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Uteroplacental Insufficiency Causes Microbiota Disruption and Lung Development Impairment in Growth-Restricted
Yu-Chen S H Yang1, Hsiu-Chu Chou2, Yun-Ru Liu1
1Joint Biobank, Office of Human Research, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110301, Taiwan.
Insights
Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI) in pregnant rats led to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) in newborns, impairing lung development. Gut and lung bacteria were linked to these developmental issues, suggesting microbiota modulation as a potential therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Development
- Microbiology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), often caused by uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI), is linked to impaired neonatal lung development.
- UPI affects approximately 10% of human pregnancies, highlighting its clinical significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of UPI-induced IUGR on lung development and microbiota in newborn rats.
- To explore correlations between specific microbial communities and lung development in IUGR models.
Main Methods:
- Bilateral uterine artery ligation was used to induce UPI and IUGR in a rat model.
- Lung and intestinal microbiota were analyzed on postnatal days 0 and 7.
- Histological and Western blot analyses assessed lung development and angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- UPI-induced IUGR impaired lung development and angiogenesis in newborn rats.
- Specific bacteria, including Acinetobacter, Delftia, and Nevskia, were negatively correlated with lung development at birth.
- Bacteroides, Rodentibacter, and Romboutsia showed negative correlations with lung development by postnatal day 7.
Conclusions:
- UPI-induced IUGR negatively affects lung development and angiogenesis in rat pups.
- The study suggests that alterations in lung and gut microbiota play a role in UPI-related developmental deficits.
- Modulation of the newborn gut-lung microbiota axis may offer a therapeutic strategy for IUGR complications.
Abstract:
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with reduced lung development during the neonatal period and infancy. Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI), affecting approximately 10% of human pregnancies, is the most common cause of IUGR. This study investigated the effects of UPI on lung development and the intestinal microbiota and correlations in newborn rats with IUGR, using bilateral uterine artery ligation to induce UPI. Maternal fecal samples were collected on postnatal day 0. On postnatal days 0 and 7, lung and intestinal microbiota samples were collected from the left lung and the lower gastrointestinal tract. The right lung was harvested for histological assessment and Western blot analysis. Results showed that UPI through bilateral uterine artery ligation did not alter the maternal gut microbiota. IUGR impaired lung development and angiogenesis in newborn rats. Moreover, on postnatal day 0, the presence of Acinetobacter and Delftia in the lungs and Acinetobacter and Nevskia in the gastrointestinal tract was negatively correlated with lung development. Bacteroides in the lungs and Rodentibacter and Romboutsia in the gastrointestinal tract were negatively correlated with lung development on day 7. UPI may have regulated lung development and angiogenesis through the modulation of the newborn rats' intestinal and lung microbiota.
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