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Integrative genetic, genomic and transcriptomic analysis of heat shock protein and nuclear hormone receptor gene associations with spontaneous preterm birth.

ABSTRACT: Heat shock proteins are involved in the response to stress including activation of the immune response. Elevated circulating heat shock proteins are associated with spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). Intracellular heat shock proteins act as multifunctional molecular chaperones that regulate activity of nuclear hormone receptors. Since SPTB has a significant genetic predisposition, our objective was to identify genetic and transcriptomic evidence of heat shock proteins and nuclear hormone receptors that may affect risk for SPTB. We investigated all 97 genes encoding members of the heat shock protein families and all 49 genes encoding nuclear hormone receptors for their potential role in SPTB susceptibility. We used multiple genetic and genomic datasets including genome-wide association studies (GWASs), whole-exome sequencing (WES), and placental transcriptomics to identify SPTB predisposing factors from the mother, infant, and placenta. There were multiple associations of heat shock protein and nuclear hormone receptor genes with SPTB. Several orthogonal datasets supported roles for SEC63, HSPA1L, SACS, RORA, and AR in susceptibility to SPTB. We propose that suppression of specific heat shock proteins promotes maintenance of pregnancy, whereas activation of specific heat shock protein mediated signaling may disturb maternal-fetal tolerance and promote labor.

SUBMITTER: Huusko JM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8384995 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Integrative genetic, genomic and transcriptomic analysis of heat shock protein and nuclear hormone receptor gene associations with spontaneous preterm birth.

Huusko Johanna M JM Tiensuu Heli H Haapalainen Antti M AM Pasanen Anu A Tissarinen Pinja P Karjalainen Minna K MK Zhang Ge G Christensen Kaare K Ryckman Kelli K KK Jacobsson Bo B Murray Jeffrey C JC Kingsmore Stephen F SF Hallman Mikko M Muglia Louis J LJ Rämet Mika M

Scientific reports 20210824 1

Heat shock proteins are involved in the response to stress including activation of the immune response. Elevated circulating heat shock proteins are associated with spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). Intracellular heat shock proteins act as multifunctional molecular chaperones that regulate activity of nuclear hormone receptors. Since SPTB has a significant genetic predisposition, our objective was to identify genetic and transcriptomic evidence of heat shock proteins and nuclear hormone receptor ...[more]

PMID: 34429451

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Project description:BackgroundSpecific heat shock proteins are associated with pregnancy complications, including spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). Placental proteomics and whole exome sequencing recently suggested an association between heat shock protein HSPA5 and uncomplicated SPTB. In the present study, we investigated the localization of and possible roles for HSPA5 in SPTB.MethodsWestern blot was performed to validate the result from the previously published proteomic analysis. We used qPCR to assess mRNA expression of genes and immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy to examine localization of HSPA5 in placental tissue. We silenced the HSPA5 gene in the HTR8/SVneo human trophoblast cell line to investigate possible functions of HSPA5.ResultsHSPA5 was upregulated in placentas from SPTBs compared to spontaneous term births. We did not observe upregulation of HSPA5 mRNA in placental samples. The protein was localized in placental trophoblast in both spontaneous preterm and term placentas. Gene silencing of HSPA5 in human trophoblast cell culture affected the inflammatory response and decreased the expression of several proinflammatory genes.ConclusionsWe suggest that upregulation of HSPA5 in the placenta is associated with spontaneous preterm labor. HSPA5 may promote the inflammatory response and alter the anti-inflammatory state of the placenta which could eventually lead to premature labor.ImpactWe validated upregulation of HSPA5 in placentas from spontaneous preterm birth. HSPA5 was not upregulated at transcriptional level which suggests that it may be regulated post-translationally. Silencing HSPA5 in a human trophoblast-derived cell line suggested that HSPA5 promotes expression of proinflammatory cytokines. The emerging inflammation could lead to spontaneous preterm labor. Identifying inflammatory pathways and factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth increases knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of premature labor. This could provide cues to predict imminent premature labor and lead to information about how to safely maintain pregnancies.

