Placenta最新文献

{"title":"Maternal background and perinatal complications in MCI: A retrospective cohort study","authors":"Tatsuya Yoshihara,&nbsp;Yasuhiko Okuda,&nbsp;So Owada,&nbsp;Yosuke Ono,&nbsp;Satoko Sasatsu,&nbsp;Maki Ogi,&nbsp;Eriko Ogasahara,&nbsp;Osamu Yoshino","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Marginal cord insertion (MCI) is often defined as an abnormal placental cord insertion (PCI), yet there is limited discussion on the maternal backgrounds and perinatal complications associated with its occurrence. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate maternal backgrounds associated with MCI and to compare perinatal outcomes between MCI and normal PCI.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>The study included 1038 deliveries from 2021 to 2023 in our institution, examining maternal backgrounds and perinatal outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted for variables that showed significance in univariate analysis of maternal backgrounds. For perinatal outcomes, variables that exhibited significance were further analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, considering factors previously reported to be associated with those events.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>9.5 % exhibited MCI. Assisted reproductive technology, nulliparous, and congenital uterine anomalies were identified as independent risk factors for MCI. In perinatal outcomes, fetal growth restriction (FGR) and emergency cesarean section were significantly more prevalent in cases with MCI. Even when compared to factors previously reported to be associated with FGR and emergency cesarean section, MCI remained an independent risk factor.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In addition to previously reported factors such as ART and primiparity, uterine anomalies were also identified as risk factors for MCI. It is important to manage MCI with the awareness that it increases the incidence of perinatal complications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 29-32"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143526910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vaginal miR-210-3p as a potential biomarker for pregnancies complicated by early fetal growth restriction: A proof-of-concept case-control study","authors":"Elisabetta Bigagli ,&nbsp;Elisa Spataro ,&nbsp;Lucia Pasquini ,&nbsp;Lorenzo Cinci ,&nbsp;Mario D'Ambrosio ,&nbsp;Chiara De Blasi ,&nbsp;Chiara Bartolini ,&nbsp;Felice Petraglia ,&nbsp;Cristina Luceri","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.015","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality or long-term adverse outcomes. We investigated the ability of hypoxia and angiogenesis-related miR-210-3p and miR-126-5p to identify early FGR cases and their correlations with neonatal outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty-nine women with pregnancies complicated by early FGR diagnosis and 25 controls matched for gestational age (GA) were enrolled and their vaginal fluid (VF) and plasma were collected. MiR-210-3p and miR-126-5p were measured by RT-qPCR and their targets were identified by in-silico analysis limited only to those already experimentally validated in other contexts.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, VF levels of miR-210-3p were lower in early FGR cases compared to controls (p &lt; 0.05). miR-210-3p was lower in severe cases and in women who later developed preeclampsia (p &lt; 0.05). VF miR-210-3p levels correlated with lower birth weight, premature birth and severe complications at birth (p &lt; 0.05). miR-210-3p was not detected in plasma and no correlations were observed between miR-126-5p and FGR or neonatal outcomes. In silico analyses identified HIF-1α, HIF-3α, BDNF, IGFBP3, RAD52 and TWIST-1 as experimentally validated targets of miR-210-3p. Among the predicted biological pathways controlled by miR-210-3p, we found hypoxia-responsive signaling such as autophagy, oxidative stress and metabolic pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Although validation is needed, these findings suggest that VF levels of miR-210-3p may potentially serve as biomarker for the diagnosis of early FGR; future mechanistic studies are also advisable to investigate whether pharmacological strategies based on miR-210-3p, or its downstream targets may be useful for FGR.