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Related Concept Videos

Autophagy01:27

Autophagy

Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome01:36

Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome

Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Autophagic Cell Death01:18

Autophagic Cell Death

Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and pro-apoptotic...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Transcytosis of IgG01:15

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...

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A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta
11:44

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta

Published on: September 27, 2017

Autophagy in term normal human placentas.

P Signorelli1, L Avagliano, E Virgili

  • 1Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, San Paolo Hospital Medical School, University of Milano, Italy.

Placenta
|April 5, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Autophagy, a cellular process vital for survival, is more active in placentas from cesarean births compared to vaginal deliveries. Higher autophagy correlates with lower umbilical cord glucose levels.

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A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta
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Published on: July 30, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Autophagy is a fundamental cellular degradation process crucial for cell survival under stress.
  • The role of autophagy in human placental function remains largely unexplored.
  • Understanding placental autophagy may offer insights into fetal development and maternal health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and activity of autophagy in the human placenta.
  • To compare autophagy levels in placentas from vaginal delivery versus cesarean section.
  • To explore potential correlations between placental autophagy and umbilical arterial glucose concentrations.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of 14 term placentas (7 vaginal delivery, 7 cesarean section).
  • Assessment of autophagy using immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy.
  • Analysis of autophagy levels in different placental regions.

Main Results:

  • Autophagy was detected in human placental tissues.
  • Significantly higher autophagy levels were observed in placentas from cesarean sections compared to vaginal deliveries.
  • A significant inverse relationship was found between placental autophagy and umbilical arterial glucose concentration.

Conclusions:

  • Autophagy is present and active in the human placenta.
  • Mode of delivery (cesarean section vs. vaginal delivery) influences placental autophagy levels.
  • Placental autophagy may be linked to fetal metabolic status, as indicated by its inverse correlation with umbilical glucose.