Project description:BackgroundSpontaneous preterm birth accounts for most preterm births and leads to significant morbidity in the newborn and childhood period. This subtype of preterm birth represents an increasing proportion of all preterm births when compared with medically indicated preterm birth, yet it is understudied in omics analyses. The placenta is a key regulator of fetal and newborn health, and the placental transcriptome can provide insight into pathologic changes that lead to spontaneous preterm birth.ObjectiveThis analysis aimed to identify genes for which placental expression was associated with spontaneous preterm birth (including early preterm and late preterm birth).Study designThe ECHO PATHWAYS consortium extracted RNA from placental samples collected from the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood and the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth studies. Placental transcriptomic data were obtained by RNA sequencing. Linear models were fit to estimate differences in placental gene expression between term birth and spontaneous preterm birth (including gestational age subgroups defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). Models were adjusted for numerous confounding variables, including labor status, cohort, and RNA sequencing batch. This analysis excluded patients with induced labor, chorioamnionitis, multifetal gestations, or medical indications for preterm birth. Our combined cohort contained gene expression data for 14,023 genes in 48 preterm and 540 term samples. Genes and pathways were considered statistically significantly different at false discovery rate-adjusted P value of <.05.ResultsIn total, we identified 1728 genes for which placental expression was associated with spontaneous preterm birth with more differences in expression in early preterm samples than late preterm samples when compared with full-term samples. Of those, 9 genes were significantly decreased in both early and late spontaneous preterm birth, and the strongest associations involved placental expression of IL1B, ALPL, and CRLF1. In early and late preterm samples, we observed decreased expression of genes involved in immune signaling, signal transduction, and endocrine function.ConclusionThis study provides a comprehensive assessment of the differences in the placental transcriptome associated with spontaneous preterm birth with robust adjustment for confounding. Results of this study are in alignment with the known etiology of spontaneous preterm birth, because we identified multiple genes and pathways for which the placental and chorioamniotic membrane expression was previously associated with prematurity, including IL1B. We identified decreased expression in key signaling pathways that are essential for placental growth and function, which may be related to the etiology of spontaneous preterm birth. We identified increased expression of genes within metabolic pathways associated exclusively with early preterm birth. These signaling and metabolic pathways may provide clinically targetable pathways and biomarkers. The findings presented here can be used to understand underlying pathologic changes in premature placentas, which can inform and improve clinical obstetrics practice.

Project description:IntroductionOvert thyroid disease in pregnancy is associated with numerous maternal and neonatal complications including preterm birth. Less is known about the contribution of trimester-specific subclinical alterations in individual thyroid hormones, especially in late gestation, on the risk of preterm birth. Herein, we examined the associations between subclinical changes in maternal thyroid hormone concentrations (TSH, total T3, free and total T4), measured at multiple time points in pregnancy, and the odds of preterm birth in pregnant women without clinical thyroid disease.Participants and methodsData were obtained from pregnant women participating in a nested case-control study of preterm birth within on ongoing birth cohort study at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA (N = 439; 116 cases and 323 controls). We measured thyroid hormones in plasma collected at up to four time points in pregnancy (median = 10, 18, 26, and 35 weeks). We used multivariate logistic regression models stratified by study visit of sample collection to examine associations. To reveal potential biological pathways, we also explored these relationships by obstetric presentation of preterm birth (e.g., spontaneous preterm delivery) that have been previously hypothesized to share common underlying mechanisms.ResultsIn samples collected at median 10 and 26 weeks of gestation, we found inverse associations between FT4 and the odds of overall preterm birth (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33, 1.00; and OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.34, 0.84, respectively). Positive associations were detected for total T3 at these same time points (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.20, 5.31; and OR = 3.40, 95% CI = 1.56, 7.40, respectively). These effect estimates were stronger for spontaneous preterm birth.ConclusionsOur results suggest that subclinical alterations in individual maternal thyroid hormones may influence the risk of preterm birth, and the strength of these associations vary by gestational age.

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Integrative genetic, genomic and transcriptomic analysis of heat shock protein and nuclear hormone receptor gene associations with spontaneous preterm birth.

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Integrative genetic, genomic and transcriptomic analysis of heat shock protein and nuclear hormone receptor gene associations with spontaneous preterm birth.

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