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 8-15"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143512092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro differentiation of macaque extravillous trophoblasts in a low oxygen environment","authors":"Logan T. Keding ,&nbsp;Avery R. Heselton ,&nbsp;Emily Ren ,&nbsp;Sarah A. Shaw ,&nbsp;Michelle R. Koenig ,&nbsp;Thaddeus G. Golos ,&nbsp;Jenna K. Schmidt","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Early primate placental development occurs within a low oxygen (O₂) environment, whereas <em>in vitro</em> differentiation of trophoblasts is performed at supraphysiologic O₂ levels. Macaque trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) are capable of differentiation to extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) <em>in vitro</em>, yet the morphological heterogeneity observed across cells lines necessitates evaluation of optimal culture conditions. Our objectives were to determine the impact of oxygen on the <em>in vitro</em> differentiation of macaque TSCs and to refine the molecular characterization of TSC-differentiated EVTs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Macaque TSCs were differentiated to EVTs in either 20% or 5% O₂. Gene and protein expression profiles were compared between TSCs and EVTs and between differentiation conditions. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on early gestation macaque placental tissues to assess <em>in vivo</em> expression of Ki-67, NCAM1 and monkey chorionic gonadotropin (mCG).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>EVTs differentiated in 20% O₂ had significantly higher expression of <em>CGA</em>, <em>CGB</em> and <em>NOTCH2</em> and decreased <em>HIF1A</em> expression compared to those cultured in 5% O₂. Regardless of oxygen condition, nearly all EVTs expressed NCAM1 and Mamu-AG, the macaque-specific homolog of human EVT marker HLA-G. <em>In vivo</em> placental expression of NCAM1 was restricted to EVTs within the trophoblastic shell and endovasculature, revealing a macaque EVT marker within the placenta.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Reduced oxygen minimally impacted macaque EVT differentiation <em>in vitro</em>. Elevated expression of the endovascular EVT marker <em>NOTCH2</em> potentially suggests that 20% O₂ supported differentiation of more mature EVTs. Altogether, a standard 20% O₂ environment supports macaque EVT differentiation <em>in vitro</em> and the results further validate the identity of macaque TSC-differentiated EVTs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 16-28"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143526909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk of preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications in frozen single euploid embryo transfers after natural versus artificial endometrial preparation: A truncated randomized controlled trial","authors":"José Bellver ,&nbsp;Ana Del Arco ,&nbsp;Antonio Pellicer ,&nbsp;Laura Caracena ,&nbsp;Vicente Serra ,&nbsp;Elena Labarta ,&nbsp;Gemma Castillón ,&nbsp;Gemma Fernández ,&nbsp;Ana Barrio ,&nbsp;Israel Ortega ,&nbsp;Iria Fernández ,&nbsp;Margarita Torres ,&nbsp;Agustín Ballesteros ,&nbsp;Elkin Muñoz ,&nbsp;Javier Marqueta ,&nbsp;Marcos Ferrando ,&nbsp;Ángel Grañeras ,&nbsp;José Luis Bartha ,&nbsp;Nicolás Garrido ,&nbsp;Juan Antonio García-Velasco","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>To determine for the first time the incidence of preeclampsia and other pregnancy complications according to the mode of endometrial preparation for frozen embryo transfer (FET) in a randomized fashion.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Women about to undergo FET of a single euploid blastocyst were randomly assigned to a modified natural cycle (MNC) or an artificial cycle (AC). Inclusion criteria were as follows: Caucasian; non-obese; 18–43 years of age; nulliparity; regular menstrual cycles; and autologous oocytes. Exclusion criteria were as follows: uterine alterations; moderate-heavy smokers; gamete donation; and chronic diseases. A pilot sub-study of first-trimester markers of preeclampsia was performed in 60 of the patients.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 1260 patients estimated, 591 met the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate; of these, 306 and 285 were randomly assigned to a MNC or AC, respectively. After exclusion, 242 and 227 patients finally underwent a MNC or AC, resulting in 131 and 103 clinical pregnancies, 121 and 92 live births, and 91 and 70 questionnaires obtained concerning pregnancy complications, respectively. The incidence of preeclampsia was double in the AC group (10.00 % versus 4.39 %), though not significantly different. In the AC group, the prevalence of first trimester bleeding was significantly higher (42.85 % versus 15.38 %), and there was a significant reduction in live birth rates (40.53 % versus 50.00 %) in the per protocol analysis. No differences in early markers of preeclampsia were detected between the two groups.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Although this randomized study was truncated, our findings are in accordance with previous reports of a higher risk of preeclampsia and other complications when the endometrium is artificially prepared for FET.