A Description of the Imaging Innovations for Placental Assessment in Response to Environmental Pollution Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of Placental Assessment in Response to Environmental Pollution Study (PARENTs) was to determine whether imaging of the placenta by novel multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in early pregnancy could help predict adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) due to ischemic placental disease (IPD). Additionally, we sought to determine maternal characteristics and environmental risk factors that contribute to IPD and secondary APOs. STUDY DESIGN: Potential patients in their first trimester of pregnancy, who agreed to MRI of the placenta and measures of assessment of environmental pollution, were recruited into PARENTs, a prospective population-based cohort study. Participants were seen at three study visits during pregnancy and again at their delivery from 2015 to 2019. We collected data from interviews, chart abstractions, and imaging. Maternal biospecimens (serum, plasma, and urine) at antepartum study visits and delivery specimens (placenta, cord, and maternal blood) were collected, processed, and stored. The primary outcome was a composite of IPD, which included any of the following: placental abruption, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, or a newborn of small for gestational age. RESULTS: In this pilot cohort, of the 190 patients who completed pregnancy to viable delivery, 50 (26%) developed IPD. Among demographic characteristics, having a history of prior IPD in multiparous women was associated with the development of IPD. In the multiple novel perfusion measurements taken of the in vivo placenta using MRI, decreased high placental blood flow (mL/100 g/min) in early pregnancy (between 14 and 16 weeks) was found to be significantly associated with the later development of IPD. CONCLUSION: Successful recruitment of the PARENTs prospective cohort demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of the use of MRI in human pregnancy to study the placenta in vivo and at the same time collect environmental exposure data. Analysis is ongoing and we hope these methods will assist researchers in the design of prospective imaging studies of pregnancy. KEY POINTS: · MRI was acceptable and feasible for the study of the human placenta in vivo.. · Functional imaging of the placenta by MRI showed a significant decrease in high placental blood flow.. · Measures of environmental exposures are further being analyzed to predict IPD..

MicroRNA 122 Reflects Liver Injury in Children with Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease Treated with Intravenous Fish Oil.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that microRNA (MIR) 122 is a biomarker for various liver diseases in adults and children. To date, MIR122 has not been explored in children with intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD, or hyperbilirubinemia associated with prolonged parenteral nutrition). OBJECTIVES: This study's purpose was to investigate changes in plasma miR-122, correlate miR-122 with serum liver function tests and enzymes, and investigate changes in whole blood transcripts including miR-122 targets in a group of children with IFALD who received pure intravenous fish oil (FO) as a treatment for cholestasis. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study that enrolled children with IFALD who received intravenous FO (1 g/kg/d) and whose cholestasis resolved with FO. Plasma miR-122 was measured using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR, and whole blood miR-122 targets were quantified using RNA sequencing. RESULTS: Fourteen subjects with median age 6 mo (IQR: 3-65 mo) were enrolled. RNA sequence data were available for 4 subjects. When compared with the start of FO, median miR-122 concentrations at 6 mo of FO therapy decreased [1.0 (IQR: 1.0-1.0) compared with 0.04 (IQR: 0.01-0.6), P = 0.009]. At the start of FO, miR-122 correlated with conjugated bilirubin (r = 0.56; P = 0.038). At ∼3 mo of FO, miR-122 correlated with conjugated bilirubin (r = 0.56; P = 0.045). Reactive oxygen species, heme metabolism, coagulation, adipogenesis, IL-6-Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) 3, IL-2-STAT5, transforming growth factor-ß, TNF-α, inflammatory response, mammalian target of rapamycin gene families (normalized enrichment scores < -1.4), and miR-122 target genes were significantly downregulated with FO. CONCLUSIONS: In this small cohort of young children with IFALD, miR-122 decreased with FO therapy and correlated with conjugated bilirubin. Key pathways involving oxidation, inflammation, cellular differentiation, and nutrient regulation were downregulated. Data from this study provide information about IFALD and FO. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00969332.

The hepatic transcriptome of young suckling and aging intrauterine growth restricted male rats.

