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The Placental Transcriptome in Late Gestational Hypoxia Resulting in Murine Intrauterine Growth Restriction Parallels Increased Risk of Adult Cardiometabolic Disease.

ABSTRACT: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) enhances risk for adult onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanisms underlying IUGR are poorly understood, though inadequate blood flow and oxygen/nutrient provision are considered common endpoints. Based on evidence in humans linking IUGR to adult CVD, we hypothesized that in murine pregnancy, maternal late gestational hypoxia (LG-H) exposure resulting in IUGR would result in (1) placental transcriptome changes linked to risk for later CVD, and 2) adult phenotypes of CVD in the IUGR offspring. After subjecting pregnant mice to hypoxia (10.5% oxygen) from gestational day (GD) 14.5 to 18.5, we undertook RNA sequencing from GD19 placentas. Functional analysis suggested multiple changes in structural and functional genes important for placental health and function, with maximal dysregulation involving vascular and nutrient transport pathways. Concordantly, a ~10% decrease in birthweights and ~30% decrease in litter size was observed, supportive of placental insufficiency. We also found that the LG-H IUGR offspring exhibit increased risk for CVD at 4 months of age, manifesting as hypertension, increased abdominal fat, elevated leptin and total cholesterol concentrations. In summary, this animal model of IUGR links the placental transcriptional response to the stressor of gestational hypoxia to increased risk of developing cardiometabolic disease.

SUBMITTER: Chu A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6361888 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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The Placental Transcriptome in Late Gestational Hypoxia Resulting in Murine Intrauterine Growth Restriction Parallels Increased Risk of Adult Cardiometabolic Disease.

Chu Alison A Casero David D Thamotharan Shanthie S Wadehra Madhuri M Cosi Amy A Devaskar Sherin U SU

Scientific reports 20190204 1

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) enhances risk for adult onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanisms underlying IUGR are poorly understood, though inadequate blood flow and oxygen/nutrient provision are considered common endpoints. Based on evidence in humans linking IUGR to adult CVD, we hypothesized that in murine pregnancy, maternal late gestational hypoxia (LG-H) exposure resulting in IUGR would result in (1) placental transcriptome changes linked to risk for later CVD, and 2) a ...[more]

PMID: 30718791

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Project description:Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects up to 10% of pregnancies and often results in short- and long- term sequelae for offspring, including risk for adult cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanisms underlying IUGR are poorly understood, though poor blood flow and oxygen/nutrient provision to the IUGR fetus are thought to be the common endpoints of disease. Though several animal models of IUGR exist, few demonstrate later phenotypes of CVD despite a large body of evidence in humans linking IUGR and adult CVD onset. We thus hypothesized that in murine pregnancy, maternal late gestational hypoxia (LG-H) exposure resulting in IUGR would result in (1) adult phenotypes of CVD in hypoxia-exposed offspring, and (2) the placental transcriptome will demonstrate alterations that can be linked to risk of later disease. After subjecting pregnant mice to hypoxia (10.5% oxygen) from gestational day (GD) 14.5 to 18.5, we collected placentas at GD19. We examined RNA isolated from these placentas to perform RNA sequencing and analysis. Functional gene and cluster-based analysis suggest multiple changes in structural and functional genes important for placental health, with the top dysregulation involving vascular and metabolic pathways. Concordantly, a ~ 10% decrease in birthweights and ~30% decrease in litter size after LG-H (p<0.05) was observed, suggesting an environment of placental insufficiency. We also found that offspring exposed in-utero to LG-H exhibit CVD at 4 months of age, with males being worse than females, supporting developmental programming. Specifically, males exhibit increased body weight and an enlarged heart size, whereas both males and females develop hypertension, elevated abdominal fat, elevated leptin and elevated total cholesterol levels with aging. In summary, LG-H exposure in the pregnant mouse mimics human placental insufficiency related IUGR. The placentas of these exposed fetuses demonstrate a transcriptional response to the stressor of gestational hypoxia and predicts cardiovascular and metabolic effects that culminate into hypertension and adiposity with dyslipidemia.

