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Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: July 21, 2016
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The maternal microbiome promotes placental development in mice
Geoffrey N Pronovost1, Sahil S Telang1, Angela S Chen1
1Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles; Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|February 24, 2023
Summary
The maternal gut microbiome is crucial for healthy placental development and vascularization in mice. Supplementing with short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) can prevent placental growth issues, especially during malnutrition.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Microbiome research
- Developmental biology
Background:
- The maternal microbiome's role in gestational health is recognized, but its specific impact on placental development remains unclear.
- The placenta serves as the critical interface between mother and fetus, influencing pregnancy outcomes.
- Understanding this interaction is vital for addressing pregnancy complications.
Approach:
- Investigated the impact of maternal gut microbiota depletion on placental development in a mouse model.
- Analyzed maternal and fetal circulation for metabolite changes, focusing on short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
- Assessed the effect of SCFA supplementation on placental growth and vascularization, particularly in a maternal malnutrition model.
Key Points:
- Maternal gut microbiota depletion led to restricted placental growth and impaired feto-placental vascularization in mice.
- Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were identified as key metabolites modulated by the maternal gut microbiota.
- SCFAs promoted angiogenesis-related tube formation in endothelial cells and corrected placental vascular abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- The maternal gut microbiome is essential for supporting normal placental growth and vascularization.
- SCFAs play a significant role in mediating the beneficial effects of the maternal gut microbiota on the placenta.
- Host-microbial symbioses during pregnancy are critical, and SCFA supplementation offers a potential therapeutic strategy for placental insufficiency.
