. Lohse, Marc Luetgehetmann, Julian Schulze zur Wiesch
Summary: This study indicates that three exposures to the viral spike protein through either SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 vaccination are necessary to elicit particularly strong humoral immune responses.
Article
Immunology
Gabor A. Dunay, Madalena Barroso, Mathias Woidy, Marta K. Danecka, Geraldine Engels, Katharina Hermann, Friederike S. Neumann, Kevin Paul, Jan Beime, Gabriele Escherich, Kristin Fehse, Lev Grinstein, Franziska Haniel, Luka J. Haupt, Laura Hecher, Torben Kehl, Christoph Kemen, Markus J. Kemper, Robin Kobbe, Aloisa Kohl, Thomas Klokow, Dominik Noerz, Jakob Olfe, Friderike Schlenker, Jessica Schmiesing, Johanna Schrum, Freya Sibbertsen, Philippe Stock, Stephan Tiede, Eik Vettorazzi, Dimitra E. Zazara, Antonia Zapf, Marc Luetgehetmann, Jun Oh, Thomas S. Mir, Ania C. Muntau, Soren W. Gersting
Summary: This study investigates the long-term immune response of children to SARS-CoV-2. They found that children have higher antibody levels and lower seroprevalence in families with pediatric index cases in a low-incidence setting. Children show sustained antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mariella Weiss, Lola C. Hernandez, Diana Gil C. Montoya, Anke Loehndorf, Aileen Krueger, Miriam Kopdag, Liana Uebler, Marie Landwehr, Mikolaj Nawrocki, Samuel Huber, Lena-Marie Woelk, Rene Werner, Antonio V. Failla, Alexander Fluegel, Genevieve Dupont, Andreas H. Guse, Bjoern-Philipp Diercks
Summary: During immune response, T cells migrate into inflamed tissues by moving across the endothelium and extracellular matrix. Integrins facilitate T cell binding to endothelial cells and extracellular matrix proteins. Adhesion to ECM proteins triggers Ca2+ microdomains formation, increasing the sensitivity of T cells to activation.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dennis Yuezen, Isabel Graf, Ann-Christin Tallarek, Bettina Hollwitz, Christian Wiessner, Ekkehard Schleussner, Detlef Stammer, Amy Padula, Kurt Hecher, Petra Clara Arck, Anke Diemert
Summary: Climate change, especially exposure to heat, has a negative impact on human health and can lead to diseases. This study conducted in Hamburg, Germany, reveals that extreme heat and prolonged heat exposure increase the risk of preterm birth in a temperate climate region. The critical period of heat exposure was found to be between gestational ages 34-37 weeks, and pregnancies with female fetuses were more susceptible to heat stress-induced preterm birth. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring and providing appropriate care for pregnant women at risk in temperate climate regions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dennis Yuezen, Christopher Urbschat, Steven Schepanski, Kristin Thiele, Petra C. Arck, Hans-Willi Mittruecker
Summary: Neonatal health is influenced by maternal antibodies and cells that are transferred to the fetus. Maternal microchimeric cells (MMc) can persist in the offspring and promote neonatal immunity against infections. These cells can transfer immune memory between generations and have the potential to clear pathogen threats in the offspring.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Agnes Wittek, Babett Steglich, Christian Casar, Oliver Seiz, Philipp Huber, Hanno Ehlken, Dominik Reher, Sandra Wende, Tanja Bedke, Jan Kempski, Marius Boettcher, Corinna Bang, Louise Thingholm, Till Krech, Ansgar W. Lohse, Guido Sauter, Thomas Roesch, Andre Franke, Christoph Schramm, Nicola Gagliani, Penelope Pelczar, Samuel Huber
Summary: It is found that patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have a gradient of intestinal inflammation, even in the absence of clinically manifest inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This has implications for their therapy and the surveillance of colorectal cancer.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Kristin Thiele, Petra Clara Arck
Summary: Pregnancy is a complex process of dynamic adaptations that occur at specific sites of the maternal body and unfold over a period of time. Spatially-resolved transcriptomic analyses now allow for a comprehensive decoding of these dynamic adaptations during the early stages of mammalian pregnancies and fetal development.
TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Vincent Joerg, Bernhard Scheiner, Antonio D'Alessio, Claudia A. M. Fulgenzi, Martin Schoenlein, Lorenz Kocheise, Ansgar W. Lohse, Samuel Huber, Henning Wege, Ahmed Kaseb, Yinghong Wang, Antony Mathew, Andrew Kuang, Mahvish Muzaffar, Yehia I. Abugabal, Shadi Chamseddine, Samuel Phen, Jaekyung Cheon, Pei-Chang Lee, Lorenz Balcar, Anja Krall, Celina Ang, Linda Wu, Anwaar Saeed, Yi-Hsiang Huang, Bertram Bengsch, Lorenza Rimassa, Arndt Weinmann, Rudolf Stauber, James Korolewicz, Matthias Pinter, Amit G. Singal, Hong Jae Chon, David J. Pinato, Kornelius Schulze, Johann von Felden
Summary: This study found that the combination treatment of atezolizumab and bevacizumab showed good efficacy and safety in patients with HCC who had previously received systemic therapy.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