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"163 ","pages":"Pages 1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143512091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correlation of the umbilical cord coiling pattern and fetal outcome: A single-center observational analytical study","authors":"Diana Burlacu ,&nbsp;Agnes Burlacu ,&nbsp;Paul Călburean ,&nbsp;Bela Szabo ,&nbsp;Tibor Mezei","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.011","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The umbilical cord (UC) anatomically embodies the feto-placental bridge with a major role in fetal development due to the vascular structures embedded in Wharthon's jelly. The helical coiling of the umbilical cord may be counterclockwise, viewed from the fetus, defined as sinistral coiling, while the opposite as dextral coiling. This study aimed to determine any associations between UC coiling patterns and medical disorders of pregnancy.</div></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><div>An observational analytical study was conducted at the Clinical Emergency Hospital of Targu-Mures, Romania between January 2023–December 2023. Consecutive singleton placentas with attached UC submitted to the Pathology Department for various feto-maternal conditions were considered for appropriate measurements. The coiling number and direction (sinistral or dextral) of the umbilical cord were assessed per first 10 cm measured at the placental end.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 187 cases this study included, 57.21 % (97) had sinistral and 42.79 % (90) had dextral UC coiling. The minimum and maximum maternal age group was 12–44 years old. Sinistral UC coiling was associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth (25.77 %, p = 0.028). Sinistral coiling was also associated with extreme prematurity (p = 0.013), smaller birth weight (p = 0.040) and lower placental weight (p = 0.029). A lower 1 min (p = 0.045) and 5 min Apgar score (p = 0.017) were associated with sinistral coiling. No relevant risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) was observed (p = 0.324). No significant association of sinistral coiling and metabolic or blood-related maternal diseases was observed (p = 0.385 and p = 0.725).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>According to the literature approximately 25 % of all pregnancies have a dextral UC coiling direction. In contrast, in our study a significantly higher percentage was found (slightly higher than 42 %) to have dextral coiling of the UC. Data from our selected group indicated that certain neonatal pathologies (extreme prematurity, stillbirth, smaller birth weight, and lower Apgar score) were more associated with sinistral coiling as compared to dextral. More extensive studies are necessary to ascertain the clinical relevance of these data, particularly concerning high-risk pregnancies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"162 ","pages":"Pages 51-58"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radiomics analysis of placental MRI for prenatal prediction of placenta accreta spectrum in pregnant women in the third trimester: A retrospective study of 594 patients","authors":"Kui Li ,&nbsp;Guohui Yan ,&nbsp;Xiaodan Zhang ,&nbsp;Jianchun Kong ,&nbsp;Yu Zou ,&nbsp;Xiaodong Cheng","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To develop and validate a model based on placental MRI for the prenatal prediction of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in pregnant women in the third trimester.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>A total of 594 pregnant women who were suspected of having PAS and underwent placental MRI antenatally were included and were allocated into the training cohort and testing cohort at a 2:1 ratio. MRI diagnosis was determined by three experienced radiologists. Radiomic features were extracted from images of T2 weighted imaging for each patient. After a feature selection strategy, a radiomics signature and a clinical-radiomics nomogram combining radiomics score and clinical risk factors were constructed to predict PAS. The performance of each model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and clinical utility.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>MRI diagnosis yielded AUCs of 0.77 and 0.79 for predicting PAS in the training and testing cohorts, respectively. The AUCs of the radiomics signature used to predict PAS in both cohorts were 0.80 and 0.83, respectively. The nomogram accurately predicted PAS in both cohorts (AUC = 0.84 and 0.89), with better results than those of MRI diagnosis and radiomics signature in the training (<em>p</em> = 0.009 and 0.003, respectively) and testing cohorts (<em>p</em> = 0.010 and 0.008, respectively), decision curve analysis confirmed its best clinical utility compared to the other models.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Radiomics analysis based on placental MRI may serve as an effective tool to predict PAS in patients with possible PAS in the third trimester.