Placental glucocorticoid receptors are not affected by maternal depression or SSRI treatment

Åsa Edvinsson,Angela Hoyer,Malin Hansson,Theodora Kunovac Kallak,Inger Sundström-Poromaa,Alkistis Skalkidou,Susanne Lager

doi:10.1080/03009734.2019.1702126

Abstract

Background: Prenatal depression is common, with an estimate that up to one in five pregnant women suffers from depressive symptoms. Maternal depression is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth and low birth-weight. Such outcomes possibly affect offspring development. Previous studies suggest placental RNA levels of the glucocorticoid receptor are altered by maternal depression or anxiety; this stress may affect the placenta of male and female foetuses differently. However, it is unknown if the protein levels and activity of this receptor are additionally affected in women with depressive symptoms or being pharmacologically treated for depression.Methods: In this study, we investigated whether the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) in the placenta is affected by maternal depression and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) treatment. Placentas from 45 women with singleton, term pregnancies were analysed by Western blot to determine glucocorticoid receptor levels, and by DNA-binding capacity to measure glucocorticoid receptor activation.Results: There were no differences in levels of the glucocorticoid receptor or activity between groups (control, depressive symptoms, and SSRI treatment; n = 45). Similarly, there was no difference in placental glucocorticoid receptor levels or activity dependent upon foetal sex.Conclusion: Maternal depression and SSRI treatment do not affect the glucocorticoid receptors in the placenta.

Highlights

During pregnancy, women experience major physical and psychological changes which increase their risk for development of mental illness
Prior to examining placental levels of the glucocorticoid receptor, three different approaches were evaluated as potential loading controls for the Western blot analysis: total protein staining by Amido Black and Ponceau S, as well as probing the membrane for beta-actin (Figure 1)
NR3C1 was detected as a main band at $100 kDa; a weaker band was detected between 55 and 75 kDa. (C) Quantification of placental NR3C1 ($100 kDa band) separated into groups (Healthy control, Depressive symptoms, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) treatment)

Summary

Introduction

Women experience major physical and psychological changes which increase their risk for development of mental illness. In the USA, it is twice as common that women use antidepressant drugs during pregnancy (5) Both maternal depression and SSRI treatment are associated with poor pregnancy outcomes (6–9). Previous studies suggest placental RNA levels of the glucocorticoid receptor are altered by maternal depression or anxiety; this stress may affect the placenta of male and female foetuses differently. It is unknown if the protein levels and activity of this receptor are affected in women with depressive symptoms or being pharmacologically treated for depression. Methods: In this study, we investigated whether the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) in the placenta is affected by maternal depression and/or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs) treatment. Conclusion: Maternal depression and SSRI treatment do not affect the glucocorticoid receptors in the placenta

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Conclusion