Review
Immunology
Ellen Menkhorst, Nandor Gabor Than, Udo Jeschke, Gabriela Barrientos, Laszlo Szereday, Gabriela Dveksler, Sandra M. Blois
Summary: Lectin-glycan interactions, particularly those mediated by the galectin family, play crucial roles in regulating processes necessary for a successful pregnancy. Galectins specifically bind to intracellular and membrane bound carbohydrate ligands, influencing angiogenesis, immune-cell adaptations, and embryogenesis. They contribute to fetal development and placental health, with implications for pathological conditions like preeclampsia.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Sainan Zhang, Jinli Ding, Yan Zhang, Su Liu, Jing Yang, Tailang Yin
Summary: Successful pregnancy requires tolerance of semi-allogeneic embryos by the maternal immune system and good trophoblast function. Chemokines, initially described for leukocyte recruitment, are abundant at the maternal-fetal interface. Studies show that they regulate trophoblast behavior and participate in decidual immune response, while also establishing a communication network between fetal trophoblast cells and maternal decidual cells. Abnormal chemokine or chemokine receptor functions are involved in various pregnancy complications.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Amber R. Moore, Nora Vivanco Gonzalez, Katherine A. Plummer, Olivia R. Mitchel, Harleen Kaur, Moises Rivera, Brian Collica, Mako Goldston, Ferda Filiz, Michael Angelo, Theo D. Palmer, Sean C. Bendall
Summary: The immune system and placenta have a dynamic relationship during gestation, playing an important role in fetal growth and development. By immunophenotyping the maternal-fetal interface, distinct immune profiles can be identified, and the significant role of the innate immune system in placental development is revealed.
Review
Immunology
Jinli Ding, Yan Zhang, Xiaopeng Cai, Lianghui Diao, Chaogang Yang, Jing Yang
Summary: The immune tolerance microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface is crucial for pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Macrophages and trophoblasts play essential roles in this process and their interaction influences trophoblast behaviors and the state of the maternal-fetal immune microenvironment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Qiwu Bian, Binqing Fu
Summary: This article discusses the immune characteristics at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy, focusing on the reshaping of decidual immune cells and the comparison with tumor or transplantation immune microenvironments. It demonstrates the distinctive immune cell niche with activated, tolerant, proangiogenic, and nurturing characteristics at the maternal interface.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Reproductive Biology
Guang-Shun Gong, Kahindo P. Muyayalo, Yu-Jing Zhang, Xin-Xiu Lin, Ai-Hua Liao
Summary: This article provides an overview of the role of cell senescence in successful pregnancies and its impact on complicated pregnancies. Cell senescence is necessary for maternal well-being, placental development, and fetal growth during pregnancy. However, aberrant cell senescence has been associated with pregnancy-associated abnormalities. The article discusses the positive and negative aspects of cell senescence in pregnancy and explores potential therapeutic strategies.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Yuefang Liu, Shujun Gao, Yangjing Zhao, Hui Wang, Qiong Pan, Qixiang Shao
Summary: This review discusses the important roles of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells in pregnancy, highlighting their generation, subsets, surface or soluble molecules, and functions crucial for maintaining pregnancy. It also explores the new functions of dNK cells, such as controlled cytotoxicity, immunosurveillance, and immunotrophism, and the molecular mechanisms involved in these functions, emphasizing their potential clinical applications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Hong Liu, Jie Zheng, Aihua Liao
Summary: The immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface, regulated by the trophoblast and maternal-derived cells, plays a crucial role in early pregnancy. Dysfunctions in these cells can lead to pregnancy complications. RNA methylation, particularly N6-methyladenosine (m6A), appears to be an important factor in embryogenesis and immune response. However, the function of m6A modifications at the maternal-fetal interface is still poorly understood. Therefore, exploring the potential value of m6A modifications in early pregnancy is essential for identifying novel therapeutic targets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
S. Adams, P. A. Stapleton
Summary: The increasing accumulation of nanoparticles in the environment poses a concern for fetal development during pregnancy. The placenta, as the interface between the mother and the fetus, plays a crucial role in the translocation and cellular uptake of nanoparticles. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes are poorly understood.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Bo Pang, Cong Hu, Huimin Li, Xinyu Nie, Keqi Wang, Chen Zhou, Huanfa Yi
Summary: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are immunosuppressive cells derived from myeloid progenitors, with well-known roles in tumors and autoimmune diseases. Their role in reproduction has gained increasing attention, particularly their association with recurrent implantation failure, pathological pregnancy, and neonatal health. This review focuses on the interaction between MDSCs and other cell types during the reproductive process, and discusses molecular mechanisms that could be targeted for therapeutic purposes. It aims to encourage further research in maternal-fetal interface immunity to identify pathways driving MDSCs accumulation and effectively target their role in promoting embryo implantation, reducing pathological pregnancy, and improving neonatal health.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Jayonta Bhattacharjee, Shuhiba Mohammad, Kristi B. Adamo
Summary: Exercise during pregnancy has been shown to have positive effects on the health outcomes of both mother and fetus. While the placenta plays a crucial role in pregnancy, the impact of exercise on placental biology and function is not well understood. Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of prenatal exercise on placental growth and development.
