Review: Fetal-maternal communication via extracellular vesicles - Implications for complications of pregnancies

Stefanie Adam; Omar Elfeky; Vyjayanthi Kinhal; Suchismita Dutta; Andrew Lai; Nanthini Jayabalan; Zarin Nuzhat; Carlos Palma; Gregory E Rice; Carlos Salomon

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2016.12.001

Review: Fetal-maternal communication via extracellular vesicles - Implications for complications of pregnancies

Placenta. 2017 Jun:54:83-88. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.12.001. Epub 2016 Dec 5.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4029, Australia.
² Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4029, Australia; Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, USA.
³ Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4029, Australia; Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, USA. Electronic address: c.salomongallo@uq.edu.au.

PMID: 27939894
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.12.001

Abstract

The maternal physiology experiences numerous changes during pregnancy which are essential in controlling and maintaining maternal metabolic adaptations and fetal development. The human placenta is an organ that serves as the primary interface between the maternal and fetal circulation, thereby supplying the fetus with nutrients, blood and oxygen through the umbilical cord. During gestation, the placenta continuously releases several molecules into maternal circulation, including hormones, proteins, RNA and DNA. Interestingly, the presence of extracellular vesicles (EVs) of placental origin has been identified in maternal circulation across gestation. EVs can be categorised according to their size and/or origin into microvesicles (∼150-1000 nm) and exosomes (∼40-120 nm). Microvesicles are released by budding from the plasmatic membrane, whereas exosome release is by fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasmatic membrane. Exosomes released from placental cells have been found to be regulated by oxygen tension and glucose concentration. Furthermore, maternal exosomes have the ability to stimulate cytokine release from endothelial cells. In this review, we will discuss the role of EVs during fetal-maternal communication during gestation with a special emphasis on exosomes.

Keywords: Exosomes; Extracellular vesicles; Placenta; Pregnancy.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Extracellular Vesicles / physiology*
Female
Humans
Maternal-Fetal Exchange*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications