Normal Pregnancy Research Articles

Histopathologic Changes in the Placenta of Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia

Objective: The placenta plays a key role in the development of pre-eclampsia. Knowledge of the histopathologic changes in the preeclamptic placenta will improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, which may contribute to the development of timely interventions, prevention strategies or treatment options. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the histopathologic changes in the placentas of pre-eclampsia patients. Material and Methods: This study was conducted between May 01, 2023, and January 31, 2024, at tertiary hospital. A total of 30 pregnancies were included in the study, 15 with preeclampsia and 15 that were otherwise normal pregnancies. After delivery by cesarean section, the placentas of these patients were taken to the Department of Histology and Embryology examined histologically by staining with hematoxylin-eosin. Results: Compared to the control group, the placentas of the pre-eclampsia patients showed a more degeneration of the villi, hemorrhage in the intervillous area, the presence of immune cells, vasodilation, and congestion. In addition, there were more fibrinoid accumulations and more syncytial knots in the placentas of the pre-eclampsia patients. Conclusion: There were histologic differences between the placenta of pre-eclampsia patients and the control group. The studies that search the precursor markers leading to these histopathologic changes are necessary to improve our understanding of preeclampsia and to develop further strategies such as treatment options and prevention strategies. Keywords: Preeclampsia, hematoxylin-eosin staining, histopathologic examination

The microbiome of the pregnant uterus in Holstein dairy heifers and cows assessed by bacterial culture and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.

The possibility that there is a resident and stable commensal microbiome within the pregnant uterus has been supported and refuted by a series of recent studies. One element of most of the initial studies was that they were based primarily on 16S rRNA gene sequencing from bacteria. To account for this limitation, the current study performed both bacterial culture and 16S rRNA gene sequencing in a side-by-side manner (e.g., same tissues isolated from the same animal). The uteruses of 10 mid-pregnant (156 ± 5 d of gestation) Holstein heifers and cows were collected following slaughter. The external surface of the reproductive tract (positive control for contamination during tissue collection) as well as tissues within the pregnant uterus (placentome, inter-cotyledonary placenta, inter-caruncular endometrium, amnionic fluid, allantoic fluid, fetal abomasum content, and fetal meconium) were sampled for bacterial culture and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. There were 87 unique bacterial species cultured from the external surface of the pregnant reproductive tract (contamination control) and 12 bacterial species cultured from pregnancy tissues. Six out of 10 cattle (60%) exhibited bacterial growth in at least one location within the pregnant uterus. For the metataxonomic results (16S rRNA gene sequencing), a low targeted microbial biomass was identified. Analyses of the detected amplicon sequence variants (ASV) revealed that there were: (1) genera that were prevalent on both the external surface and within the pregnant uterus; (2) genera that were prevalent on the external surface but either not detected or had very low prevalence within the pregnant uterus; and (3) genera that were either not detected or had low prevalence on the external surface but found with relatively high prevalence within the pregnant uterus. There are a small number of viable bacteria in the pregnant uterus. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing detected a microbial community within the pregnant uterus but with a low biomass. These results are consistent with recent studies of the pregnant bovine uterus and leave open the question of whether there is adequate microbial mass to significantly affect the biology of the normal healthy bovine pregnancy.

Sheng Zhen Gong in pregnancy: The effects of a traditional low intensity exercise form on maternofetal health and wellbeing

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate maternal and fetal responses to Sheng Zhen Gong (SZG), a low intensity form of exercise, using multi-modal antenatal surveillance techniques. Methods: This was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial in low risk pregnant women from a tertiary center in the Philippines. Participants were randomized into Chronic Exercise (CE), Acute Exercise (AE) and No Exercise (NE) groups. A Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) was given to ascertain baseline activities. Systematic periodic assessment was performed utilizing standard ultrasound and Doppler studies between 20+0 to 32+0 weeks gestation with or without sessions involving a biophysical and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) evaluation before and after SZG exercise. Results: Eighty-nine (89) women were included with average energy expenditures of light to moderate intensity. In the CE group, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial pressures and heart rates were lower while oxygen saturations increased after exercise (n=35; p: <0.01 to 0.01). There were also observable significant increases in maternal well-being scores after exercise for both CE (n=35) and AE (n=21) groups (p<0.01). Increasing the frequency of exercise was also associated with better maternal well-being (p: 0.02). Fetal Doppler studies showed no significant changes after exercise. Conclusion: In normal pregnancy, routine low intensity physical activity in the form of SZG was seen to have positive effects on maternal cardiovascular, blood glucose and mental well-being maintenance with no evidence of detrimental effects on the fetus.