Intrauterine growth restriction leads to the development of adult onset obesity/metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, dyslipidemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis. Continued postnatal growth restriction has been shown to ameliorate many of these sequelae. To further our understanding of the mechanism of how intrauterine and early postnatal growth affects adult health we have employed Affymetrix microarray-based expression profiling to characterize hepatic gene expression of male offspring in a rat model of maternal nutrient restriction in early and late life. At day 21 of life (p21) combined intrauterine and postnatal calorie restriction treatment led to expression changes in circadian, metabolic, and insulin-like growth factor genes as part of a larger transcriptional response that encompasses 144 genes. Independent and controlled experiments at p21 confirm the early life circadian, metabolic, and growth factor perturbations. In contrast to the p21 transcriptional response, at day 450 of life (d450) only seven genes, largely uncharacterized, were differentially expressed. This lack of a transcriptional response identifies non-transcriptional mechanisms mediating the adult sequelae of intrauterine growth restriction. Independent experiments at d450 identify a circadian defect as well as validate expression changes to four of the genes identified by the microarray screen which have a novel association with growth restriction. Emerging from this rich dataset is a portrait of how the liver responds to growth restriction through circadian dysregulation, energy/substrate management, and growth factor modulation.

Temporal and spatial distribution of murine placental and brain GLUT3-luciferase transgene as a readout of in vivo transcription.

To investigate in vivo transcription of the facilitative glucose transporter isoform-GLUT3 gene, we created GLUT3-firefly luciferase transgenic mouse lines that demonstrate tissue-specific [adult: brain > testis ≥ skeletal muscle > placenta; postnatal (PN): skeletal muscle > brain = skin], temporal, and spatial distribution of the reporter gene/enzyme activity that is unique from endogenous GLUT3 mRNA/protein. In this mouse model, luciferase expression/activity serving as a readout of in vivo transcription peaked at 12 days gestation along with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (cell replication) in placenta and embryonic brain preceding peak GLUT3 protein expression at 18-19 days gestation. In contrast, a postnatal increase in brain luciferase mRNA peaked with endogenous GLUT3 mRNA, but after that of NeuroD6 protein (neurogenesis) at PN7. Luciferase activity paralleled GLUT3 protein expression with Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (membrane expansion) and synaptophysin (synaptogenesis) proteins, peaking at PN14 and lasting until 60 days in the adult. Thus GLUT3 transcription in placenta and embryonic brain coincided with cell proliferation and in postnatal brain with synaptogenesis. Longitudinal noninvasive bioluminescence (BLI) monitoring of in vivo brain GLUT3 transcription reflected cross-sectional ex vivo brain luciferase activity only between PN7 and PN21. Hypoxia/reoxygenation at PN7 revealed transcriptional increase in brain GLUT3 expression reflected by in vivo BLI and ex vivo luciferase activity. These observations collectively support a temporal contribution by transcription toward ensuring adequate tissue-specific, developmental (placenta and embryonic brain), and postnatal hypoxic brain GLUT3 expression.

Hypoxic adaptation engages the CBP/CREST-induced coactivator complex of Creb-HIF-1α in transactivating murine neuroblastic glucose transporter.

We have shown in vitro a hypoxia-induced time-dependent increase in facilitative glucose transporter isoform 3 (GLUT3) expression in N2A murine neuroblasts. This increase in GLUT3 expression is partially reliant on a transcriptional increase noted in actinomycin D and cycloheximide pretreatment experiments. Transient transfection assays in N2A neuroblasts using murine glut3-luciferase reporter constructs mapped the hypoxia-induced enhancer activities to -857- to -573-bp and -203- to -177-bp regions. Hypoxia-exposed N2A nuclear extracts demonstrated an increase in HIF-1α and p-Creb binding to HRE (-828 to -824 bp) and AP-1 (-187 to -180 bp) cis-elements, respectively, in electromobility shift and supershift assays, which was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. In addition, the interaction of CBP with Creb and HIF-1α and CREST with CBP in hypoxia was detected by coimmunoprecipitation. Furthermore, small interference (si)RNA targeting Creb in these cells decreased endogenous Creb concentrations that reduced by twofold hypoxia-induced glut3 gene transcription. Thus, in N2A neuroblasts, phosphorylated HIF-1α and Creb mediated the hypoxia-induced increase in glut3 transcription. Coactivation by the Ca⁺⁺-dependent CREST and CBP proteins may enhance cross-talk between p-Creb-AP-1 and HIF-1α/HRE of the glut3 gene. Collectively, these processes can facilitate an adaptive response to hypoxic energy depletion targeted at enhancing glucose transport and minimizing injury while fueling the proliferative potential of neuroblasts.

