Articles tagged with Placenta
Scientists at EMBL discovered that cell contraction strength determines whether cells move inwards to form the embryo or stay on the surface to become the placenta. The study found that unequal inheritance of apical proteins affects cell contraction, leading to the formation of either embryonic or placental tissues.
Researchers at UTMB identified a molecule called p38 MAPK linked to premature birth, found in stressed exosomes from placental tissue. This discovery sheds light on the triggers of preterm delivery, which affects an estimated 15 million babies worldwide each year.
Researchers found that High Intensity Focused Ultrasound can selectively target and destroy placental blood vessels, potentially enabling a non-invasive procedure to separate the placenta in TTTS. The technique could reduce chance of complications and improve outcomes for affected twins.
Research reveals lower CD74 receptors on placental macrophages disrupt fetal nourishment, leading to abnormal placentas and preeclampsia. This discovery opens new possibilities for long-term therapy targeting root causes of the disease.
Scientists have discovered that Zika virus can infect and replicate in immune cells from the placenta without killing them. This finding may explain how the virus passes through the placenta of a pregnant woman to infect developing brain cells in her fetus.
Scientists have bioprinted a 3-D model of placenta tissue that mimics the organ's complex structure, which could lead to better understanding and treatment options for preeclampsia. The 3D model includes trophoblasts, epidermal growth factor, and other key components, showing improved cell migration towards the growth factor.
Researchers suggest statins could shield unborn babies from maternal stress, promoting normal heart development and growth. Studies in mice found that treating mothers with statins stimulates blood vessel growth, reducing the risk of health problems later life.
Researchers developed mouse models to study Zika virus infection during pregnancy, revealing fetal brain damage and potential for long-term neurological problems. The studies also showed the importance of understanding how the virus latches onto the placenta to prevent transmission.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have devised a method to selectively deliver drugs to a pregnant woman's placenta without harming the foetus. This breakthrough could help prevent some premature births and treat conditions such as pre-eclampsia by improving placental function and benefiting the growing baby.
Researchers have identified a long non-coding RNA in the placenta that plays a crucial role in protecting the unborn baby from invading pathogens. The lncRNA, called lncRHOXF1, regulates the immune response and appears to be sensing and modulating its expression based on the presence of viruses.
A new study provides proof of principle for safe and targeted delivery of drugs to the placenta during pregnancy. The discovery could prevent premature births and treat complications like preeclampsia by bolstering the placenta's function.
Consuming a high-fructose diet during pregnancy may cause defects in the placenta and restrict fetal growth, potentially increasing a baby's risk for metabolic health problems later in life. However, administering allopurinol, a common drug prescribed to treat gout and kidney stones, appears to mitigate these negative effects.
The study found a positive association between placental size and offspring bone mass at various ages, even after adjusting for factors such as height, weight, and pubertal status. Larger bones in early life are expected to lead to stronger bones in older adulthood, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Researchers developed a cell-based model of the human placenta that can help explain how pathogens, like Zika virus, cross from mother to unborn child. The model recapitulates the barrier properties of naturally occurring cells and resists infection by certain viruses.
Researchers have discovered that epigenetic information in the egg plays a crucial role in shaping the development of the placenta during pregnancy. The study found that DNA methylation marks from the egg are essential for correct placental development, particularly in regulating cell adhesion and migration.
Researchers have successfully converted skin cells into stable and fully functional placenta-generating cells, overcoming two major bottlenecks in regenerative medicine. This breakthrough resolves ethical and immune rejection issues, offering new hope for women with recurrent miscarriage and placental dysfunction diseases.
The NIH has announced a significant investment in research technology to better understand the placenta's function during pregnancy. This initiative aims to identify problems with the placenta earlier, enabling physicians to intervene more quickly and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that the placenta stores and gradually releases oxygen to support the growth of early embryos. The new study reveals how the placenta solves the problem of supplying oxygen to the embryo in its first few weeks after implantation.
A new placenta-on-a-chip technology was developed by NIH researchers to better understand the inner workings of the human placenta and its role in pregnancy. The device models nutrient transfer from mother to fetus and may help address questions difficult to answer with current placenta model systems.
A review of 10 studies found no human data to support claims that eating placenta reduces postpartum depression or pain. Unknown risks to women and babies are also a concern due to lack of regulation and inconsistent dosing.
