Maternal opioid use is associated with altered placental bacterial DNA and activation of immune-apoptotic pathways.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Opioid use during pregnancy is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, but its effects on placental biology are not well understood. Because the placenta plays a vital role in fetal development and immune regulation, we examined how maternal opioid exposure influences microbial DNA signatures and immune gene expression in the placenta.

Methods

Placentas from opioid-exposed and control C57 BL/6 female mice were analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing and pathway enrichment analysis.

Results

Opioid-exposed placentas showed altered microbial DNA profiles, including increased α-diversity and enrichment of Staphylococcus spp. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 357 differentially expressed genes, emphasizing immune pathways, includ

SUBMITTER: Abu YF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12755123 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature