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Maternal-Fetal Crosstalk in Cardiovascular Programming: Linking the Intrauterine Environment to Lifelong Disease Risk

Ning Wu1,2, Hairui Sun1,2, Siyao Zhang1,2

  • 1Echocardiography Medical Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China.

Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
|July 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Maternal-fetal crosstalk during pregnancy significantly influences fetal heart development, impacting long-term cardiovascular health. Understanding this early-life programming is key to preventing cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Reproductive Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of death.
  • Fetal development and the intrauterine environment are critical for cardiovascular susceptibility.
  • Maternal-fetal communication via the placenta is essential for cardiac and vascular development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how maternal-fetal crosstalk shapes cardiovascular development.
  • To explore mechanisms beyond genetics influencing cardiovascular programming.
  • To link early-life exposures to lifelong cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing current evidence.
  • Analysis of maternal-fetal communication pathways.
  • Integration of epigenetic, mitochondrial, immune, and intercellular signaling mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Maternal physiological disruptions alter intrauterine signals, affecting fetal cardiac and vascular development.
  • These alterations lead to persistent changes in cardiomyocyte growth and endothelial function.
  • Cardiovascular programming involves complex interactions including epigenetics and immune signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal-fetal crosstalk is a primary determinant of cardiovascular development, independent of genetics.
  • Early-life exposures and intrauterine environment significantly contribute to long-term cardiovascular risk.
  • An integrated framework highlights the importance of maternal health for lifelong cardiovascular wellness.

Keywords:
cardiovascular programmingdevelopmental origins of health and diseaseintrauterine environmentmaternal–fetal crosstalk

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