Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Yijun Yang, Justin Kurian, Giana Schena, Jaslyn Johnson, Hajime Kubo, Joshua G. Travers, Chunya Kang, Anna Maria Lucchese, Deborah M. Eaton, Maoting Lv, Na Li, Lorianna G. Leynes, Daohai Yu, Fengzhen Yang, Timothy A. McKinsey, Raj Kishore, Mohsin Khan, Sadia Mohsin, Steven R. Houser
Summary: The study suggests that metabolic syndrome in obese pregnant women may lead to pathological cardiac remodeling, increasing the risk of chronic heart disorders.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Citlalli Osorio-Yanez, Marco Sanchez-Guerra, Maritsa Solano, Andrea Baccarelli, Robert Wright, Alison P. Sanders, Martha Maria Tellez-Rojo, Marcela Tamayo-Ortiz
Summary: This study found associations between blood cadmium levels and radius z-scores during pregnancy, as well as a negative association between bone lead concentrations in the patella and radius z-scores.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco, Lauren S. Richardson, Joy Vink, Talar Kechichian, Paul Mark B. Medina, Richard B. Pyles, Ramkumar Menon
Summary: This study documented the role of progesterone in cellular transition and migration as well as its anti-inflammatory effects on endocervical epithelial cells and cervical stromal cells. The results suggest that progesterone helps stabilize the cervical epithelial barrier and preserve the mechanical strength of the cervical stromal layer during pregnancy.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Zofia Ostrowska-Podhorodecka, Isabel Ding, Masoud Norouzi, Christopher A. McCulloch
Summary: Vimentin plays a role in regulating cell attachment to the ECM and modulating collagen deposition and ECM structure, thus impacting cell migration and ECM remodeling. It interacts with cell adhesion proteins to regulate integrin-dependent adhesions and cell migration.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Patricia Rodrigues Lourenco Gomes, Eloisa Aparecida Vilas-Boas, Eduardo de Almeida Leite, Ana Claudia Munhoz, Camila Ferraz Lucena, Fernanda Gaspar do Amaral, Angelo Rafael Carpinelli, Jose Cipolla-Neto
Summary: The study shows the crucial role of melatonin in the functionality and remodeling of the endocrine pancreas during pregnancy and early lactation. Lack of melatonin impairs glucose metabolism and insulin secretion regulation, suggesting a mechanism independent of its antioxidant effects and potentially dependent on MT2 receptors. Changes in cell death and proliferation mechanisms also indicate the importance of melatonin in pancreatic remodeling during crucial periods.
JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fan Yang, Lina Chen, Bolun Wen, Xiaodi Wang, Lele Wang, Kaiyuan Ji, Huishu Liu
Summary: This study found that Golgi reassembly stacking protein 2 (GORASP2) is highly expressed in uterine smooth muscle cells during labor and regulates uterine contractions by maintaining ATP production. Knockdown of GORASP2 resulted in reduced cell contractility in primary human myometrial smooth muscle cells, suggesting the crucial role of GORASP2 in uterine contractions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Liquan Jin, Yaoqiang Duan, Xiaoxi Li, Zhenqi Li, Jifu Hu, Hongbo Shi, Ziting Su, Zhe Li, Bilian Du, Yiming Chen, Yunbo Tan
Summary: This study identified the presence of ITGA2, EMT, and PD-L1 in pancreatic cancer and found that ITGA2 plays a crucial role in the regulation of pancreatic cancer growth and invasion. Targeting ITGA2 can enhance the efficacy of checkpoint immunotherapy and inhibit tumor growth against pancreatic cancer.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pietro Presicce, Monica Cappelletti, Marco Morselli, Feiyang Ma, Paranthaman Senthamaraikannan, Giulia Protti, Brian B. Nadel, Laila Aryan, Mansoureh Eghbali, Lukasz Salwinski, Neema Pithia, Emily De Franco, Lisa A. Miller, Matteo Pellegrini, Alan H. Jobe, Claire A. Chougnet, Suhas G. Kallapur
Summary: Intrauterine infection/inflammation (IUI) is a common complication of pregnancy that can lead to preterm labor and fetal inflammation. This study compared the transcriptomic profiles of amnion in a preterm Rhesus macaque model of IUI and human cohorts of chorioamnionitis. The results showed that labor-mediating genes such as IL1 and IL6 were induced by nuclear factor KB (NF-kappa B) signaling, and this induction could be reversed by the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody Adalimumab. Additionally, a subset of amnion mesenchymal cells (AMCs) increased CD14 and other myeloid cell markers during IUI in both human and Rhesus macaque.
Article
Cell Biology
Yuping He, Lulu Zhang, Yaxin He, Hong Yu, Shengbiao Li, Qiuhong Li
Summary: The study revealed that LIMK2 plays a critical role in the generation of definitive endoderm from human embryonic stem cells, impacting actin stress fiber assembly, cell migration, and the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-related genes. The results underscore the importance of LIMK2 as a key regulator in endodermal lineage determination.
IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY-ANIMAL
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Sae-Il Murtada, Marcos Latorre, Jay D. Humphrey
Summary: Pregnancy leads to significant remodeling of uterine arteries, which partially recovers postpartum, driven by collagen turnover and other intramural changes. In contrast, the remodeling of the ascending aorta is modest and fully recovers postpartum.
BIOMECHANICS AND MODELING IN MECHANOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Shanmugasundaram Nallasamy, Hector H. Palacios, Rohit Setlem, Mariano Colon Caraballo, Kelvin Li, Edward Cao, Mahalakshmi Shankaran, Marc Hellerstein, Mala Mahendroo
Summary: The study reveals a steady reservoir of newly synthesized fibrillar collagens in the pregnant cervix, along with pregnancy-specific transcriptional programs, ensuring increased cervical compliance during the process of birth.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ana Filipa Ferreira, Maria Joao Azevedo, Juliana Morais, Fabio Trindade, Francisca Saraiva, Silvia Oliveira Diaz, Ines Nuno Alves, Mariana Fragao-Marques, Carla Sousa, Ana Paula Machado, Adelino Leite-Moreira, Benedita Sampaio-Maia, Carla Ramalho, Antonio Sousa Barros, Ines Falcao-Marques
Summary: Pregnant women with cardiovascular risk factors are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. Our study found that pregnant women undergo cardiovascular remodeling during pregnancy, which reverses after delivery. Arterial hypertension, smoking, and obesity are independent predictors of increased left ventricular mass. Additionally, circulating biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and ST2/IL33 receptors may be associated with worse cardiac remodeling.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sonalika Singhal, Scott H. Garrett, Seema Somji, Kalli Schaefer, Benu Bansal, Jappreet Singh Gill, Sandeep K. Singhal, Donald A. Sens
Summary: The human kidney contains renal progenitor cells (RPCs) that can help repair acute tubular injury. A human renal progenitor cell line (HRTPT) was generated that displayed the expected features of RPCs, such as nephrosphere formation and differentiation into various cell types. When exposed to nephrotoxin iAs, the cells underwent a shift in morphology and showed changes in gene expression related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, when the toxin was removed, the cells reverted back to an epithelial phenotype through a process called mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Zhi Liu, Zhaotao Wang, Danmin Chen, Xiaorui Liu, Guoyong Yu, Yan Zhang, Chen Chen, Ruxiang Xu, Yezhong Wang, Ru-en Liu
Summary: This study investigated the mechanisms of paeoniflorin in inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in glioblastoma. The research found that paeoniflorin inhibited EMT by downregulating c-Met signaling in glioblastoma cells and displayed anti-angiogenic effects by suppressing cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation through downregulating c-Met in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, paeoniflorin induced autophagy activation and promoted c-Met autophagic degradation via K63-linked c-Met polyubiquitination. These findings suggest that paeoniflorin inhibits EMT and angiogenesis through K63-linked c-Met polyubiquitination-dependent autophagic degradation in human glioblastoma.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Alexander S. F. Berry, Meghann K. Pierdon, Ana M. Misic, Megan C. Sullivan, Kevin O'Brien, Ying Chen, Samuel J. Murray, Lydia A. Ramharack, Robert N. Baldassano, Thomas D. Parsons, Daniel P. Beiting
Summary: The study reveals that parity is an important factor modulating the gut microbiome during pregnancy, impacting the community of bacteria that colonize the offspring gut early in life, potentially influencing host metabolism. The results underscore the importance of considering parity in human microbiome studies during pregnancy and in infants.
Article
Biology
Ananthkumar Kammala, Meagan Benson, Esha Ganguly, Enkhtuya Radnaa, Talar Kechichian, Lauren Richardson, Ramkumar Menon
Summary: This study found that fetal membrane cells have drug transport capabilities, and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is expressed in placental cells and derived exosomes. These results suggest that the fetal membrane and exosomes may serve as important routes for drug transport during pregnancy.
Review
Immunology
Ramkumar Menon
Summary: This review discusses the disturbances of fetal membrane cells in response to endogenous and exogenous factors during labor and preterm birth, and the generation of inflammatory signals and immune imbalances. Additionally, the fetal inflammatory response is highlighted as an additional mediator of parturition.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel S. Vidal Jr, Ramkumar Menon, Gracia Fe B. Yu, Melissa D. Amosco
Summary: This study utilized bibliometric analysis to explore research trends and collaborations in the field of environmental toxicants and preterm birth. The findings revealed a significant increase in research and reporting in this area over the past few decades. The top countries publishing in this field include the USA, China, and Australia, with strong international collaboration from China. Previous literature focused on establishing toxicants associated with preterm birth, while current research is focused on the molecular mechanisms of environmental toxicants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biology
Angela Mosebarger, Rambabu N. Reddi, Ramkumar Menon, Ananth Kumar Kammala
Summary: Osthole and its derivatives have the potential to regulate inflammatory responses, which may delay preterm birth and increase neonatal survival rates.