Circulating extracellular vesicles exhibit a differential miRNA profile in gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies.

We undertook a prospective temporal study collecting blood samples from consenting pregnant women, to test the hypothesis that circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying specific non-coding microRNA signatures can underlie gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). To test this hypothesis, miRNA cargo of isolated and characterized EVs revealed contributions from the placenta and differential expression at all three trimesters and at delivery between pregnant and non-pregnant states. Many miRNAs originate from the placental-specific chromosome 19 microRNA cluster (19MC) and chromosome 14 microRNA cluster (14MC). Further a positive correlation emerged between third trimester and at delivery EVs containing miRNAs and those expressed by the corresponding post-parturient placentas (R value = 0.63 to 0.69, p value = 2.2X10-16), in normal and GDM. In addition, distinct differences at all trimesters emerged between women who subsequently developed GDM. Analysis by logistic regression with leave-one-out-cross validation revealed the optimal combination of miRNAs using all the circulating miRNAs (miR-92a-3p, miR-192-5p, miR-451a, miR-122-5p), or using only the differentially expressed miRNAs (has-miR-92a-3p, hsa-miR-92b-3p, hsa-miR-100-5p and hsa-miR-125a-3p) in GDM during the first trimester. As an initial step, both sets of miRNAs demonstrated a predictive probability with an area under the curve of 0.95 to 0.96. These miRNAs targeted genes involved in cell metabolism, proliferation and immune tolerance. In particular genes of the P-I-3-Kinase, FOXO, insulin signaling and glucogenic pathways were targeted, suggestive of placental connectivity with various maternal organs/cells, altering physiology along with pathogenic mechanisms underlying the subsequent development of GDM. We conclude that circulating EVs originating from the placenta with their miRNA cargo communicate and regulate signaling pathways in maternal organs, thereby predetermining development of GDM.

Cell-free DNA Methylation and Transcriptomic Signature Prediction of Pregnancies with Adverse Outcomes.

Although analysis of maternal plasma cell-free content has been employed for screening of genetic abnormalities within a pregnancy, limited attention has been paid to its use for the detection of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) based on placental function. Here we investigated cell-free DNA and RNA content of 102 maternal and 25 cord plasma samples. Employing a novel deconvolution methodology, we found that during the first trimester, placenta-specific DNA increased prior to the subsequent development of gestational diabetes with no change in patients with preeclampsia while decreasing with maternal obesity. Moreover, using cell-free RNA sequencing, APOs revealed 71 differentially expressed genes early in pregnancy. We noticed the upregulation of S100A8, MS4A3, and MMP8 that have been already associated with APOs but also the upregulation of BCL2L15 and the downregulation of ALPL that have never been associated with APOs. We constructed a classifier with a positive predictive ability (AUC) of 0.91 for APOs, 0.86 for preeclampsia alone and 0.64 for GDM. We conclude that placenta-specific cell-free nucleic acids during early gestation provide the possibility of predicting APOs prior to the emergence of characteristic clinical features.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist improves skeletal muscle insulin signaling in the pregestational intrauterine growth-restricted rat offspring.

