Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reyna Penailillo, Stephanie Acuna-Gallardo, Felipe Garcia, Lara J. Monteiro, Gino Nardocci, Mahesh A. Choolani, Matthew W. Kemp, Roberto Romero, Sebastian E. Illanes
Summary: This study investigated the proliferation, migration, and impact on trophoblast invasion capacity of MenSCs under different physiological conditions. The findings suggest a potential role for MenSCs in the implantation process, implying a communication between maternal MenSCs and invading trophoblast cells that could be implicated in the etiology of PE.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Han Gong, Fan Lu, Xiaoling Zeng, Qing Bai
Summary: Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy syndrome caused by attenuated trophoblast proliferation and invasion. E2F1 and ZEB1 play important roles in PE by promoting trophoblast proliferation, invasiveness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yue Bian, Jiapo Li, Hongfei Shen, Yuanyuan Li, Yue Hou, Ling Huang, Guiyu Song, Chong Qiao
Summary: This study found that the level of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in placental tissue of early-onset preeclampsia (ePE) patients was reduced. Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP), a regulator of m6A, was found to regulate trophoblast cell migration and invasion. The study also revealed the interaction between WTAP and the high mobility group nucleosomal binding domain 3 (HMGN3) gene, and the effect of m6A on the stability of HMGN3 mRNA. WTAP enhanced the stability of HMGN3 mRNA by binding to its m6A site, and HMGN3 was recognized and regulated by insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1). The results suggest that m6A modification plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ePE.
Article
Oncology
Hooman Mirzakhani, Diane E. Handy, Zheng Lu, Ben Oppenheimer, Augusto A. Litonjua, Joseph Loscalzo, Scott T. Weiss
Summary: By analyzing circulating miRNA and mRNA signatures, we gained a deeper understanding of the molecular characteristics of preeclampsia. Our study identified several biological pathways associated with the early pathophysiology of preeclampsia and provided potential biomarkers and preventive measures.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Yan Li, Xian-li Sun, Chun-ling Ma, Chao Li, Ying Zhan, Wen-ting Li, Can Li, Yi-hao Wang
Summary: Abnormal trophoblast behaviors during pregnancy contribute to the development of preeclampsia (PE), with Syntaxin2 (STX2) identified as a crucial epithelial mediator in various diseases. This study aimed to explore the role of STX2 in trophoblast biology and unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying its involvement in PE. Results showed that STX2 expression was downregulated in placental tissues from women with PE compared to normal pregnancies, and further experiments revealed its interaction with the PI3K subunit p85, activating the AKT signaling pathway. These findings indicate a potential diagnostic tool and therapeutic target for treating PE.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Athina Samara, Asma Khalil, Patrick O'Brien, Eric Herlenius
Summary: Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to have mild disease compared to non-pregnant individuals, but they have a higher risk of developing severe disease. The delta variant is associated with increased hospitalization and morbidity in unvaccinated pregnant populations. However, it is unclear whether the worse pregnancy outcomes associated with the delta variant are due to a direct effect of the virus on the pregnancy or through more severe maternal infection.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ying Zhao, Huanqiang Zhao, Huangfang Xu, Ping Hu, Bo Ma, Huiqing Lu, Qiongjie Zhou, Xiaotian Li, Yu Xiong
Summary: This study established an animal model of PFOS-induced preeclampsia and explored the molecular mechanism of PFOS in placental trophoblast. The results suggest that PFOS exposure may cause preeclampsia by impairing trophoblast mitochondria.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yang Yang, Xiaoxia Qiu, Fang Wang
Summary: The study found that downregulation of PTPRO significantly promoted the proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells, inducing stronger in vitro angiogenesis, while overexpression of ERp44 suppressed these activities. There is an interaction between ERp44 and PTPRO, which affects the biological behaviors of trophoblast cells by modulating ERp44.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jianye Deng, Hong-Jin Zhao, Ying Zhong, Cuiping Hu, Jinlai Meng, Chunling Wang, Xiangxin Lan, Xiyao Wang, Zi-Jiang Chen, Junhao Yan, Wei Wang, Yan Li
Summary: This study found that the enhanced bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) signaling derived from placenta in late gestation is associated with compensatory response for shallow trophoblast invasion in preeclampsia (PE). These findings provide opportunities for the application of diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in the management of PE.
