Review
Immunology
Margaret G. Petroff, Sean L. Nguyen, Soo Hyun Ahn
Summary: Reproductive physiology and immunology have independent histories. Observations by ancient Greek physicians and philosophers laid the foundation for understanding regeneration, illness, and immunity. Scientific enlightenment and technological advances have contributed to the explosion of knowledge. Medawar's discovery of acquired immunological tolerance and his recognition of the unique nature of the fetus initiated the field of reproductive immunology. The analogy of the fetus to a successful allograft has helped in understanding its ability to thrive despite immunological disparities with the mother.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Anya L. Arthurs, Melanie D. Smith, Mhyles D. Hintural, James Breen, Dylan McCullough, Francesca I. Thornton, Shalem Y. Leemaqz, Gustaaf A. Dekker, Tanja Jankovic-Karasoulos, Claire T. Roberts
Summary: Parturition signals the end of immune tolerance in pregnancy. The activation of placental inflammasome differs in terms of mode of delivery and neonatal sex. Assessing placental inflammasome activation may identify babies who have been exposed to aberrant inflammation at birth.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natasha de Alwis, Sally Beard, Natalie K. Binder, Natasha Pritchard, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino, Susan P. Walker, Owen Stock, Katie Groom, Scott Petersen, Amanda Henry, Joanne M. Said, Sean Seeho, Stefan C. Kane, Stephen Tong, Lisa Hui, Natalie J. Hannan
Summary: Elevated levels of OLAH in the placenta may be associated with placental dysfunction in pregnancies complicated by preterm preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Further research is required to understand the role of OLAH in the placenta, and whether these changes are a maternal adaptation or consequence of disease.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hana Horackova, Rona Karahoda, Lukas Cerveny, Veronika Vachalova, Ronja Ebner, Cilia Abad, Frantisek Staud
Summary: Depression is common during pregnancy and many women are prescribed antidepressants. These drugs may disrupt serotonin homeostasis in the placenta or fetus, potentially leading to adverse effects of antidepressant use during pregnancy.
Article
Virology
Maria Y. Valdespino-Vazquez, Cecilia A. Helguera-Repetto, Moises Leon-Juarez, Oscar Villavicencio-Carrisoza, Arturo Flores-Pliego, Elsa R. Moreno-Verduzco, Diana L. Diaz-Perez, Isabel Villegas-Mota, Elba Carrasco-Ramirez, Irma E. Lopez-Martinez, David M. Giraldo-Gomez, Rosalia Lira, Martha Yocupicio-Monroy, Mario Rodriguez-Bosch, Edgar E. Sevilla-Reyes, Manuel Cortes-Bonilla, Sandra Acevedo-Gallegos, Horacio Merchant-Larios, Jorge Arturo Cardona-Perez, Claudine Irles
Summary: The study found that congenital SARS-CoV-2 infection is possible during the first trimester of pregnancy, leading to damage in placenta and fetal organs, with organs like lungs and kidneys being specific targets for the coronavirus.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah M. Kedziora, Benedikt Obermayer, Meryam Sugulle, Florian Herse, Kristin Kraeker, Nadine Haase, Immaculate M. Langmia, Dominik N. Muller, Anne Cathrine Staff, Dieter Beule, Ralf Dechend
Summary: The placenta is a temporary organ with a unique structure and function to ensure healthy fetal development. Placental dysfunction caused by diabetes affects placental metabolism, inflammation, and weight, but the main driver of gene expression differences in the placenta is fetal sex.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Stupak, Tomasz Geca, Anna Kwasniewska, Radoslaw Mlak, Pawel Piwowarczyk, Robert Nawrot, Anna Gozdzicka-Jozefiak, Wojciech Kwasniewski
Summary: A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the impact of bacteria on placental development and function in pregnancies with late fetal growth restriction (FGR). The presence of microorganisms in various components of the pregnancy disproves the theory of the sterile uterus. Bacterial infections have been linked to maternal overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and can cause both short- and long-term problems.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Gabriel Gomes Araujo, Rinaldo Rodrigues dos Passos Junior, Rosaline Rocha Lunardi, Gustavo Tadeu Volpato, Thaigra Sousa Soares, Fernanda Regina Giachini, Victor Vitorino Lima
Summary: This study evaluated the use of etanercept during pregnancy and found that it can cause harm to the fetus and placenta. However, further studies are needed to determine the appropriate dosage and potential risks.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hannah C. Geisler, Hannah C. Safford, Michael J. Mitchell
Summary: The placenta, a temporary organ during pregnancy, plays a vital role in regulating exchange between maternal and fetal circulation. Placental disorders such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placenta accreta spectrum, and gestational trophoblastic disease arise from abnormal placental development and can lead to severe complications. Nanomedicine offers potential solutions to these disorders by selectively delivering therapeutics to the placenta while protecting the fetus. This review discusses nanomedicine strategies to diagnose and treat placental disorders and highlights novel disease targets for the rational design of precision nanocarriers.
