| 1. |
- Lingam, Ingran, et al.
(författare)
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Neonatal outcomes following early fetal growth restriction : a subgroup analysis of the EVERREST study
- 2023
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Ingår i: Archives of disease in childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition. - 1359-2998. ; 108:6, s. 599-606
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To quantify the risks of mortality, morbidity and postnatal characteristics associated with extreme preterm fetal growth restriction (EP-FGR).DESIGN: The EVERREST (Do e s v ascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy saf e ly imp r ove outcome in seve r e e arly-onset fetal growth re st riction?) prospective multicentre study of women diagnosed with EP-FGR (singleton, estimated fetal weight (EFW) <3rd percentile, <600 g, 20+0-26+6 weeks of gestation). The UK subgroup of EP-FGR infants (<36 weeks) were sex-matched and gestation-matched to appropriate for age (AGA) infants born in University College London Hospital (1:2 design, EFW 25th-75th percentile).SETTING: Four tertiary perinatal units (UK, Germany, Spain, Sweden).MAIN OUTCOMES: Antenatal and postnatal mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sepsis, surgically treated necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).RESULTS: Of 135 mothers recruited with EP-FGR, 42 had a stillbirth or termination of pregnancy (31%) and 93 had live births (69%). Postnatal genetic abnormalities were identified in 7/93 (8%) live births. Mean gestational age at birth was 31.4 weeks (SD 4.6). 54 UK-born preterm EP-FGR infants (<36 weeks) were matched to AGA controls. EP-FGR was associated with increased BPD (43% vs 26%, OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 9.4, p=0.01), surgical NEC (6% vs 0%, p=0.036) and ROP treatment (11% vs 0%, p=0.001). Mortality was probably higher among FGR infants (9% vs 2%, OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 25.8, p=0.054). FGR infants more frequently received invasive ventilation (65% vs 50%, OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.1, p=0.03), took longer to achieve full feeds and had longer neonatal stays (median difference 6.1 days, 95% CI 3.8 to 8.9 and 19 days, 95% CI 9 to 30 days, respectively, p<0.0001).CONCLUSIONS: Mortality following diagnosis of EP-FGR is high. Survivors experience increased neonatal morbidity compared with AGA preterm infants.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02097667.
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| 2. |
- Lingam, Ingran, et al.
(författare)
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Serial blood cytokine and chemokine mRNA and microRNA over 48h are insult specific in a piglet model of inflammation-sensitized hypoxia-ischaemia.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Pediatric research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1530-0447 .- 0031-3998. ; 89:3, s. 464-475
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Exposure to inflammation exacerbates injury in neonatal encephalopathy (NE). We hypothesized that brain biomarker mRNA, cytokine mRNA and microRNA differentiate inflammation (E. coli LPS), hypoxia (Hypoxia), and inflammation-sensitized hypoxia (LPS+Hypoxia) in an NE piglet model.Sixteen piglets were randomized: (i) LPS 2μg/kg bolus; 1μg/kg infusion (LPS; n=5), (ii) Saline with hypoxia (Hypoxia; n=6), (iii) LPS commencing 4h pre-hypoxia (LPS+Hypoxia; n=5). Total RNA was acquired at baseline, 4h after LPS and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48h post-insult (animals euthanized at 48h). Quantitative PCR was performed for cytokines (IL1A, IL6, CXCL8, IL10, TNFA) and brain biomarkers (ENO2, UCHL1, S100B, GFAP, CRP, BDNF, MAPT). MicroRNA was detected using GeneChip (Affymetrix) microarrays. Fold changes from baseline were compared between groups and correlated with cell death (TUNEL) at 48h.Within 6h post-insult, we observed increased IL1A, CXCL8, CCL2 and ENO2 mRNA in LPS+Hypoxia and LPS compared to Hypoxia. IL10 mRNA differentiated all groups. Four microRNAs differentiated LPS+Hypoxia and Hypoxia: hsa-miR-23a, 27a, 31-5p, 193-5p. Cell death correlated with TNFA (R=0.69; p<0.01) at 1-3h and ENO2 (R=-0.69; p=0.01) at 48h.mRNA and miRNA differentiated hypoxia from inflammation-sensitized hypoxia within 6h in a piglet model. This information may inform human studies to enable triage for tailored neuroprotection in NE.Early stratification of infants with neonatal encephalopathy is key to provide tailored neuroprotection.IL1A, CXCL8, IL10, CCL2 and NSE mRNA are promising biomarkers of inflammation-sensitized hypoxia.IL10 mRNA levels differentiated all three pathological states; fold changes from baseline was the highest in LPS+Hypoxia animals, followed by LPS and Hypoxia at 6h.miR-23, -27, -31-5p and -193-5p were significantly upregulated within 6h of a hypoxia insult.Functional analysis highlighted the diverse roles of miRNA in the cellular processes.
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| 3. |
- Macintyre, David A, et al.
(författare)
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Activator protein 1 is a key terminal mediator of inflammation-induced preterm labor in mice.
- 2014
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Ingår i: FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. - : Wiley. - 1530-6860. ; 28:5, s. 2358-2368
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Activation of uterine inflammatory pathways leads to preterm labor (PTL), associated with high rates of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The transcription factors nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) regulate key proinflammatory and procontractile genes involved in normal labor and PTL. Here we show that NFκB activation normally occurs in the mouse myometrium at gestation day E18, prior to labor, whereas AP-1 and JNK activation occurs at labor onset. Where labor was induced using the progesterone receptor antagonist RU486, NFkB and AP-1/JNK activation both occurred at the time of labor (20 h compared to 60 h in DMSO-treated controls). Using an LPS (Escherichia coli: serotype O111)-induced PTL model that selectively activates AP-1 but not NFkB, we show that myometrial AP-1 activation drives production of cytokines (Il-6, Il-8, and Il-1β), metalloproteinases (Mmp3 and Mmp10), and procontractile proteins (Cox-2 and Cx43) resulting in PTL after 7 h. Protein levels of CX43 and IL-1β, and IL-1β cleavage, were increased following LPS-induced activation of AP-1. Inhibition of JNK by SP600125 (30 mg/kg) delayed PTL by 6 h (7.5 vs. 13.5 h P<0.05). Our data reveal that NFκB activation is not a functional requirement for infection/inflammation-induced preterm labor and that AP-1 activation is sufficient to drive inflammatory pathways that cause PTL.-MacIntyre, D. A., Lee, Y. S., Migale, R., Herbert, B. R., Waddington, S. N., Peebles, D., Hagberg, H., Johnson, M. R., Bennett, P. R. Activator protein 1 is a key terminal mediator of inflammation-induced preterm labor in mice.
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| 4. |
- Migale, Roberta, et al.
(författare)
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Specific Lipopolysaccharide Serotypes Induce Differential Maternal and Neonatal Inflammatory Responses in a Murine Model of Preterm Labor.
- 2015
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Ingår i: The American journal of pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-2191 .- 0002-9440. ; 185:9, s. 2390-401
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intrauterine inflammation is recognized as a key mediator of both normal and preterm birth but is also associated with neonatal neurological injury. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is often used to stimulate inflammatory pathways in animal models of infection/inflammation-induced preterm labor; however, inconsistencies in maternal and neonatal responses to LPS are frequently reported. We hypothesized that LPS serotype-specific responses may account for a portion of these inconsistencies. Four different Escherichia coli LPS serotypes (O111:B4, O55:B5, O127:B8, and O128:B12) were administered to CD1 mice via intrauterine injection at gestational day 16. Although control animals delivered at term 60±15 hours postinjection (p.i.), those administered with O111:B4 delivered 7 ± 2 hours p.i., O55:B5 delivered 10 ± 3 hours p.i., O127:B8 delivered 16 ± 10 hours p.i., and O128:B12 delivered 17 ± 2 hours p.i. (means ± SD). A correlation between the onset of preterm labor and myometrial activation of the inflammatory transcription factor, activator protein 1, but not NF-κB was observed. Specific LPS serotypes induced differential activation of downstream contractile and inflammatory pathways in myometrium and neonatal pup brain. Our findings demonstrate functional disparity in inflammatory pathway activation in response to differing LPS serotypes. Selective use of LPS serotypes may represent a useful tool for targeting specific inflammatory response mechanisms in these models.