Article
Cell Biology
Huan Yang, Xuemei Zhang, Yubin Ding, Hui Xiong, Shaojian Xiang, Yang Wang, Huanhuan Li, Zheng Liu, Jie He, Yuelan Tao, Hongbing Yang, Hongbo Qi
Summary: This study reveals an increase in ferroptosis and a downregulation of Elabela expression in preeclampsia placentas. A mouse model of preeclampsia-like features confirms the presence of a ferroptosis phenotype in the placenta, and Elabela can reduce ferroptosis and improve adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mechanistic studies suggest that Elabela inhibits the ferritinophagy pathway to increase FTH1 levels, chelate intracellular labile iron, and arrest ferroptosis. In conclusion, targeting the Elabela-ferritinophagy-ferroptosis signaling axis provides a new therapeutic intervention strategy for alleviating preeclampsia.
Article
Cell Biology
Zi Lv, Li-ling Xiong, Xian Qin, Hua Zhang, Xin Luo, Wei Peng, Mark D. Kilby, Richard Saffery, Philip N. Baker, Hong-bo Qi
Summary: The study found that the expression of GRK2 is significantly downregulated in preeclamptic placentae, and knockdown or inhibition of GRK2 leads to insufficient arterial remodeling and increased trophoblast necroptosis. These further induce preeclampsia-like symptoms in mice, suggesting that inadequate GRK2 activity may be part of the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keiichi Matsubara, Yuko Matsubara, Yuka Uchikura, Katsuko Takagi, Akiko Yano, Takashi Sugiyama
Summary: Preeclampsia is a serious disease that can be fatal for both the mother and fetus. Research suggests that poor placental formation due to remodeling failure may be one of its causes. The high-mobility group protein A may play a key role in the placental formation process, and its dysfunction may be related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Article
Cell Biology
Chidambra D. Halari, Pinki Nandi, Jasmin Sidhu, Maria Sbirnac, Michael Zheng, Peeyush K. Lala
Summary: Decorin is a proteoglycan produced by chorionic villus mesenchymal cells and decidual cells during human pregnancy, and it has been shown to restrain trophoblast functions and serve as a predictive biomarker for preeclampsia. MiRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and some of them are dysregulated in placentas of preeclampsia patients. In this study, miR-512-3p was found to be induced by Decorin and upregulated in preeclampsia placentas. Functional assays revealed that miR-512-3p compromised trophoblast functions. Furthermore, the elevation of PPP3R1, a known target of miR-512-3p, was paradoxically observed in miR-512-3p-overexpressing trophoblast and preeclampsia-associated placentas.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebeca Torregrosa-Carrion, Rebeca Pineiro-Sabaris, Marcos Siguero-Alvarez, Joaquim Grego-Bessa, Luis Luna-Zurita, Vitor Samuel Fernandes, Donal MacGrogan, Didier Y. R. Stainier, Jose Luis de la Pompa
Summary: Mutations in the GPR126/ADGRG6 gene lead to human diseases, particularly affecting peripheral nervous system myelination. Research on mice and zebrafish models demonstrates the impact of Gpr126 deficiency on development, with a proposed placenta-heart axis contributing to heart abnormalities in Gpr126 mutants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhenzhen Liu, Jiangnan Pei, Xiaoyue Zhang, Chengjie Wang, Yao Tang, Haiyan Liu, Yi Yu, Shouling Luo, Weirong Gu
Summary: This study investigated the role of apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE). The expression of APOA1 was found to be elevated in both plasma and placental tissues of PE patients. Importantly, the concentration of APOA1 was positively associated with systolic blood pressure during late gestation. Additionally, APOA1 was found to promote the proliferation and invasion of trophoblast, possibly through the activation of the transcription factor PPARγ.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Elena Contro, Laura Cattani, Anna Balducci, Daniela Prandstraller, Antonella Perolo, Laura Larcher, Maria Letizia Bacchi-Reggiani, Antonio Farina, Andrea Donti, Gaetano Domenico Gargiulo, Gianluigi Pilu
Summary: In a retrospective cohort study at S. Orsola Hospital in Bologna, Italy, 140 fetuses suspected of CoA were evaluated using fetal echocardiography. Arch hypoplasia showed the highest correlation with postnatal CoA, with affected neonates having lower Z scores of the ascending aorta and aortic isthmus. An odds ratio-based multiparametric model was developed to build a scoring system (AUC 0.89) for better identification of affected fetuses.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Luigi Carbone, Teresa Somma, Giuseppe Gabriele Iorio, Francesca Vitulli, Alessandro Conforti, Antonio Raffone, Ilaria Bove, Serena Pagano, Martina Pontillo, Ilma Floriana Carbone, Antonio Farina, Giuseppe Maria Maruotti, Francesco Maiuri, Paolo Cappabianca, Carlo Alviggi