Project description:Key pointsIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with perinatal morbidity and increased risk of lifelong disease, including neurodevelopmental impairment. Fatty acids (FA) are critical for normal brain development, although their transport across the placenta in IUGR pregnancies is poorly understood. The present study used a baboon model of IUGR (maternal nutrient restriction, MNR) to investigate placental expression of FA transport and binding proteins, and to determine gestational age-related changes in maternal and fetal plasma FA concentrations. We found MNR to be associated with increased placental expression of FA binding and transport proteins in late gestation, with fetal plasma FA concentrations that were similar to those of control animals. The present study is the first to report a profile of fetal and maternal plasma FA concentrations in a baboon model of growth restriction with data that suggest adaptation of placental transport to maintain delivery of critically needed FA.AbstractIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with specific changes in placental transport of amino acids, folate and ions. However, little is known about placental fatty acid (FA) transport in IUGR. We hypothesized that placental FA transport proteins (FATP) and FA binding proteins (FABP) are up-regulated and fetal plasma FA concentrations are decreased at term in a baboon model of IUGR. Pregnant baboons were fed control or maternal nutrient restricted (MNR) diet (70% of control calories) from gestation day (GD) 30 (term 184 days). Plasma and placental samples were collected at GD120 (control n = 8, MNR n = 9), GD140 (control n = 6, MNR n = 7) and GD170 (control n = 6, MNR n = 6). Placentas were homogenized, and syncytiotrophoblast microvillous plasma membrane (MVM) and basal plasma membranes (BM) were isolated. Protein expression of FABP1, 3, 4 and 5 (homogenate) and FATP2, 4, and 6 (MVM, BM) was determined by Western blotting. FA content in maternal and umbilical vein plasma was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Placental FABP1 and FABP5 expression was increased in MNR compared to controls at GD170, as was MVM FATP2 and FATP6 expression at GD140 and FATP2 expression at GD170. BM FATP4 and FATP6 expression was increased in MNR at GD140. Fetal plasma FA concentrations were similar in controls and MNR. These data suggest the adaptation of placental transport when aiming to maintain delivery of critically needed FAs for fetal growth and brain development.

Project description:We recently reported the first evidence of placental endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathophysiology of human intrauterine growth restriction. Here, we used a mouse model to investigate potential underlying mechanisms. Eif2s1(tm1RjK) mice, in which Ser51 of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit alpha (eIF2?) is mutated, display a 30% increase in basal translation. In Eif2s1(tm1RjK) placentas, we observed increased ER stress and anomalous accumulation of glycoproteins in the endocrine junctional zone (Jz), but not in the labyrinthine zone where physiological exchange occurs. Placental and fetal weights were reduced by 15% (97 mg to 82 mg, p < 0.001) and 20% (1009 mg to 798 mg, p < 0.001), respectively. To investigate whether ER stress affects bioactivity of secreted proteins, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were derived from Eif2s1(tm1RjK) mutants. These MEFs exhibited ER stress, grew 50% slower, and showed reduced Akt-mTOR signalling compared to wild-type cells. Conditioned medium (CM) derived from Eif2s1(tm1RjK) MEFs failed to maintain trophoblast stem cells in a progenitor state, but the effect could be rescued by exogenous application of FGF4 and heparin. In addition, ER stress promoted accumulation of pro-Igf2 with altered glycosylation in the CM without affecting cellular levels, indicating that the protein failed to be processed after release. Igf2 is the major growth factor for placental development; indeed, activity in the Pdk1-Akt-mTOR pathways was decreased in Eif2s1(tm1RjK) placentas, indicating loss of Igf2 signalling. Furthermore, we observed premature differentiation of trophoblast progenitors at E9.5 in mutant placentas, consistent with the in vitro results and with the disproportionate development of the labyrinth and Jz seen in placentas at E18.5. Similar disproportion has been reported in the Igf2-null mouse. These results demonstrate that ER stress adversely affects placental development, and that modulation of post-translational processing, and hence bioactivity, of secreted growth factors contributes to this effect. Placental dysmorphogenesis potentially affects fetal growth through reduced exchange capacity.

Dataset Information

The Placental Transcriptome in Late Gestational Hypoxia Resulting in Murine Intrauterine Growth Restriction Parallels Increased Risk of Adult Cardiometabolic Disease.

Publications

The Placental Transcriptome in Late Gestational Hypoxia Resulting in Murine Intrauterine Growth Restriction Parallels Increased Risk of Adult Cardiometabolic Disease.

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