The effect of early intervention with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) agonist on skeletal muscle GLUT4 translocation and insulin signaling was examined in intrauterine (IUGR) and postnatal (PNGR) growth-restricted pregestational female rat offspring. Rosiglitazone [11 mumol/day provided from postnatal day (PN)21 to PN60] improved skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and GLUT4 translocation in prenatal nutrient restriction [50% calories from embryonic day (e)11 to e21; IUGR] with (IUGR+PNGR) and without (IUGR) postnatal nutrient restriction (50% calories from PN1 to PN21; PNGR) similar to that of control (ad libitum feeds throughout; Con) (n = 6 each). This was accomplished by diminished basal and improved insulin-responsive GLUT4 association with the plasma membrane in IUGR, IUGR+PNGR, and PNGR mimicking that in Con (P < 0.005). While no change in p85-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) was observed, a decrease in protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B; P < 0.0002) and SH2-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2; P < 0.05) contributing to the rosiglitazone-induced insulin sensitivity was seen only in IUGR+PNGR. In contrast, an increase in phosphorylated 5'-adenosine monophosphate kinase (pAMPK; P < 0.04) and insulin responsiveness of phosphorylated phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (pPDK1; P < 0.05), pAkt (P < 0.01), and particularly pPKCzeta (P < 0.0001) and its corresponding enzyme activity (P < 0.005) were observed in all four experimental groups. We conclude that early introduction of PPARgamma agonist improved skeletal muscle activation of AMPK and insulin signaling, resulting in insulin-independent AMPK and insulin-responsive GLUT4 association with plasma membranes in IUGR, IUGR+PNGR, and PNGR adult offspring, similar to that of Con. These findings support a role for insulin sensitizers in preventing the subsequent development of gestational or type 2 diabetes mellitus in intrauterine and postnatal growth-restricted offspring.

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

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.

Early dietary restriction in rats alters skeletal muscle tuberous sclerosis complex, ribosomal s6 and mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Intrauterine growth restriction is linked to decreased lean body mass and insulin resistance. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates muscle mass and glucose metabolism; however, little is known about maternal dietary restriction and skeletal muscle mTOR in offspring. We hypothesized that early dietary restriction would decrease skeletal muscle mass and mTOR in the suckling rat. To test this hypothesis, ab libitum access to food or dietary restriction during gestation followed by postnatal cross-fostering to a dietary-restricted or ad libitum-fed rat dam during lactation generated 4 groups: control (CON), intrauterine dietary restricted (IUDR), postnatal dietary restricted (PNDR), and IUDR+PNDR (IPDR). At day 21, when compared to CON, the IUDR group demonstrated "catchup" growth, but no changes were observed in the mTOR pathway. Despite having less muscle mass than CON and IUDR (P < .001), in IPDR and PNDR rats mTOR remained unchanged. IPDR and PNDR (p)-tuberous sclerosis complex 2 was less than the IUDR group (P < .05). Downstream, IPDR's and PNDR's phosphorylated (p)-ribosomal s6 (rs6)/rs6 was less than that of CON (P < .05). However, male IPDR's and PNDR's p-mitogen activated protein kinase MAPK/MAPK was greater than CON (P < .05) without a change in p90 ribosomal s6 kinase (p90RSK). In contrast, in females, MAPK was unchanged, but IPDR p-p90RSK/p90RSK was less than CON (P = .01). In conclusion, IPDR and PNDR reduced skeletal muscle mass but did not decrease mTOR. In IPDR and PNDR, a reduction in tuberous sclerosis complex 2 may explain why mTOR was unchanged, whereas, in males, an increase in MAPK with a decrease in rs6 may suggest a block in MAPK signaling.

Prenatal Growth Patterns and Birthweight Are Associated With Differential DNA Methylation and Gene Expression of Cardiometabolic Risk Genes in Human Placentas: A Discovery-Based Approach.