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| 5. |
- Spencer, Rebecca, et al.
(författare)
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EVERREST prospective study : A 6-year prospective study to define the clinical and biological characteristics of pregnancies affected by severe early onset fetal growth restriction
- 2017
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Ingår i: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2393. ; 17:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a serious obstetric condition for which there is currently no treatment. The EVERREST Prospective Study has been designed to characterise the natural history of pregnancies affected by severe early onset FGR and establish a well phenotyped bio-bank. The findings will provide up-to-date information for clinicians and patients and inform the design and conduct of the EVERREST Clinical Trial: a phase I/IIa trial to assess the safety and efficacy of maternal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene therapy in severe early onset FGR. Data and samples from the EVERREST Prospective Study will be used to identify ultrasound and/or biochemical markers of prognosis in pregnancies with an estimated fetal weight (EFW) <3rd centile between 20+0 and 26+6 weeks of gestation. Methods: This is a 6 year European multicentre prospective cohort study, recruiting women with a singleton pregnancy where the EFW is <3rd centile for gestational age and <600 g at 20+0 to 26+6 weeks of gestation. Detailed data are collected on: maternal history; antenatal, peripartum, and postnatal maternal complications; health economic impact; psychological impact; neonatal condition, progress and complications; and infant growth and neurodevelopment to 2 years of corrected age in surviving infants. Standardised longitudinal ultrasound measurements are performed, including: fetal biometry; uterine artery, umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and ductus venosus Doppler velocimetry; and uterine artery and umbilical vein volume blood flow. Samples of maternal blood and urine, amniotic fluid (if amniocentesis performed), placenta, umbilical cord blood, and placental bed (if caesarean delivery performed) are collected for bio-banking. An initial analysis of maternal blood samples at enrolment is planned to identify biochemical markers that are predictors for fetal or neonatal death. Discussion: The findings of the EVERREST Prospective Study will support the development of a novel therapy for severe early onset FGR by describing in detail the natural history of the disease and by identifying women whose pregnancies have the poorest outcomes, in whom a therapy might be most advantageous. The findings will also enable better counselling of couples with affected pregnancies, and provide a valuable resource for future research into the causes of FGR. Trial registration:NCT02097667registered 31st October 2013.
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| 6. |
- Spencer, Rebecca, et al.
(författare)
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Maternal PlGF and umbilical Dopplers predict pregnancy outcomes at diagnosis of early-onset fetal growth restriction
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Investigation. - 0021-9738. ; 133:18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND. Severe, early-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR) causes significant fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Predicting the outcome of affected pregnancies at the time of diagnosis is difficult, thus preventing accurate patient counseling. We investigated the use of maternal serum protein and ultrasound measurements at diagnosis to predict fetal or neonatal death and 3 secondary outcomes: fetal death or delivery at or before 28+0 weeks, development of abnormal umbilical artery (UmA) Doppler velocimetry, and slow fetal growth. METHODS. Women with singleton pregnancies (n = 142, estimated fetal weights [EFWs] below the third centile, less than 600 g, 20+0 to 26+6 weeks of gestation, no known chromosomal, genetic, or major structural abnormalities) were recruited from 4 European centers. Maternal serum from the discovery set (n = 63) was analyzed for 7 proteins linked to angiogenesis, 90 additional proteins associated with cardiovascular disease, and 5 proteins identified through pooled liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Patient and clinician stakeholder priorities were used to select models tested in the validation set (n = 60), with final models calculated from combined data. RESULTS. The most discriminative model for fetal or neonatal death included the EFW z score (Hadlock 3 formula/Marsal chart), gestational age, and UmA Doppler category (AUC, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.97) but was less well calibrated than the model containing only the EFW z score (Hadlock 3/Marsal). The most discriminative model for fetal death or delivery at or before 28+0 weeks included maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) concentration and UmA Doppler category (AUC, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.94). CONCLUSION. Ultrasound measurements and maternal serum PlGF concentration at diagnosis of severe, early-onset FGR predicted pregnancy outcomes of importance to patients and clinicians.