The March of Dimes Foundation has funded a Portuguese laboratory to study factors that act in the placenta to protect the fetus from malaria. The research focuses on trophoblast cells, which are crucial for maternal-fetal exchanges of nutrients and gases.
Researchers found that small non-coding RNAs in maternal food can transfer to the fetus and regulate its gene expression. This discovery has important implications for understanding the function of the placenta and the potential impact of maternal diet on fetal development.
Researchers reveal that gland cells in uterine lining store glucose as glycogen and deliver it to placenta with glycoproteins for energy conversion. Early nutrition plays a crucial role in successful pregnancy and child health.
A Dartmouth College study has found that the placenta can be used to measure arsenic exposure in pregnant women and their fetuses. The study, which analyzed 652 placentas, showed a positive association between placental arsenic concentrations and maternal-to-infant arsenic transfer ratios.
MDC researchers identify a crucial gene regulator, GRHL2, that controls placental development in mice and humans. The study reveals that perturbations of this pathway can lead to developmental defects of the placenta and related pregnancy disorders.
Researchers found that restricting maternal immune cells from the placenta can protect against pregnancy complications during maternal infection and complications not triggered by prenatal infection. Blocking CXCR3 effectively eliminated fetal resorption and restored healthy live offspring to Listeria infected mice.
Research found that exposure to phthalates early in pregnancy disrupts essential pregnancy hormone levels, leading to adverse effects on male genital development. Higher phthalate levels were linked to lower hCG levels and shorter anogenital distance in male babies.
Listeria uses distinct tactics to breach the intestine and placenta, utilizing protein phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3-K) for invasion. The study uncovers key differences in Listeria's internalin proteins and their role in PI3-K activation.
A recent study published in The Journal of Physiology found that increased stress hormone levels in pregnant mice can lead to overeating and reduced fetal growth. However, this effect is not seen when the hormone is administered earlier in pregnancy or when the diet is restricted. The researchers believe that maternal glucocorticoid le...
Researchers found that trophoblasts respond to inflammatory danger signals and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a potential role in pregnancy disorders such as preeclampsia. The study aims to understand the underlying inflammation associated with pre-eclamptic pregnancies.
A new interventional radiology procedure has been shown to preserve the uterus in patients with placenta accreta, reducing the risk of massive obstetric hemorrhage and potential hysterectomy. The study found that placement of balloons in the main artery of the pelvis prior to a Caesarean section is safe for both mother and baby.
A new theory proposes that preeclampsia is caused by the body's response to insufficient oxygen and nutrient supply to the growing fetus, leading to high blood pressure and organ damage. The condition can have fatal complications for pregnant women and their babies if left untreated.
The critically endangered Saimaa ringed seal has extremely low genetic diversity, which continues to decline due to its isolated population and limited migration. A recent study developed a method to identify individual seals using DNA samples from placentas collected from birth-lair sites.
Researchers at PRB, WSU, and DMC identify preterm labor as a syndrome caused by multiple disease states, including silent infections and maternal anti-fetal rejection. Studies show that administering vaginal progesterone can reduce preterm birth rates by 45%, highlighting potential therapeutic interventions.
Researchers found that species with placentas tend to have smaller males with reduced bright colors and courtship displays. This discovery links sexual selection and placenta formation, suggesting that the evolution of complex organs like placentas is influenced by mating strategies.
Researchers have identified a key enzyme in the placenta that translates maternal stress into a reprogramming signal for the brain before birth. This enzyme, OGT, is linked to brain mitochondrial dysfunction, which may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
A University of Adelaide research team discovered significant genetic and physiological differences between male and female babies, with placenta playing a crucial role. The findings suggest that female babies are more likely to adopt a risk-averse strategy towards development and survival.
Research at The University of Manchester found that moderate to heavy alcohol consumption in early pregnancy can reduce cell growth in the placenta. Drinking levels equivalent to half or one standard drink did not have a harmful effect, but reduced taurine transport from mother to baby was observed.
Researchers at UCLA's Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have identified a specific type of cell and related cell communication pathway crucial for healthy placenta growth. The findings may help clarify the causes of fetal growth restriction and other pregnancy complications.
Researchers discovered that changes in vaginal bacteria and placental levels of lactobacillus can alter the newborn's gut microbiome and affect brain development. The study also found a potential link between placental OGT protein levels and offspring neurodevelopment.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen's Danish Stem Cell Center have made a groundbreaking discovery in regressing embryonic stem cells to an early stage of development. This breakthrough could provide new insights into conditions such as miscarriages and placenta-related disorders.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a key marker to identify newborns at risk for autism: abnormal placental folds and cell growths called trophoblast inclusions. This breakthrough allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment, potentially improving outcomes.
Research finds an association between a rare pregnancy condition called chorangiosis and full-blown malaria in pregnant women. The study suggests that active malarial infection enhances blood vessel growth in the placenta, potentially leading to complications like low birth weight.
A recent study by Chinese Academy of Sciences and University of Calgary reveals a molecular feedback loop that governs the earliest steps of placenta formation, which is crucial for diagnosing and treating related pregnancy complications. The research found that this feedback loop involves Gcm1 and Fzd5 signaling cascades.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine found that maternal stress exposure affects the developing brains of male and female offspring differently. The researchers discovered a biomarker, Ogt, which may signal to the fetus that its mother has experienced stress.
Researchers have discovered that malaria parasites can accumulate in areas of low placental blood flow, triggering an inflammatory response. This study shows that the dynamics of placental circulation can influence parasite behavior and sequestration, highlighting a new potential target for therapeutics.
A study published in International Journal of Epidemiology found a strong association between sudden cardiac death and a thin placenta at birth, suggesting impaired fetal development of the autonomic nervous system as a contributing factor. The study also found an independent association with poor educational attainment.
Researchers found that human placenta-derived endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are more proliferative and better at forming new blood vessels than those derived from umbilical cord blood. The study, published in Cell Medicine, suggests that the placenta could be an abundant source of ECFCs for therapeutic use.
Scientists have discovered that the controlled release of microRNA miR-675 slows down placental growth before birth, regulating a key factor in healthy pregnancy. This finding has important implications for understanding how environmental signals and diet may influence fetal development.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered two essential repressor genes, E2f7 and E2f8, that control cell proliferation in the placenta. The absence of these genes leads to overcrowded and poorly organized cells, hindering embryonic development.
A study by neuroscientists at the University at Buffalo proposes that ingesting placenta components may provide benefits to human mothers and potentially to non-human mammals. The research highlights the importance of further studying placentophagia, a practice observed in many non-human mammalian species.
Researchers identified PDGF-B signaling in trophoblasts as a vital component of the placental niche, supporting blood stem cell generation and expansion without promoting differentiation. This discovery provides new insights into regulating EPO expression and governing the fates of blood stem cells during development.
Researchers suggest that the placenta's invasiveness into the uterine wall may lead to increased blood loss at delivery. Biomarkers produced by trophoblasts could potentially predict risk, allowing women to make informed decisions about their birthing site and medical care.
A study published in PNAS found a strong association between high levels of pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and an increased risk of spina bifida and anencephaly in newborns. The researchers collected placentas from 80 fetuses with birth defects and found high concentrations of endosulfan, lindane, and PAHs.
A new study published in Reproductive Sciences describes the mechanism that keeps these conflicting goals in balance. The placenta tricks the mother by creating a diversion to occupy her lymphocytes, allowing invasive trophoblasts to sneak into her arteries and increase blood flow to the placenta.
Two studies found that frozen embryo transfer (FET) is associated with significantly higher birth weights and larger babies. FET was found to have a similar effect on small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children compared to naturally conceived children.
Researchers investigated predictors of adverse outcomes in IVF singletons, finding associations with preterm birth, small for gestational age, and placenta previa. Maternal smoking, BMI, and years of infertility were linked to increased risks of these conditions.
A new study reveals that a high-fat diet during pregnancy can decrease blood flow from the mother to the placenta and increase the risk of stillbirth. Researchers found this effect regardless of whether the mother was obese or slender, and in monkeys with hyper-insulinemia.
Researchers have discovered that combinations of a mother's body size and the shape and size of her baby's placenta can predict heart disease in men in later life. The study found three specific combinations where this prediction is accurate, including an oval-shaped placental surface in short mothers who had not been pregnant before.
A groundbreaking study by USC researchers shows the human placenta synthesizes serotonin, providing a new source of this neurotransmitter to the fetal forebrain. This discovery has implications for treating health impacts such as cardiovascular disease and mental illness.