In vivo in uterus non-invasive methods to predict placental insufficiency and adverse pregnancy outcomes in antiphospholipid syndrome

Girardi, Guillermina; Fraser, Jennifer; Bertolaccini, Maria Laura; Lennen, Ross; Vontell, Regina; Hutchison, Gary

Abstract

Objectives: To use MRI-based methods to non invasively detect placental insufficiency and predict fetal outcomes in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
Methods and result: A) Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles conjugated to antibodies to complement C3 were used to detect complement activation in placentas in uterus. Injection of USPIO-conjugated antiC3 caused a significant reduction in T2*-relaxation time in placentas from APS-mice compared to control mice (Ctrl) (p<0.005), indicative of increased C3 deposition. SPIOs alone and SPIOs conjugated to control antibodies (USPIO-CtrlAb) were included as Ctrl. C3 deposition in placentas was associated with increased oxidative stress and decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), suggesting placental insufficiency. Increased C3 deposition in placentas in APS was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and was also associated with diminished placental and fetal weight.

Citation

Girardi, G., Fraser, J., Bertolaccini, M. L., Lennen, R., Vontell, R., & Hutchison, G. (2014). In vivo in uterus non-invasive methods to predict placental insufficiency and adverse pregnancy outcomes in antiphospholipid syndrome. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2014.06.184

• Acceptance Date: Aug 28, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Aug 28, 2014
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: May 2, 2019
• Journal: Placenta
• Print ISSN: 0143-4004
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 9
• Pages: A56-A57
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2014.06.184
• Keywords: placental insufficiency; antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1749711
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S014340041400410X