Review
Neurosciences
Eric M. Chin, Nicole Gorny, Maya Logan, Alexander H. Hoon
Summary: Accumulating evidence has revealed that various seemingly unrelated factors are associated with the susceptibility to cerebral palsy, including prenatal and perinatal environmental factors and fetal health. These factors accumulate and increase the risk of cerebral palsy during different developmental stages.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Lisa A. Vrooman, Eric A. Rhon-Calderon, Kashviya V. Suri, Asha K. Dahiya, Yemin Lan, Richard M. Schultz, Marisa S. Bartolomei
Summary: Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) involve manipulating gametes and embryos in vitro to produce offspring. ART pregnancies have increased risks of low birth weight, abnormal placenta formation, pregnancy complications, and imprinting disorders. This study found that embryo culture during specific stages of preimplantation development can lead to reduced fetal:placental ratio, abnormal placental morphology, and reduced DNA methylation in placentas. The findings also suggest that extended culture to the blastocyst stage induces additional placental DNA methylation changes compared to embryos transferred at the morula stage, and there are sex differences in DNA methylation loss. By identifying the vulnerable developmental windows, this study provides a basis for optimizing culture conditions to reduce risks associated with ART pregnancies.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Chien-Chu Huang, Ya-Wen Hsueh, Chia-Wei Chang, Hsi-Chen Hsu, Tung-Chuan Yang, Wu-Chou Lin, Hsun-Ming Chang
Summary: Early pregnancy is a complex process involving cellular elements of the fetal-maternal interface, and abnormalities in trophoblast-decidual interactions can lead to miscarriage and later pregnancy disorders. Although research has been performed in various species, there is significant species variation in trophoblast differentiation and gene regulation. Recent advancements in technology have allowed a comprehensive understanding of human implantation and placentation, and the clinical utility of fetal-maternal cellular trafficking has been explored for prenatal diagnosis and prediction of pregnancy complications. Therapeutic strategies targeting placenta-enriched molecules have also been proposed for placental dysfunction and diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashley S. Meakin, James S. M. Cuffe, Jack R. T. Darby, Janna L. Morrison, Vicki L. Clifton
Summary: Males prioritize growth pathways to maximize reproductive success from infancy to adulthood, which may make them less adaptable to in-utero environment shifts. Females, on the other hand, are more adaptable to changes in utero environment but at the cost of growth, reducing the risk of certain poor outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xie Peng, Xuelin Cai, Jian Li, Yingyan Huang, Hao Liu, Jiaqi He, Zhengfeng Fang, Bin Feng, Jiayong Tang, Yan Lin, Xuemei Jiang, Liang Hu, Shengyu Xu, Yong Zhuo, Lianqiang Che, De Wu
Summary: The study found that dietary supplementation of melatonin during pregnancy can increase placental weight, reduce the proportion of piglets born with lower birth weight, and improve maternal-placental-fetal redox status and reproductive performance. Additionally, dietary melatonin can enhance placental antioxidant status, inflammatory response, and mitochondrial function.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Natalie B. Duncan, Katy S. Stoecklein, Andrew P. Foote, Allison M. Meyer
Summary: This study compared the effects of dam parity on perinatal nutrient availability in beef cattle. The results showed that calves born to first-parity dams were smaller at birth, had smaller placentas, but required more energy and exhibited more stress as neonates. These findings provide opportunities for improved management of first-parity dams.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Tamsin S. Barnes, Annierica Lajarca, Rona Bernales, Paul John J. Alvaran, Flora Shiela Abe, Florencio Adonay, Alvin G. Allam, Augusto S. Baluyut, Ronilo O. de Castro, Corazon S. Ignacio, Tessa Lyrene D. C. Lantican, Eduardo L. Lapuz, Jommel Lasay, Milagros R. Mananggit, Joanne Meers, Sarah Jane Moog, Gomathy Palaniappan, Chiara Palmieri, Christopher R. Parke, Joy Sybil Rosales, Marlon Tapel, Johannes Tolentino, Conny Turni, Lorelie Villarba, Edwin C. Villar, Patrick J. Blackall