Inherent genetic programming and environmental factors affect fetal growth in utero. Epidemiologic data in growth-altered fetuses, either intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) or large for gestational age (LGA), demonstrate that these newborns are at increased risk of cardiometabolic disease in adulthood. There is growing evidence that the in utero environment leads to epigenetic modification, contributing to eventual risk of developing heart disease or diabetes. In this study, we used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing to examine genome-wide DNA methylation variation in placental samples from offspring born IUGR, LGA, and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and to identify differential methylation of genes important for conferring risk of cardiometabolic disease. We found that there were distinct methylation signatures for IUGR, LGA, and AGA groups and identified over 500 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) among these group comparisons. Functional and gene network analyses revealed expected relationships of DMGs to placental physiology and transport, but also identified novel pathways with biologic plausibility and potential clinical importance to cardiometabolic disease. Specific loci for DMGs of interest had methylation patterns that were strongly associated with anthropometric presentations. We further validated altered gene expression of these specific DMGs contributing to vascular and metabolic diseases (SLC36A1, PTPRN2, CASZ1, IL10), thereby establishing transcriptional effects toward assigning functional significance. Our results suggest that the gene expression and methylation state of the human placenta are related and sensitive to the intrauterine environment, as it affects fetal growth patterns. We speculate that these observed changes may affect risk for offspring in developing adult cardiometabolic disease.

Differential microRNA expression in human placentas of term intra-uterine growth restriction that regulates target genes mediating angiogenesis and amino acid transport.

Placental insufficiency leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) demonstrates perturbed gene expression affecting placental angiogenesis and nutrient transfer from mother to fetus. To understand the post-transcriptional mechanisms underlying such placental gene expression changes, our objective was to identify key non-coding microRNAs that express biological function. To this end, we initially undertook microarrays targeting microRNAs in a small sub-set of placentas of appropriate (AGA) versus small for gestational age (SGA) weight infants, and observed up-regulation of 97 miRs and down-regulation of 44 miRs in SGA versus AGA. In a larger cohort of samples (AGA, n = 21; SGA, n = 11; IUGR subset, n = 5), we validated by qRT-PCR differential expression of three specific microRNAs (miR-10b, -363 and -149) that target genes mediating angiogenesis and nutrient transfer. Validation yielded an increase in miR-10b and -363 expression of ~2.5-fold (p<0.02 each) in SGA versus AGA, and of ~3-fold (p<0.005) in IUGR versus AGA, with no significant change despite a trending increase in miR-149. To further establish a cause-and-effect paradigm, employing human HTR8 trophoblast cells, we assessed the effect of nutrient deprivation on miR expression and inhibition of endogenous miRs on target gene expression. In-vitro nutrient deprivation (~50%) increased the expression of miR-10b and miR-149 by 1.5-fold (p<0.02) while decreasing miR-363 (p<0.0001). Inhibition of endogenous miRs employing antisense sequences against miR-10b, -363 and -149 revealed an increase respectively in the expression of the target genes KLF-4 (transcription factor which regulates angiogenesis), SNAT1 and 2 (sodium coupled neutral amino acid transporters) and LAT2 (leucine amino acid transporter), which translated into a similar change in the corresponding proteins. Finally to establish functional significance we performed dual-luciferase reporter assays with 3'-insertion of miR-10b alone and observed a ~10% reduction in the 5'-luciferase activity versus the control. Lastly, we further validated by microarray and employing MirWalk software that the pathways and target genes identified by differentially expressed miRs in SGA/IUGR compared to AGA are consistent in a larger cohort. We have established the biological significance of various miRs that target common transcripts mediating pathways of importance, which are perturbed in the human IUGR placenta.

Sex-Specific Life Course Changes in the Neuro-Metabolic Phenotype of Glut3 Null Heterozygous Mice: Ketogenic Diet Ameliorates Electroencephalographic Seizures and Improves Sociability.

We tested the hypothesis that exposure of glut3+/- mice to a ketogenic diet ameliorates autism-like features, which include aberrant behavior and electrographic seizures. We first investigated the life course sex-specific changes in basal plasma-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-brain metabolic profile, brain glucose transport/uptake, glucose and monocarboxylate transporter proteins, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the presence or absence of systemic insulin administration. Glut3+/- male but not female mice (5 months of age) displayed reduced CSF glucose/lactate concentrations with no change in brain Glut1, Mct2, glucose uptake or ATP. Exogenous insulin-induced hypoglycemia increased brain glucose uptake in glut3+/- males alone. Higher plasma-CSF ketones (ß-hydroxybutyrate) and lower brain Glut3 in females vs males proved protective in the former while enhancing vulnerability in the latter. As a consequence, increased synaptic proteins (neuroligin4 and SAPAP1) with spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic activity subsequently reduced hippocampal glucose content and increased brain amyloid ß1-40 deposition in an age-dependent manner in glut3+/- males but not females (4 to 24 months of age). We then explored the protective effect of a ketogenic diet on ultrasonic vocalization, sociability, spatial learning and memory, and electroencephalogram seizures in male mice (7 days to 6 to 8 months of age) alone. A ketogenic diet partially restored sociability without affecting perturbed vocalization, spatial learning and memory, and reduced seizure events. We conclude that (1) sex-specific and age-dependent perturbations underlie the phenotype of glut3+/- mice, and (2) a ketogenic diet ameliorates seizures caused by increased cortical excitation and improves sociability, but fails to rescue vocalization and cognitive deficits in glut3+/- male mice.