Summary: The timing of surgery for meningioma diagnosed during pregnancy depends on factors like PR + status and impending symptoms such as visual loss or headache. Timing of neurosurgery does not seem to affect the delivery method. A multidisciplinary approach is beneficial for rapid and appropriate diagnosis, as well as better evaluation of the benefits and risks of surgery for maternal and fetal health management.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
P. Cavoretto, A. Farina, G. Gaeta, A. Seidenari, M. Pozzoni, S. Spinillo, D. Morano, A. Alteri, P. Vigano, M. Candiani
Summary: This study compared standardized estimated fetal weight trajectories and birth weight measurements from the second trimester to birth in IVF/ICSI pregnancies after fresh vs. frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer. Results showed that frozen-thawed transfer group had higher EFW and BW Z-scores compared to the fresh transfer group.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Silvia Amodeo, Paolo Ivo Cavoretto, Anna Seidenari, Giuseppe Paci, Chiara Germano, Francesca Monari, Valeria Donno, Laura Giambanco, Laura Avagliano, Daniela Di Martino, Federica Fuse, Bianca Masturzo, Vito Chiantera, Fabio Facchinetti, Enrico Ferrazzi, Massimo Candiani, Gaetano Bulfamante, Antonio Farina
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between maternal vascular malperfusions (MVM) and second trimester uterine arteries pulsatility index (UtA-PI) in cases of stillbirth. The results showed significant correlations between several MVM findings and UtA-PI, suggesting the importance of third trimester follow-up for cases with increased UtA-PI to improve reproductive chances for these pregnant patients.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Noemi Salmeri, Antonio Farina, Massimo Candiani, Carolina Dolci, Giulia Bonavina, Caterina Poziello, Paola Vigano, Paolo Ivo Cavoretto
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of moderate-severe endometriosis on uterine arteries pulsatility index (UtA-PI) during pregnancy. Pregnant women with stage III-IV endometriosis were compared to unaffected controls. The results showed that women with stage III-IV endometriosis had higher UtA-PI scores in the third trimester compared to controls. The study also found that endometriosis and maternal age were associated with increased UtA-PI scores in the third trimester, while in-vitro fertilization with frozen-thawed embryo transfer decreased UtA-PI measures. These findings suggest that closer follow-up may be recommended for pregnant women with moderate-severe endometriosis to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes due to impaired placental perfusion.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Silvia L. Spinillo, Antonio Farina, Alexandros Sotiriadis, Mirko Pozzoni, Sabrina Giglio, Margherita Papale, Massimo Candiani, Paolo I. Cavoretto
Summary: This study aimed to assess the adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies diagnosed with confined placental mosaicism. The results showed that pregnancies with confined placental mosaicism had an increased risk of impaired fetal growth.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Daniela Denis Di Martino, Laura Avagliano, Enrico Ferrazzi, Federica Fuse, Vittoria Sterpi, Marco Parasiliti, Tamara Stampalija, Sara Zullino, Antonio Farina, Gaetano Pietro Bulfamante, Matteo Di Maso, Francesco D'Ambrosi
Summary: This study found a higher prevalence of placental maternal vascular malperfusion in HDP-FGR and early FGR groups, which were associated with abnormal feto-placental Doppler parameters. In contrast, HDP-AGA fetus and late FGR presented more heterogeneous placental lesions not severe enough to cause feto-placental Doppler anomalies. These findings suggest potential preventive nutritional approaches for pregnant women with predisposing factors for HDP-AGA fetuses and late FGR.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Aldesia Provenzano, Andrea La Barbera, Francesco Lai, Andrea Perra, Antonio Farina, Ettore Cariati, Orsetta Zuffardi, Sabrina Giglio