Article
Immunology
Ana Espino, Jordi Gouilly, Qian Chen, Philippe Colin, Paul Guerby, Jacques Izopet, Ali Amara, Julie Tabiasco, Reem Al-Daccak, Hicham El Costa, Nabila Jabrane-Ferrat
Summary: Unlike other Flaviviruses, Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during the first trimester of pregnancy causes severe pregnancy outcomes including microcephaly and diseases associated with placental dysfunctions. However, the rate of congenital infection is low, indicating the presence of a natural barrier against viral infection. Decidual stromal cells (DSCs), through their interactions with dNK cells or production of proinflammatory cytokines, play a crucial role in regulating ZIKV infection during pregnancy. AXL has been validated as a crucial receptor for ZIKV entry in DSCs, and targeted inhibition of ligand-receptor interaction in the early stage of infection effectively reduces virus pathogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Caroline Charlier, Julia Dina, Francois Freymuth, Astrid Vabret, Olivier Lortholary, Denise Antona, Marc Lecuit
Summary: Research shows that measles virus can be detected in the saliva and blood of pregnant women, leading to transmission to the fetus during pregnancy, resulting in asymptomatic infection at birth. Despite severe peripartum congenital measles, asymptomatic vertical transmission of the measles virus can occur in early pregnancy.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Xiuxiu Xu, Yonggang Zhou, Binqing Fu, Haiming Wei
Summary: During pregnancy, the interaction between maternal decidual tissue and fetal trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface is responsible for supplying nutrition to the fetus. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, the most abundant immune cells at the interface, play critical roles throughout pregnancy.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yuping Wang, Yang Gu, David F. F. Lewis, Xin Gu, Karisa Brown, Courtney Lachute, Miriam Hankins, Rona S. S. Scott, Caitlin Busada, Danielle B. B. Cooper, Charles E. E. McCathran, Perry Barrilleaux
Summary: This study examined the innate immunity response at the placental maternal-fetal interface in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection. The results showed upregulation of viral sensing molecules, including STING, IRF3, TLR7, and MAVS, in the placentas of COVID-19 patients. These findings suggest that the placental maternal-fetal interface has a well-defined antiviral defense system that may play critical roles against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Piya Chaemsaithong, Roberto Romero, Waranyu Lertrut, Arunee Singsaneh, Pisut Pongchaikul
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dahiana M. Gallo, Roberto Romero, Mariachiara Bosco, Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa, Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Marcia Arenas-Hernandez, Eunjung Jung, Manaphat Suksai, Francesca Gotsch, Offer Erez, Adi L. Tarca
Summary: The study found that pregnant women with severe PPH had higher median maternal plasma concentrations of IL-16, IL-6, IL-12/IL-23p40, MCP-1, and IL-1 beta than patients without PPH. These cytokines could serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
JOURNAL OF PERINATAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Doron Kabiri, Dror Raif Nesher, Danielle Luxenbourg, Amihai Rottenstreich, Joshua Rosenbloom, Yosef Ezra, Simcha Yagel, Shay Porat, Roberto Romero
Summary: Vaginal progesterone treatment in women with threatened preterm labor and a short cervix after 24 weeks of pregnancy is associated with lower rates of preterm birth. The treatment also prolongs the time interval from diagnosis to delivery and reduces the frequency of neonatal intensive care unit admission.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maria Teresa Gervasi, Roberto Romero, Elisa Cainelli, Paola Veronese, Maria Rosa Tran, Eunjung Jung, Manaphat Suksai, Mariachiara Bosco, Francesca Gotsch
Summary: This study suggests that asymptomatic intra-amniotic inflammation in the mid-trimester of pregnancy can increase the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Early recognition and treatment of maternal immune activation may be a strategy for preventing such disorders in offspring.
JOURNAL OF PERINATAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Nandor Gabor Than, Roberto Romero, Daniel Gyorffy, Mate Posta, Gaurav Bhatti, Bogdan Done, Piya Chaemsaithong, Eunjung Jung, Manaphat Suksai, Francesca Gotsch, Dahiana M. Gallo, Mariachiara Bosco, Bomi Kim, Yeon Mee Kim, Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa, Simona W. Rossi, Andras Szilagyi, Offer Erez, Adi L. Tarca, Zoltan Papp
Summary: This study identified different molecular subclasses of preeclampsia through longitudinal proteomic profiling, laying the foundation for the development of new diagnostic and personalized tools for prevention.