Skeletal muscle glucose transporter protein responses to antenatal glucocorticoids in the ovine fetus.

We investigated the effects of maternal antenatal dexamethasone (Dex) treatment given as a single course (4 doses) or multiple courses (20 doses) on fetal skeletal muscle glucose transporter (GLUT) protein concentrations at 70% of gestation (106 to 107 days with term being 145 to 150 days) in the ovine fetus. Antenatal corticosteroid administration was associated with a decrease in endogenous fetal plasma cortisol concentrations (P < 0.05), fetal hyperglycemia (P < 0.02) and hyperinsulinemia (P < 0.05). These metabolic/hormonal changes were associated with a decrease in fetal body weight (P < 0.05) in the multiple course Dex group compared with the multiple course placebo group. These perturbations were associated with an increase in fetal skeletal muscle GLUT 1 concentrations that mediate basal glucose transport in the extensor digitorum lateralis and extensor digitorum longus muscles (P < 0.05) 18 h after the last dose of Dex was given in the single course group. However, in the multiple course Dex group, a small increase in GLUT 1 was observed only in the biceps femoris. In contrast, both single and multiple courses of antenatal Dex were associated with an increase in the extensor digitorum lateralis and biceps femoris muscle GLUT 4 (insulin-responsive) concentrations (P < 0.05). We conclude that antenatal corticosteroids perturb fetal glucose/insulin homeostasis, which is associated with increases in fetal skeletal muscle glucose transporters to compensate for and attenuate the associated catabolic fetal state. These changes consist of an increase in proteins that mediate basal glucose transport (GLUT 1) to meet immediate energy requirements of the fetal skeletal muscle with an increase in basal insulin sensitivity (GLUT 4) to compensate for the Dex-induced catabolic state after exposure to multiple courses of Dex.

Gestational food restriction decreases placental interleukin-10 expression and markers of autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress in murine intrauterine growth restriction.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects up to 10% of pregnancies and often results in short- and long-term sequelae for offspring. The mechanisms underlying IUGR are poorly understood, but it is known that healthy placentation is essential for nutrient provision to fuel fetal growth, and is regulated by immunologic inputs. We hypothesized that in pregnancy, maternal food restriction (FR) resulting in IUGR would decrease the overall immunotolerant milieu in the placenta, leading to increased cellular stress and death. Our specific objectives were to evaluate (1) key cytokines (eg, IL-10) that regulate maternal-fetal tolerance, (2) cellular processes (autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum [ER] stress) that are immunologically mediated and important for cellular survival and functioning, and (3) the resulting IUGR phenotype and placental histopathology in this animal model. After subjecting pregnant mice to mild and moderate FR from gestational day 10 to 19, we collected placentas and embryos at gestational day 19. We examined RNA sequencing data to identify immunologic pathways affected in IUGR-associated placentas and validated messenger RNA expression changes of genes important in cellular integrity. We also evaluated histopathologic changes in vascular and trophoblastic structures as well as protein expression changes in autophagy, ER stress, and apoptosis in the mouse placentas. Several differentially expressed genes were identified in FR compared with control mice, including a considerable subset that regulates immune tolerance, inflammation, and cellular integrity. In summary, maternal FR decreases the anti-inflammatory effect of IL-10 and suppresses placental autophagic and ER stress responses, despite evidence of dysregulated vascular and trophoblast structures leading to IUGR.