Article
Immunology
Lauren S. Richardson, Nkechinyere Emezienna, Irina Burd, Brandie D. Taylor, Morgan R. Peltier, Arum Han, Ramkumar Menon
Summary: A study using an organ-on-chip model has found that race/ethnicity differences play a role in perinatal brain injury, but the fetal sex of neonates does not affect susceptibility to intraamniotic inflammation leading to neuroinflammation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco, Lauren S. Richardson, Enkhtuya Radnaa, Ananth Kumar Kammala, Sungjin Kim, Paul Mark B. Medina, Arum Han, Ramkumar Menon
Summary: This study developed an organ-on-a-chip that mimics the female reproductive tract during pregnancy and used both cell culture and animal models to investigate the mechanism by which genital mycoplasmas cause preterm birth. The findings indicate that genital mycoplasmas can colonize and induce inflammation in epithelial and stromal cells of the lower genital tract. The combination of mycoplasma infection and LPS results in increased inflammation. In an animal model, intra-amniotic injection of mycoplasma leads to preterm birth. Vaginal inoculation of mycoplasma has minimal effects on preterm birth.
Article
Immunology
Briana Ortiz, Ashley Driscoll, Ramkumar Menon, Brandie D. Taylor, Lauren S. Richardson
Summary: This study examined the effects of Chlamydia infection on maternal decidua cells and found that Chlamydia antigens can induce interleukin-6 inflammation via the TLR4-TAB1 signaling pathway, independent of p38 MAPK, apoptosis, and necrosis. This suggests that Chlamydia infection may disrupt decidual inflammatory homeostasis and potentially contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lauren Richardson, Enkhtuya Radnaa, Ryan C. V. Lintao, Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza, Ruhi Maredia, Arum Han, Jiaren Sun, Ramkumar Menon
Summary: During pregnancy, the chorion and decidua form the feto-maternal interface, where immune cells remain quiescent to avoid invasion of the chorion. Infection and infiltration of activated immune cells towards the chorion can lead to preterm birth, but the mechanisms maintaining immune balance in the choriodecidual interface are not well understood. To study this, researchers created a two-chamber microphysiological system (MPS) to model the human choriodecidual immune interface under normal and infectious conditions. The results highlight the utility of the MPS in understanding immune cell infiltration and maternal-fetal crosstalk during infection.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco, Manuel S. Vidal, Giovana Fernanda Cosi Bento, Ramkumar Menon
Summary: The study found that the effects of BPA on cervical epithelial cells do not induce cell toxicity and may be a compensatory mechanism to preserve the integrity of the cervical epithelial layer.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Giovana Fernanda Cosi Bento, Lauren S. Richardson, Marcia Guimaraes da Silva, Ourlad Alzeus G. Tantengco, Ramkumar Menon
Summary: We utilized the FMi-OOC device to study the propagation of Ureaplasma parvum and its impact on cell signaling and inflammation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emmeli Mikkelsen, Berthold Huppertz, Ripudaman Singh, Katarina Ravn, Lotte Hatt, Mogens Kruhoffer, Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza, Niels Uldbjerg, Ramkumar Menon, Torben Steiniche
Summary: Unique markers in fetal membrane cells may be key in the search for biomarkers for preterm prelabor rupture of the fetal membranes (pPROM) in maternal blood. Through transcriptomic analysis and immunohistochemistry, markers exclusively expressed in fetal membranes were identified and their localization confirmed. These findings contribute to the understanding of the biological significance of these markers in the maternal circulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Elyse C. Mead, Carol A. Wang, Jason Phung, Joanna Y. X. Fu, Scott M. Williams, Mario Merialdi, Bo Jacobsson, Stephen Lye, Ramkumar Menon, Craig E. Pennell
Summary: Preterm birth (PTB), defined as the birth of a child before 37 completed weeks gestation, is a major health issue affecting about 11% of live births and is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years old. Genetic studies have identified genes within various pathways that may be involved in PTB, but many of the published data are inconclusive and have limited power to detect associations. On the other hand, some large hypothesis-free approaches have identified multiple novel genetic variants associated with PTB. Attempts to predict PTB using single -omics datasets have mostly been unsuccessful, while integrating data from multiple -omics datasets has shown promising results.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ramkumar Menon
Summary: Human pregnancy is a complex process characterized by interactions between the mother and fetus. Cells undergo cyclic transitions, known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), to enable tissue remodeling. Maintaining the balance between EMT and MET is crucial, and it is regulated by hormones such as progesterone. Disturbances in these transitions can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Understanding the biomolecular processes involved in cyclic EMT-MET is important for reducing the risk of complications such as preterm birth.