Studying the Effect of Cholesterol and Activin a Hormone on Inducing Abortion in Pregnant Women

The current study aimed to show the relationship between the levels of (activin-A hormone) and the concentration of lipids cholesterol) and the occurrence of some cases of Abortion and threatened pregnancy The study included 150 blood samples taken from aborted women and women with a threatened pregnancy, which is diagnosed by ultrasound scan and other methods such as clinical examinations and the history of the pregnant woman. Their ages ranged between (16-45) who visited Tikrit Teaching Hospital and private outpatient clinics. It was divided into three groups: The first included 50 blood samples from aborted women, 20 blood samples from women with a threatened pregnancy, and 20 blood samples from women with normal pregnancies as a control group. Blood samples were taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. The results of this study showed a significant increase in the concentration of (activin-A hormone) at a significant level (P ≤ 0.05) in the aborted women group .And women threatened with abortion compared with the control group, as well as a significant increase in the level of lipids (cholesterol) at a significant level (P ≤ 0.05)in the abortion group and the group of women threatened with abortion compared with the control group.

Association between plasma growth differentiation factor 15 levels and pre-eclampsia in China.

Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress response protein and is related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to investigate the association between GDF-15 and pre-eclampsia (PE). The study involved 299 pregnant women, out of which 236 had normal pregnancies, while 63 participants had PE. Maternal serum levels of GDF-15 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and then translated into multiple of median (MOM) to avoid the influence of gestational week at blood sampling. Logistic models were performed to estimate the association between GDF-15 MOM and PE, presenting as odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). MOM of GDF-15 in PE participants was higher compared with controls (1.588 vs. 1.000, p < 0.001). In the logistic model, pregnant women with higher MOM of GDF-15 (>1) had a 4.74-fold (95% CI = 2.23-10.08, p < 0.001) increased risk of PE, adjusted by age, preconceptional body mass index, gravidity, and parity. These results demonstrated that higher levels of serum GDF-15 were associated with PE. GDF-15 may serve as a biomarker for diagnosing PE.

The Frequency and Associated Factors of Restless Leg Syndrome among Pregnant Women in 3rd Trimester

Background: Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is characterized by an uncomfortable sensation in the legs, often occurring at the onset of sleep, which triggers an irrepressible urge to move the legs. This condition is particularly prevalent among pregnant women, with symptoms typically worsening during the third trimester. Despite its impact, many pregnant women are unaware of RLS, attributing their discomfort to normal pregnancy symptoms. Objective: To assess the frequency and associated factors of RLS in pregnant females during the third trimester and to evaluate its impact on their quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 250 pregnant females in their third trimester, recruited from Shalimar Hospital, Nawaz Sharif Hospital, Zahida Welfare Trust, Alshad Clinic, Ali Hospital, Ahsan Hospital, Nargis Clinic, Manawa Government Hospital, and Sultan Medical Center. Participants aged 15-45 years were included, while those with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus were excluded. Data were collected using structured questionnaires incorporating the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Ethical approval was obtained, and the study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki principles. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics, frequencies, and graphical representations employed to summarize and analyze the data. Results: The mean age of participants was 26.32 years (SD = 5.08). The prevalence of RLS in the third trimester was found to be 89.2%. The age group most affected was 18-23 years. Factors associated with RLS included inadequate calcium intake (40.4%), insufficient daily water intake (40.4%), poor food intake (48%), mood disturbances (89.2%), lack of movement or light exercise (78%), caffeine consumption (16%), disturbances in sexual activities (48%), and disruption in daily activities (45.2%). Conclusion: RLS is highly prevalent among pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, significantly impacting their quality of life. Despite its prevalence, many women remain unaware of RLS, mistaking it for typical pregnancy discomfort. Raising awareness and implementing screening and management strategies during prenatal care could improve the quality of life for affected women.

Role of maternal-fetal immune tolerance in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.