Summary: This study reports on a female fetus with diaphragmatic hernia and other malformations, and identifies a de novo frameshift variant of the X-linked STAG2 gene. The study shows that loss-of-function STAG2 variants lead to holoprosencephaly or Mullegama-Klein-Martinez syndrome, affecting only females, while missense mutations are associated with milder forms of the syndrome and follow X-linked recessive inheritance. In addition, the study suggests that STAG2 escapes X-inactivation and disease onset in females may be dependent on inadequate dosage of some transcripts.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
P. I. Cavoretto, N. Salmeri, M. Candiani, A. Farina
Summary: This study provides gestational-age specific reference ranges for mean uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) based on longitudinal data assessment throughout pregnancy. The results show a progressive non-linear decrease in UtA-PI during pregnancy, and the new reference ranges may have better performance in screening for placenta-associated diseases and evaluating the potential risk for pregnancy-induced hypertension and/or small-for-gestational age.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
L. Larcher, E. Jauniaux, J. Lenzi, R. Ragnedda, D. Morano, M. Valeriani, G. Michelli, A. Farina, E. Contro
Summary: In this prospective cohort study, we found that placental and umbilical cord anomalies are more common in IVF singleton pregnancies compared to spontaneous pregnancies. We also identified oocyte donor fertilization as an additional risk factor for the development of these anomalies. Ultrasound examinations play a crucial role in screening for these anomalies.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Elena Contro, Laura Larcher, Jacopo Lenzi, Marina Valeriani, Antonio Farina, Eric Jauniaux
Summary: In fetuses with isolated single umbilical artery (SUA), the diameter of the remaining umbilical artery is significantly larger than in control fetuses. A diameter of <3.1 mm in the remaining artery is associated with a higher risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR). This study highlights the importance of measuring the diameter of the remaining artery to identify fetuses at risk of FGR.
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Paolo Ivo Cavoretto, Massimo Candiani, Antonio Farina
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Daniela Denis Di Martino, Tamara Stampalija, Sara Zullino, Federica Fuse, Massimo Garbin, Marco Parasiliti, Vittoria Sterpi, Antonio Farina, Enrico Ferrazzi
Summary: This study compared the hemodynamic profiles and cardiac remodeling of pregnant women with hypertensive disorders and either appropriate for gestational age fetuses or growth-restricted fetuses, pregnant women with normotensive pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction, and pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancies. The results showed that women with hypertensive disorders and fetal growth restriction had lower cardiac output and concentric remodeling of the left ventricle during pregnancy, which returned to normal levels during the postpartum period.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY MFM
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Anna Seidenari, Paolo Ivo Cavoretto, Ilma Floriana Carbone, Chiara Germano, Enrico Iurlaro, Gerarda Gaeta, Giulia Emily Cetera, Silvia Amodeo, Danila Morano, Bianca Masturzo, Daniela Denis Di Martino, Laura Giambanco, Massimo Candiani, Antonio Farina
Summary: The aim of this study was to estimate the hazard function (HF) for neonatal metabolic acidemia (MA) during the second stage of labor (2STG) and the cumulative incidence function (CIF) for MA based on the duration of bradycardia. The results showed that the duration of terminal bradycardia in the 2STG is associated with a higher CIF for MA.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Paolo Ivo Cavoretto, Anna Seidenari, Antonio Farina
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the cause-specific hazard and cumulative incidence function for umbilical cord metabolic acidemia at birth in patients experiencing the 2nd stage of labor, stratified for FIGO-2015 pathologic intrapartum cardiotocography requiring expedited delivery and duration of 2nd stage of labor. The results showed that pathologic cardiotocography and duration of 2nd stage of labor were associated with an increased risk of umbilical cord metabolic acidemia. Nulliparity, pathologic cardiotocography, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid were significant predictors of umbilical cord metabolic acidemia.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
