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AFP1 kO: Expression profiling analysis of embryonic and adult liver

ABSTRACT: The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene is a member of the albumin gene family and encodes a serum glycoprotein with an onco-fetal pattern of expression. AFP is produced in high concentrations during embryonic life by the hepatocytes and the visceral endoderm of the yolk sac and to a lesser extent by the developing gastrointestinal tract and kidney. Alpha-fetoprotein is the major serum fetal protein in mammals, with a concentration that reaches the order of several mg/ml. Its synthesis decreases dramatically shortly after birth to reach only trace amounts a few weeks later but can be restored during life when liver pathologies or some types of tumors develop (hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatoma, teratocarcinoma, and some pancreatic and renal tumors). AFP is then mainly expressed by the adult liver. AFP produced by the embryo is secreted in the amniotic fluid and is able to cross the placental barrier to reach the maternal blood circulation, where its titer is used as a diagnostic marker to reveal developmental anomalies of the fetus. Abnormally high levels of AFP in the maternal serum indicates elevated risk for neural tube defects of the fetus such as spina bifida or anencephaly, whereas abnormally low levels indicates elevated risk for a Down’s syndrome. Measurements of the AFP levels in the maternal serum are undertaken at 14-22 weeks of each pregnancy and are part, along with unconjugated estradiol, human chorionic gonadotropin and inhibin A, of the quadruple test for antenatal Down’s syndrome screening. Abnormal AFP levels can also be indicative of other fetal pathologies. The reason why these pathologies induce abnormal levels of AFP is still not known. Homozygous Afp knock-out females (AFP KO) are sterile, due to anovulation. Ovaries contain mature follicles and are functional, but lack a proper signal from the hypothalamic-pituitarian axis (HPG) in order to ovulate. The expression profile of several genes in the HPG is impaired. Furthermore, AFP KO females are masculinized and defeminized. They exhibit a loss of female sexual behaviour (no lordosis) and a male pattern of tyrosine hydroxylase expressing neurons distribution in some sexual dimorphic areas of the brain. The phenotype of those mice is a consequence of an estrogen overexposure of their brains during the perinatal period. This phenotype can be reversed if these mice develop in an embryonic environment strongly reduced in estrogens. Homozygous AFP KO mice that developed in those conditions are fertile in adulthood (no further treatment needed), and exhibit proper sexual behaviour.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE20561 | GEO | 2011/01/01

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA125211

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene is a member of the albumin gene family and encodes a serum glycoprotein with an onco-fetal pattern of expression. AFP is produced in high concentrations during embryonic life by the hepatocytes and the visceral endoderm of the yolk sac and to a lesser extent by the developing gastrointestinal tract and kidney. Alpha-fetoprotein is the major serum fetal protein in mammals, with a concentration that reaches the order of several mg/ml. Its synthesis decreases dramatically shortly after birth to reach only trace amounts a few weeks later but can be restored during life when liver pathologies or some types of tumors develop (hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatoma, teratocarcinoma, and some pancreatic and renal tumors). AFP is then mainly expressed by the adult liver. AFP produced by the embryo is secreted in the amniotic fluid and is able to cross the placental barrier to reach the maternal blood circulation, where its titer is used as a diagnostic marker to reveal developmental anomalies of the fetus. Abnormally high levels of AFP in the maternal serum indicates elevated risk for neural tube defects of the fetus such as spina bifida or anencephaly, whereas abnormally low levels indicates elevated risk for a Down’s syndrome. Measurements of the AFP levels in the maternal serum are undertaken at 14-22 weeks of each pregnancy and are part, along with unconjugated estradiol, human chorionic gonadotropin and inhibin A, of the quadruple test for antenatal Down’s syndrome screening. Abnormal AFP levels can also be indicative of other fetal pathologies. The reason why these pathologies induce abnormal levels of AFP is still not known. Homozygous Afp knock-out females (AFP KO) are sterile, due to anovulation. Ovaries contain mature follicles and are functional, but lack a proper signal from the hypothalamic-pituitarian axis (HPG) in order to ovulate. The expression profile of several genes in the HPG is impaired. Furthermore, AFP KO females are masculinized and defeminized. They exhibit a loss of female sexual behaviour (no lordosis) and a male pattern of tyrosine hydroxylase expressing neurons distribution in some sexual dimorphic areas of the brain. The phenotype of those mice is a consequence of an estrogen overexposure of their brains during the perinatal period. This phenotype can be reversed if these mice develop in an embryonic environment strongly reduced in estrogens. Homozygous AFP KO mice that developed in those conditions are fertile in adulthood (no further treatment needed), and exhibit proper sexual behaviour. cDNA microarray analysis of embryonic and adult liver tissue of AFP1 kO mice. Single mutant mice were analysed versus a pool of wt RNA in two technical replicates (only for adult tissue) including a dye swap experiment. In total 6 adult mutant male mice and 6 embryos (3 male and 3 female) were analysed