Normal pregnancy is a contradictory and complicated physiological process. Although the fetus carries the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) inherited from the paternal line, it does not cause maternal immune rejection. As the only exception to immunological principles, maternal-fetal immune tolerance has been a reproductive immunology focus. In early pregnancy, fetal extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) invade decidual tissues and come into direct contact with maternal decidual immune cells (DICs) and decidual stromal cells (DSCs) to establish a sophisticated maternal-fetal crosstalk. This study reviews previous research results and focuses on the establishment and maintenance mechanism of maternal-fetal tolerance based on maternal-fetal crosstalk. Insights into maternal-fetal tolerance will not only improve understanding of normal pregnancy but will also contribute to novel therapeutic strategies for recurrent spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, and premature birth.

Occult hepatitis B infection in children born to HBeAg-positive women confers a low long-term risk for HBsAg-positive infection.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) has been the main cause of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, particularly in East Asia. Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and vaccination given directly after birth effectively prevents hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive (overt) HBV infection, but occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) may develop despite adequate prophylaxis. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome in children born to mothers with very high HBV DNA levels with special focus on children discovered in early childhood with OBI. One-year and long-term outcome regarding overt and occult HBV infection were analysed in 66 children born to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive mothers, and were compared with one-year outcome in 69 children born to HBeAg-negative mothers. The children were born between 1998 and 2018. Six children born to HBeAg-positive mothers developed overt chronic HBV infection, in two cases after normal pregnancies and despite HBIG and vaccination, but never when nucleotide analogue treatment was given during pregnancy. OBI with HBV DNA detected in serum in the absence of surface antigen (HBsAg) was observed in four children at the age of 1year. One of them was transiently HBsAg-positive at the age of 7years. At long-term follow-up, six children had overt chronic infection, one had OBI and six had previous OBI or positive anti-HBc suggesting resolved unidentified infections. The results indicate that children born to mothers with high HBV DNA levels have approximately 10% risk to develop OBI despite antiviral treatment, vaccination and HBIG, but that such OBI confers a minimal long-term risk for overt infection, at least in immunocompetent children.

Stretch Causes cffDNA and HMGB1-Mediated Inflammation and Cellular Stress in Human Fetal Membranes.

Danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are elevated within the amniotic cavity, and their increases correlate with advancing gestational age, chorioamnionitis, and labor. Although the specific triggers for their release in utero remain unclear, it is thought that they may contribute to the initiation of parturition by influencing cellular stress mechanisms that make the fetal membranes (FMs) more susceptible to rupture. DAMPs induce inflammation in many different tissue types. Indeed, they precipitate the subsequent release of several proinflammatory cytokines that are known to be key for the weakening of FMs. Previously, we have shown that in vitro stretch of human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) induces a cellular stress response that increases high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) secretion. We have also shown that cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) induces a cytokine response in FM explants that is fetal sex-specific. Therefore, the aim of this work was to further investigate the link between stretch and the DAMPs HMGB1 and cffDNA in the FM. These data show that stretch increases the level of cffDNA released from hAECs. It also confirms the importance of the sex of the fetus by demonstrating that female cffDNA induced more cellular stress than male fetuses. Our data treating hAECs and human amnion mesenchymal cells with HMGB1 show that it has a differential effect on the ability of the cells of the amnion to upregulate the proinflammatory cytokines and propagate a proinflammatory signal through the FM that may weaken it. Finally, our data show that sulforaphane (SFN), a potent activator of Nrf2, is able to mitigate the proinflammatory effects of stretch by decreasing the levels of HMGB1 release and ROS generation after stretch and modulating the increase of key cytokines after cell stress. HMGB1 and cffDNA are two of the few DAMPs that are known to induce cytokine release and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation in the FMs; thus, these data support the general thesis that they can function as potential central players in the normal mechanisms of FM weakening during the normal distension of this tissue at the end of a normal pregnancy.

LIF-STAT signaling in decidual cells: a possible role in embryo implantation and early pregnancy.

