Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Brugger, B.
Flow mediated modulation of villous trophoblast physiology
PhD-Studium (Doctor of Philosophy); Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2023. pp.
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Desoye Gernot
- Gauster Martin
- Moser Gerit
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- At the beginning of pregnancy, the extravillous trophoblasts invade spiral arteries through anchoring villi and build so-called trophoblast plugs. These trophoblast plugs lose their tight integrity from 6 weeks of gestation onwards. This is the time when the first maternal blood cells can enter the intervillous space. Low blood plasma flow results in shear stress acting on the placenta from that time onwards, which increases during the first part of pregnancy until the full utero-placental blood flow is established. Many changes in the developing placenta happen due to this low fluid flow, including morphological changes, alteration of the metabolism and the endocrine activity. In this thesis, we created an overview of changes in the regulation of gene expression due to different physiological flow conditions. Mainly genes involved in the cellular metabolism, ribosomal rearrangement and mitochondrial activity were regulated in trophoblasts exposed to fluid shear stress. We showed a deregulation of the glucose metabolism in response to fluid flow and present an alternative pathway for energy production and maintenance in the placenta itself. We were able to identify enzymes supporting the glycolysis in energy production. This is of high importance for healthy development of the placenta and the growing fetus, as it creates a glycogen storage for later gestational ages and may increase nutrient supply to the baby.