Is there a role for placental senescence in the genesis of obstetric complications and fetal growth restriction?

Zakia Sultana1, Kaushik Maiti1, Lee Dedman2

  • 1Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, New Lambton Heights, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia; Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.

The placenta ages as pregnancy advances, yet its continued function is required for a successful pregnancy outcome. Placental aging is a physiological phenomenon; however, there are some placentas that show signs of aging earlier than others. Premature placental senescence and aging are implicated in a number of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, spontaneous preterm birth, and intrauterine fetal death. Here we discuss cellular senescence, a state of terminal proliferation arrest, and how senescence is regulated. We also explore the role of physiological placental senescence and how aberrant placental senescence alters placental function, contributing to the pathophysiology of fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, spontaneous preterm labor/birth, and unexplained fetal death.

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