JOURNAL OF PERINATAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa, Roberto Romero, Francesca Gotsch, Manaphat Suksai, Dahiana M. Gallo, Eunjung Jung, Arthur Krieger, Piya Chaemsaithong, Offer Erez, Adi L. Tarca
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, characteristics, and clinical significance of angiogenic/antiangiogenic factor abnormalities in women with preeclampsia stratified according to gestational age at delivery. The results showed that patients with early preeclampsia had an abnormal angiogenic profile in virtually all cases, whereas only 50% of women with preeclampsia at term had such abnormalities. These findings have implications for future clinical care and research.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Bo Hyun Yoon, Roberto Romero, Kyung Joon Oh, Hyeon Ji Kim, Eunjung Jung, Francesca Gotsch
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Roberto Romero
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tomi Kanninen, Eunjung Jung, Dahiana M. Gallo, Ramiro Diaz-Primera, Roberto Romero, Francesca Gotsch, Manaphat Suksai, Mariachiara Bosco, Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa
Summary: Preeclampsia and fetal growth disorders are pregnancy-specific conditions that share common pathophysiological mechanisms. This study suggests that the severity of the maternal inflammatory response is highest in patients with preeclampsia, while patients with an SGA fetus also show elevated inflammatory response.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dahiana M. Gallo, Roberto Romero, Mariachiara Bosco, Francesca Gotsch, Sunil Jaiman, Eunjung Jung, Manaphat Suksai, Carlos Lopez Ramon y Cajal, Bo Hyun Yoon, Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa
Summary: Green-stained amniotic fluid, also known as meconium-stained amniotic fluid, is a common obstetric hazard. It can be caused by the passage of fetal colonic content or intraamniotic bleeding. Birth with green-stained amniotic fluid is associated with fetal acidemia and potential complications like respiratory distress and seizures. Infection/inflammation inside the amniotic fluid plays a role in the development of meconium-stained amniotic fluid and can lead to clinical chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Agustin Conde-Agudelo, Roberto Romero, Anoop Rehal, Maria L. Brizot, Vicente Serra, Eduardo Da Fonseca, Elcin Cetingoz, Argyro Syngelaki, Alfredo Perales, Sonia S. Hassan, Kypros H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of vaginal progesterone for preventing preterm birth and adverse perinatal outcomes in twin pregnancies. The results showed that vaginal progesterone did not prevent preterm birth or improve perinatal outcomes in unselected twin pregnancies. However, it appeared to reduce the risk of preterm birth and neonatal morbidity and mortality in twin pregnancies with a sonographic short cervix.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Jonathan J. Panzer, Roberto Romero, Jonathan M. Greenberg, Andrew D. Winters, Jose Galaz, Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Kevin R. Theis
Summary: The existence of a microbiota in the human placenta is still debated. Recent DNA sequencing investigations reported the presence of a microbiota in typical human term placentas, but it could be background DNA or contamination. Re-analysis of publicly available 16S rRNA gene datasets showed that Lactobacillus, a vaginal bacterium, was highly abundant in placentas but disappeared after applying DNA contaminant removal. Furthermore, bacterial profiles of placental samples clustered primarily by study origin and mode of delivery, suggesting that placentas delivered at term are unlikely to be the original source of observed bacterial DNA signals.
Letter
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Piya Chaemsaithong, Piroon Jenjaroenpun, Pisut Pongchaikul, Arunee Singsaneh, Iyarit Thaipisuttikul, Roberto Romero, Thidathip Wongsurawat
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Priya Prasad, Roberto Romero, Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa, Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Anderson Lo, Jose Galaz, Andreea B. B. Taran, Eunjung Jung, Francesca Gotsch, Nandor Gabor Than, Adi L. L. Tarca
Summary: Approximately 47% of women with preterm labor deliver at term, but their infants are at higher risk for being small for gestational age and having neurodevelopmental disorders. This study tested the involvement of components of the insulin-like growth factor system in preterm labor and found higher levels of certain components in women with a history of preterm labor.
FETAL DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Roberto Romero, Maria Fernanda Escobar, Javier Andres Carvajal, Maria Paula Echavarria, Ludwig L. Albornoz, Daniela Nasner, Derek Miller, Dahiana M. Gallo, Jose Galaz, Marcia Arenas-Hernandez, Gaurav Bhatti, Bogdan Done, Maria Andrea Zambrano, Isabella Ramos, Paula Andrea Fernandez, Leandro Posada, Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa, Eunjung Jung, Valeria Garcia-Flores, Manaphat Suksai, Francesca Gotsch, Mariachiara Bosco, Nandor Gabor Than, Adi L. Tarca
Summary: In this study, the plasma proteome of pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients and controls was characterized. The findings revealed shared and pregnancy-specific proteomic changes in COVID-19 patients compared to controls, and the plasma proteome accurately identifies COVID-19 patients, even when they are asymptomatic. This study provides insight into the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and explains the more severe outcomes observed in pregnant women.
COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE
(2023)