Project description:Activation of the maternal immune system during pregnancy can fetal development, which can lead to postnatal susceptibility to a wide range of diseases, including cardiovascular, metabolic and psychiatric disorders. During maternal immune activation (MIA), the maternal body must balance its ressources between mounting an immune response and investing resources into continued metabolism and growth : both essential for survival of the fetus and a successful pregnancy. How the placenta responds to MIA over time and how it can protect the fetus is not well understood, and neither are the fetal consequences of MIA. Here, we characterised the response to an induced acute inflammation in maternal lungs over time across maternal and fetal organs, using a combination of omics-methods, imaging and integrative computational analysis. We found that the placenta, unlike other maternal organs, did not react by inducing a typical inflammatory response, but instead initially induced genes associated to strengthen tissue integrity and simultaneously reduced growth to prevent exposure to potential infections. Afterwards, a return to homeostasis was observed, with heightened biosynthesis and expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress genes. This mechanism likely protects the fetus from inflammation, as we observed no immune response in the fetal liver transcriptome. Instead, we observed metabolic adaptations in the fetus, including a release of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) Notably, DHA has a crucial function for fetal brain development , and levels of triglyceride and phosphatidylcholine lipids that are necessary for transportation of DHA to the brain were also increased. This metabolic response is likely a combination of the placental MIA response and temporary maternal fasting, caused by MIA-induced fever and lack of nutrient intake. Our study shows, for the first time, the temporal and systemic response to MIA in lungs across maternal and fetal organs.

Project description:Steroids play a broad and vital role in regulation of gene expression, secondary sexual characteristics, maturation, reproduction, and neurological functions; but an imbalance in steroid metabolism is also linked to development and progression of many diseases including autism. Prenatal stress of different nature has been demonstrated to affect both the mother and the offspring. Adverse nutritional conditions during gestation can impair the maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and expose the fetus to high levels of glucocorticoids (GC). Evenwhen GC are required for normal brain development; an increased exposure of the fetus to GC as a consequence of prenatal stress can affect fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis (HPG) development, impair neurogenesis, and have a long term impact on the offsprings mental health. Decreased zinc availability can occur during pregnancy as a consequence of different conditions (nutritional deficiency, infections, diabetes, alcohol consumption, and exposure to certain toxicants). Importantly, several of these gestational conditions have been linked to autism. In fact, alterations in maternal zinc homeostasis upon exposure to select environmental stressors (e.g. the phthalate plasticizer bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)) that have become increasingly common since the industrial revolution may underlie the recent rise in the incidence of autism.Alterations in maternal zinc homeostasis could expose the fetus to high GC concentrations secondary to a high maternal GC production and/or to a decreased capacity of the placenta to metabolize GC to inactive metabolites. The overall goal of this proposal is to investigate if alterations in zinc homeostasis during gestation triggered by either a marginal zinc nutrition or exposure to an environmental pollutant (the phthalate plasticizer bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)) can impair maternal and fetal endocrine signaling leading to impaired fetal brain development.

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AFP1 kO: Expression profiling analysis of embryonic and adult liver

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