Maternal Calorie Restriction Causing Uteroplacental Insufficiency Differentially Affects Mammalian Placental Glucose and Leucine Transport Molecular Mechanisms.

We examined the effect of mild (Mi; ∼25%) and moderate (Mo; ∼50%) maternal calorie restriction (MCR) vs ad libitum-fed controls on placental glucose and leucine transport impacting fetal growth potential. We observed in MiMCR a compensatory increase in transplacental (TP) glucose transport due to increased placental glucose transporter isoform (GLUT)-3 but no change in GLUT1 protein concentrations. This change was paralleled by increased glut3 mRNA and 5-hydroxymethylated cytosines with enhanced recruitment of histone 3 lysine demethylase to the glut3 gene locus. To assess the biologic relevance of placental GLUT1, we also examined glut1 heterozygous null vs wild-type mice and observed no difference in placental GLUT3 and TP or intraplacental glucose and leucine transport. Both MCR states led to a graded decrease in TP and intraplacental leucine transport, with a decline in placental L amino acid transporter isoform 2 (LAT2) concentrations and increased microRNA-149 (targets LAT2) and microRNA-122 (targets GLUT3) expression in MoMCR alone. These changes were accompanied by a step-wise reduction in uterine and umbilical artery Doppler blood flow with decreased fetal left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening. We conclude that MiMCR transactivates placental GLUT3 toward preserving TP glucose transport in the face of reduced leucine transport. This contrasts MoMCR in which a reduction in placental GLUT3 mediated glucose transport with a reciprocal increase in miR-122 expression was encountered. A posttranscriptional reduction in LAT2-mediated leucine transport also occurred with enhanced miR-149 expression. Both MCR states, although not affecting placental GLUT1, resulted in uteroplacental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction with compromised cardiovascular health.

Insulin-responsive glucose transporters-GLUT8 and GLUT4 are expressed in the developing mammalian brain.

We investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of insulin-responsive facilitative glucose transporter isoforms GLUT4 and GLUT8 in the developing mouse brain. Employing Western blot analysis and specific antibodies, GLUT4 and GLUT8 peaked during the suckling phase. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of GLUT4 mainly in neurites in sensory and motor areas of cortical and subcortical structures of the brain from P7 until adulthood. In contrast, GLUT8 was found in the same anatomical structures within neurites and cell bodies. Most striking was the presence of GLUT8 in the cell bodies of the substantia nigra. We conclude that both GLUT4 and GLUT8 are present in murine brain, with highest concentrations noted during the suckling phase. These insulin-responsive isoforms may have a unique role in augmenting substrate delivery under conditions of increased demand.

Differential methylation of the micro-RNA 7b gene targets postnatal maturation of murine neuronal Mecp2 gene expression.

DNA methylation and microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in maturation of postnatal mouse neurons. Aberrant DNA methylation and/or altered miRNA expression cause postnatal neurodevelopmental disorders. In general, DNA methylation in the 5'-flanking region suppresses gene expression through recruitment of methyl-CpG binding domain proteins (MBPs) to the cytosine residues of CpG dinucleotides. X-linked MeCP2 (methyl-CpG binding protein 2), a member of MBPs, is a methylation-associated transcriptional repressor with other functions in the central nervous system (CNS). miRNAs negatively regulate gene expression by targeting the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR). Some miRNA genes harboring or being embedded in CpG islands undergo methylation-mediated silencing. One such miRNA is miR-7b which is differentially expressed through stages of neurodevelopment. In our present study, we focused on a canonical CpG island located in the 5'-flanking region of the murine miR-7b gene. Hypermethylation of this CpG island down-regulates miR-7b while recruiting MeCP2 to the methylated CpG dinucleotides. Meanwhile, Mecp2, a target of miR-7b, was up-regulated due to lack of restrain exerted by miR-7b during maturation of postnatal (PN) mouse neurons between PN3 and PN14. Our results indicate that miR-7b is a direct downstream gene transcriptional target while also being a negative post-transcriptional regulator of Mecp2 expression. We speculate that this bidirectional feed-back autoregulatory function of miR-7b and Mecp2 while linking DNA methylation and miRNA action maintains the homeostatic control of gene expression necessary during postnatal maturation of mammalian neurons.