In this study, we investigate the effects of miRNA-138-5p and probable G-protein coupled receptor 124 (GPR124)-regulated inflammasome and downstream leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-STAT and adhesion molecule signaling in human decidual stromal cells. After informed consent was obtained from women aged 25-38 years undergoing surgical termination of the normal pregnancy and spontaneous miscarriage after 6-9 weeks of gestation, human decidual stromal cells were extracted from the decidual tissue. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) with microRNA (miRNA) between cells have been regarded as critical factors for embryo-maternal interactions on embryo implantation and programming of human pregnancy. MicroRNA-138-5p acts as the transcriptional regulator of GPR124 and the mediator of downstream inflammasome. LIF-regulated STAT activation and expression of integrins might influence embryo implantation. Hence, a better understanding of LIF-STAT and adhesion molecule signaling would elucidate the mechanism of microRNA-138-5p- and GPR124-regulated inflammasome activation on embryo implantation and pregnancy. Our results show that microRNA-138-5p, purified from the EVs of decidual stromal cells, inhibits the expression of GPR124 and the inflammasome, and activates the expression of LIF-STAT and adhesion molecules in human decidual stromal cells. Additionally, the knockdown of GPR124 and NLRP3 through siRNA increases the expression of LIF-STAT and adhesion molecules. The findings of this study help us gain a better understanding the role of EVs, microRNA-138-5p, GPR124, inflammasomes, LIF-STAT, and adhesion molecules in embryo implantation and programming of human pregnancy.

Bleeding Time and Clotting Time in Pre-eclampsia, Eclampsia and Normal Pregnancy

Introduction: The most important cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality are hypertensive disorder (Preeclampsia and eclampsia). In preeclampsia and eclampsia there is hypercoagulable state which acts as a risk factor for thromboembolism and DIC. Objective: This study was carried out to compare the coagulation indices in normal pregnancy, preeclampsia and eclampsia. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Dhaka Medical College from January to December’ 2014. Total 150 women aged 18 – 40 years were selected for this study. Among them 50 normal pregnant, 50 preeclamptic and 50 eclamptic women were selected as study group and age matched 50 healthy nonpregnant women were considered as control group. Bleeding time was estimated by Duke’s method and clotting time was estimated by capillary tube method. Results: In this study bleeding time and clotting time were significantly higher in preeclamptic and eclamptic women than those of healthy nonpregnant women. Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that bleeding time and clotting time are closely related with preeclampsia and eclampsia. Medicine Today 2023 Vol.36 (1): 41-44

Assessment of High Serum Cystatin C as an Early Marker of Renal Impairment in Pre Eclampsia

Introduction: Preeclampsia is the most common medical complication during pregnancy and one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Bangladesh. Kidney has role in both adaptive physiology of normal pregnancy and in pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Among the new biomarkers, serum Cystatin C can reliably reflect the GFR in both healthy and hypertensive pregnant women. It is important to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of Cystatin C as a marker of renal function in preeclampsia. Aim: To assess high serum Cystatin C level as an early marker of renal impairment in pre-eclamptic patients. Materials and Methods: From March, 2021 to February, 2022 (A total of 12 months) a cohort study was conducted among 66 pregnant women, aged 18 to 40 years with pre-eclampsia and normal serum creatinine (0.5-0.8mg/dl) at their 20-28 weeks of gestation attending the antenatal clinic and admitted in the Department of Feto maternal Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, selected by non random purposive and convenient sampling. Results: Out of 66 respondents, final analysis was done with 62 patients. Among 62 study samples, 76% patients had “High Cystatin C” level that was greater than 0.84 and renal impairment developed in 15% pregnant women. Majority of the participants were in 25-30 age groups (46.8%). The mean serum creatinine level of the pregnant women increased throughout follow up and it was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) in both cases. No significant difference was found between serum Cystatin C in renal impaired and normal renal function pre eclampsia patients at a cut off value of 0.84. ROC analysis of serum Cystatin C level for detection of renal impairment among Pre eclamptic patients found a cut-off value of ≥1.49 showed the highest Youden index of 0.721. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of serum Cystatin C were 77.78%, 94.34%, 70.00%, 96.15% and 91.94%. Conclusion: Higher Cystatin C level in pre-eclampsia reflected renal impairment at an early stage even before conventional marker like serum creatinine raise. The diagnostic efficiency of Cystatin C as a marker of renal function in pre eclampsia can be used to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality of Bangladesh. Medicine Today 2023 Vol.36 (1): 12-16