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"162 ","pages":"Pages 59-66"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143511523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Amniotic fluid-derived exosomal miR-146a-5p ameliorates preeclampsia phenotypes by inhibiting HIF-1α/FLT-1 expression","authors":"Jin Lin ,&nbsp;Xiaohong Huang ,&nbsp;Jing Zhang ,&nbsp;Weiming Yang ,&nbsp;Fan Sun ,&nbsp;Bo Huang ,&nbsp;Wan Lu ,&nbsp;Xiaozhong Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific complication that begins with hypertension and proteinuria and seriously threatens the health of pregnant women and fetuses. Abnormal expression of amniotic fluid-derived exosomal miR-146a-5p was observed in PE. However, the role of human amniotic fluid-derived exosomes (AF-Exos) and miR-146a-5p in PE remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We determined the miR-146a-5p expression pattern in the AF-Exos. AF-Exos, Cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) and miR-146a-5p mimic were added to trophoblast cell lines HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3, respectively. Then the proliferation and migration function of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells were examined. The expression of miR-146a-5p, HIF-1α and FLT-1 in HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells were detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting. Finally, we determined the effect of AF-Exos in PE rat models.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>MiR-146a-5p was down-regulated in AF-Exos of PE compared to normal. Co-cultured with normal AF-Exos significantly promoted proliferation and migration of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells. CoCl₂ inhibited proliferation and migration of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells, while miR-146a-5p mimic reversed them by suppressing HIF-1α/FLT-1 expression. After treatment of AF-Exos, the blood pressure and 24-h urinary protein of PE rats were substantially decreased, the quality of fetuses and placenta exhibited improved, and HIF-1α/FLT-1 expression of placenta, sFlt-1 and sEng levels of blood, were substantial suppressed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study provided experimental evidence for the protective effects of normal AF-Exos on ameliorating preeclampsia phenotypes, and miR-146a-5p may act an important role in enhancing the proliferation and migration of trophoblast cells by targeting HIF-1α.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"162 ","pages":"Pages 35-44"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143465130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Difference in adverse neonatal outcomes between preterm singletons and twins possibly explained by placental abnormalities","authors":"Salma El Emrani ,&nbsp;Jacqueline U.M. Termote ,&nbsp;Esther J.S. Jansen ,&nbsp;Jelle J. Goeman ,&nbsp;Enrico Lopriore ,&nbsp;Nicoline E. Schalij-Delfos ,&nbsp;Lotte E. van der Meeren","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The purpose of this study was to compare microscopic placental characteristics between preterm twins and singletons, and between preterm monochorionic and dichorionic twins, in order to explore the effect of placental pathology on adverse neonatal outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study included 566 neonates born ≤32 weeks and/or ≤1500 g, of whom 429 were singletons and 137 were twins (38 monochorionic and 99 dichorionic). Clinical data was retrospectively collected, and placentas were prospectively examined for maternal vascular malperfusion, fetal vascular malperfusion and placental inflammation (acute and chronic).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Singletons had increased rates of maternal vascular malperfusion, fetal hypoxia, funisitis (in umbilical cord and chorial plate), chronic deciduitis, and villitis of unknown etiology compared to twins. Delayed villous maturation and ischemia were more frequently present in monochorionic placentas than in dichorionic. Singletons had a significant lower birthweight and were more often small for gestational age than twins. Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for singleton pregnancy, gestational hypertension and placental abnormalities showed that gestational hypertension (β = −114.8), infarct (β = −130.1), decidual necrosis (β = −115.4), fetal hypoxia (β = −59.3) and chronic deciduitis (β = −118.8) were independently associated with lower birthweight. Multivariate regression analysis revealed five independent risk factors of small for gestational age: gestational hypertension (OR 4.4), infarct (OR 3.7), decidual necrosis (OR 2.7), fetal hypoxia (OR 1.9) and villitis (OR 5.2).