Postnatal exposure to a high-carbohydrate diet interferes epigenetically with thyroid hormone receptor induction of the adult male rat skeletal muscle glucose transporter isoform 4 expression.

Early life nutritional intervention causes adult-onset insulin resistance and obesity in rats. Thyroid hormone receptor (TR), in turn, transcriptionally enhances skeletal muscle Glut4 expression. We tested the hypothesis that reduced circulating thyroid-stimulating hormone and T4 concentrations encountered in postnatal (PN4-PN24) high-carbohydrate (HC) milk formula-fed versus the mother-fed controls (MF) would epigenetically interfere with TR induction of adult (100 days) male rat skeletal muscle Glut4 expression, thereby providing a molecular mechanism mediating insulin resistance. We observed increased DNA methylation of the CpG island with enhanced recruitment of Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b and MeCP2 in the glut4 promoter region along with reduced acetylation of histone (H)2A.Z and H4 particularly at the H4.lysine (K)16 residue, which was predominantly mediated by histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4). This was followed by enhanced recruitment of heterochromatin protein 1ß to the glut4 promoter with increased Suv39H1 methylase concentrations. These changes reduced TR binding of the T3 response element of the glut4 gene (TREs; -473 to -450 bp) detected qualitatively in vivo (electromobility shift assay) and quantified ex vivo (chromatin immunoprecipitation). In addition, the recruitment of steroid receptor coactivator and CREB-binding protein to the glut4 promoter-protein complex was reduced. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the interaction between TR and CBP to be reduced and HDAC4 to be enhanced in HC versus MF groups. These molecular changes were associated with diminished skeletal muscle Glut4 mRNA and protein concentrations. We conclude that early postnatal exposure to HC diet epigenetically reduced TR induction of adult male skeletal muscle Glut4 expression, uncovering novel molecular mechanisms contributing to adult insulin resistance and obesity.

Creb1-Mecp2-(m)CpG complex transactivates postnatal murine neuronal glucose transporter isoform 3 expression.

The murine neuronal facilitative glucose transporter isoform 3 (Glut3) is developmentally regulated, peaking in expression at postnatal day (PN)14. In the present study, we characterized a canonical CpG island spanning the 5'-flanking region of the glut3 gene. Methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing identified methylation of this CpG ((m)CpG) island of the glut3 gene, frequency of methylation increasing 2.5-fold with a 1.6-fold increase in DNA methyl transferase 3a concentrations noted with advancing postnatal age (PN14 vs PN3). 5'-flanking region of glut3-luciferase reporter transient transfection in HT22 hippocampal neurons demonstrated that (m)CpGs inhibit glut3 transcription. Contrary to this biological function, glut3 expression rises synchronously with (m)CpGs in PN14 vs PN3 neurons. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (IP) revealed that methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) bound the glut3-(m)CpGs. Depending on association with specific coregulators, Mecp2, a dual regulator of gene transcription, may repress or activate a downstream gene. Sequential chromatin IP uncovered the glut3-(m)CpGs to bind Mecp2 exponentially upon recruitment of Creb1 rather than histone deacetylase 1. Co-IP and coimmunolocalization confirmed that Creb1 associated with Mecp2 and cotransfection with glut3-(m)CpG in HT22 cells enhanced glut3 transcription. Separate 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine pretreatment or in combination with trichostatin A reduced (m)CpG and specific small interference RNAs targeting Mecp2 and Creb1 separately or together depleting Mecp2 and/or Creb1 binding of glut3-(m)CpGs reduced glut3 expression in HT22 cells. We conclude that Glut3 is a methylation-sensitive neuronal gene that recruits Mecp2. Recruitment of Creb1-Mecp2 by glut3-(m)CpG contributes towards transactivation, formulating an escape from (m)CpG-induced gene suppression, and thereby promoting developmental neuronal glut3 gene transcription and expression.