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| 7. |
- Spencer, Rebecca N., et al.
(författare)
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Development of standard definitions and grading for Maternal and Fetal Adverse Event Terminology
- 2022
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Ingår i: Prenatal Diagnosis. - : Wiley. - 0197-3851 .- 1097-0223. ; 42:1, s. 15-26
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Adverse event (AE) monitoring is central to assessing therapeutic safety. The lack of a comprehensive framework to define and grade maternal and fetal AEs in pregnancy trials severely limits understanding risks in pregnant women. We created AE terminology to improve safety monitoring for developing pregnancy drugs, devices and interventions. Method: Existing severity grading for pregnant AEs and definitions/indicators of ‘severe’ and ‘life-threatening’ conditions relevant to maternal and fetal clinical trials were identified through a literature search. An international multidisciplinary group identified and filled gaps in definitions and severity grading using Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terms and severity grading criteria based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Event (CTCAE) generic structure. The draft criteria underwent two rounds of a modified Delphi process with international fetal therapy, obstetric, neonatal, industry experts, patients and patient representatives. Results: Fetal AEs were defined as being diagnosable in utero with potential to harm the fetus, and were integrated into MedDRA. AE severity was graded independently for the pregnant woman and her fetus. Maternal (n = 12) and fetal (n = 19) AE definitions and severity grading criteria were developed and ratified by consensus. Conclusions: This Maternal and Fetal AE Terminology version 1.0 allows systematic consistent AE assessment in pregnancy trials to improve safety.
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| 8. |
- Thei, Laura, et al.
(författare)
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Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 has duality in function between neuronal and astrocyte expression following neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic cerebral injury.
- 2018
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Ingår i: The Journal of physiology. - 1469-7793. ; 596:23, s. 6043-6062
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study identifies phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) to be immediately diminished followed by a rapid if transient increase for up to 4h following hypoxic-ischaemic insult (HI) in the neonatal mouse. Phosphorylated ERK up-regulation was prevented with systemic injection of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor SL327. Treatment with SL327 both pre- and post-HI gave a strong reduction in the number of dying cells and microgliosis. By utilising transgenic mouse mutations, we observe that neuronal ERK2 significantly contributes to tissue damage, while ERK1 and astrocytic ERK2 are neuroprotective. Compared to global inactivation, selective cell-specific interference with ERK activity could result in stronger neuroprotection.Hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) is a major cause of neonatal brain injury resulting in cerebral palsy, epilepsy, cognitive impairment and other neurological disabilities. The role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) isoforms and their mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-dependent phosphorylation in HI has previously been explored but remains unresolved at cellular level. This is pertinent given the growing awareness of the role of non-neuronal cells in neuroprotection. Using a modified Rice-Vannucci model of HI in the neonatal mouse we observed time- and cell-dependent ERK phosphorylation (pERK), with strongly up-regulated pERK immunoreactivity first in periventricular white matter axons within 15-45min of HI, followed by forebrain astrocytes and neurons (1-4h post-HI), and return to baseline by 16h. We explored the effects of pharmacological ERK blockade through the MEK inhibitor SL327 on neonatal HI-brain damage following HI alone (30 or 60min) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-sensitised HI insult (30min). Global inhibition of ERK phosphorylation with systemically applied SL327 abolished forebrain pERK immunoreactivity, and significantly reduced cell death and associated microglial activation at 48h post-HI. We then explored the effects of cell-specific ERK2 deletion alone or in combination with global ERK1 knockout under the same conditions of HI insult. Neuronal ERK2 deletion strongly decreased infarct size, neuronal cell death and microglial activation in grey matter following both HI alone or LPS-sensitised HI. ERK1 deletion attenuated the protective effect of neuronal ERK2 deletion. Removal of astroglial ERK2 produced a reverse response, with a 3- to 4-fold increase in microglial activation and cell death. Our data suggest a cell-specific and time-dependent role of ERK in neonatal HI, with a predominant, neurotoxic effect of neuronal ERK2, which is counteracted by neuroprotection by ERK1 and astrocytic ERK2. Overall, global pharmacological inhibition of ERK phosphorylation is strongly neuroprotective.
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