Summary: Respiratory diseases are a major cause of losses in the pig industry worldwide. A study in the Philippines evaluated thoracic lesions in pigs from Batangas and Albay provinces, identifying different classes of respiratory health based on patterns of lesions. The prevalence of high lung scores and pleurisy varied between provinces and farm types, highlighting the need for targeted control measures.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Critical Care Medicine
Karin Wildi, Samantha Livingstone, Chiara Palmieri, Gianluigi LiBassi, Jacky Suen, John Fraser
Summary: Recent studies have identified distinct biological subphenotypes in ARDS patients, including a hypoinflammatory and a hyperinflammatory subtype. The hyperinflammatory subtype is associated with shock state, metabolic acidosis, and worse clinical outcomes. Treatment efficacy has been shown to be highly dependent on the specific subphenotype, offering a new direction for targeted therapy in ARDS.
JOURNAL OF INTENSIVE CARE
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Melany Jackson, Antonella Fidanza, A. Helen Taylor, Stanislav Rybtsov, Richard Axton, Maria Kydonaki, Stephen Meek, Tom Burdon, Alexander Medvinsky, Lesley M. Forrester
Summary: The Apelin receptor plays a crucial role in the production of HSPCs from mesodermal cells and its signaling pathway is required for their generation. However, the activation of APLNR signaling impairs the maintenance of long-term reconstituting HSPCs and drives myeloid differentiation, suggesting a dual role in hematopoiesis.
Correction
Critical Care Medicine
Karin Wildi, Samantha Livingstone, Chiara Palmieri, Gianluigi LiBassi, Jacky Suen, John Fraser
Summary: The paper has been published with an amendment, which can be accessed through the original article.
JOURNAL OF INTENSIVE CARE
(2021)
Review
Reproductive Biology
Federica Zacchini, Silvestre Sampino, Marta Zietek, Alan Chan
Summary: Delayed parenthood is increasing globally due to socio-economic factors, with advanced parental age linked to increased disease risks for offspring. Animal studies show aging negatively affects reproduction and offspring health, but the extent of parental age as a risk factor for future generations remains debated. The mouse model is a useful tool to understand these impacts and biological mechanisms, providing insight into the relevance of murine-derived data to humans.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carl R. Dahlen, Pawel P. Borowicz, Alison K. Ward, Joel S. Caton, Marta Czernik, Luca Palazzese, Pasqualino Loi, Lawrence P. Reynolds
Summary: Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and parental nutritional status have significant impacts on embryonic and fetal development, potentially mediated through programming of gene expression. Epigenetic changes may lead to long-term alterations in organ structure and function in offspring after birth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Debora Agata Anzalone, Luca Palazzese, Marta Czernik, Annalaura Sabatucci, Luca Valbonetti, Emanuele Capra, Pasqualino Loi
Summary: The study shows that a shorter sperm-oocyte incubation time results in lower polyspermic fertilization, a higher proportion of 2-cell stage embryos, better embryo quality, and increased total cell number. Additionally, this method reduces the generation of reactive oxygen species caused by overnight culture.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Andreas Prell, Mustafa Orkun Sen, Ramya Potabattula, Laura Bernhardt, Marcus Dittrich, Thomas Hahn, Martin Schorsch, Federica Zacchini, Grazyna Ewa Ptak, Heiner Niemann, Thomas Haaf
Summary: A growing number of sperm methylome analyses have identified genomic loci that are susceptible to paternal age effects in a variety of mammalian species. However, there is little overlap between different data sets. In this study, we compared methylation patterns of orthologous regulatory regions in human, bovine, and mouse sperm samples and found that the identified age-related differentially methylated regions (ageDMRs) were all species-specific. Most ageDMRs were in genomic regions with medium methylation levels and large methylation variation. Our results suggest that sperm ageDMRs may be part of an epigenetic mechanism for lineage-specific environmental adaptations.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Georgina C. A. Johnston, Benjamin J. Ahern, Chiara Palmieri, Alex C. Young
Summary: Early detection of racehorses at risk of stress fracture is crucial in preventing catastrophic fractures. Some PSG changes in Thoroughbred racehorses are common and may indicate normal bone adaptation, but certain findings are more prevalent in horses with fractures, suggesting microdamage accumulation and increased fracture risk. Bilateral advanced imaging is recommended for racehorses with suspected fetlock pathology.
Letter
Pathology
Chiara Palmieri, Rebecca Dunlop, Rachel E. Allavena
VETERINARY PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Katia Pinello, Valeria Baldassarre, Katja Steiger, Orlando Paciello, Isabel Pires, Renee Laufer-Amorim, Anna Oevermann, Joao Niza-Ribeiro, Luca Aresu, Brian Rous, Ariana Znaor, Ian A. Cree, Franco Guscetti, Chiara Palmieri, Maria Lucia Zaidan Dagli
Summary: Researchers have developed a comparative coding system for canine neoplasms that is compatible with the human coding system, enabling the collection of consistent epidemiological canine cancer data and facilitating comparative oncology studies.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cleide H. Sprohnle-Barrera, Jayne McGhie, Rachel E. Allavena, Helen C. Owen, Chiara Palmieri, Tamsin S. Barnes
Summary: The study estimated the frequency of various types of nodular lesions affecting the spleen in dogs and found significant differences in survival times and types of lesions. Dogs with lymphoid hyperplasia had the longest survival, while those with histiocytic sarcoma had the shortest survival. Age, sex, and type of lesion were important factors affecting the survival time of dogs.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Nada Zaidan, Leslie Nitsche, Evangelia Diamanti, Rebecca Hannah, Antonella Fidanza, Nicola K. Wilson, Lesley M. Forrester, Berthold Gottgens, Katrin Ottersbach
Summary: To generate sufficient numbers of transplantable hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vitro, a detailed understanding of the complex process of endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition (EHT), which involves key regulators and microenvironmental signals, is essential. This study reveals that GATA3 plays a crucial cell-intrinsic role in the EHT process, as its expression in hemogenic endothelial cells and early HSC precursors is correlated with a more quiescent state. Endothelial-specific deletion of Gata3 shows that it is functionally required for these cells to mature into HSCs, highlighting the importance of GATA3 in the regulatory network of EHT.
Article
Biology
Sara Pagliarani, Chiara Palmieri, Michael McGowan, Frank Carrick, Jackson Boyd, Stephen D. Johnston, Dongbao Chen
Summary: The koala has recently been listed as an endangered species due to challenges associated with habitat fragmentation, climate change, and disease. This article presents the findings of two PhD theses, providing a detailed description of the female koala reproductive anatomy and histology. The research focuses on artificial insemination and the histopathological changes in the urogenital system caused by Chlamydia spp. infections.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Viviana Gonzalez-Astudillo, Chiara Palmieri, Stephanie Shaw, Rachel Allavena
Summary: An albino koala with progressive weight loss was euthanised due to poor prognosis, with histopathology findings indicating membranous glomerulopathy and renal ceroid lipofuscinosis. The comparison was drawn between wildlife albinism and a well-described amelanotic syndrome in humans, both leading to severe glomerulopathy.
VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS
(2021)