Disruption of maternal vascular remodeling by a fetal endoretrovirus-derived gene in preeclampsia

BackgroundPreeclampsia, one of the most lethal pregnancy-related diseases, is associated with the disruption of uterine spiral artery remodeling during placentation. However, the early molecular events leading to preeclampsia remain unknown.ResultsBy analyzing placentas from preeclampsia, non-preeclampsia, and twin pregnancies with selective intrauterine growth restriction, we show that the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is attributed to immature trophoblast and maldeveloped endothelial cells. Delayed epigenetic reprogramming during early extraembryonic tissue development leads to generation of excessive immature trophoblast cells. We find reduction of de novo DNA methylation in these trophoblast cells results in selective overexpression of maternally imprinted genes, including the endoretrovirus-derived gene PEG10 (paternally expressed gene 10). PEG10 forms virus-like particles, which are transferred from the trophoblast to the closely proximate endothelial cells. In normal pregnancy, only a low amount of PEG10 is transferred to maternal cells; however, in preeclampsia, excessive PEG10 disrupts maternal vascular development by inhibiting TGF-beta signaling.ConclusionsOur study reveals the intricate epigenetic mechanisms that regulate trans-generational genetic conflict and ultimately ensure proper maternal–fetal interface formation.

GATA3 and TGF-β in normal placenta and pre-eclampsia

GATA3 plays critical roles in the development and function of various tissues and organs throughout the body. Likewise, TGF-β signaling is critical for placental development and can interact with GATA3. We aimed to investigate the involvement of the multifunctional cytokine and transcription factor in trophoblast development. By using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the localization and expression level of GATA3 and TGF-β in placentas at term of normal pregnancy and with pre-eclampsia. Up-regulation of both GATA3 and TGF-β was observed in pathological placentas, with localization in the villus epithelium (syncytiotrophoblast) stroma and decidua. Our data show altered expression of TGF-β and GATA3, which downstream could lead to a cascade of events that negatively influence trophoblast development and contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Features of vitamin D metabolism during normal pregnancy

Features of vitamin D metabolism during normal pregnancy

Plasmodium falciparum alters the trophoblastic barrier and stroma villi organization of human placental villi explants.

The sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocytes in the placenta, and the resulting inflammatory response affects maternal and child health. Despite existing information, little is known about the direct impact of P. falciparum on the placental barrier formed by trophoblast and villous stroma. This study aimed to assess placental tissue damage caused by P. falciparum in human placental explants (HPEs). HPEs from chorionic villi obtained of human term placentas (n = 9) from normal pregnancies were exposed to P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IE) for 24h. HPEs were embedded in paraffin blocks and used to study tissue damage through histopathological and histochemical analysis and apoptosis using TUNEL staining. Culture supernatants were collected to measure cytokine and angiogenic factors and to determine LDH activity as a marker of cytotoxicity. A subset of archived human term placenta paraffin-embedded blocks from pregnant women with malaria were used to confirm ex vivo findings. Plasmodium falciparum-IE significantly damages the trophoblast layer and the villous stroma of the chorionic villi. The increased LDH activity and pathological findings such as syncytial knots, fibrin deposits, infarction, trophoblast detachment, and collagen disorganization supported these findings. The specific damage to the trophoblast and the thickening of the subjacent basal lamina were more pronounced in the ex vivo infection. In contrast, apoptosis was higher in the in vivo infection. This disparity could be attributed to the duration of exposure to the infection, which significantly varied between individuals naturally exposed over time and the 24-h exposure in the ex vivo HPE model. Exposure to P. falciparum-IE induces a detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast, disorganization of the stroma villi, and an increase in apoptosis, alterations that may be associated with adverse results such as intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight.

