Mitochondrial and Oxidative Unbalance in Placentas from Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Antioxidants

Anaïs Serati¹  Chiara Novielli¹  Irene Cetin¹  Valeria M. Savasi¹  Fabrizia Lisso¹  Gaia M. Anelli¹  Chiara Mandò¹  Chiara Tasca²  Silvia Corti³ 

[1] Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vittore Buzzi Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20154 Milano, Italy;Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Luigi Sacco Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, 20157 Milano, Italy;

关键词: pregnancy;    SARS-CoV-2;    COVID-19;    placenta;    mitochondria;    oxidative stress;   

DOI  :  10.3390/antiox10101517

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

SARS-CoV-2 infection has been related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. A placental role in protecting the fetus from SARS-CoV-2 infection has been documented. Nevertheless, it is still unclear how the placenta is affected in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we assessed placental mitochondrial (mt) and oxidative features in COVID-19 and healthy mothers. mtDNA levels, DNA oxidative damage, expression levels of genes involved in antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial dynamics and respiratory chain subunits were investigated in placentas from singleton pregnancies of 30 women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the third trimester (12 asymptomatic, 18 symptomatic) and 16 controls. mtDNA levels decreased in COVID-19 placentas vs. controls and inversely correlated with DNA oxidative damage, which increased in the symptomatic group. Antioxidant gene expressions decreased in SARS-CoV-2 mothers (CAT, GSS). Symptomatic cases also showed a lower expression of respiratory chain (NDUFA9, SDHA, COX4I1) and mt dynamics (DNM1L, FIS1) genes. Alterations in placental mitochondrial features and oxidative balance in COVID-19-affected mothers might be due to the impaired intrauterine environment, generated by systemic viral effects, leading to a negative vicious circle that worsens placental oxidative stress and mitochondrial efficiency. This likely causes cell homeostasis dysregulations, raising the potential of possible long-term effects.

【 授权许可】

Unknown