Altered decidual and placental catabolism of vitamin D may contribute to the aetiology of spontaneous miscarriage. (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, H.; Zhang, J.Y.; Chen, D.; Deng, F.; Morse, A.N.; Qiu, X.; He, P.; Lash, G.E.
• Is Part Of: Placenta. Volume 92(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: Vitamin D -- Spontaneous miscarriage -- Maternal-fetal interface -- CYP27B1 -- CYP24A1; Placenta -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Placenta -- Periodicals; Placenta -- Périodiques; Reproduction -- Périodiques; 612.63
• DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.01.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-4004

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Vitamin D catabolizing enzymes, along with vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D binding protein (DBP) are expressed in the decidua and placenta during pregnancy and capable of synthesizing active vitamin D. Vitamin D plays roles in immunoregulation and trophoblast invasion, key features of a successful pregnancy. Epidemiological data suggests that vitamin D deficiency is associated with both spontaneous and recurrent miscarriage but few studies have investigated the expression of the key vitamin D catabolizing enzymes in miscarriage. Methods: Placenta and decidua were collected after termination of apparently normal pregnancies (controls, n = 22) or spontaneous miscarriage (n = 20). Immunohistochemical staining, Western Blot and qRT-PCR were performed for CYP27B1, CYP24A1, CYP2R1, VDR and DBP (not qRT-PCR). HTR-8/SVneo cells were cultured in CoCL2 (hypoxic mimetic) or LPS (bacterial infection mimetic) for 24 h, RNA extracted and qRT-PCR performed for CYP27B1, CYP24A1, CYP2R1 and VDR. Results: In spontaneous miscarriage, placental and decidual expression of CYP27B1 was reduced, while expression of CYP24A1, VDR and DBP was increased. When a trophoblast cell line was treated with CoCL2 expression of CYP27B1 was increased and CYP24A1 was reduced, while LPS induced expression of VDR. Discussion: This is the first report of altered utero-placental vitamin D catabolism in spontaneous miscarriage. It is becoming accepted that women who are undergoing assisted reproductive technologies should ensure they have sufficient vitamin D levels prior to pregnancy, these data support that all women should ensure they are vitamin D replete before planning to get pregnant. Highlights: Placental/decidual levels of vitamin D are decreased in spontaneous miscarriage. CYP enzyme expression changes may be linked to hyperoxia. VDR expression changes may be linked to infection.