Overexpression of RBM15 modulated the effect of trophoblast cells by promoting the binding ability between YTHDF2 and the CD82 3′UTR to decrease the expression of CD82

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a syndrome with no specific pathological mechanism and is specific to pregnancy. The combined analysis of proteomics and transcriptomics possesses many benefits for treating this disease. m6A modification plays a major role in PE; however, mechanism have not been studied clearly. This study investigated the potential mechanism underlying the role of m6A in PE. Mass spectrometry-based label-free quantitative proteomics and transcriptomics experiments were conducted on the placenta of patients with pre-eclampsia and normal pregnancies, and the two omics were followed by joint analysis. Total m6A modification in placental tissues, HTR8/SVneo cells, and JEG-3 cells was measured by dot blot. The levels of RBM15 and CD82 in tissues and cells were detected using qPCR. The protein levels of G3BP1, RBM15, MMP-2, YTHDF2, and MMP-9 were measured by western blotting. The function, migration, and invasion characteristics of HTR8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells were measured using Transwell assays. SRAMP predicted the m6A modification site in the CD82 mRNA 3'UTR, and this was confirmed using luciferase activity and YTHDF2-RIP. m6A modification was promoted in the PE group, and the RBM15 abundance was increased. Overexpression of RBM15 increased m6A modification. However, overexpression of RBM15 suppressed the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and also the migratory and invasive capabilities of HTR8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells. CD82 expression levels were decreased in PE, and CD82 expression was confirmed via qPCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, RBM15 overexpression reduced CD82 mRNA and protein levels. Luciferase activity and YTHDF2-RIP results verified that overexpression of RBM15 promoted the binding ability between YTHDF2 and the CD82 3'UTR, thereby decreasing CD82 expression. Finally, CD82 overexpression reversed the effect of RBM15 overexpression on the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and on the migratory and invasive capabilities of the cells. Overexpression of RBM15 hindered the migratory and invasive capabilities of trophoblasts, while concurrently enhancing m6A modification. The potential mechanism was that overexpression of RBM15 promoted the binding capability between YTHDF2 and CD82 3'UTR and decrease the expression of CD82. Thus, this study provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of PE.

Raman spectroscopy analysis of human amniotic fluid cells from fetuses with myelomeningocele

Prenatal surgery for the treatment of spina bifida (myelomeningocele, MMC) significantly enhances the neurological prognosis of the patient. To ensure better protection of the spinal cord by large defects, the application of skin grafts produced with cells gained from the amniotic fluid is presently studied. In order to determine the most appropriate cells for this purpose, we tried to shed light on the extremely complex amniotic fluid cellular composition in healthy and MMC pregnancies. We exploited the potential of micro-Raman spectroscopy to analyse and characterize human amniotic fluid cells in total and putative (cKit/CD117-positive) stem cells of fetuses with MMC in comparison with amniotic fluid cells from healthy individuals, human fetal dermal fibroblasts and adult adipose derived stem cells. We found that (i) the differences between healthy and MMC amniocytes can be attributed to specific spectral regions involving collagen, lipids, sugars, tryptophan, aspartate, glutamate, and carotenoids, (ii) MMC amniotic fluid contains two particular cell populations which are absent or reduced in normal pregnancies, (iii) the cKit-negative healthy amniocyte subpopulation shares molecular features with human fetal fibroblasts. On the one hand we demonstrate a different amniotic fluid cellular composition in healthy and MMC pregnancies, on the other our work confirms micro-Raman spectroscopy to be a valuable tool for discriminating cell populations in unknown mixtures of cells.

Placental exosomes in pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia, poses significant risks to both maternal and fetal well-being. Exosomes released by the placenta play a crucial role in intercellular communication and are recognized as potential carriers of essential information for placental development. These exosomes transport a payload of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that mirror the placental microenvironment. This review delves into the functional roles of placental exosomes and its contents shedding light on their involvement in vascular regulation and immune modulation in normal pregnancy. Discernible changes are reported in the composition and quantity of placental exosome contents in pregnancies affected by preeclampsia. The exosomes from preeclamptic mothers affect vascularization and fetal kidney development. The discussion also explores the implications of utilizing placental exosomes as biomarkers and the prospects of translating these findings into clinical applications. In conclusion, placental exosomes hold promise as a valuable avenue for deciphering the complexities of preeclampsia, providing crucial diagnostic and prognostic insights. As the field progresses, a more profound comprehension of the distinct molecular signatures carried by placental exosomes may open doors to innovative strategies for managing and offering personalized care to pregnancies affected by preeclampsia.

Increased risk of adverse gestational outcomes in pregnant women with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify risk factors contributing to diverse pregnancy outcomes in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) cases.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on pregnant individuals with pSS, who received outpatient...