Molecular regulators of defective placental and cardiovascular development in fetal growth restriction

• Published in: Clinical science (1979) Vol. 138; no. 13; p. 761
• Main Authors: Umapathy, Anandita, Clark, Alys, Sehgal, Arvind, Karanam, Vijaya, Rajaraman, Gayathri, Kalionis, Bill, Jones, Helen N, James, Jo, Murthi, Padma
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 03-07-2024
• Subjects: Animals; Cardiovascular System - embryology; Cardiovascular System - growth & development; Cardiovascular System - metabolism; Cardiovascular System - physiopathology; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation - metabolism; Fetal Growth Retardation - physiopathology; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Placenta - metabolism; Placental Insufficiency - metabolism; Placental Insufficiency - physiopathology; Pregnancy; Fetal growth; angiogenic factors; Placenta; growth factors; cardiovascular development; homeobox genes
• ISSN: 1470-8736
• DOI: 10.1042/CS20220428

Placental insufficiency is one of the major causes of fetal growth restriction (FGR), a significant pregnancy disorder in which the fetus fails to achieve its full growth potential in utero. As well as the acute consequences of being born too small, affected offspring are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases in later life. The placenta and heart develop concurrently, therefore placental maldevelopment and function in FGR may have profound effect on the growth and differentiation of many organ systems, including the heart. Hence, understanding the key molecular players that are synergistically linked in the development of the placenta and heart is critical. This review highlights the key growth factors, angiogenic molecules and transcription factors that are common causes of defective placental and cardiovascular development.