</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Singleton pregnancies vary in histological placental abnormality rates from twin pregnancies. This study demonstrated that differences in birthweight and small for gestational age rates between preterm twins and singletons can be attributed to gestational hypertension and histological placental abnormalities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"162 ","pages":"Pages 45-50"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Placental transcriptome analysis in opioid-exposed versus non-opioid exposed pregnancies","authors":"Aneya Sousa ,&nbsp;Ojong Tabi Ojong Besong ,&nbsp;Elisha M. Wachman ,&nbsp;Elizabeth S. Taglauer ,&nbsp;Jennifer E. Beane ,&nbsp;Yohana Kefella ,&nbsp;Ji Sun Koo ,&nbsp;Kelley Saia ,&nbsp;Hendree E. Jones ,&nbsp;Huiping Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.012","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Opioid exposure during pregnancy may significantly alter gene expression in the placenta, potentially disrupting its function and influencing fetal brain development. These alterations may contribute to adverse outcomes such as neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). In this study, we aim to systematically investigate the changes in placental gene expression associated with maternal opioid exposure to better understand the underlying molecular mechanisms and their implications for fetal health.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Fresh placental tissue samples were collected from 18 opioid-exposed pregnancies and 26 non-opioid-exposed control pregnancies. Transcriptomic changes related to opioid exposure were assessed using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the 16,172 genes detected, 55 showed differential expression (<em>P</em>_adjusted &lt; 0.25 or <em>P</em>_unadjusted &lt; 0.001) in opioid-exposed placentas. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed that the differentially expressed genes were primarily associated with immune responses, neuronal development and function, as well as cell replication and division. Computational deconvolution using the PlacentaCellEnrich program identified significant enrichment of upregulated genes in decidual NK cells. Furthermore, integrative analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression showed an enrichment of differentially methylated genes among downregulated genes in opioid-exposed placentas.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Our findings suggest that opioid exposure during pregnancy may disrupt critical placental pathways, particularly those involved in immune responses. Future studies focusing on transcriptomic changes in specific placental cell types will be essential for fully understanding the structural and functional alterations in the placenta due to opioid exposure during pregnancy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"162 ","pages":"Pages 27-34"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A retrospective analysis of placental histopathological findings in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)","authors":"Joseph Byrne ,&nbsp;Niccole Ranaei-Zamani ,&nbsp;J. Ciaran Hutchinson ,&nbsp;Sara Hillman","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2025.02.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The placenta plays a pivotal role in supporting fetal growth and disruptions in its development and function can impact fetal outcomes. While placental pathology has been extensively studied in clinical conditions such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction (FGR), the association between placental abnormalities and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still unclear. This study aims to explore the placental pathology associated with GDM, shedding light on potential links to adverse perinatal outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective cohort study was conducted using electronic patient data from the Fetal Medicine and Neonatal Units at University College London Hospital. Placental samples were obtained and analysed at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Maternal demographics, obstetric history and placental histopathology were reviewed. Statistical analyses were performed to identify associations and risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 2580 pregnancies analysed, 341 were GDM pregnancies, 549 had FGR and 66 had both GDM and FGR. GDM pregnancies required increased rates of obstetric intervention and neonatal care admission. Placental pathology in GDM revealed a higher prevalence of maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) lesions, whilst GDM-related FGR showed further associations with MVM lesions and adverse perinatal outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Our study highlights MVM lesions as a prominent feature in the placentas of GDM pregnancies, especially when associated with FGR. These lesions are linked to adverse perinatal outcomes, emphasizing the need for enhanced antenatal care in these cases. The study contributes insights into the complex relationship between GDM, placental pathology and adverse fetal outcomes, laying the foundation for future investigations into early interventional strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"162 ","pages":"Pages 20-26"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143419969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}